How to make a bowling ball hook

What's the degree of difficulty for this?

 

12.

 

It's not so hard with the proper equipment.

 

It's not too terribly difficult to get a ball to hook, it's being able to control the hook that's tough.

 

about the same as my degree of difficulty at getting the ball to stay straight.
I always wind up twisting my wrist during the release so the ball hooks instead of staying straight and compensating for the hook is something I've never figured out.
Probably why my average when I bowl is full of fail.

 

It's basically a half-turn of the wrist upon release. Not that hard.

What's hard is making the rest of your mechanics consistent enough so the ball is being released in the right spot every time. You can execute that wrist turn perfectly, but if you release the ball too close to the gutter it'll go between the 3-5 pins instead of the 1-3. I always overcompensate, release the ball too far from the gutter, and hit the pins Brooklyn (1-2) or worse (2-4).

 

There's a joke about Woody Harrelson in "Kingpin" somewhere in here.

And if someone already posted a picture, I can't see them on my phone.

 

If you use the thumb, ask somebody else

If you don't, it's actually pretty easy. Make sure the throwing motion goes straight back and straight forward. When you release, use a quick flick of the wrist so your thumb points upward on the follow-through. If the wrist flick is too slow or two soft, the ball often will hook too far. If you exaggerate the follow-through at first (or if you're struggling as the game goes on), then it should get you back on track.

Depending on the lane conditions, I've found success setting up so the ball starts on the second arrow from the gutter. If the lane is dry (you can tell if the ball is hooking too much, since the oil basically keeps the ball on a straight-ish path), then set up for the first arrow or in between the first two arrows.

It takes some work to get the hang of it. Once you do, it's second nature.

Of course, this comes from a guy who usually uses a house ball to get his 160-170 average, so take it as you will

 

Also, you want a ball with the right weight. A lighter ball will hook more, a heavier one less.

 

When I went bowling two times ago, I bowled a 219, but left a bunch of splits after my first rolls. I throw it straight down th alley at the pins. I'm assuming if I learned to hook it, that problem would be solved?

Well, this is all figuring I can get my game more consistent. Last time I went I bowled a 125 and a 99.

 

Can you do a screwball with a bowling ball?