I recently started learning how to hook bowl. I would appreciate tips, suggestions, anything that the average beginner might mistakenly do.

I purchased a ball at the bowling alley I frequent. The guy that runs the shop there was very helpful and even spent several hours helping me learn. I can affectively hook bowl, I just need to work on being consistent. I'm also terrible when it comes to spares.

The biggest thing I need is to get in a league, though finding people to make a team has been difficult.

I'm a bowler. I average about 175, but that's only because I bowl once a week. I reckon if I started practicing more I could get into the 190s. I've never seen you bowl, so I'm sure what areas you need help with, but here are some general tips. Follow through with your throw. Be sure your arm comes all the way up, and be sure to try to keep your elbow straight. Also, if you have a finger tip ball, when releasing, release your thumb first and then follow through with your fingers. This will put more spin on the ball. As for shooting spares, they're all shot differently. As a basic rule of thumb (no pun intended), when shooting a spare, as you're throwing the ball, point your thumb in the area you want the ball to go to. So, if you're right handed, and you're shooting the ten pin (or left handed and 7 pin), as you're throwing, have your thumb pointing at that pin.

Another tip Ihave is good for the life of your ball. Many people complain that their ball loses it's hooking effects after months or years of use. It's not because the ball is worn; it's because it's not washed properly. Be sure you wipe your ball off before each frame with a towel. The oil that goes onto your ball will change its behavior on the lane. Also, be sure you wash your towel at least once a week so it's clean. And maybe about once a month, put your ball in a basin of hot sudsy water for about 10-15 minutes. This removes the oil/grease that soaks into the ball. This is one of the reasons that ball lose their effects after a while, because of the oil that soaks into it. Many people aren't aware of this. I found out because the guy at my pro shop informed me.

That's all I can think of now! Good luck.

Those are some good tips Dave. Some questions:

Does it matter what type of towel? The ones I see people using look like regular 100% cotton towels that you can find in most automotive stores, is this correct?

Should I get my ball sanded? I read that it might give it more spin potential.

I don't get into bowling but bowl on occasion for fun. I am right handed and can hook bowl bringing the ball to the left side. So spares to the left of center aren't a problem. However, anything right of center is hard for me if I hook bowl. If you ever gain some insight into that let me know please.

I'm not sure if it matters what type of towel. Some of my friends use hand rags from home, some bought theirs from a pro shop. I think it's just based on preference.

I guess it couldn't hurt to get it sanded. I've never done it and I don't know too many people who have done it. Ask the guy at the pro shop what his opinion is on it.

some of this stuff has already been mentioned. but here's my own advice:
- remember to follow through
- practice a lot. being consistant in every part of the throw is very important. this includes where you start walking from and how many steps you take. (walk in a straight line too!)
- clean your ball regularly
- any lane on any day can have different amounts of grease on it and in different spots too. learn to read the lane and adjust your throw accordingly.

I'm obviously no pro, but I believe it has to do with your ring finger. On your normal release you're putting the pressure on your middle finger, but to get the ball to hook right (for right-handers), you put the pressure on your ring finger and bring the hand that way.

Sorry for the terrible illustration, but I hope you get the idea. I've only pulled this off a few times.

Yes, I forgot about the lane conditions. Every day (and different times during the same day) the lane conditions change, so that's something you'll have to figure out on an individual basis. This is the reason you see some of these people with ten different bowling balls. They have a ball for a lot of different lane conditions. This is usually only needed when you're in a competitive situation. For everyday and league bowlers, one hook ball and a spare ball is all you need at most.

I see what you're saying. I think the finger that determines the amount of spin though is your pinky. Take notice next time you bowl. Do you curl your pinky when you bowl, or is it outstretched? If it's outstretched, the ball will obviously have more room to roll off your hand, thus creating more spin and a greater hook. I never realized this until a friend pointed this out to me, as I curled my pinky and I never even knew it!

All my fingers stay straight as far as I know. My biggest problem is my follow through. I've been working on raising my left arm in my approach, I think this helps some how. I've just been watching other people bowl and took some notes .

I'd really like to get on a team, but I don't know anyone that's as interested in bowling as myself.