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This page gives information about the differences between conventional or straight bowling balls and hook bowling balls.

Conventional Release:

A conventional release is where the bowler uses a conventional grip ball; this means they have their fingers in the ball down to their knuckles. This is used so that the bowler can just roll the ball from underneath the ball, all they have to do is swing and release. Conventional grips are generally used for straight bowling, they can be used to hook the ball, but it is very hard to get revs on the ball using this grip.

Fingertip Release:

Fingertip release is used by professional bowlers and is quite hard to start with, the bowler has to release the ball from the side, which is a lot harder than using a conventional grip. The bowler cannot grip the ball like with a conventional grip, otherwise the ball will either 1) Get stuck on their hand – or – 2) Create wrong spin on the ball. If you are using fingertip grip for Hook bowling you have to master both styles of bowling (Straight AND Hook with fingertip release) to use the two very different types of ball.

Straight bowling balls are generally the same. A house ball is not weighted differently at all. The outside surface is generally polished. A straight ball used by professionals can be used to hook a little bit, due to the weighting of the ball. All straight balls have a shiny surface, there is no coating on the ball, which is why the only reaction the ball gets is by the ‘revs‘ that are put on the ball, the ball does not react to the oil like a reactive bowling ball. Below is a diagram on a straight ball which is bought from a Pro Shop:

This is known as a ‘pancake core’, only balls over 9lb are weighted this way.

Hook Balls

Hook balls are a very different kettle of fish all together, there is a very large range of hook balls. A hook ball is chose for the way in which you want to bowl, along with a drilling style. I have created different sections below for each aspect of a hook ball, as you can see there is a hell of a lot more to a hook ball than a weight block. A right handed bowler cannot use a left handed bowlers hook ball, as they are drilled to go whichever direction the player plays. All reactive balls need to be resurfaced dependent on how much the ball is used; generally it is advised for league players to get their balls resurfaced every 3 months, this can be done at home or by a Pro Shop (you need a ball spinner and other equipment to re-surface a ball yourself).

Surface / Coverstock

The surface of reactive balls can differ, all reactive balls have a reactive coverstock. This coverstock will react with the oil as the ball is going down the lane to create ‘revs‘, generally this reactive coverstock will be between one to two inches thick on the outside of the ball. The surface of the ball can either be matt or polished, a matt finish ball will be best for heavy oil, whereas a polished ball will be best for light oil. If the lane is oiled all the way down then your pretty much screwed as a hook bowler to get any hook at all.

Note: Don’t get confused and think a polished ball won’t hook just because straight balls are polished, reactive balls do hook when polished because of the coverstock.

Centre Block / Weight

All reactive balls have a block or weight in the centre of the ball, the centre of the block is shown on the outside of the ball as a pin placement mark, usually this is a yellow or red dot which marks the centre of the weight block, there is also a mark on the ball indicating the centre of the ball in relation to the weight block position, also known as the RG position. Below is a image of a weight block, this is the weight block inside the new Brunswick Twisted Fury.

Ball Drilling

The ball drilling is based on how the bowler wants to bowl, the pin placement determines when the ball will hook and the Differential RG (see below) determines how much the ball will hook. If a bowler wants their ball to hook earlier (due to heavy oil for instance) the pin will be placed below the fingertip holes… and above for a later hook reaction. This also depends on the oil pattern which is being used. In professional tournaments such as the PBA bowlers must bowl on two lane conditions (one after another, two lanes side by side). Which means they usually have two reactive balls with different drilling.

Differential RG

This is the difference between the minimum and maximum RG axis in a ball. This property determines the track flare potential. The maximum allowable differential RG is 0.080 inches. The more the differential RG the more potential for track flare. Track flare increases the friction between the ball and the lane.

Beginner Reactive Ball

A beginner Reactive ball is generally drilled the same; much of the beginner balls are pretty much the same. Any ball is able to be hooked a lot or little; beginner balls seem to be made with the emphasis on the coverstock so the bowler can learn about revs and how to hook bowl. It can be very frustrating when you start off with a beginner ball, as most Pro Shops don’t actually drill the ball for your style of bowling until your second ball. Which is why I want to get a new ball soon for my style of bowling!