Bowling balls with the most hook: Ten best bowling balls for hooks

Bowling balls with the most hook: Ten best bowling balls for hooks

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM

Bowling might appear to be a simple game of throwing the ball and getting the most strokes and points. However, it requires plenty of skills, techniques, and a good bowling bowl with the most hook potential. Different varieties of hook balls have been designed for beginners or seniors.

How to throw a hook with a bowling ball
A bowler in Bolichista, Bolerama Coyoacán la Colonia Del Valle, Mexico City, during its reopening on 19 October 2020 following closure due to COVID-19 in Mexico. Photo: Gerardo Vieyra
Source: Getty Images

A bowling ball travelling with constant speed hits the pins at the end of a bowling lane, often 16.5 m long. Modern hook balls enable bowlers to achieve speed, rotation, and entry angle. They have suitable surface coarseness, friction, and weight distribution, which gives players the most competitive edge possible.

What type of bowling ball hooks the best?

The Pyramid Path Rising and Storm Sure Lock are considered the best bowling balls for the sport. They are specially designed with unique features that allow pro players to get more strikes and increase their scores. Here is a breakdown of the top 10 best bowling balls for hook in 2022/2023 that will satisfy your needs.

10. Brunswick DV8 Quantum Bias

What type of bowling ball hooks the best?
A bowler picks up his ball from the rack in a match at The Westgate Lanes bowling alley in Brockton, MA, on 8 October 2020. Photo: Jim Davis
Source: Getty Images

If you are looking for a ball designed for heavy oil with a continuous look, this Brunswich brand is the best. It is also strong and has fancy/vibrant colours with less texture. Besides, it gives a quick move and hits the pin.

Features

  • Coverstock: Solid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Asymmetrical
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Oil Condition: Heavy
  • Weight: 14 lbs (6.35 kg)
  • Colour: White Solid

9. Hammer The Sauce

The bowling ball is designed for medium to heavy oil and performs well when used on a new oil lane. The ball also uses a strong and durable hammer coverstock that grabs and delivers the power to knock the pins.

Features

  • Coverstock: Solid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Symmetric Core
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy
  • Weight: 12,13 & 15 lbs (5.4 kg, 5.9 kg, 6.8 kg)
  • Colour: Red/Black/Magenta

8. MOTIV Jackal Ghost

Hammer bowling ball with the most hook
Adel Wahner of the Vanderbilt Commodores throws a ball during the Division I Women's Bowling Championship held at Rollhouse Wickliffe on 13 April 2019 in Wickliffe, Ohio. Photo: Jay LaPrete
Source: Getty Images

MOTIV Jackal Ghost is impressive when it comes to rolling competence. The beast lays out heavy rolling and continuation on the lane compared to any other on the list. Besides, it has more hook potential in contrast to its predecessor.

Features

  • Coverstock: Solid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Asymmetric Core
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Recommended Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
  • Weight: 14-16 lbs ( 6.4 kg - 7.3 kg)
  • Colour: Black/Purple Solid

7. Hammer Black Widow Legend

Arguably the best hammer bowling ball with the most hook in our list, the Black Widow Legend is known for its durable and robust construction that provides powerful pin action. However, it is not recommended for dry lanes.

  • Coverstock: Hybrid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Asymmetrical Gas Mask
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Recommended Lane Condition: Medium to Heavy Oil
  • Weight: 12-16 lbs ( 5.4 kg - 7.3 kg)
  • Colour: Black / Red Pearl

6. Storm Phaze II

Best bowling balls for hook in 2022
Bowling balls resembling billiard balls are arranged at the Pinstripes entertainment centre at the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo, Calif. on 15 January 2020. Photo: Paul Chinn
Source: Getty Images

The Storm Phaze second edition is one of the most popular brands providing more continuation on the lane. The ball is of durable quality that lasts for long-time play, and its performance is better on wood lanes and gives quick fractions.

Features

  • Coverstock: Solid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Symmetric Core
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Oil condition: Medium to Heavy
  • Weight: 12-16 lbs ( 5.4 kg - 7.3 kg)
  • Colour: Red/Blue/Purple

5. Hammer Black Widow 2.0

The Hammer Black Widow 2.0 brand has a powerful hook potential and a relatively high curve. It is specifically recommended for professionals ( not beginner friendly) who know the lane's condition, the force needed to release it, and curve techniques.

Features

  • Coverstock: Solid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Gas Mask
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Oil condition: Medium to heavy oil
  • Weight: 12-16 lbs (5.4 kg - 7.3 kg)
  • Colour: Black/Red

4. Pyramid Path Rising

Storm bowling ball with the most hook
A worker grabs a fifteen-pound bowling ball core at the Ebonite International manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on 24 March 2015. Photo: Luke Sharrett
Source: Getty Images

The Pyramid Path Rising is the best suitable brand to buy if you want a pleasant, low-budget bowling ball. It has different weight ranges and an undrilled customizable grip pattern. The ball is also made of materials that help maintain its texture and prevents scratches.

  • Coverstock: Pearl Reactive Resin
  • Core: Symmetric Core
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Oil Condition: Medium-Dry
  • Weight: 12-16lbs (5.4 kg - 7.3 kg)
  • Colour Options: Nine

3. Brunswick Rhino

Brunswick Rhino is a stylish bowling brand with a premium design and an attractive look. Most girls/women prefer it because of its beauty and vibrant colours. Moreover, it is ideal for beginners and can be used with left and right hands.

Features

  • Coverstock: Pearl Reactive Ressin
  • Core: Light Bulb Symmetrical Core
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Oil Condition: Dry-Medium
  • Weight: 10-16 lbs (4.5 kg -7.3 kg)
  • Colour Options: Seven

2. Storm Sure Lock

Bowling ball with the most hook
Joseph Brennan picks out the perfect ball during a Special Olympics of Berks County annual bowling tournament on 14 November 2015. Photo: Jeremy Drey
Source: Getty Images

Storm Sure Lock is the best storm bowling ball with the most hook on our list. The beast performs well on a wet or dry surface by knocking the pin with a massive strike. It is also easy to analyze the hook with it because of its colour pattern. In addition, Storm Sure Lock has a perfect back-end reaction.

  • Coverstock: Solid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Symmetric Core
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Oil Condition: Medium
  • Weight: 12-16 lbs (5.4 kg - 7.3 kg)
  • Colour: Yellow/Black/White

What bowling ball has the most hook potential?

Pyramid Antidote Solid is considered the best brand that gives players the most competitive edge possible. It has a unique colour combination and eye-catching texture. Here are more details about it.

1. Pyramid Antidote Solid

What bowling ball has the most hook potential?
Finished bowling balls sit in piles before being packaged and shipped at the Ebonite International manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on 24 March 2015. Photo: Luke Sharrett
Source: Getty Images

It can be used in medium-high oil lanes and has a strong hook potential and a mid-lane hook pattern. The beast is ideal for beginners; however, it skids too much if you throw it at high speed.

Features

  • Coverstock: Solid Reactive Resin
  • Core: Symmetric Core
  • Drilling: Un-Drilled
  • Oil Condition: Medium
  • Weight: 12-16 lbs (5.4 kg - 7.3 kg)
  • Colour: Yellow/Black/White

Best bowling ball for straight bowlers

It is advisable to start by bowling straight if you want to become an expert. Therefore, using the best straight balls will help improve their aiming accuracy. One of the best is the Brunswick Spiral Viz A brand, and it is built with quality polyester and crown factory finishing.

The Brunswick Spiral can roll dry lanes effortlessly and is perfect for any beginner or recreational bowler. Other recommended beasts for straight shots include:

  • Track Proof 15lb (6.8 kg)
  • Storm Phaze III 15lb (6.8 kg)
  • Bowlerstore Yarn
  • Moxy Exothermic Lightning
  • DV8 Intimidator Pearl
  • Anne Stokes Dragons/Dragonkin
  • Roto Grip UFO Alert 15lb (6.8 kg)
  • Strikeforce Bowling NFL Seattle Seahawks On Fire

How to throw a hook with a bowling ball

How to throw a hook with a bowling ball
A young woman approaches the lane with a ball at a bowling alley. Photo: GHI
Source: Getty Images

Spinning requires specific techniques to ensure you get the most strokes. It begins with how you hold the ball to how you release it. The tips help make the ball easy to control and prevent the player from falling in the gutter when releasing. Here are four crucial steps to guide you when bowling.

1. Holding the ball

Every player should adopt a fingertip grip to achieve a great hook. It is where the middle and ring fingers are inserted up to the first knuckle (your thumb still goes all the way in). However, most bowlers prefer inserting their fingers up to the second joint. Where to stand also depends on the target arrow and the coverstock of your bowling ball.

2. Getting the Thumb Out

One should remove the thumb from the bowling ball when making the final step with the foot. It is an essential step for a hook shot because the middle and index fingers dictate the hook. Keeping the thumb in for a short time will make the ball easier to control.

3. Finger Lift

After removing the thumb, the ball's weight will be transferred to your fingers, leaving it at the lowest point of your arm swing. Therefore, remove the middle and ring fingers from the ball swiftly while turning them counter-clockwise for right-handers and clockwise for left-handers. Doing this gives the ball more force while allowing a player to control the shot.

4. Hook Follow Through

When throwing the ball, your arm should continue to swing forward and towards your target, like someone giving a handshake. It helps provide the right combination of side rotation and revolution.

Finding the right bowling ball with the most hook can be challenging. However, the above options should help you choose the best as a starter or an expert. You can also get a pocket-friendly one as you learn bowling techniques.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.