Bowling is a fun game, but it is tough to master. It can be frustrating when your bowling ball is hooking more than you want. What could cause this? Let's take a look at the culprit for this issue.

The most common reason your bowling ball is hooking too much is dry bowling lanes. When the lanes are dry, your ball has increased friction which causes it to hook more. You can combat this by moving your position to where you are missing your target.

Like any sport, bowling takes a lot of practice to get good. This article will discuss why dry bowling lanes cause your bowling ball to hook so much. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about the game of bowling, so read on!

What causes a bowling ball to hook?

Bowling is a sport of its own with no human defense to keep you from scoring. Instead, it is you against the bowling lane, the pins, and your skill level.

But sometimes, even the best bowlers end up with a ball that hooks too much. When this happens, it is usually due to one of two reasons: either the lane is too dry, or the bowler’s form is off.

A dry bowling lane is the most common reason for a ball to hook too much. When lanes are too dry, the ball has increased friction which causes it to hook more. You can combat this by moving your position to where you are missing your target.

For example, if you bowl left-handed and your ball is hooking too much to the right, move your body position to the right.

Move your body by how many boards you are missing your target. So, if you are missing your target by two boards, move your body two boards to the right or left, depending on how the ball is hooking.

The second reason your ball might be hooking too much is because of your form. If your form is off, then the ball will not roll in a straight line. Instead, it will veer off to one side or the other. Again, the best way to combat this is by practicing your form in front of a mirror.

Position yourself as if you were going to bowl, and then look at your form. Make sure that your arm is not too far back and that you are not twisting your body too much. Once you have perfected your form, the ball should roll in a straight line.

Why is it important to practice your bowling form?

It is essential to practice your form because it will help you bowl more accurately. If your form is off, the ball will not go where you want it to. In addition, if your form is off, you are more likely to get injured.

As mentioned earlier, you can practice your bowling form at home in front of a mirror. This will help you see what you are doing wrong and correct it. In addition, you can ask a friend or family member to watch you bowl and give you tips on how to improve your form.

Lastly, if you are trying to bowl competitively, it doesn't hurt to get a bowling coach. A bowling coach can help you fine-tune your form and make sure that you are bowling the best that you can.

Why do bowling lanes get dry?

Even though you practice your bowling form regularly, sometimes the bowling lanes can be too dry. Therefore, bowling lanes are oiled each day to protect the wood and help the ball travel down the lane.

However, if the lane is played on throughout the day, the bowling lanes begin to dry up. The dry lanes will affect the performance of your ball and cause it to hook more.

We have covered some ways to combat the dry lanes, but there are others. Another way is to make sure your bowling ball is in tip-top shape. That means ensuring that it is clean, polished, and resurfaced on schedule.

Let's look at how often to do each of these things.

How often should you clean your bowling ball?

You should clean your bowling ball after every use. This will remove any dirt, grime, or oil built up on the ball. In addition, it will help to keep the ball in good condition and make it last longer.

You can take a microfiber towel and wipe the ball down after each use. If your ball is particularly dirty, you can use a ball cleaning solution.

If you find that your bowling ball is developing an oil ring, you may need to wipe it down after each throw, frame, or game. Bowling balls are notorious for soaking up the oil from the lanes due to their resin or urethane coverstocks.

If you don't clean your ball regularly, the oil will build up and cause your ball to hook more. You can also take a small amount of rubbing alcohol to it after you are done for the day to ensure all the oil is removed.

How often should you polish your bowling ball?

You should polish your bowling ball every 15-18 games. Polishing your bowling ball will reduce skid and friction as it travels down the lane. Ask your bowling pro or coach what kind of bowling ball polish to use on your ball.

If you don't polish your bowling ball, it will eventually become dull and not perform well. In addition, if you are using a reactive resin or urethane bowling ball, the coverstock will begin to chip and crack if it is not polished regularly.

When you get the bowling ball polish, apply a little on a quarter of the ball at a time. Then rub it in with a microfiber towel. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it again.

Finally, repeat the process until the entire ball is polished.

How often do deep clean a bowling ball?

Deep cleaning your bowling ball every 50 games or so will ensure that you get rid of the coverstock's oil. This is easy to do and can be done at home with a bucket of hot water, Dawn dish soap, and a microfiber towel.

Drop a bit of Dawn dish soap into the bucket of hot water and let it soak for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, take the ball out and dry it off with a clean towel.

Then store the bowling ball in a clean, dry place.

How often should you have your bowling ball resurfaced?

You should get your bowling ball resurfaced every 60 games or at the end of the season. This will ensure that your ball has the best possible reaction on the lanes.

Resurfacing your bowling ball will also remove any dirt, oil, and grime built up on the coverstock.

You can take your bowling ball to a local pro shop to resurface it, which is usually inexpensive.

Once the bowling ball logo is hard to read, it may be time to get a new one.

Do heavier balls hook more?

Due to their weight, heavier bowling balls will hook more. The heavier the ball, the more energy it has to travel down the lane.

This extra energy causes the ball to hook more when it reaches the end of the lane.

If you are looking for a ball that hooks less, you should choose a lighter-weight ball.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a ball that is 10% of your body weight.

So, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should choose a 14-pound ball. Bowling balls only go up to 16 pounds, so for anyone over 160 pounds, you would need to select a 16-pound ball.

This is just a guideline and doesn't mean that you can't use a heavier or lighter ball if you want.

It is important to experiment with different weights to see what works best for you.

Final Thoughts

Caring for your bowling ball is important if you want it to last long and perform well. However, you will learn over time how to adjust to lane conditions. For example, adjusting to oily or dry lanes will come as you become more experienced.

Remember to have fun and enjoy the game!

Want to learn more about bowling? Here are other articles you might like:

How Often Should You Practice Bowling?

Should I Polish My Bowling Ball? [And How To]

How Fast Should A Bowling Ball Go?