Ebonite

Hello,

I recently (this season) returned to bowling and my first league after a 15 year hiatus.

About 3 weeks prior to the start of the season I purchased a Cyclone in 14 pounds and went with a fingertip drill. I can't really say much more other than I have fingertip inserts, a thumb plug drilled oval, and the pin (i believe) is above my ring finger.

My problem (from what i can tell and that the pro shop owner has noticed) is: 1) I have an extremely high back swing (even when I hold the ball low) resulting in very fast ball speed, 2) Pro shop owner says i should be using a 15 pound ball, and 3) even though I am trying I really have no hook (I believe it it because of the very fast ball speed because I hardly ever see it make any move towards the pocket but more directly where I aim it at).

I am trying to find a ball that can benefit from my high ball speed without having to sacrifice my ball speed to get my ball to respond to the lane, ie slowing down my ball speed.

About me:
5 step approach, steps 1 & 2 are for timing only
I use the React/R glove
Right handed
5 feet 8 inches tall
140 pounds
114 avg.
usually bowl 1st right arrow off center and generally leave 1 pin standing on ball one always and only very rarely end up going Brooklyn

Also, i am not sold on going heavier since when I bowled last I used a 12# conventional drill, and now went to a 14# fingertip and still get occasional pain (like over extending) immediately above my elbow after bowling


_________________
Ray de Leur
Seminole, OK

You have to lower the back swing to get your ball speed lower. Since you stated you hold the ball low in your stance and still have a very high back swing tells me you are muscling t he ball upwards and through your swing. Take your ball and practice this at home. Hold your ball like you are in your stance. Then the let your arm swing back by itself . You will notice your back swing is not as high as it was. keep practicing this at home till your brain makes it muscle memory. just let the ball fall naturally backwards like a pendulum . try it at various heights in your stance and you will notice your arm swing height is different depending on how high or low you hold it in your stance.
m.