New ball, new to hook bowling need help

[NatePT]

I just bought an Ebonite Killer Instinct sanded and I am totally new to hook bowling.  Ive been in a league since september and I average 136.  I throw a straight ball with a little backup,  last week I bowled a 201 game and finally broke 200.  My interest in bowling has gone up quite a bit and I decided to buy a new ball and learn to throw a hook.  I had a few questions to ask though:
Where (on the ball) should i have it drilled, will diagrams come with that show the best spot to drill or does it depend on how you throw?
Should I get the fingertip things on it and Is it easier to learn hook bowling with the fingertip things?
Should I wear a wrist guard?
Will I have any trouble learning hook bowling with this ball?
Some more info that may be necessary, the place a I bowl sometimes has heavy oil but usually medium.   There is a proshop at the alley I bowl at so I can get it drilled there.  Are there any sites that have some good info on learning to hook bowl?  I found that one with the videos that talks about stroking and cranking are there any others?  Thanks for any input you can give me.
-Nate

[J_Mac]

quote:I just bought an Ebonite Killer Instinct sanded and I am totally new to hook bowling.  Ive been in a league since september and I average 136.  I throw a straight ball with a little backup,  last week I bowled a 201 game and finally broke 200.  My interest in bowling has gone up quite a bit and I decided to buy a new ball and learn to throw a hook.  I had a few questions to ask though:
1. Where (on the ball) should i have it drilled, will diagrams come with that show the best spot to drill or does it depend on how you throw?
2. Should I get the fingertip things on it and Is it easier to learn hook bowling with the fingertip things?
3. Should I wear a wrist guard?
4. Will I have any trouble learning hook bowling with this ball?
Some more info that may be necessary, the place a I bowl sometimes has heavy oil but usually medium.   There is a proshop at the alley I bowl at so I can get it drilled there.  
5. Are there any sites that have some good info on learning to hook bowl?  I found that one with the videos that talks about stroking and cranking are there any others?  Thanks for any input you can give me.
-Nate

1.  Yes, when laying out a ball you need to keep in mind the bowlers style and conditions on which they'll be using the ball on.
2.   Yes, and yes.  With fingertip grips you can keep your fingers in the ball longer imparting more rotation on the ball.  More rotation generally means more hook.
3.  Completely up to you.  I used one and once I got rid of it I actually became a better, more consistent bowler.  If you don't have the arm/wrist strength you may find them helpful though.
4.  If you are a very inconsistent bowler this new ball is going to drive you nuts until you learn to be more consistent.  It may be difficult to control.
5.  There are tons of sites out there.  A really good one to start out with would be http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm  It may be a little over your head, but there are a lot of great tips there.
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It's kind of hard to read the lanes if you don't know their language...

Edited on 12/2/2004 11:39 PM

[Lane1Redneck]

http://www.ebonite.com/techcenter/coverstocks.php

Look in there,might find what your looking for in a drilling.. Or ask the pro that will be drilling the ball for the best way, depending on what you want the ball to do..they'll do it for ya
hope this helps  GOOD LUCK
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Bowling is the real X games

JEFF

[JohnP]

Nate -- You need more help than anyone can give you on a forum site.  Go to the pro shop at your local center and ask for someone that can give you some basic lessons on how to release the ball.  Follow their instructions on how to have the KI drilled.  This will be the best money you ever spend on your bowling improvement.  --  JohnP