Are you a beginner looking to improve your bowling?
Are you looking for the bowling balls with both high and low hook potential?
When I started bowling, it felt boring to me at first. Back then, it was merely a sport for my dad who used to play a couple of nights a week. Years later, when a couple of buddies made going to the local bowling alley a frequent thing, I started heading to it.
When I began to bowl, the hook shot was seemed difficult to master. Bowling a hook with the correct technique is the key. I discovered that mastering the proper grip and technique is paramount for bettering your hook. The hook shot is different from a straight shot.
Would you like to know the difference between the shots?
But, what is an important aspect for hook is the bowling balls. In this article, I am going to discuss some of the best bowling balls built for hook.
Some Best Bowling Ball For Hook
Let’s look at what you will learn from this article:
Article at a Glance
- Straight Shot vs Hook Shot
- Best Bowling Ball for Hook
- Best High Hook Potential Bowling Ball
- Best Low Hook Potential Bowling Ball
- Best Budget Bowling Ball
- Strongest Bowling Ball
- Best Reactive Ball
- Best Bowling Ball Hook Potential Chart
Let’s learn each of these topics in depth:
Straight Shot vs Hook Shot
Whether you are a professional bowler or just an amateur, chances are you have seen the different styles of bowling. The different styles I am talking about are straight bowling and hook bowling. This is a very important factor if you wish to take bowling seriously.
There will be a time when you have to make your choice between these two styles. Both of these styles have their pros and cons. The following discussion is dedicated to making you choose between the styles easily.
- Straight Shot: new bowlers often chose the straight shot as the first style. Since it requires very little practice to perfect straight shot, it is used by beginners most. Straight bowling requires simply swinging your arm straight back and straight forth like a pendulum on a clock.
- Hook Shot: hook bowling is the style used mostly by professional bowlers. You get to have much more control over where the ball strikes the pins with the hook shot. You have to master hook bowling style if you want to get better results.
Experts recommend hook bowling for those who want to consistently score a high average (over 180). If you want to get more strikes, then there’s no alternative to learning how to throw a hook.
The Main Difference between Straight Shot and Hook Shot
| Straight Shot | Hook Shot |
| This style is mostly used by new bowlers | Hook style is mostly used by professional bowlers |
| Doesn’t require much practice to perfect the style | Requires the proper grip and technique to master hook shot |
| Straight style is preferred by the bowlers who want to hit the pins with power | Hook style is preferred by the bowlers who want to strike down pins consistently |
| Requires a very limited number of techniques to master it | Requires much time and practice to master |
| Pins can fly off in a number of directions when hitting with a straight shot | Offers control over knocking down the pins with a hook shot |
| Beginners can start bowling by perfecting the straight shot | Professionals should perfect hook shot for better performance |
How to choose the best Bowling Balls for Hook
Once you understood the difference between straight shot and hook, it’s time to choose your bowling ball for hook. The difference shows us that you have to master straight shot before looking for a ball for hook.
Here goes!
It takes many different materials to construct a bowling ball. And, the surface (coverstock) determines how much friction the ball will generate against the lane. It also determines how much it will hook. So, as you can see the surface factor is very important.
Beginners opt for plastic balls, which tend to travel mostly straight. On the other hand, urethane balls yield a higher hook potential, especially in dry conditions. If you are looking to generate the strongest hook potential possible, then you should look for a reactive resin ball.
What that basically means that is a urethane coverstock comes infused with resin particles. The resin particles can vary as per bowling conditions and styles.
You can get reactive coverstocks in a couple of different varieties. Some of those varieties are known as solid reactive coverstocks. The solid reactive coverstocks come with the largest number of tiny reactive pores on the surface of the bowling ball.
Pearl reactive balls, rather, add a surprising material to construction. They introduce a completely different ingredient in the picture, which is mica. The material allows the ball to react more on drier lane condition.
You can find both the materials combined in bowling balls too. There is a combination of both materials can be found in particular balls. These balls are known as the hybrid reactive coverstock. This particular coverstock is best for both mid-lane action and the solid and back-end movement.
The particle coverstocks can be prepared from various materials and help you cut through the oil further.
Best Beginner Bowling Balls for Hook
When it comes to choosing a beginner bowling ball for, you have to choose one factoring in your style. As I discussed above, there are particle coverstocks. These particle coverstocks are prepared from various materials. These materials are better for cutting through the oil further.
When you are choosing a beginner bowling for hook, there are categories that you need to be aware of. You have to know whether you are looking for a high or low hook potential ball. There are balls that are best suited for medium or heavy lane conditions.
So, be aware of all these factors.
Without further ado, I give you the list of best beginner bowling balls for hook:
1. Columbia Freeze Hybrid – Best Beginner Ball
What most beginners struggle with bowling is that they suddenly find themselves in a range of situations they are not familiar with. Honestly, bowling is one such sport that you have to be mindful of the situations and switch your style as per conditions.
When you are just throwing a ball on the lane, you need a ball that can be trusted in such situations. If you eventually find such a ball, then you won’t have to worry about adapting to conditions. If you haven’t found such a ball, I give you the Columbia Freeze Hybrid!
The Columbia Freeze Hybrid is a reliable ball for any user at any skill level. As a result, it is a great ball for beginners.
Why is it such a great ball?
Let’s look at the reasons:
- Modified Messenger Core
Columbia gained much prominence due to its Messenger Core. And, this ball brings back this famed core in a rather grand way! You have this ball not only with the modified messenger core but also with better weight distribution.
What is best about this core is that it is designed to help you focus on your basic skills. By basic skills, I meant mastering a smooth and steady roll down the lane. The core design will also give you the upper hand in hook shots.
- Hybrid Veneer Coverstock
As you already know how important coverstock is for a ball’s performance. The ball features a combination of two different materials that are most required for creating a better performance across the lane. The reactive solid material is one of the two materials. This material will deliver even more rolling. The more rolling is the byproduct of the higher level of friction from tiny pores in the surface.
2. Hammer Black Widow Legend – Best High Hook Potential Ball
Once you learned the ropes of bowling, you will feel confident with your play style. Different oil patterns will test your play style. You will be tested by tricky splits. This is where you need to apply your hooking technique. And, the hooking technique can be completed with a ball that could hit the perfect arch. 
And, to hit the perfect arch, you need a perfect ball.
Look no further if you have the Hammer Black Widow Legend. This ball is built for throwing hooks perfectly. It is a great choice for anyone who wishes to perfect their hooks.
Why is it such a perfect ball?
Let’s find out:
- Built for Reliable Hooks
A lot goes into being able to throw the perfect hook. It has to do a lot with the ball’s exterior as well. You may stay relieved that the ball has a hybrid coverstock. This hybrid coverstock allows more control in medium and heavy oil lanes.
This is the first ball from Hammer to use such coverstock. This ball is an advanced ball as it features a factory polish look. This look is designed to friction on the oiled portion. The factory polish allows the ball to knock out more predictably and consistently.
- Powerful Backend Movement
The hook potential of the Hammer Black Widow Legend is astounding! The secret to such ability is the unique gas core design. The design sort of looks like the shape of a gas mask. Besides being able to intimidate your opponents with its look and design, you will be intimidated with its mathematical intricacy.
The ball has a 2.50 of the radius of gyration with only a 0.058 RG differential. All this makes this ball complete and powerful. You are bound to deliver a better performance with this ball.
3. Brunswick T-Zone Pink Bliss – Best Low Hook Potential Ball
A high hook potential ball is most effective for skilled players. The ball discussed above is dedicated for players with more skill.
But, what about the players and beginners with a simple playing style?
They may want a ball with a low hook potential. For this reason, I introduce you to the Brunswick T-Zone Pink Bliss. Low hook potential means you are more likely to stick with a narrow throw rather than drift to the side once the ball hits the backend of the lane. You can also rely on this ball when you want it to follow the exact path of your throw.
Let’s view the reason why you should choose this:
Straight Shooting Design
This ball features plastic coverstock. The benefit of the plastic coverstock that it doesn’t pick oils in the lane. As a result, your ball can glide on achieving less friction. This feature can also help lower hook potential. If you are worried that it will affect your overall performance, shake it off. With its uniform cover, the ball is less likely to break at the backend. Therefore, it will stick to the trajectory of your throw all the way down the lane.
- Best for Spares or Children
Nothing is more frustrating than a couple of stray pins are. Then, you need this ball to take out the stray pins left out. This is when look hook potential is extremely helpful. You can send this ball and knock out those extra pins with less effort.
You will find it nearly impossible to pick up spares with a high hook potential ball. The first obstacle is the curve. The second obstacle you will have to deal with is the break.
Since the Brunswick T-Zone Pink Bliss is a low hook potential ball, it is also great for children
4. Ebonite Maxim Captain Midnight – Best Budget Bowling Ball
Whether you are a professional or just a casual bowler, you can’t just pick up any ball lying around the alley. You simply want to pick up a ball that could be reliable enough to clear out the pins without breaking your bank account.
The Maxim Captain Midnight form Ebonite is one such budget ball that you can handle almost any type of bowling games effortlessly. Just because it’s a budget ball, doesn’t mean you have to worry about your performance.
This is ball is built to deliver superb performance without clearing out your bank account. You will be able to clear out the pins.
What else should you buy this ball for?
Let’s find out
- Hard Polyester Coverstock
The ball comes with the polyester coverstock. The coverstock is the least expensive material used to build polyester balls. Compared to other reactive solid materials, this material is cheaper to produce.
Just because the ball is constructed with cheap material, doesn’t mean it will cut back your performance. You can completely rest assured that you won’t have to worry about your performance.
The ball is highly reliable and delivers excellent performance. The hard polyester not only makes this ball affordable but also makes it durable. Having your ball cracked or chipped is a major concern for bowlers. Since this ball is durable enough, you won’t have to worry about it cracking or chipping.
- Reliable on a Variety of Conditions
If you bowl in a league or any type of competitive situation, you are going to need different types of balls for various conditions. This is a challenge for anyone who wants to work within a budget.
If you want a ball that could work in a variety of conditions, then this ball works great in all different lane conditions. That is why I think the ball is a great one from no matter which point you look at. It is a ball built for budget-conscious bowlers.
Another benefit of owning this ball is that it is designed to achieve low friction when it spins. As a result, you won’t have to worry about oil patterns in the lane. This is very important for the hook of a ball since it can affect the hook of a ball pretty significantly.
The ball is also reliable on dry lanes. So, I don’t have to think about the grease at all.
5. Brunswick Strike King Bowling Ball – Best Reactive Ball
Enter reactive coverstock. The coverstock is really a game changer for bowlers. Because manufactures wanted to appeal to the customers’ need for a versatile ball that could generate more variations, options in terms of the radius of gyration, hook potential and more.
This ball comes with a solid reactive resin that is pretty much the ideal standard for achieving a higher level of control for hook throws.
- High Friction Resin
You won’t find this type of resin in any other ball. The Strike King from Brunswick comes with this type of resin. Brunswick developed its own formula to create a solid reactive resin. This resin can help the ball achieve a smooth roll all the way across the lane.
This ball is heavily durable. The secret to such durability is the 500 finish and high gloss buff. The material can offer much durability as well as strong friction. And, all this trait can be achieved without falling into specialty friction.
The friction level on this ball offers as solid as you want to enter the lanes with more oil. However, the friction is not enough for readjusting your play style every time.
- Smooth Backend Style
The ball can achieve higher friction. As a result, it can make a smooth roll once it spins its way further down the lane. Brunswick was able to create a less even surface area by combining a high gloss buff with a rougher buff. This combination makes the ball pick up, even more, oil in the lane. Furthermore, the ball can roll more than glide.
The Brunswick Strike King Ball is also easy on the wallet. You can knock out the pins without clearing your bank account. This ball is a must-have for bowlers who want to try hooking the ball more effectively and seriously.
One thing you have to consider when purchasing this ball is that this reactive ball is geared more toward the more experienced bowlers. So, purchase this ball if you have enough experience in bowling.
6. Storm Sure Lock Bowling Ball – Strongest Bowling Ball
The Sure-Lock is the newest addition to Storm’s Premier line. For me, it is the strongest ball I have thrown across the lane. It is also the biggest hooking ball from Storm. Since I had to describe the ball in superlatives, then it sure is going to be a good ball. 
It actually is!
The ball introduces us to a new coverstock called GI-17 Solid Reactive. The coverstock is completed by a 2000 Abrasion finish. The core of this ball is as strong as its material. The material used to formulate the coverstock is a powerful RAD-X.
- Great Build
This ball features a strong core with a very good core. I didn’t have that good experience with cover. I had trouble with a core in the past. But, pairing the cover with the Sure-Lock worked wonders for me.
- Controllable Hook
If you want a ball that could hook, then this is the ball you should drill. A sure lock is a hooking machine. The benefits of using the Sure-Lock are many. You can enjoy great length, controllable hook, and roll with the Sure Lock. It is overall a great ball for me.
- More Backend
The build quality of the Sure-Lock is solid. Despite its great build quality, it is surprisingly clean in the front part of the lane. It generates more backend than you would normally expect
Conclusion
If you want to buy the best bowling ball for hook, follow this review guide. In this article, I discussed the best bowling balls you could purchase for hook potential. If you are a beginner, you will also be able to find bowling balls within a cash-strapped budget.
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