Whats the best ball to purchase for synthetic lanes?

Question
I was told a reactive resin ball is the best. Our lane patterns are medium oil and 39 ft. Looking at a 15-16 lb ball and I want to throw a strong backend hook. I throw it at an average speed probably 18-20 revolutions but thats a guess.  Now my ball slides and moves at the end but not enough. What brand and type do you suggest?

Answer
Robert, as much as you may want to "hit" the pins, learning about what makes the ball hook, "when" it hooks is very important. Most house bowlers are under the impression you simply throw the ball and it hooks. It does not hook when there is too much speed, too much oil, not enough hand in the ball and not enough surface on the ball.

I plead and plead to people to get my book because I get 20 to 30 questions a week on two subjects. "My ball won't hook enough, or my ball hooks too much!"

I could list 12 to 15 factors to help you, or I could list 12 to 15 factors that will hurt your game.

In an effort to help lots of bowlers and yourself, your ball needs to slow down as it approaches the backend and begins to make the turn. You have to ask yourself " are you helping your ball to do that?"  If your are doing your part, then you have to think that there are other factors at work that you have to contend with.

In my book True Bowler Adjustments, I speak of different hand releases that you have to consider! It use to be against the rules to share your knowledge of such things, but bowling can not afford to be hush, hush anymore. To go into those details though would be like "a lot" for such a forum. I apologize because I truly want to give you a bunch of things you can "try" but, in my professional opinion, it would just confuse the issue since I have so little to work with. Just know my book has the answers to your questions.

The information you gave me is all good, don't ever think different. A reactive resin ball is very good. 39 feet is a great pattern you have 21 feet of recovery, back to the pins. 15-16 pound balls are excellent "if" you have no physical problems delivering your shot. However getting a ball and throwing it, is not an answer anyone online can give you. You need "eyes on you."  

A coach or pro shop operator who can watch you throw your shot and assess your potential as a bowler. I love the game, and I know you are ready to get down to business. However, if you don't have a coach in your area, the best avenue really is my book.  

The next most correct way to find a good ball, is to get a few games and ask one of the pro shop staff members to come out and watch you for several "frames" of bowling.

Moving forward with your bowling game is easy. However, if you have not had any formal lessons with a USBC Certified Coach, or some other professional program, people often loose a lot of money and time in the process because they don't know much about the game. Again my book can and will help!

In summary: Reactive balls are very good, but it may not be the ball or ball cover you need. Your experience is good, but it gives a limited scope of what someone would "see" on the lanes with you. Especially, if you can not site all the details of your game. Get a lesson from a certified coach, or buy my bowling book...True Bowler Adjustments. You will learn a lot. If you have pro shop professionals who can come out and watch you bowl several frames, they would be in the best position to help you with a ball choice. Only a coach, or trained shop professional watching you should be recommending a ball for you based on what they "see." Thank you for your question and feel free to contact me in the future. You really should be here in Vegas. We could knock this right out, Robert!!!

-Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)