If you’re not throwing a bowling ball with full satisfaction yet, you’re missing out on the most magnificent game. It’s also one of the simplest sports to learn, but it’s also one of the most difficult to master.
However, while you can do it by chance once or twice, to get a consistent strike you need to know how to do it. In fact, you have to know how to throw a bowling ball.
Unlike other games, it does not even look easy. You can tell just by watching that it is hard to aim, balance and also carry the bowling ball. But, if you keep a few things In mind and also keep practicing, you will be able to hit a strike every time you play.
So, let’s begin by learning how to throw a bowling ball.
How to Throw a Bowling Ball: The steps
You have to follow a few steps and tips to throw a bowling ball right. Let’s check these steps out.
1. Hold the ball correctly. 
Yes, the very first step is to hold the ball correctly. Now, you may be thinking, who does not know how to hold a ball? Well, almost no one who has bowled before knows how to hold the bowling ball correctly. You have to remember it’s not just any ball we are talking about here-it’s a bowling ball.
Now, we will get to how you hold the ball correctly later. First, we must help you choose the right ball for yourself. Yes, this matters as well- you have to consider both your own weight and your finger size to find the right ball for yourself. Or else, you won’t feel comfortable bowling.
The Weight of the Ball: The general rule is that your bowling ball should weigh 10% of what you weigh in pounds. Apparently, if you weigh 140 pounds then your bowling ball should be 14 pounds. However, the highest bowling balls go in terms of weight is 16 pounds.
Therefore, if you are heavier than 160 pounds, you may have to settle for a 16-pound ball or make one for yourself. If you have been through some kind of injury then you can totally settle for a lighter ball. You see, it is mainly your comfort that matters. Not everyone follows this rule but it does act as a guide.
Just settle for whatever makes you perform at your best.
The fit between the holes and your finger: There are three holes in the bowling ball and you have to put three of your fingers in each of them. Apparently, each of the holes should reach up to the second knuckle of your fingers- not more nor less. If it’s too tight you will have difficulty throwing it.
On the other hand, if it’s too loose, it will be quite risky for you to deal with it. Therefore, the holes should fit your fingers just right.
How to hold a bowling ball right: You will find two holes placed together and one away from the two. Apparently, the two holes placed together are for your middle and ring fingers and the other hole is for your thumb. This gives you maximum control over the ball.
2. Take your stance.
The first thing you have to do after you hold your ball is the aim. In fact, you have to stand behind the line or keep your left foot on the line. Stand at a place where when you keep your hand down with the ball, the ball stays right along the line you want it to go.
Hold the ball perpendicular to the ground and keep your thumb pointing right where you want the ball to go. This is how you aim and prepare before actually going for the hit. You can swing your ball a few times to see if you are on the right track.
3. Take the swing.
After you have got everything set- you know where to go and you have aimed, it is time to take the swing. You have to bring your arm backward now. When you do, make sure you keep your arm straight.
There are two types fo shot. One is straight shot and another one is hook shot. To throw a perfect straight shot, keep your wrist straight during the backswing and the release of your bowling ball. To throw hook you keep your wrist as it is. Then, you have to take the forward swing towards your target. And, everything changes right there.
The first thing you have to be aware of is that you are following the right line. You have to point your swing right where you plan for the ball to go, right where you aimed. Your reflexes should do it automatically so you mostly need the practice to get this right.
Now, there are two courses of action you can follow here. You can choose to bend your wrist a bit or you can choose not to. Apparently, there are two types of shots you can take, one straight and the other hook. The straight one will require you to keep your wrist straight while the hook one will need your wrist to stay as it is.
Both kinds have a different kind of result but all with the same aim- to strike. What you have to do is follow the swing that suits you and gives you the best results.
4. Time to release the ball.
You have come this far, now it is time to let your fear and the ball go. Apparently, you have to release your thumb first. Afterward, when you get close to the final point, you let the other two fingers go. When you do this, make sure you bend a bit or else the ball will just drop on the lane and then slowly move.
The sound this creates is quite unsatisfactory. Apart from that, make sure you release the ball along the line you have been aiming at from the very beginning.
Now, another important thing to remember when releasing the ball is the follow-through. Apparently, if you have played golf, you already know the concept of follow-through. It keeps your ball moving just the way you want it till the very end. Bowling arm swing is equally vital when you release the ball. Actually many things depend on your arm swing.
The direction of your final swing, after you release the ball becomes the direction of your ball at the end of its journey. When you release the ball, you think your job is done. However, that is not quite the case. You have to finish the swing you take. make sure you do not cross the foul line. Bowling ball hook actually depends on your release.
This will get the ball right where you were aiming to get it.
The chances are you will fail to become happy even by following the whole procedure multiple times. However, if you keep practicing, you will get there. Therefore, the last step here is the final step that will help you throughout.
5. Find Balance.
There are so many things to be aware of when you are bowling. And, let’s be honest, you cannot be aware of all of them and find a balance right at the very beginning. Therefore, you will have to do it one at a time.
For example, first, you can focus on correcting your grip. Practice it multiple times until you get it right. Secondly, you can focus on the backswing you take. Find not just the right one for you but also perfect it. Thirdly, you can focus on the forward swing and the release.
And, amid all these, you have to focus on aiming right and taking a swing towards your aim. After practicing the right move so many times, you will be able to find a balance for yourself. However, it is normal to ruin one part of the throw when you are correcting others and that is the challenge.
You have to keep trying and practicing and you will get to where you want to be. Thus, find the balance among all the right moves and keep practicing to make it better.
In conclusion
You see, how you can throw the ball right does not only depend on one factor but many. Learning to throw a ball is not an easy task for a novice player. There are things to consider even before you hold the right ball for you.
Then comes the most difficult parts, taking the arm swing and releasing the ball. You will see that there are different parts to the swing itself and you have to work on each of them. Even when you finally release the ball, there are quite a number of things to keep in mind. Among all that, your aim is the most important.
Most importantly, you have to practice to get everything right. Only practice will get your ball where you want it to go and will make you feel the way you want to feel.
