Everything Candlepin

Just joined up here after having a email or two with Frank. I bowl duckpin and live in MD.

I'm trying to develop a hook for duckpin bowling with limited success so far. I currently use a set of cobra balls but I can't say that I'm overly impressed with them. My hook (or lack thereof) is more than likely my rubbish technique but I thought I would investigate different ball options.

Information provided by the manufacturers is scant to say the least. I've had a couple of emails with Phipps and one to Epco (who didn't respond) asking about the differences in models. I've been looking at the Epco Ram and possibly their urethane model or the Phipps softroll or urethane. My local lanes are old school wood and appear to be fairly oily but they do hold pro tournaments there so they're kept in good shape.

I was hoping some fellow members would chime in with their thoughts on what they bowl with. I really don't want to buy a $100 door stop or two.

Thanks,

patrick

Not sure if you're going to get much help from a candlepin forum on this. I don't know of anyone in candlepin that throws a hook so even if they are using urethane I don't see what the benefit is for them vs a rubber ball. The people in my league that use urethane throw it straight just like any other type of candlepin ball. I personally use the same rubber balls that I've had for 10+ years.

I would suggest if you want to try and throw a hook watch Lou Sarkisian. He's a duckpin bowler that does it well. Here's a video of him http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYIKNlV2TP4 and he's also in one of Urbie's videos from the Eastern Classic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQceYJkBEyg.

I appreciate the replies. I'll watch the videos and see if I can pick anything up. The pro tour was at my local lanes this weekend but I was making the most of the weather and building my workshop. Next year I'll definitely go watch.

Frank suggested I ask here so apologies for assuming that some people who play candlepin might throw a hook.

I watched the vids of Lou and he's brilliant. Unfortunately its very hard to see exactly what he does when he releases the ball. On a side note, the second video listed shows one tall bloke with the strangest delivery I've ever seen.