Everyone these days seems to want a ball with insane hook potential. And with good reason. You want a ball that will give you the most competitive edge possible.
On any oil pattern, whether it is simply a house shot, or a PBA sport pattern, having a high hook potential will help you get more strikes. The technology of modern bowling balls has changed the game quite dramatically. Not only do you have to hit the pocket, you also need the correct amount of speed, rotation, and entry-angle. One of the best ways to ensure you have a good balance of those three is to use a ball with high hook-potential. If your ball consistently wants to hook hard, you can base the rest of your shot off of that.
Using one of the balls mentioned below, if you’re constantly hitting high, move left or throw faster. Doing so will allow you to hit the pocket consistently while letting your ball get the entry-angle necessary for strikes.
Your scores will increase if you use a ball with a ton of hook.
If you need a bag to transport your balls to and from the alley, check out the best single and double ball bowling bags on the market.
5. Ebonite Aero
The Ebonite Aero hooks hard and prefers fresh, heavy-oil conditions. Even in the heaviest oil, it reads the midlane well while retaining enough energy to hook hard and drive through the pins. You’ll get traction in the heavy oil part of the lane and end with a smooth, solid hook when it gets to the dry boards. It will work very well with a fast, straight, up-and-in shot, but it will also thrive with a slow, across-the-lane, wide-hooking shot. No matter what conditions you normally bowl on, you will be able to make this ball work for you.
Specs
Core: Aero
Coverstock: GSV-X
Finish: 500/1000 Siaair Micro Pad
Weight 12-16 lbs.
RG: 2.504
Differential: 0.050
Ideal Oil Conditions: Heavy Oil
4. Hammer Obsession
The Hammer Obsession is another ball that thrives in fresh oil but is also versatile enough to use in many other conditions. Hammer’s new Envy Solid CFI coverstock is infused with carbon fiber making this ball much more durable without compromising performance. The coverstock and core combo gives you great read through the midlane and still snaps at the dry boards. Start with this when the lanes are fresh, and you’ll end up throwing this ball for the rest of the night. Hammer also makes a ball called the Obsession Tour, which is also a great ball, but the asymmetrical core can be a bit finicky in certain conditions. I recommend the Obsession over the Obsession Tour any day of the week.
Specs
Core: Obsession
Coverstock: Envy Solid CFI
Finish: 500/1500 Siaair Micro Pad
Weight 12-16 lbs.
RG: 2.468
Differential: 0.050
Ideal Lane Condition: Heavy Oil
3. Brunswick Zenith
The Brunswick Zenith is insanely strong. This ball will hook on absolutely anything. The coverstock just digs in and hooks hard. Whether you are a competitive bowler who needs a little more oomph on the heavy patterns, or you’re a beginner who just can’t seem to get much hook, this ball will hook A LOT. This ball can over-hook on dry lanes, but moving left and/or throwing faster can usually resolve that. Sometimes a fast hard hook is exactly what you need.
Specs
Core: Zenith
Coverstock: A. X. H. (Activator Xtreme Hook)
Finish: 500/1000 Siaair Micro Pad
Weight 12-16 lbs.
RG: 2.485
Differential: 0.052
Ideal Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy Oil
2. Storm Parallax
The Storm Parallax is the only polished ball featured in this article. It has a much later but much snappier reaction on the back-end than the other matte balls on this list. However, this isn’t a pearl. You can see and feel the ball reading the lane earlier than a pearl, but it still retains that energy for a snappy, quick hook at the end of the lane. If you want a ball that glides over the oil and snaps hard right at the end, this is worth trying out. Lane conditions don’t always call for a polished ball, but when they do, this ball is great. Sometimes you need something to go longer and hook harder, but a pearl is just too much. That’s where a ball like the Parallax comes in.
Specs
Core: Aeroflo Core
Coverstock: TractionX7 Hybrid Reactive
Finish: 1500-Grit Polished
Weight 12-16 lbs.
RG: 2.52
Differential: 0.054
Int Diff: 0.019
Ideal Lane Condition: Heavy oil
1. Storm Proton Physix
This ball absolutely rips. The cover/core combo is super strong and hooks hard and early. It definitely likes oil and is a good choice for the first ball out of your bag. It might be too strong as the lane breaks down, but on fresh oil, you can’t beat it. One thing to note is that this coverstock relies on being a matte, dull finish. It comes out of the box with a 2000-grit abralon finish, and I highly recommend you keep it there. Give it a quick resurface after each bowling session or league night and you’ll be golden. This ball will cut through the oil and dig in early giving you a strong, smooth hook.
Specs
Core: Atomic Core
Coverstock: NeX Solid Reactive
Finish: 2000-grit Abralon
Weight 12-16 lbs.
RG: 2.48
Differential: 0.053
Int Diff: 0.017
Ideal Lane Condition: Heavy oil
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