Hi, I just recently purchased my first ball. I've been bowling thumbless because of old injury and this is the most comfortable way for me to bowl. The Brunswick slingshot was recommended to me as a first ball so I picked one up at the local Pro Shop. I asked the driller to drill it for a snappy back end but I cant seem to get this ball to hook much at all. I can get more snap from a house ball. I dont know a whole lot about drilling patterns but could someone tell me what this drill pattern is set for? I edited the picture and pointed to the CG because its hard to see (which i believe is the small circular punch) and inserted a yellow circle where the thumb hole would be if I had one. Thank you very much!

I think you still want a thumb hole as the weight would then be more distributed towards the pin. Never seen a ball drilled without one regardless of style.

How fast are you throwing it? Try slowing down and seeing if the ball starts to react, you could be throwing it right through the break point. Also where are the oil rings on the ball? Could be spinning it rather then rolling it.

Possible video of your release to determine where the problem is?

If you can Mark your pap on the ball that would be very helpful. If not draw where the Track line (oil line) is closest to your finger holes.

Welcome to the Bowling Community!

Based on the core, I would guess that this ball, while it has a lot of friction, is not a back-end hook demon, but rather would have a big looping hook. You might be throwing it too fast or have too much axis tilt (spinning rather than hooking). You should put some tape on the ball, from your grip line to the point that you think is your PAP, and then watch as it spins going down the lane.

There's no way the pin is on your PAP, but I would tend to agree that if the driller set it up this way without finding your PAP beforehand, then he didn't do you any favors, as the flare of the core righting itself is critical to a good back end.

Also, lane conditions vary. It might work better on more or less oil than you've tried it on thus far.

Hi Guys, thanks so much for the responses. Its possible that I'm throwing it too fast, I'll try and slow it down but I'm afraid I wont get enough carry. Dont have a video of me throwing this ball as I had just gotten it but I'll try and get one this weekend if I've been unable to resolve the problem. The driller did not do me any favors so to speak, He did not find my PAP. (Which I still dont know how to do) I didnt even know what PAP meant until I started researching online, I've been enlightened so to speak on all the variances that affect the physics of ball movement and want to learn as much as I can. I didnt notice any oil rings appearing on the ball althought I really wasnt looking for them and cleaned the ball after the first night with it. The Pro Shop driller recommended I didnt have a thumb hole drilled if I wasnt going to use it, I didnt know that would create balance issues, he also didnt seekm to really care about wanting to set things up right for a new customer, I think he just wanted the sale. What is the easiest way to find my PAP and identify the oil rings on a darker colored ball?

And thanks for the welcome!

I may be wrong, but I don't think the USBC will allow that ball as legal without a thumbhole. Most 2 finger bowlers that I've seen use the thumbhole when shooting straighter at spares.

BTW, I believe Belmonte offsets his thumbhole to the right to try to avoid thumbing over it when he rolls straighter or backup.

You might as well have a thumbhole if for nothing else than to make the ball easier to pick up or hold when cleaning. heh

I'm a thumbless bowler. All my equipment has a thumb hole drilled in them. Easier to carry around! hahaha

USBC does not require a thumbhole to be drilled any more. There are some different requirements on how to keep them in spec. I've seen a few drilled without thumb holes a few years ago.