How To Make My Bowling Ball Snap

By: bowlingball.com, 4/29/16

Updated 7/1/2020

Learning how to make your bowling ball snap requires an understanding of bowling ball surface strategies, ball construction, and drilling layouts.

This can be confusing if you dig too much into the technology aspects of bowling balls, etc.

In the interest of keeping it simple, there are a few facts you may wish to know about bowling balls and how to make them react with a “snap” motion on the back end of the lane.

First, begin with one of your own existing bowling balls you wish to make hook more sharply than it presently does.

Alter the surface texture of this bowling ball with fine grit pads such as 2000, 3000, or 4000 grit pads so you smooth the ball surface adding skid distance in the front end of the lane. Pads of this grit may be found in this convenient package, sold here on bowlingball.com

By increasing skid distance, your ball will conserve energy holding its travel length potential for the roll phase of ball motion from the breakpoint on the lane (about two-thirds down the lane) all the way to the pocket.

If you ball has a matte finish coverstock designed to create early traction in heavy oil, you likely will not extend the skid distance as much compared to a ball with a factory made shiny surface or a pearl coverstock, both of which are designed to skid easily.

Using a polish substance will further benefit your ultimate goal in getting your ball to skid further than it does now and then hook decisively once it reaches the dry boards on the back end of the lane.

Another option is to plug and re-drill your bowling ball using a skid/flip drilling layout but this option must be the last option. Instead, try and rely on resurfacing your ball coverstock and finishing it with a very fine grit pad.

If you choose to purchase a new bowling ball, there are two things to consider if you wish to create skid length and a strong backend reaction.

Select either a plastic coverstock, a shiny, solid reactive coverstock, or a smooth surface, pearl reactive coverstock.

All of these types of coverstocks are easily kept shiny by use of fine grit pads and retain energy for a strong backend reaction.

By the way, polishes are available in varying grit densities and have the capabilities of not only shining the ball to increase skid but to also ensure the ball creates a reasonable degree of friction on the lane surface while also preventing an over-skid reaction.

Make sure you communicate with the pro shop which final surface finish you desire before leaving the ball for maintenance.



Also, when choosing a new bowling ball, choose an asymmetric core design which is built to develop noticeable track flare potential and hook strongly on the back end of the lane.

An asymmetric bowling ball, a smooth and finely textured ball surface, and the possible use of polish on the ball surface are all factors to consider before selecting a new bowling ball.

Consult with your pro shop professional when choosing a new bowling ball and drilling layout option so you find the right combination matching the ball reaction you seek.