Bowling is a sport that comes with no restrictions. No matter whether you are left-handed or right-handed, you are going to have a great time bowling. Today’s topic is everything you need to know about bowling as a left-hander.
You might be wondering how to bowl as a left-hander and what left-handers need to know about while bowling; Well if that is the case, you are in the right place because that is exactly what I am here to tell you.
In this article, I will talk about left-handed bowling, whether there are left-handed bowling balls or not, tips and tricks for left-handed bowlers, and a bit about the difference between left and right-handed bowling shoes. So, make sure that you read this article until the end to learn all about left-handed bowling.
Bowling as a Left-hander
Bowling as a left-hander is just the same as playing any other sport as a left-hander. There will be a few differences compared to right-handed players and some tips and tricks that will help you gain an advantage over other players. When comparing the statistics, only 13% of bowling adults are actually left-handed, which shows that lefties are undoubtedly a minority in bowling.
That does not take away anything from left-handed bowlers. If we take a look at the top 50 PBA bowling professionals, about 20% are left-handed. This shows that lefties have just as much possibility of becoming one of the best as righties. So, if you are a bowling enthusiast with a stronger left hand, no worries because with proper willpower and practice, you can get to the top as well.
Are there Left-Handed Bowling Balls?
Bowling balls come with a simple design that is generic to all bowlers, no matter which hand they might use to bowl. This means that no, there are no left-handed bowling balls specifically designed to meet the requirements of a leftie.
However, bowling balls are finger hole-less when they come out into the market, which means that if you look at the finger hole design of a bowling ball, it might be according to the throwing hand of the bowler. This is why getting a used bowling ball is not encouraged.
So, when you get your bowling ball, make sure your finger measurements are taken correctly. If you are a left-hander, the trajectory of your fingers and thumb holding the bowling ball is taken into account so that you do not feel uncomfortable holding the ball.
Ultimately, if you can get the perfect finger holes in the bowling balls for your left-handed grip, you will be able to not only grip the bowling ball better but also hold it and lose it when you want to throw better as well. So, make sure you pay heed to the finger holes on a bowling ball.
Check out these best-selling bowling balls.
How to Hook a Bowling Ball Left-Handed?
Hooking is a technique of spinning the bowling ball into the pins to get better pin action and a better chance at getting a strike with the help of throwing the ball into a pocket.
But if you are entirely unfamiliar with how hooking a bowling ball works, let me show you what you need to do to properly hook a bowling ball, especially if you are a left-handed bowler.
Picking the Right Pocket for Lefties
If you are a complete newbie when it comes to hooking a bowling ball, you might wonder what a pocket is; Well, it is an area between the bowling pins that need to be targeted to knock all the pins down and get a strike.
The right pocket to hook the bowling ball for right-handed bowlers is the 1-3 pin pocket. But for left-handers, the 1-2 pocket on the left side of the bowling pin setup. This is the perfect place for bowlers to utilize and get a chance of scoring a strike.
Taking the Approach
Now that you know where to put the bowling ball, it is time for you to take an approach to the bowling ball. I have explained this before, but let us briefly look at the process of taking the approach.
What you are going to do is that you are going to hold the bowling ball and place it on your non-bowling hand. Keep your throwing hand and arms loose. Step up and move towards the bowling lane.
Bring your arm back and swing the bowling ball forward. And before you make the throw, you will bring the bowling ball to a low height of around your ankle while bending slightly.
Spinning the Fingers
The last few steps of the approach are the most crucial when it comes to taking a hook. After you have brought the bowling ball to a lower angle, you need to make sure you utilize your fingers and thumb.
As a leftie, you will throw the bowling ball on the left side but spin your fingers towards the right, so the bowling ball comes back into the 1-2 pocket and gets you a strike.
Now, finally, you are going to slide your fingers out of the bowling ball first and then do the same with your thumb at the right angle so that the bowling ball goes, hooks, and knocks all the pins down, giving you maximum points.
Is There a Difference between Right-Handed and Left-Handed Bowling Shoes?
Usually, bowling equipment does not differ much for right-handed or left-handed bowlers, but when it comes to bowling performance shoes, there are actual differences that should not be overlooked when buying a pair.
The main difference is the shoe for sliding and braking. One of the shoes is supposed to provide a sliding motion to the bowler, and the other is supposed to stop the slide and give the bowler brake before the foul line.
For the right-handed bowlers, the sliding shoe is the left foot shoe, but for the left-handed bowlers, the sliding shoe is on the right side because the sliding shoe is supposed to be on the other side of the throwing hand side the bowler throwing the bowling ball. So, if you do not take this difference seriously and get a bowling shoe pair that is not meant for lefties, you might end up losing your money and not being able to bring the shoes into use either.
Here is a list of the best-selling bowling shoes.
Tips for Left-Handed Bowlers
A lot of left-handed bowlers have contacted me and asked how to make their game better. There are a few tips and tricks especially utilized by left-handed professionals to ensure that their bowling hand gives them an advantage over other players. So, let us look at those tips and tricks thoroughly to understand how to be better left-handed bowlers.
- Get Custom Finger Holes – As I said before, the left and right-hand sides matter a lot in bowling ball finger holes. So, if you want a comfortable grip with your left hand, make sure you get custom finger holes made according to your left-hand grip on the bowling ball from the pro bowling shop you are getting the ball.
- Eyes on the Arrows – I have told you to keep your aim at the 1-2 pocket, but that is the main target, not the thing you should be focusing your throw at. As always, you need to make sure that you keep your eyes locked at the aiming arrows, which will help you get the perfect shot into the pocket you want to throw the ball.
- Unused Side of the Lane – One great advantage that left-handed bowlers get over others is that their side of the bowling lane is much less used mostly. That is why there is more oil on the left side of the bowling lane surface, and this oil pattern can be utilized to get a better shot at the bowling pins if you know how to use the oil.
- Buy the Right Bowling Shoes – Bowling shoes can also play a vital role in the career of a left-handed bowler. Make sure you purchase bowling shoes that are meant for left-handed bowlers. These shoes have the sliding shoe on the right side and the braking shoe on the left side.
- Practice Whenever You Can – Practice always has its place in the life of a bowling professional. So, make sure you dedicate yourself towards bowling and find time to give to the sport whenever you can so you can learn to take advantage of your bowling hand and get to the top of the table with the help of working hard.
Conclusion
Left-handed bowlers might not be in the same numbers as right-handed ones, but they can use many tips and tricks to make sure they always get strikes and stay at the top. If you are left-handed yourself, I hope this article has been beneficial. I hope you learned a lot from this article and that you will utilize this knowledge and the guidance I have given you to reach the top of the success charts. Have a great bowling career ahead of you!
