There are plenty of good reasons to deviate from what is commonly expected and understood regarding traditional bowling methods—and every case is unique. Some people are adept at bowling two-handed, while some are great at left-hand bowling.
Then, there are those who slay in the alleys with two-finger bowling.
After experimenting with different techniques, you may have found that your hooking capacity has been noticeably enhanced by freeing the thumb, allowing you to unlock the full spinning potential of your fingers.
Before you get your balls filled and re-drilled, it’s important to be mindful of your increased liability to wrist injury when employing a two-finger technique. You’ll need to take certain measures to protect yourself if you’re committed to nailing those wide hooks.
This, in addition to the wealth of perks that come with experimenting with this style, is why I’ve compiled a list of the five best balls for thumbless bowling.
Contents
At A Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Bowling Balls for Two-Finger Bowlers
If you’re in a hurry, you can jump straight into our top picks (these are the bowling balls for two-finger bowlers that most people buy).
- Motiv Venom Shock Top Pick
- Hammer Rip’d Pearl Runner-up
- Radical Conspiracy Ball Runner-up
Top 5 Best Bowling Balls for Two-Finger Bowlers – Our Reviews:
1. Motiv Venom Shock
The Venom Shock by Motiv is an intimidating light to medium oil ball for serious bowlers looking to tear up the lane.
You could do a lot worse than the Venom Shock if you’re aiming for big hooks with optimal control. It has a coverstock that reacts really well to moderately oiled lanes, which is ideal for nailing that smooth curve.
The finish is also insanely tough, which means this ball could be in your arsenal for the long haul.
It should be noted, however, that this Motiv bowling ball has been reported to disappoint when going for those straighter throws, so it’d be wise to also bring along a ball that allows for a more precise bowl.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Good performance on light to medium oiled lanes
- A lot of hooking power
Cons
- Not the best for precision
- A little too grippy for dry surfaces
2. Hammer Rip’d Pearl
A highly robust and versatile entry from Hammer comes in the form of the Rip’d Pearl.
This is a well-balanced bowling ball that fares reasonably well on most oil patterns, which is partially because of its grippy finish that is also great for two-finger hooks.
Then, there’s the aesthetics. The design is cool and pleasing without being too showy.
The Rip’d picks up an impressive amount of momentum, even from relatively restrained swings. This is helpful for those who want to increase bowling ball speed and get extra power behind their throws, but bowlers looking for a little more resistance might not feel the benefit.
Make sure you’re gunning for those strikes, however, as it’s difficult to land those precise hits needed for spares.
Pros
- Nice aesthetic
- Packs a lot of power
- Good performance on all lane types
Cons
- Not recommended for slower bowlers
- Limited precision
3. Radical Conspiracy Ball
Underneath this cool and understated exterior lies a flurry of power and aggression. The team at Radical Bowling has really delivered with this outing and has developed a ball that is geared towards big hooks and maximum control.
The Conspiracy features an asymmetrical core that helps the ball maintain velocity all the way up to breakpoint. This is great for thumbless bowling techniques as it offers a curve that’s easy to predict with enough power to cause devastation among the pins.
The downside of a core that’s purpose-built for optimizing curving power is an impeded capacity for precision. If you want to nail those spares, then this might not leave you best equipped to achieve that.
Pros
- Picks up a great deal of momentum
- Asymmetrical core, great for powerful hooks in a variety of conditions
- Clean design
Cons
- Straight bowlers will struggle
- Difficult to control if you’re a beginner
4. Ebonite Futura
Those looking for optimum predictability for that well-calculated strike need not look any further than the Futura from Ebonite.
This entry from the Michigan bowling company is fitted with an innovative core design that allows bowlers to determine the trajectory of their two-finger hook and easily map out the ball’s path.
Sporting a grippy coverstock that doesn’t compromise on velocity, the Futura fares impressively well on slippy surfaces.
As with many hook-optimized balls, the Futura can be difficult to control, especially for straighter bowls. Noting this, I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners looking to land spares.
Pros
- Dense core for enhanced control
- Good grip for controlled hooks on most oil patterns
- Picks up some decent momentum
Cons
- Tricky to control if you’re a beginner
- Not suitable for precision bowlers
5. Pyramid Antidote
The Pyramid Antidote is a ball that comes recommended by pros and hobbyists alike—and with good reason. It’s a balanced and robust ball that offers a little something for adopters of all approaches.
The Antidote is fitted with a symmetric core that performs well at precision strikes as well as hooks.
When drilled to fit a two-finger technique, it can be thrown easily, which is great for beginners or those just looking to experiment with different methods.
It’s been reported to respond well to most oil conditions, although dryer lanes can prove troublesome.
The other (perhaps expected) downside is that the one-size-fits-all approach means it hasn’t necessarily been refined to excel at any one bowling method. However, those looking to nail those straight shots with a two-finger pattern could do a lot worse than the Antidote.
Pros
- A versatile ball that’s great for a range of techniques
- Suitable for beginners
- Performs well on a variety of oil patterns
Cons
- A jack of all trades without being specifically geared towards a single technique
- Limited hooking capacity
Conclusion
With many good reasons to embrace or experiment with a two-finger bowling technique comes a rich set of options.
With safety and the optimal delivery of results kept in mind, I hope this list of best bowling balls for two-finger bowlers has given you plenty to chew over to make the choice that best suits you.
The Motiv Venom comes the most highly recommended, but your needs may be better met by the unique qualities of any of the other bowling balls mentioned in this article. Whatever you choose, make sure you exercise the correct precautions and make the right preparations to get the most from your thumbless bowling experience.