Hooking a bowling ball is a technique used to impart spin on the ball, causing it to curve towards the pins. To hook the ball, the bowler must apply force to the side of the ball as it is released, causing it to skid and then hook towards the pins.
Hooking the ball can be beneficial for bowlers as it allows them to hit the pocket (the space between the front pin and the pin behind it) more consistently. This can lead to more strikes and higher scores. Hooking the ball can also be used to create a variety of shots, such as the Brooklyn strike (a strike where the ball hooks from the outside of the lane) and the Texas strike (a strike where the ball hooks from the inside of the lane).