Abstract: A bowling ball has an annular band interposed between two spherical segments so as to define an outer peripheral surface of the spherical ball. The first and second spherical segments have respective outer peripheral surfaces formed of a first material having a hook potential, whereas the annular band has an outer peripheral surface formed of a second material having a hook potential different from the hook potential of the first material. In one embodiment the hook potential of the second material is substantially lower than the hook potential of the first material so as to make the ball less sensitive to conditions in the wet portion of the lane and delay significant hooking action until the dry portion so as to improve entry angle and thereby pin count. One way, albeit imperfect, to approximate the hooking potential of a material is to measure its coefficient of friction. A larger coefficient of friction generally leads to a higher hooking potential. A method of using the ball is also disclosed.