thumb pain

[star wars geek]

Yo yo yo,
So my league starts tonight (second one I've played in), and I went bowling with the in-laws last week, and two days ago went to practice.  Threw 3 games each time out.

After this last outing, I was throwing the ball really well.  I use a Target Zone 16#.  I'm 6'3" and 225, so it's not heavy for me at all, but I'm still new to the sport.  I woke up this morning, excited to get to the lanes, but I noticed that my thumb is sore at the joint where it joins with the hand.  It's just a little tender on the inside joint.

Is my ball drilled too loose or tight?  Would this result in over gripping the ball?  What up?

Also, I'm getting a new ball tonight...probably going with a Brunswick Power Groove or something similar since I want to start hooking the ball.  I can turn my Target Zone a little, but I was wondering if a fingertip grip would make that huge a difference when it comes to hooking.  I've seen guys put tons of revs on a ball with a conventional drill, and I've never done the fingertip thing.  Is it worth it?

Thanks.
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Star Wars rules,
I love golf and basketball,
I'm just starting bowling,
I feel addicted already,
Is there help available?

[star wars geek]

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.
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The only balls in my hands are Brunswicks.

[JohnP]

star wars geek -- Yes, if you're serious about the game and want to hook the ball and improve go to a fingertip grip.  Also, I would suggest getting some coaching at the same time so you start off with a good release on your new ball.  Good bowling  --  JohnP

[rx7lover86]

It's not uncommon, especially with older balls.  Even with newer balls of today and thumb slugs I still get soreness in the same spot if I havn't bowled in a while.  Over the next several months if you keep bowling that spot on your thumb will harden up and it won't bother you anymore.  This is my case anyways.

[Ragnar]

My guess is that either your pitch is off or the hole may be too large in your current ball.  Both can cause thumb soreness where you describe.  This should be taken care of with your new ball if your driller is competent.  He should measure your hand and establish new pitches and dimensions based on your current hand rather than just copy anything from your old ball.  It is also possible that, as a newer bowler, your technique is off, causing you to squeeze the ball even if the pitch and size are correct.  In any event, if you have access to a competent coach, I'd recommend some coaching.

Definitely go fingertip.  Some folks find it more difficult, but (I believe) the majority find it just as easy to throw or even easier.  Certainly the longer spann will help you rev the ball and hook it more.  I would warn you though, don't go overly long with the span - the most common grip in bowling these days is the "relaxed" fingertip, i.e., not stretched.


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"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal." Oscar Wilde
Ragnar sure likes to throw his purdy Uranium Buzzsaw.

[dizzyfugu]

Hi,

do I understand right that you are currently playing with a polyester Target Zone? Is it drilled with a conventional grip, specifically for your hand? Or did you get the ball from somewhere/somebody with "foreign" holes?

Your thumb problems sound like grabbing the ball too tight, maybe because the finger holes are too small so that you cannot get them deep enough into them without feeling cramped. This is a problem I had when I started bowling regularly and played house balls in the firts place. I am 6' 2" tall and weigh 198 lbs, but have slender fingers. Heavy house balls had far too big holes for me or too sharp bevel, so I played light balls (10 lbs. !!!) because their span was O.K., but I did not get my fingers inside deep enough, just 1st joints. Result were kaput fingers after 3 games... life changed when I got my first polyester (still conventional), but with proper drilling and smooth bevel. I was immediately able to play a 14 lbs. ball! And I never tired again...

Long story, short conclusion: maybe your Target Zone's drilling does not fit well to your hands. A small adjustment could be a big leap forward.

If you are serious about bowling, I recommend fingertip. A good advise might also be a light wrist support device, because paling fingertip in the beginning can be stressful to the wrist, which can result in a broken back wrist and further sore thumb through a tight grip on the ball proir to the release - it is something I am going through myself currently.

Hope this helps? Gut Holz!
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[star wars geek]

The ball was drilled specifically for my hand.

I think I'll cut my thumb nail tonight before playing...maybe it's preventing my thumb from entering all the way in to the hole?
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The only balls in my hands are Brunswicks.

[JohnP]

star wars geek -- When I first read your post, I thought you were talking about pain in the joint itself rather than a "sore skin" area.  If it is a surface pain, additional bevel in the area of the hole that your sore area contacts will probably cure it.  Joint pain is too complex to try to diagnose without seeing how you throw the ball.  --  JohnP

[star wars geek]

Sorry for the confusion.

The joint feels fine, it feels as if the blood vessel in the thumb is swollen a bit.
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The only balls in my hands are Brunswicks.

[dizzyfugu]

If it is the nail, clipping it especially at the sides will help. I had problems with my nails breaking during tournaments, and since then I am very cautious about my thumb nails of my bowling hand.
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe