Rookie questions on grip setups

[JayTee]

Here is my situation:

 I am a 57-year-old rookie. I began bowling one month ago, and have been using house balls at three different venues. My focus so far has just been getting my steps and timing down, and hitting my targets. I think I’m doing OK for a beginner, bowled a 140 average for a three-game set recently and somehow managed a 177 in a game last week. Obviously I’m using strictly a straight ball and using a conventional grip (and it’s always a crap shoot to find a house ball that fits decently). So, now I’m ready to move on and begin to learn a hook shot.

I have purchased a standard plastic ball to use in the interim and to use later when I might want a spare/straight ball to at least pick off corner pins. I am going to get an entry-level hook ball to begin the next step. Neither ball has been drilled. Both will be the same weight.

My questions:

I am going to go fingertip grip with inserts for the hook ball. Now, for the straight ball, should I have it drilled exactly to match the hook ball – fingertip grip with inserts? (From what I’ve read and heard, it seems consensus is to use the same setup for both balls but I had one pretty good bowler advise not to use a fingertip setup for the straight ball).

Is there any disadvantage of using a fingertip grip with inserts for a straight ball as compared to a conventional grip? Should my straight ball and hook ball indeed be set up the same, both with fingertip grip and inserts? Does it matter?

Also curious as to what to expect going from a conventional grip to fingertip, how different it is and how difficult or easy the transition typically is.

Thanks in advance for advice. Any feedback or tips greatly appreciated.

[SVstar34]

You should do both with fingertip grip, you want all balls you have to feel the same.

The transition is not difficult, it just takes practice to learn. Your best bet is going to be getting a lesson from a coach to learn some proper techniques.

[AlonzoHarris]

You should do both with fingertip grip, you want all balls you have to feel the same.

The transition is not difficult, it just takes practice to learn. Your best bet is going to be getting a lesson from a coach to learn some proper techniques.

I second this ^

Even if you "put some on it" when you throw the plastic ball, it's plastic, it's not going to all of a sudden hook past a pin. So no need to worry about that with going fingertip drilling on the plastic ball, which I assume might have been some of the driver behind the comment you were given about spare balls.

[JayTee]

You should do both with fingertip grip, you want all balls you have to feel the same.

The transition is not difficult, it just takes practice to learn. Your best bet is going to be getting a lesson from a coach to learn some proper techniques.

Thank you for the feedback! I am definitely planning to setup both the same. Also, thanks for the encouragement. I am looking forward to the transition and taking the next step and do have some assistance, including from the pro who is doing my setup.

[JayTee]

You should do both with fingertip grip, you want all balls you have to feel the same.

The transition is not difficult, it just takes practice to learn. Your best bet is going to be getting a lesson from a coach to learn some proper techniques.

I second this ^

Even if you "put some on it" when you throw the plastic ball, it's plastic, it's not going to all of a sudden hook past a pin. So no need to worry about that with going fingertip drilling on the plastic ball, which I assume might have been some of the driver behind the comment you were given about spare balls.

Thanks much for the input, and the assurance about the fingertip grip with the spare ball. That was exactly what I wondering about and questioning. I definitely do plan to set up both the same way. Great to have the confirmation.