Ring Finger PAIN

[Shermster]

Last couple times after bowling, I experience a lot of pain/swelling on the tip of my ring finger. The pain is quite immense, at the point where I try to avoid using my hand in daily life.

Back on track, on my follow-thru, it feels like the entire weight of the ball is hanging on the ring finger tip. The finger insert fit my finger, not loose and not too tight.

Am I not releasing my finger tip properly?

Am I using too much ring finger for control?

I heard somewhere...ring finger for control, middle finger for velocity. Is this correct?

[mainzer]

Are you pushing the ball with your fingers, not just letting it roll of the fingers. Do you have your fingers relaxed in the ball?
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Mainzerpower

[Shermster]

A little push, but more in a upward motion. That's how I get spin on the ball.

Could be my fingers aren't relaxed enough as well.

[Dan Belcher]

I used to have ring finger pain and swelling.  I then went to using reverse pitch on my fingers, and the pain has gone away.  I get out of the ball much more easily now without straining my hand.

[aguynamedpat]

Does it almost feel like it is taking your nail with it?

Alot of pain during bowling can be because of the way the ball is drilled. The pitch could be alot of it, also if your span is too long, the ring finger distance is longer than the middle (for most), so your ring is going to have more pressure on it because it is stretched farther.

You want to make sure your hand is relaxed and comfortable in the ball while bowling. You dont want to be stretching or squeezing it, you want to make sure you can put your hand in it and it be comfortable. Are you using the same driller for all of your stuff?
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Georgia Interstate AllStars 07-08

[Shermster]

Dan Belcher: How do I use reverse pitch? Is it something I can ask my shop guy to do for me? Will it require a re-drill?

aguynamedpat: Sounds like you've nailed it! I think my ring finger is stretched out. My span doesn't feel that wide however. Perhaps I have my fingers clawed in too tight. Yes, I use the same drill for my stuff, which consists of two balls.

Thanks fellas

[solid9]

 Are you using lifts that have a built in pitch ?

[Shermster]

quote:
 Are you using lifts that have a built in pitch ?

I'm not sure. My inserts are both oval. Can you elaborate what a built in pitch looks like?

[solid9]

 The front edge will have a flat spot on it.

[Dan Belcher]

Reverse pitch simply means your finger holes will not go straight down, they will point slightly out away from your palm.  This means you will have to bend your fingers a little less.  A small difference can help the feel tremendously.  But it also sounds like your whole grip is off.  I strongly recommend going to another ball driller and having him remeasure your grip.  You may need to plug and redrill your equipment so that your hand is able to fit comfortably without stretching, pressure, or pain.

[Shermster]

I just went on Vise's website.

Do you mean a pitched lift like the Power-Lift?
http://www.viseinserts.com/overview_finger%20inserts.htm

Will getting a pitched lift ease my finger pain?

[solid9]

Yes. If you are using this type of lift you can go to a reg round or oval and shorten your span by 1/8 of in.
 You can measure your span fairly close by marking 1/2 halfway up on the finger joints with a marking pen and then placing your thumb in the ball and laying your fingers over the holes, your mark on your fingers should be fairly close to the front of the hole.

[Shermster]

Will try and go for a pitched lift for the ring finger.

Let you guys know how it turns out. Thanks again!

[mrbowlingnut]

I think your fingers are getting stiffer it happens with age, reverse and/or slightly shorter span would help you out.

I used to use 1/2 inch reverse went to around 1/4 and one finger is starting to get alittle pain again, so maybe 5/16 or so is coming on the next ball to try out.

[solid9]

you need to shorten the ring finger, not make it longer.
 The angled lifts will make the span longer.