How tight should the grips be finger tips in the ball

[STBCrushEm]

How tight should the grips be finger tips in the ball? Is it bad to have to tight or to loose?

[charlest]

You should not have to force or jam your fingers into the ball, but you should not have trouble holding onto the ball throughout your swing. They must also fit through whatever range of swelling and shrinking your hand goes through. Some go through almost nothing and some go through a lot.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

[JohnP]

Finger grip tightness is strictly customer preference.  Some like them tight, some loose.  When I fit I select a grip that, if pushed, will go about 1/4" past the joint.  Then I show the customer what one size larger and smaller feels like and go with their choice.  I'd say more prefer looser than tighter.  Personally, I prefer a loose finger fit, but I don't use grips.  I like a hole that is large enough that I can push the finger almost half way to the second joint if I wanted to, but only put it in to the first joint.  You only actually use the front of the hole anyway, sides and back don't make much difference.   --  JohnP

[STBCrushEm]

thank you

[dizzyfugu]

It also depends on how good you can actually bend your finger joints - which will also affect the type of insert you might use (e.g. simple oval or with lifts, or other types). IMHO, what''s important is to have good contact with the ball - having a large contact area is IMO not wrong, so the right diameter and shape plays a major role. Yes, "snug" would be the best description, unless personal preferrence or other indications suggest anything else.

As an addendum: what I learned from my ball driller is that a "snug" insert is just right when you are able to lift the ball just with the fingers inside of their holes, with little effort and bending.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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Edited on 10/26/2009 10:13 AM

[STBCrushEm]

thank you

[JohnP]

dizzy -- Actually, finger joint stiffness affects the pitch you use on the pilot hole for the grips instead of the snugness of the grip.  Stiffer joint means more reverse finger pitch.  --  JohnP

[dizzyfugu]

Yes - but I rather meant the type of insert you might consider, depending on the bending ability of your joints. But effectively it ends with the pitch question - you got the final truth on your side
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section

[JohnP]

When a customer selects a power lift grip I add 3/16 reverse to what the joint stiffness calls for to offset the forward pitch of the grip.  --  JohnP