What else but my thumb...

[Jbultman]

I am just getting into bowling, other than the occasional outing. Purchased my first ball, shoes and bag.  Joined a league and am now putting in some practice before it starts,  however....

I'm noticing that, after about a total of 12 games with the new ball, over a period of 2.5 weeks. My thumb is sore, but not at the place where I'm reading people's thumb is getting sore.  My pain is at the knuckle on both sides (not the top or bottom). Also I'm getting a little swelling, to the point where it takes a couple minutes of pressure or until the second or third frame until my thumb fits comfortably in the thumb hole, even with ultra slide.

 Is this normal?  What is happening for me to be experiencing this?

Thanks in advance, J

[itsallaboutme]

Oval thumb in a round hole. If both sides are rubbing it is a hole size issue. Have your pro shop work out the sides of your thumb hole where your thumb is rubbing. If your thumb hole was drilled oval it needs to be "more oval". 

Yes, it's normal. You need to get the hole so it is as big as your thumb is at its biggest.  Then when your thumb goes down you can put a couple pieces of tape in the hole to fill the gap.

[BallReviews-Removed0385]

Oval thumb in a round hole. If both sides are rubbing it is a hole size issue. Have your pro shop work out the sides of your thumb hole where your thumb is rubbing. If your thumb hole was drilled oval it needs to be "more oval". 

Yes, it's normal. You need to get the hole so it is as big as your thumb is at its biggest.  Then when your thumb goes down you can put a couple pieces of tape in the hole to fill the gap.

+1

Many shops can drill an oval hole now, but at very least they can do it by hand with a dremel or the like.  Not many people have truly round thumbs, so by forcing it into a round hole you get the dragging on the sides of the thumb.

[Jbultman]

Oval thumb in a round hole. If both sides are rubbing it is a hole size issue. Have your pro shop work out the sides of your thumb hole where your thumb is rubbing. If your thumb hole was drilled oval it needs to be "more oval". 

Yes, it's normal. You need to get the hole so it is as big as your thumb is at its biggest.  Then when your thumb goes down you can put a couple pieces of tape in the hole to fill the gap.

+1

Many shops can drill an oval hole now, but at very least they can do it by hand with a dremel or the like.  Not many people have truly round thumbs, so by forcing it into a round hole you get the dragging on the sides of the thumb.

I was thinking about going in and seeing if that would be a good option. I don't think they would have to enlarge it too much.  Currently it's hard to bowl with more than a piece of white tape, no black. I need alot of ultra slide and even then...

Anyway, any other options that it might be?  Or options over than having them drill into an oval? Slug, etc...

[itsallaboutme]

No, there are no other options if your thumb is rubbing on both sides than to get the hole shape to match your thumb shape.

[Jbultman]

No, there are no other options if your thumb is rubbing on both sides than to get the hole shape to match your thumb shape.

Thanks I just didn't know if there was something else, or since this is my first ball  I was doing something wrong or what not. 
Obviously there shouldn't be any pain correct?  What type of fit should I expect/ be experiencing?  How many pieces of tape should be used (pm average)?  Typically is the thumb larger or smaller in the winter vs summer (hot vs cold)?  Thanks again,  sorry for the million and a half questions

[lilpossum1]

I am in the minority of bowlers on here that I either use one piece of tape or none. My thumb hole preference is kind of odd. I have my pro shop sand my thumb hole with really fine sandpaper to make it slicker than usual and I like the feel of one piece of white tape set deep in the thumb hole. I also don't like my thumb hole to feel snug. If I hang up in the thumb hole at all, I will pull every shot inside of my mark. Even if I don't feel like I am hanging up. Most people will say you should have at least 3 pieces of tape and mould the shape of the thumb hole to your thumb with tape, but really it comes down to what works for you

[itsallaboutme]

Typically your hand will slightly larger when its warm outside or later in the day if you are a person that works with your hands all day.  You will need to have it worked out some now then possibly a little more when the weather warms up. Tape amount will vary from person to person, depending on how much your hand goes up and down, but dont think your ball doesn't fit just because you have to use tape. 

Use the tape to keep the hole as snug as you can and still get your thumb out of the hole without hanging up.  As you develop your fundamentals and improve your technique you will be able to keep the hole tighter, but for now just get the hole as large as you need it to not rub and get your thumb out and then tape it so you are comfortable. 

[MI 2 AZ]

This tip by Ron Clifton may help with taping and other info.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm04_files/btm4.htm

[xrayjay]

After getting the right shape and size thumb hole comes taping. It's an art form in itself.

people use different tapes (black, white, and assorted textures) in so many different ways. It's a personal thing, but the function(s) is/are pretty much the same. Not everyone understands it and/or know how to really apply them. but when they get it down pat, it's beautiful.!! **bourbon down**

[lefty50]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but on a related note that may also help the OP. Working on oval thumb holes now because it's become apparent to me how crucial a proper thumb hole fit is, and my thumb is really flat apparently. I'm dragging on the sides, but I hate the feel of 3-5 pieces of tape in the back. Are there any others who, like I tried Thursday night,  adjust the back of the thumb using multiple pieces of tape on the thumb instead of black tape in the back? Seemed to be a decent idea.... Second question. Can you/should you apply enough tape to the back to avoid the companion necessity of white tape in front? White tape up front, which used to be my favorite, now seems to just cause rubbing due to the roughness as my hands get older, and subconsciously make me grip the ball.
Also, thanks for the link to the Ron Clifton article. Good stuff.

[Impending Doom]

I have a very oval thumb and I oval the thumb until it fits. I also use no tape in the front, white only in the back, and rosin + a little warm air in the hole. Have your pro shop open only the sides you're rubbing, not the whole hole. If front to back can be adjusted with a couple of pieces of tape, then you're getting close.

[MI 2 AZ]

More on taping the thumb hole - Tiered Taping.  Some like it and others don't, but it doesn't hurt to try it at least once.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tynDuZljFzE

https://www.bowlingthismonth.com/bowling-tips/tiered-taping/

http://www.itbca.bowlingknowledge.info/index.php/2013-fall/95-tiered-taping-a-process-to-reduce-grip-pressure-and-improve-swing-release

.

[MI 2 AZ]

Lefty 50, as to the roughness of the white tape in front - have you tried putting a small piece of black tape on top of the white?  I like Valentino's Frankentape for that because  the shape of it allows just a small piece of white to be exposed so I don't lose the ball too soon.  It is very thin and can be removed and replaced several times allowing the bowler to get the proper position for the right balance of grip and slickness.

http://valentinobowling.com/30-Piece-Package_p_29.html

Unfortunately, they don't have a picture of the tape showing the shape of it but it is wider on one end than the other so I usually put the narrower end on top so that a narrow strip of white is exposed for gripping.

[lefty50]

MI, I tried Frankentape once, but for a totally different reason. I can see where this application may have value and will try it. However, most of the rub I get seems to be because of tape position. I seem to be riding the edge, and any changes  I make just lead to the other side rubbing...