If I go 1/8 reverse in my thumb would I need to adjust the overall span?

There is a HUGE difference between reading an article and knowing how to fit as well as the difference between a static fit vs a dynamic fit...the proper way to fit a person is to fit them not a book or a by a fad...fish hooking, using your term, would more than likely delay the fingers causing possible tendon damage from the pulling effect...understand they are angles and no two hands are alike

There's got to be more to this than a simple formula.

The cut-to-cut measurement of my span comes out at 4 3/16. That suggests reverse pitch is needed. But I have always had a problem dropping the ball, squeezing it, etc.  As a result I now have some chronic wrist issues thanks to 20+ years of having an ill fit.

About 2 years ago, I made a big move and went from 1/8 reverse in the thumb to 3/8 forward. I noticed an immediate improvement in the pain (or lack thereof) I had in my wrist and hand. But over the last three months or so, I've found myself having a problem again with dropping the ball and feeling the need to squeeze it to hold onto it.

I'm about to take a couple of balls and go from 3/8 forward to 11/16 forward and see what happens.

What hasn't changed over this time is the overall span. Regardless, according to Taylor's work, I never should have gone to forward pitch to begin with. However, there's no doubt it felt better and took some stress off my hand/wrist in the process.

Jess

There are references & guidelines and then there is experience...fitting is part science and part art...you have to know how to blend the 2...

Nicely said Jody

Jess,

A move to lateral under and leaving your forward pitch could have you doing the Machuga Flop unintentionally!

IF I were going to go to under I would go be very careful to add some reverse to your current point.  For each 1/16 under lateral I would add 1/8 reverse from your starting point at your extreme forward pitch.  And please go slow!  Be willing to add bevel as you try this.

Real world.  When this going forward trend first started being talked about I would run into more bowlers trying it and talking about going forward as a goal!  They would mention they had done it and note they now had a black line under the flat of their thumb!  Warning nerve damage.  I would add bevel using the Mo Pinel bevel tips and ring finger test and after a few weeks voila no more tingling or black line.

Sometimes two weeks off was necessary.

Jess.  I have to say it is a long time.  But it seems in picturing your wrist position from a long time ago it for a hook bowler was less cupped or even bent backwards compared to most other hook ball bowlers.  This may be how you can go to such extreme forward in relation to your span.

Just Rico and the Perfect Pitch IPSIA poster are quite correct.  Pitch is angle.  Bill Taylor described the starting point of his pitch chart 4 1/4 was 0 Forward/Reverse and a 64 degree angle.  The new chart from the IPSIA is 4 and 0.  This is even a wider angle than Bill Taylor's old charts.  The adjustments obviously the same.  1/8 more span = 1/16 more reverse.*

I find the Bill Taylor charts to be virtually perfect for me if I use my coke bottle test of 1/4 under palm lateral.  (I use less lateral)  Bill who I was fortunate enough to meet, believed in going forward for bowlers with all the adjustments mentioned by Perfect pitch.  Dry thumbs, flexible thumbs, and short thumbs, need more forward, and the converse.

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS ** the angle can be pictured by picturing  a straight line from the front edge of the fingerholes to the front edge of the thumb and measuring the angle of the front surface of that thumbhole.  Really can't be done on a ball but instead on a picture of paper.  Using a circle of 8.5 inches. 
http://www.bowlingball.com/BowlVersity/bowling-ball-specifications

3/8 lateral out from a new driller while a gold medal teacher has you at 0 lateral?  Why?  You must have a stiff hand and a very flexible thumb.

In the range of bowlers lateral out that much has to be a 99.6% as far as how many bowlers are lateral out that much.

I have seen one bowler go that much lateral out from 0 out lateral.  He has had marvelous results being down about 20 pins in average on house shot with a move to 5/16 lateral out from a 1/8 lateral out coke bottle test.

He says he is better on sport shots.  I have never seen it.

Good Lucky.

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS what is your Coke bottle test?

3/8 lateral out from a new driller while a gold medal teacher has you at 0 lateral?  Why?  You must have a stiff hand and a very flexible thumb.

In the range of bowlers lateral out that much has to be a 99.6% as far as how many bowlers are lateral out that much.

I have seen one bowler go that much lateral out from 0 out lateral.  He has had marvelous results being down about 20 pins in average on house shot with a move to 5/16 lateral out from a 1/8 lateral out coke bottle test.

He says he is better on sport shots.  I have never seen it.

Good Lucky.

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS what is your Coke bottle test?

Double L, I have a stiff, very little flexablity thumb, but my fingers are not as bad.

I did not understand your 99.6% comment

BG

I don't remember ever using over 5/16 right lateral (right hander).  That guy could lay his thumb over perpendicular to his wrist and touch the pad of his palm.  --  JohnP