Hey folks,

Any thoughts on thumb protection from blisters?  I've opened up a second blister at on my thumb at the knuckle.  I'm using Hada tape (Blue and then Red) to protect the thumb but I'd like to get to a point of not having to use that if possible.  I'm also using Brunswick White (1") thumb tape, which I think led to this issue as it's really rough.  I've purchased some Turbo (1") tape in Orange and will try some in black eventually.  I've also purchased a roll of Turbo (2") tape in black and Hammer protection tape.  I used to have occasional blisters on the side of my thumb, but never on the top.  Any thoughts and or suggestions?

You need a tighter thumb hole.

I use white tape (rougher) in the front of the thumb hole and black tape (slicker - electrical) in the back of the thumb hole.  I also use a patch type product (Nichiban) out of habit.

Hey folks,

Any thoughts on thumb protection from blisters?  I've opened up a second blister at on my thumb at the knuckle.  I'm using Hada tape (Blue and then Red) to protect the thumb but I'd like to get to a point of not having to use that if possible.  I'm also using Brunswick White (1") thumb tape, which I think led to this issue as it's really rough. 

If you're using white rough tape in the back of the thumb hole (where the blistered area rubs), then either the thumb hole isn't angled properly or you are knuckling the ball because the thumb hole is too large. By "angled", I don;t mean pitch. I mean that virtually no one's thumb is perfectly round when gripping the ball. Everyone's thumb is wider than it is deep. PLUS everyone's thumb is at a slightly different angle with respect to their finger. The angle: the line of your thumb from one side to the other, with respect to the left-right line of the middle finger to the ring finger is different for everyone.

Also put a piece of black, thin smooth tape over the white piece to prevent abrading your thumb skin and causing problems.

I've purchased some Turbo (1") tape in Orange and will try some in black eventually.  I've also purchased a roll of Turbo (2") tape in black and Hammer protection tape.  I used to have occasional blisters on the side of my thumb, but never on the top.  Any thoughts and or suggestions?

Hada blue thumb tape is one of the thinnest thumb tapes. It can protect the thumb blister, until you can fix the problem and there is some problem. While few bowlers can bowl 12 games as Kegler300800 can, without some thumb rubbing, you should easily bowl 8 games with zero threat of a blister.

You do need to learn what is causing the blister and prevent that before you can bowl without thumb protection.

Thanks Charlst!  I'll definitely get the black tape to smooth out the release.  Since getting back into the game I've been logging weekly 2-3 hour sessions to get the thumb into shape.  Initially my problem was the thumb hole would be too tight, then I had it new oval turbo sleeve put in at 41* and that seemed to do the trick, then the blister came back in the same spot.  So, my thoughts are the Brunswick tape was doing the damage as well as probably a little knuckling.  Some kinks to work out still but I like my 2 tournament results so far (at least average wise) so, I must be doing something right.  We're always in search of the missing puzzle piece, much like the game of golf.

Well, it looks/sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck, but be careful. Blisters are one sign that something is wrong and needs correction, not just a band-aid.