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Author Topic: Ball grip/feel  (Read 2697 times)

StormChris

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Ball grip/feel
« on: May 31, 2007, 05:49:55 AM »
Hi, I have been trying to improve my game recently and have been having some coaching, however I feel confused with the way the ball feels on my hand and the way it is drilled. I am left handed medium speed, medium to low revs and use a fingertip grip with oval finger inserts and a thumb slug. It seems I can feel the ball on my thumb quite a bit but not much on the fingers. After adding tape to help stop gripping the ball, I had a tighter slug drilled at the start of the year but I still dont think the ball feels right. Unfortunately I dont have the specs of my grip and the pro shop guy isnt the most friendly or educational guy. I have read a load about pitches and stuff and everyone says different things!! So I was hoping someone could describe how the ball should feel in terms of span, fingers (pad, nail etc) and the same with thumb (pad, nail, sides etc) and hopefully can work from there. Sorry for long post and thanks in advance.

 

Goof1073

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2007, 02:01:20 PM »
Feel is very subjective and regardless of what a shop tells you (they all have their own ideas) only you can tell what feels good.  Honestly, a ball should feel comfortable to the bowler, not hurt or cause blisters and the release should be clean...

...everything else (IMHO) can manipulated to fit the bowler’s personal preference.

StormChris

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2007, 02:11:25 PM »
Thanks, in terms of pain there is only slight rubbing on my thumb, nothing major. It is the weight distribution I am thinking of at the moment because it seems to be more on the thumb.

Goof1073

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2007, 03:06:24 PM »
So are you having to squeeze too much to hold onto the ball?  Maybe you have too much reverse thumb pitch or the hole isn't the right size / shape.  The rubbing could be cured with some bevel (if that's the problem).

Really...without seeing your hand and the ball it's tough to say anything definative on here.
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StormChris

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2007, 04:04:37 PM »
The rubbing is on the side of my thumb and slightly on the nail side of the thumb.

BrunsWolf

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2007, 09:24:47 PM »
maybe you need an oval thumb...
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StormChris

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2007, 05:42:40 PM »
I have always used an oval thumb hole since I got my first fingertip ball

charlest

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2007, 07:18:25 PM »
quote:
The rubbing is on the side of my thumb and slightly on the nail side of the thumb.


As soon as you say "something is rubbing", I get the feel that the ball does not fit you properly.If everything is "correct", spans and pitches for all fingers, the ball should feel totally comfortable.

Years and years ago, phoney shoe salesman used to tell parents that the shoe would break in to fit the kid's foot. They LIED, big time. Shoes do not ever break in.  How they fit from day one is how they will continue to fit & feel. If they feel good, they'll continue to feel good. The same with holes and pitches and spans. How it fits is how it will continue to fit.  It rubs now, it will rub later, more and more.
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StormChris

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2007, 08:32:22 AM »
Thanks for responses, what action do you think I should take considering my local pro shop isn't particularly helpful and the next nearest pro shop is an hour and a half away.

Strapper_Squared

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #9 on: June 04, 2007, 11:15:43 AM »
msg sent

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StormChris

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Re: Ball grip/feel
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2007, 02:25:08 PM »
Thank you very much for the replies I think I will be taking an old ball and trying some different spans and pitches. From the information I have read I think the first thing I will try is a shorter span with less reverse in the thumb.

I will also be working on strengthening my wrist which should help my swing/release.

Thanks again