Author Topic: Ball Span question for Gizmo or anyone with experience. (Read 5194 times)

scrub49 · « **on:** October 18, 2013, 08:58:28 AM »

I normally use an 5 inch span with 0 to 1/8 reverse pitch in thumb. I have some stiffness in my middle finger an friend of mines gave me two balls that's almost new the span is an1/4 inch shorter . I practice 3 games with them my arm swing was a little higher, release felt a little cleaner. Now that I am 64 years old you think in the long run this might help with the stiffness in my finger the pitch also 0 in the thumb on this balls.

itsallaboutme · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2013, 09:25:17 AM »

If your hand is stiff shorter will feel better. Also, if your hand is stiff 0 reverse probably isn't enough, this is why your getting out of the shorter span ball cleaner.

As you get a little older and your hands are changing, you need to have your grip analyzed every year. There is no reason not to make some adjustments to remain comfortable as you lose flexibility in you hand.

scrub49 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2013, 01:04:38 PM »

Thanks itsallaboutme just bowled 3 games hand feels pretty good. This span was suggested to me about 2 years ago by two drillers I know saying it puts more of my hand in the ball.

itsallaboutme · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2013, 02:29:02 PM »

Have it rechecked. The hand can stiffen up quite a bit in a couple of years. If your fingers don't bend like they used to you may need to change the span and/or finger pitch to get rid of some pressure.

You really want to stay on top of it because most likely your hand is going to get a little stiffer naturally. You don't want bowling to make it any worse.

Gizmo823 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2013, 03:03:46 PM »

I agree with this. I'm all for as little reverse as possible, but 0 on a 5 inch span is extreme. I wouldn't make huge changes, I might go to 1/8th reverse in the thumb and cut the span down some, and I'd DEFINITELY suggest looking into reverse in the fingers as well, if your forward/reverse in the fingers is 0, that's a bigger problem in my mind than your thumb pitch. 0 reverse in the fingers can get your entire hand out of the proper position. Definitely listen to itsallaboutme, keep on top of getting your fit checked more often.

Quote from: itsallaboutme on October 18, 2013, 02:29:02 PM

Have it rechecked. The hand can stiffen up quite a bit in a couple of years. If your fingers don't bend like they used to you may need to change the span and/or finger pitch to get rid of some pressure.

You really want to stay on top of it because most likely your hand is going to get a little stiffer naturally. You don't want bowling to make it any worse.

scrub49 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2013, 03:30:08 PM »

I uses 1/8 reverse in my last two balls with an 1/8 away in the fingers. The balls my friend gave me has a span of 4 3/4 feels ok but tomorrow I bowling travel league where I have my ball drilled have my man compare the two. Once again Thank you and itsallaboutme FOR YOUR HELP.

Coach castle · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2013, 09:04:09 PM »

Do you use finger grips ? Have you tried a ball with out grips? I was having a lot of finger trouble shorted my grip 3/16 an took the grips out . It sure helped me I have no finger pain stiffness an bowling better then I ever have. 4 7/8 4 15/16 with 3/8 reverse 1/4 under thumb pitch fingers at 0

scrub49 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2013, 08:26:44 AM »

Coach I did that a couple years ago believe it or not Ron Williams (PBA GREAT) drilled me an ball with the exact same measurements with one difference he used 3/8 reverse in fingers 1/4 in thumb.

batbowler · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2013, 09:16:49 AM »

Quote from: itsallaboutme on October 18, 2013, 09:25:17 AM

If your hand is stiff shorter will feel better. Also, if your hand is stiff 0 reverse probably isn't enough, this is why your getting out of the shorter span ball cleaner.

As you get a little older and your hands are changing, you need to have your grip analyzed every year. There is no reason not to make some adjustments to remain comfortable as you lose flexibility in you hand.

+1 amen!
I've shortened my span over the years and I'm getting close to 60 and have shortened it about 5/16" from my early years.

Impending Doom · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2013, 09:23:11 AM »

If you put your hand in your equipment, and feel your finger nail pushing against the back of the finger hole, as opposed to feeling it on the pads of your fingers, you don't have enough reverse for your span. I've slowly increased my reverse in my fingers (right now, I'm at 3/8 reverse), and adjust the span just a little to keep the general feel the same.

scrub49 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2013, 09:33:05 AM »

Well a friend gave me two balls in perfect condition that feels good span is 1/4 inch shorter than what I been using. he has this other ball that I rolled that feels perfect going to try to check the measurements and compare to the ones he gave me.

john178 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2013, 11:10:58 AM »

scrub49, do you live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area?

scrub49 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2013, 06:33:04 PM »

Steven · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2013, 04:42:04 PM »

Ron Clifton wrote one of the best articles available for determining an appropriate span. Ron is one of the better known coaches in the country, and he's a treasure of knowledge. I used his method myself for zeroing in on my optimal span. Check this out:

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm05_files/btm5.htm

What's nice about his method is that it does allow for a small amount of variance based on comfort and hand flexibility. He points out accurately that a span too small can be as harmful as one too long. Unfortunately, too many bowlers rely on techniques that are subjective and not measurable.

scrub49 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2013, 07:26:16 AM »

Read article couple years ago very informative. Just happen to look in my son bowling bag and found my old balls drilled by Ron Williams fit like a glove,will test them out one day this week. The span is 4 7/8 - 5 with 5/8 reverse in fingers 1/4 reverse in thumb.

Author Topic: Ball Span question for Gizmo or anyone with experience. (Read 5194 times)

scrub49

Ball Span question for Gizmo or anyone with experience.

itsallaboutme

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scrub49

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itsallaboutme

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Gizmo823

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scrub49

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Coach castle

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scrub49

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batbowler

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Impending Doom

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scrub49

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john178

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scrub49

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Steven

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scrub49

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