This post is to let anyone who is interested, in trying out a medical tape called HypaFix to use as a replacement for NuSkin or court plaster to cover sore spots on the thumb.  HypaFix is a thin, flexible white tape that I learned about when I attended a Ritger Clinic.  It was used by the instructor, Bob Rea, to cover sore spots on the students thumbs since we were bowling about 10-12 games per day for four days and many of the students were not used to that amount of games.  I found that it helped to prevent any blisters from forming, much like NuSkin, but it did not have to be reapplied as often as NuSkin.  I always had the problem with the NuSkin wearing away after bowling for awhile but the HypaFix tape held up and was easy to apply.  

I have also heard that some bowlers use the tape to facilitate a quicker, cleaner release.  I am not using it for that purpose so cannot comment on that use of it.

I purchased a  2 inch x 10 yards roll of HypaFix tape and found that I am probably not going to use it all up for quite a while since I am only cutting out a ½ inch wide piece of the tape to use on my thumb each time.  So if anyone wants to try a sample of the HypaFix tape, I am willing to mail out a sample, if you send me a mailing address by message.  If you wish to purchase HypaFix tape, please call the manufacturer at 1-800-876-1261 to find the nearest outlet.  It may be available in a medical supply store.  I am not associated with the company nor do I sell it.  Since I am not as knowledgeable as others on this site about different balls, ball drillings, or bowling tips, this is my way of helping out.

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Amended to add:

Apply the tape lengthwise on the thumb with both ends rounded off, covering the sore spot or area you feel is rubbing, anchoring one end on the thumbnail if possible.  Do not apply it wrapped around the thumb like a ring as it will peel off quickly.  If one end does start to lift, try reapplying it at a different angle or with the lifting edge on a different part of your thumb.  Hope this helps.
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After you try the tape out, please post back here and let others know your findings, good and bad, about the tape.  That way, other bowlers can use that information to their benefit.  There are other tapes out by other manufacturers to use on the thumb or fingers and if you want to, please post any comments about them here also.  This should not include tapes that are inserted into the thumb or finger holes for gripping or fitting use.

Edited on 7/1/2003 4:48 PM

Anybody else want to try a sample?

MI_2_AZ, I still have my sample and I might get the chance to test it out soon.  One question that I have about the HypaFix is that I run a very tight thumbhole....in fact, I have to preshrink down my thumb before being able to get it into the ball.  With a ball fit that tight, will the HypaFix stay in place?  Or, will I need to loosen up the ball before attempting to use it?  I have to run a tight thumbhole because I have a fairly high backswing, and I use 1/2" reverse thumb pitch (which puts a premium on a snug ball fit).

To give you an idea of how tight my thumbhole fits, I have to use Vaseline Lip Therapy on both sides of the thumb, just to reduce the drag on the inside of the urethane slug.  I tape the heck out of the thumbhole because I hate tapered thumb holes, and every oval drilled thumbhole that I've tried turned out tapered to some degree.  So, I have the holes drilled round, then I put in about 7 pieces of tape to adjust the fit (4 1" white under the thumb, 2 1" white behind the thumb, 1 1" black over the white behind the thumb).  Then I fine tune the fit with 1/2" wide strips of white under the thumb.  I spend so much time working with retaping the thumbhole (especially changing out the top piece of white tape due to oil getting on it) that I even carry a small 2 AA size MagLite in my bag, so I can see exactly where to realign the tape at (and of course I use the Master Tape Insert Tool too).  I even go as far as to scribe an ink line around the upper edge of each piece of tape, so I know exactly how deep to insert the new piece when changing out pieces of tape.

Needless to say, a good non-tapered oval hole would work out much better for me....but the only oval shaped thumb sleeves I'm aware of are the vinyl ones, and it is too humid around here to use a vinyl thumb sleeve.

10,
Put it on your thumb and try it out. It may even help you eliminate the preshrinking thumb routine that you're presently doing.
If you're using such a tight fit thumbhole, suggest you cover the tip of thumb with it too to prevent the tape rolling up as you insert your thumb.

I've seen a bowler taping his whole thumb with it. Even to his thumb base. Although I've not try such taping, he seem to bowl great. No slippage, great release.  

After a few throws to get the feel of the release, trust the tape to help your release. Know for sure your thumb release is clean and no hang. You'll be surprise.

About taping thumb hole. A trick I use is put a pin or scratch mark near the thumb hole to indicate the center of where the tape is going to be placed.

baiki
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Those who can,    do.  Those who can't,    teach.    Those who can't    do or   teach,    writes.            Bob Summerville, BTM Sept. 1997

MI_2_AZ
Do you think the HypaFix works well with the Magic Carpet? I have tried some tapes before and I like the feel of the combo of Magic Carpet and the tape but it was hard to keep the tape on my thumb.
Ron Clifton

I just got my sample yesterday, so i'm going to try & get out ASAP & give it a shot.

Thanks again MI_2_AZ!

That's pretty cool, thanks guys.
Ron Clifton

Goldberg, sample mailed.