If I understand you correctly the thumb hole is now tight enough that you are not using ANY tape or Magic Carpet.

Well you can’t do that and get a good consistent release from the thumb. The reason is because if the thumb hole is snug enough that you will not drop the ball (unless you use the Kung Fu Grip) your thumb creates an almost air tight seal.

That means that every time the thumb comes out quickly there is a low pressure area in the bottom of the thumb hole that will cause a suction that tries to keep your thumb in.

Sometimes when that suction is really bad you can actually hear it go POP like a cork at the release point. I suggest that even if you DON’T use Ron C’s Magic Carpet that you open the thumb hole up enough that when your thumb is swollen you still need at least 2 pieces tape. That will keep the hole from being such and air tight fit and you can always add more tape when your thumb goes down.

If you want to keep using Magic Carpet then just tell the driller to open the hole up a little. Just go a little at the time until if feels right. One of the things Magic Carpet does really well is allow air to flow around and under your thumb as it exits the ball. That is one of the reasons bowlers can still throw the ball well even if the thumb swells up so much that it would hang with just tape in the ball.

Bowl great!
Ron Clifton

Thanks, Ron.  I'm still pretty new to really having to worry about my "fit."  Before I just kind of winged the ball, but now I'm really working on a clean release, and the MC really helped me with my other ball.  I do notice the suction effect as I can hear it "pop" sometimes coming off my hand, and I will add that at least a few shots the ball hung up on my thumb and ended up landing a few feet down the lane.  It sure would help if my pro knew what the heck I was talking about as far as the MC.