win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Ebonite Thumb Straight  (Read 12702 times)

lexlefty

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 67
Ebonite Thumb Straight
« on: April 03, 2005, 09:45:27 AM »
Has anyone used the Ebonite Thumb Straight product?  Does it help prevent grabbing the ball at the release?  

http://www.bowlersparadise.com/shop/accessories/ebonite/ebonite_thumb_straight.shtml

--------------------

--Bruce
- - - - - - - - - -
I'm still lookin' for my concentration, consistency, and confidence.  Let me know if you find them.  

 

Long Roller

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2289
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2005, 08:20:15 PM »
Yes, I would also like to know.

JohnP

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5819
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2005, 10:37:06 PM »
lexlefty -- I don't use it myself but have several customers that do.  It doesn't really prevent grabbing the ball (proper thumb pitches help prevent grabbing), but it does prevent you from "knuckling" your thumb.  So if you grab it, you grab it with the pad of your thumb and not the knuckle.  Helps greatly with blisters on the thumb knuckle.  It is inserted into the bottom of the thumb hole and secured with a drop of super glue or some double sided tape.  --  JohnP

Long Roller

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2289
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #3 on: April 03, 2005, 10:56:55 PM »
I get a callous on the right side of my right thumb on the middle knuckle.  Not sure why I do but maybe I am "knuckling" the ball.  Maybe I'll try this.  Thank you.

Brickguy221

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9918
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2005, 12:42:59 AM »
I tried it a 3-4 years ago and didn't really like it. It was called "Thumbs Up-Thumbs Straight" at the time. It does change the pitch of your thumb a bit as well as your span. Gives you a bit more reverse pitch and longer span due to the strip of rubber going up the hole under thumb. This strip of rubber starts out at approx 3/16 inch thick down in the hole and tapers to nothing at top of hole and if you have a thumb a wee bit long like I do, this strip of rubber doesn't even come to top of hole.. Rather than mess with my pitches and span, I chose not to use it any more.

--------------------
Owner of a 129 game bowled with a Brunswick Impulse Zone.
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away"

JohnP

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5819
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2005, 11:40:48 AM »
Long Roller -- First, let's be sure we're talking about the same side of the thumb.  Hold your hand out with the palm facing you and touch the tip of your middle finger.  What we ball drillers refer to as the right side of your thumb will be on the left the way your hand is now facing.  If knuckling is not your problem, you may need to increase lateral pitch toward the callous, which would be increased right pitch.  --  JohnP

DanH78

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3913
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2005, 11:52:49 AM »
I used those for a while, didn't like them.  I found they would move inside the thumbhole so I'd have to stop and correct them every couple frames.  

It took a lot or practicing and experimenting by the guy that drills my stuff but we finally found a solution that didn't involve this type of aid.
--------------------
The clock on the wall says 3 O'Clock...last call...for Alcohol!
"I love a martini -- but two at the most. Three I’m under the table; Four, I’m under the host."  Dorothy Parker
#10

dpunky

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1036
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2005, 12:24:10 PM »
lexlefty,

I would suggest having your thumb pitches checked at a good pro shop.  I just had my hand layout changed and now I'm able to hold the ball properly without have to grab it.

dpunky

Long Roller

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2289
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2005, 12:24:20 PM »
Yeah, you've got the right side, so I must be knuckling.  I'll talk to my ball driller tonight about thumbstraight.  Thank you.

JohnP

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5819
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2005, 04:11:40 PM »
Reasons for "knuckling":  1 - Too much reverse pitch, 2 - Thumb hole too large, 3 - Some bowlers just can't keep their thumb straight in the ball, they're going to knuckle it despite anything you tell them or they try.  --  JohnP

pin-chaser

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1802
Re: Ebonite Thumb Straight
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2005, 04:19:32 PM »
I have used it.. and before it was created, I made my own using may layers of black tape. It is a great tool to learn to squeeze with the thumb moving forward in the hole instead of knuckling with the tip of the thumb
--------------------

Bowling Tips and Articles at: www.bowlingknowledge.com
IRC: Internet Relay Chat on Dalnet #striketalk. 24x7x365
Sponsored by: http://bowlerx.com



Chasing pins for 45 years.