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Author Topic: Oval Thumb Hole  (Read 6670 times)

thedjs

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Oval Thumb Hole
« on: April 21, 2015, 11:16:44 AM »
Is it hard to adjust to an oval thumb hole?  Does it affect your release? 

 

lefty50

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2015, 04:51:14 PM »
I will jump in since I see no one else has responded.

I believe the general answer is that it will vary with each individual, but I went away from an oval about two years ago and now believe it's a primary factor in my current release problems. As soon as I find someone that I believe is competent to drill oval thumbs, I'm definitely going back to them. For me, I had a cleaner release.

thedjs

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2015, 05:05:41 PM »
Thanks Lefty.  I've been having problems with hanging in the ball for some time now.  I took all the tape out and then had the hole opened up, but I still have to be careful when I put a little extra on the shot.  If I can find someone to drill it, I think I'll try the oval.  It will be in a Vise removable thumb so only have to do one to see if it works.

Thanks again.

JustRico

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2015, 06:55:39 PM »
Ovals tend to create less flexibility as well as locks the bowler into one hand position
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luv2C10falll

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2015, 07:05:32 PM »
So Ric it's better to have a round thumb hole than a oval tailored to your thumb ?

lefty50

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2015, 07:07:52 PM »
Might be, but I'm thinking that may be a good thing for me.... :) Good point on the downsides, but I can see it offset by the positive of a cleaner release....?

JustRico

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2015, 07:10:54 PM »
Yes I think a rounder hole and tape than a perfectly milled oval allows more freedom to change hand positions as well as releases...unless you wanna be a one trick pony
Co-author of BowlTec's END GAMES ~ A Bowler's COMPLETE Guide to Bowling; Head Games ~ the MENTAL approach to bowling (and sports) & (r)eVolve
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kidlost2000

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2015, 08:49:29 PM »
Ive had a lot of success and a great feel drilling a thumb hole 15/16" and adding tape at 3 and 7 o'clock. It's a perfect fit that is easy to adjust as needed due to shrinking and swelling.
…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

BMFOBR

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2015, 10:26:47 PM »
Yes I think a rounder hole and tape than a perfectly milled oval allows more freedom to change hand positions as well as releases...unless you wanna be a one trick pony

Agreed.  I went to an oval tapered hole and wrecked my game.  Couldn't figure out what was going on.  Got rid of the oval and my release/s are coming back slowly but surely as I ditch all the compensation "moves" I wound up doing to correct what rico said.  Tape in the right positions in a round hole will oval your thumb hole enough.   
If you're so gutless as to hide behind the ignore button while taking shots at people....why are you even here?

Brickguy221

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2015, 11:35:19 PM »
Yes I think a rounder hole and tape than a perfectly milled oval allows more freedom to change hand positions as well as releases...unless you wanna be a one trick pony

Agreed.  I went to an oval tapered hole and wrecked my game.  Couldn't figure out what was going on.  Got rid of the oval and my release/s are coming back slowly but surely as I ditch all the compensation "moves" I wound up doing to correct what rico said.  Tape in the right positions in a round hole will oval your thumb hole enough.   

+1 to both Ric and BMFOBR's posts
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lefty50

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #10 on: April 22, 2015, 06:37:14 AM »
Sorry guys, but I still have to disagree. Ric, lay off the insulting comments also please. At least for me, it's different, and that's allowed ... Taping a round hole to force fit it definitely doesn't, at least for me, result in a cleaner release... and that's the main goal.

luv2C10falll

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2015, 08:10:19 AM »
I'm with lefty50  on this one. My thumb is way to oval to try and use a round hole with 20 pieces of tape. I like the Oval fit to get my hand to relax without any squeezing of the ball. I also agree with him on the snide comments,those really aren't that useful

JustRico

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2015, 08:47:45 AM »
So if I answer a question and you don't like the response it's insulting?
When dealing with feel it's personal as well as extremely individual...for the masses less restriction is better...
There are variations of ovals...many that facilitate tape to compliment or create
Hopefully that wasn't too insulting for your taste
« Last Edit: April 22, 2015, 08:51:29 AM by JustRico »
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ITZPS

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2015, 08:52:49 AM »
Oval thumbs never worked for me either.  Never could get a clean release.  Some people need it for a good fit, but generally, I don't run into many people who truly have flat and wide thumbs.  However, I do see quite a few people who now have them because of over-gripping. 
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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Oval Thumb Hole
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2015, 09:01:06 AM »
I can see both sides here.  The round hole offers versatility because you can tape different spots to change your grip pressure.  I never realized this until I had a friend (whose hand is extremely close to mine) throw some of my equipment.  He quickly added one piece of white tape down low and off to one side just barely.  After he finished I put my hand back into the ball and it felt GREAT!!

Most of us need enough oval to clear the sides of the thumb, but I may re-visit the idea of leaving some extra room there for the "custom" tape job...  We're all going to be different on this topic, because our games are different.