I've been wearing a simple type of wrist guard, just to keep my lazy wrist from flapping around too much.  Works well, does what I intended it to do.

But after much consideration, I finally broke down and bought one of those bionic arm/wrist supports, to see if it really made that much of a difference.  In my case, I bought the Mongoose Optimum, which is marketed as the best of the Lifter and the Equalizer in one device.

Tried it in practice the other night. Oh my God, I felt like I was cheating!

Effortless revs that I have never been able to achieve on my own up 'til now, and perfect ball positioning (it seemed) for proper axis tilt and rotation.  All I had to do was keep my hand behind and under the ball, and the Mongoose thingamajig did the rest.  I couldn't stop laughing!  My ball looked like Chris Barnes' ball going down the lane!

I decided to take the thing off, and see if I could replicate what the device was doing, without its assistance.  Sure enough, now that I'd felt the proper position of my hand and wrist, I was able to get more revs and more hook all on my own.  Not quite as strong and effortless as with the support, but better.

So... I'm thinking of using it primarily as a training device.  It still feels very unnatural, and it somewhat restricts my ability to throw straight at spares (it wants to keep your hand in the proper position for hooking it), so I won't wear it in competition, at least not yet.

Of course, if I happen to bowl a 130 the first game, I might decide I can't do any worse, and give it a try.

BTW, the biggest difference in my wrist supports is that the Mongoose provides support to the fingers, as well as the wrist.  You just have to decide where to stand and where to throw the ball, and the device supplies the proper ball roll.
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seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl

I wear a wrist brace. My current robo of choice is the Storm Strong Arm, although I also have an assortment of Robbys, Columbia, and Mongoose devices from which to choose.

I've always struggled with the question asked by this topic, for several reasons. I guess I consider a wrist device as just another aid in the attempt to achieve higher scores. In general, we don't question finger inserts, thumb slugs, exotic asymmetric cores, and covers that grab to varying degrees to mask our inability to throw the ball perfect.

I've watched Robert Smith average 230 in league simply using a plastic ball, so why don't we all just attempt to do the same?

The bottom line is that a wrist brace does not magically turn you into a bowler. You either have the prerequisite skills of style and timing, or you don't. You either know how to make necessary adjustments, or you don't.

Anybody who believes a wrist brace can overcome the absence of basic required skill is deluding themselves.
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"You want the truth? -- You can't handle the truth! "

Okay, let me add this.

For the past four years that I've been bowling again, the weakest part of my game has been my inability to throw a strong-rolling ball.  I just never learned to keep under and behind the ball, with a firm wrist.  My natural tendency is to top the ball, and turn it early.

I was able to break those habits through much practice, but when I focus on keeping my wrist firm or slightly cupped, the resulting tension in my wrist causes my whole arm to tighten, and I generally wind up grabbing the ball, or in some other way, not getting out of the ball cleanly, and hitting up on it.

We all know now that, in the modern game, hitting up on the ball is not good.

So the bionic wrist support allows me to roll the ball the way I want to, while allowing my arm to remain loose and free-swinging.

As I said before, I intend to use it as a training device, to see if I can learn to roll it that way without tension, but if I can't, I'll probably start using it all the time.
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seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl

I'm with Lefty on this one!!!!!
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"To bowl or not to bowl that is the question"

seadrive: Somehow, I didn't think you were asking for permission.

On another note, I didn't know there was now a Mongoose Optimum. I have both the Lifter and the Equalizer, so I'm trying to imagine how a combined device would feel.

Every once in a while, I practice with my Lifter. I just can't get used to having that strap around the base of my fingers. I tend to want to cup the ball a little, and the sensation of that strap digging in starts to get annoying after a few games.

Otherwise, the Lifter does provide good support.

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"You want the truth? -- You can't handle the truth! "

dirtbikebowler,

Try writing in English.  I started getting a headache just reading the first line of your post; was unable to continue reading.  BTW, what does "ganan" mean?

Steven,

I've never owned either the Lifter or the Equalizer, so I can't tell you what the differences are between them and the Optimum.  The guys at Mongoose would probably be happy to tell you, if you ask.

The strap seems optional.  Why can't you just attach it to the velcro pad, without strapping it around your fingers?  Or hey, just slice the dang thing off!
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seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl

I have no physical problems, no guilt, I use a wrist brace because it is legal and I bowl better!

Signed

A non guilty wrist brace user.

REgards,

Luckylefty