Author Topic: Stiff Fingers (Read 2208 times)

the sleeze · « **on:** May 16, 2009, 03:56:43 AM »

This may be a no brainer topic but----I am 68(so I am already for your answer) and when I warm up, I can barely hang onto the ball because of stiff, weak,fingers. As I bowl more(5-10 shots) it goes away. Is this normal for my age? Anything i can do ahead of time to avoid this? Thanks

Mr Old School · « **Reply #1 on:** May 16, 2009, 05:01:02 PM »

Do you have arthritis in your finger joints? When was the last time that you had your pro shop man check your span, for proper grip! You could warm up before league, with a medical ball, Bought 1 at wal-mart, you could warm up by squeezing it?

Give it a try....
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Mr. Old School

If you can't swing it, Your probally throwing brunswick!

Juggernaut · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2009, 05:25:24 PM »

As we age, our tendons and muscles lose quite a bit of their natural elasticity, and become "stiffer" and less responsive than before. Each person is an individual case, but it happens to us all.

If there are NO OTHER side effects, such as numbness or prolonged pain, I would venture to say that this is the most likely culprit.

If, as you say, the problem is alleviated after just a few shots, you might be able to achieve some success by having one of the squeeze type "stress" balls or some other type device to help you loosen up your hand and forearm muscles prior to your leagues practice session.

By the way, what weight of ball are you using?
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dizzyfugu · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2009, 09:19:44 AM »

You might try (if you do not already doo so) finger inserts with power lifts (Vise) or a similar product. These are great additions if you cannot bend your first finger joints well, and they add extra hold.
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pin-chaser · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2009, 09:28:50 AM »

Im getting older and I am begining to face these issues with my body, legs, back, arms and hands. I do stretching exercises before I begin every session now to limber up and loosen up.

When you specifically talk about your fingers here is a drilling change that has helped me tremendously: I went from a 1/4 forward in the finger holes to 1/4 reverse over a couple years. As well, I shortened my span 3/16th and decrease reverse in the thumb 3/16. All of this to reduce the "stretching feeling" in my hand when I started bowling and to aide me in not having to "grip" the ball as much since I am not as strong as I used to be. PLEASE NOTE: I did this over a period of time to adjust in small increments. Now I have a GREAT and comfortable grip that causes me virtually no issues.

Smash49 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2009, 12:12:01 PM »

I see a lot of people with 0 - 0 and 3/8 left and 3/8 right in the fingers, 3/8 reverse and 1/8 right lateral in the thumb. Most people's fingers do not bend at a 90 degree angle! This puts a lot of pressure on the joints of the fingers. This causes stiffness and pain. Theory is that this increases revs on the ball. The fact is the ball does not fit properly and the amount of revs if increased is minimal. Some of the side effects are blisters, swelling, pain, squeezing and muscling. If a ball is drilled correctly you should not need to squeeze it to hang on to it. Put the ball down by your side and all that you should feel is the weight. No pressure points on any finger or thumb. When you take a deep breath and totally relax the ball should fall off your hand. Having to squeeze to hang onto a bowling ball is a bad thing.

Smash49
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Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
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pin-chaser · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:00:16 PM »

smashr

Yes I do admit I squeeze the ball quite abit...even now. But I cant change things quickly... 40 years of wrong bowling and training and success is hard to throw away over night and accept dropping your average.

I went to several very well respected ball drillers in the last year across the country as well as read many books. I walked away with an estimate of where I should be. Where I was at to where I should be at was "WAY" off. Every ball I drill, I move closer and closer and with another 5 or 6 balls I will be there.

The problem for me is, I use so much muscle in my swing which is caused by my hand pressure. The less hand pressure the more I MUST relax my armswing. ITs a catch 22. My timing is predicated on using muscle to control my armswing. Changing my grip also effects my release and rev rate (initially to the negative). So these are indeed big changes for me. It would be much easier to have never bowled before than to make these changes so late in my career.

Mike Austin · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:44:34 PM »

quote:
I see a lot of people with 0 - 0 and 3/8 left and 3/8 right in the fingers, 3/8 reverse and 1/8 right lateral in the thumb. Most people's fingers do not bend at a 90 degree angle! This puts a lot of pressure on the joints of the fingers. This causes stiffness and pain. Theory is that this increases revs on the ball. The fact is the ball does not fit properly and the amount of revs if increased is minimal. Some of the side effects are blisters, swelling, pain, squeezing and muscling. If a ball is drilled correctly you should not need to squeeze it to hang on to it. Put the ball down by your side and all that you should feel is the weight. No pressure points on any finger or thumb. When you take a deep breath and totally relax the ball should fall off your hand. Having to squeeze to hang onto a bowling ball is a bad thing.

Smash49
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Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop, Duncan Oklahoma! IBPSIA Certified Technician
www.strikingcatbowling.com

+1, good post!!
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J_Mac · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2009, 09:22:34 PM »

Stiff fingers? Soak 'em in cider.

dicnic · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2009, 09:57:32 PM »

While I am even older than you, 74 now, I guess I am lucky as I do not have any pain in my hand when I bowl. This is amazing because I am beginning to get arthritis in my hands and the thumb base hurts when I twist things and the finger joints hurt now and then. But NOT when I am bowling!

I use Vise power oval lifts in my finger holes, a thumb insert with Ron Clifton's Magic Carpet in the thumb hole, and an original Robby' Revs brace.

All of these "helps" I have added in the past 5 or 6 years just to see if they help. Seems like they do.

But whatever joint pain I have does NOT seem to be affected by bowling.

Good Luck and keep bowling.
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Author Topic: Stiff Fingers (Read 2208 times)

the sleeze

Stiff Fingers

Mr Old School

Re: Stiff Fingers

Juggernaut

Re: Stiff Fingers

dizzyfugu

Re: Stiff Fingers

pin-chaser

Re: Stiff Fingers

Smash49

Re: Stiff Fingers

pin-chaser

Re: Stiff Fingers

Mike Austin

Re: Stiff Fingers

J_Mac

Re: Stiff Fingers

dicnic

Re: Stiff Fingers

Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.