For those considering moving to or away from one of these things, here's what I've found out over the last month.

I'm moving back to a Robbys Revs I that I used up until about 2006. Back when I used it the first time, I was a speed-dominant player who struggled on oil. Once I went to no brace, I found myself actually gaining revs, dropping a bit of speed and becoming a rev-matched tweener.

So when it became clear, due to injury, that I would have to go back to the brace again, I was worried about the speed/revs equation and how that would work out. So far, here's what has happened.

Average: After watching my averages dive the first couple of weeks, they've started picking up again in the following two weeks.

Revs: They're actually up, and they're up a lot. I was on the low end of the tweener spectrum as a no-brace bowler, but now I'm probably about midway up the tweener scale. I'm probably over 300 revs now, speaking conservatively.

Equipment: The biggest single change is how my equipment feels on my hand and how it performs. Balls that I was not matching up well with before, I've started to be able to throw much better. Best example is a 900Global Break Pearl that I just couldn't find a condition for beforehand. With the additional revs and speed (more on that next), the ball has started picking up a lot better and isn't so squirrely off the spot.

Speed: This is a mixed bag. The first thing you notice with a brace is that you can really hammer a ball without losing revs. That's a good thing -- until you stop being able to control your speed or lay off when you want to. I find myself getting faster, faster, faster, and I have to make a conscious effort to slow down. However, being able to turn up my speed without it affecting the rev count is allowing me to stay with one piece of equipment for longer and make more adjustments instead of switching balls and de-shelling when the lanes began to dry.

Feel: This is the biggest change from before I dropped the brace the first time, and it's also much different from my no-brace days. The ball just seems to glide off my hand now, and my thumb doesn't change sizes so much during a set. What I suspect is happening is I'm not grabbing/squeezing the ball anymore. I've always done that, and that's always been the thing that kills good games for me.

Pain: No more wrist pain. There is some slight soreness in the top of my hand, but it goes away quickly, really even before I can get home from the bowling center.

Adjustability: As you might imagine, the brace cuts it down. I can't make minute adjustments in my release anymore, and adjustments have to be made mostly either in speed, chosen line or how much mustard I want to put into the release with my fingers.

Summary: So far, things look favorable. I suspect the reason this latest experience with the brace is better than my first go-round is that in the interim, I actually learned how to throw a da*n ball. I realize the brace is restricting me, but instead of fighting it, I'm trying to work with it. The equipment re-fit that took place during the interim really seems to help, too. I've identified about 4-5 balls as needing a thumb plug and span change (i.e., shrinking it) in order to make things really work. The best parts are no pain, the increased revs and the ability to stay with one piece of equipment longer. The worst parts are the tendency to be too fast with the ball (thereby messing up my timing) and the lack of minute adjustments I can dial in, particularly in regards to tilt.

Jess