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Author Topic: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg  (Read 2130 times)

ranAAchan

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Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« on: October 07, 2008, 05:46:09 PM »
Hi, for all you 210+, how is your thumb hole fitted? (I ask the higher avg bowlers because even when I'm pinching my thumb I can shot close to 200avg) So is the back of your thumb nail pretty much against the back of the ball? It seems impossible for me to get a comfortable fit with out squeezing on the back swing. Trying to use tape, tried inserts, tried smaller tighter hole (this was the worst, made my thumb swollen big time that I can't continue to use the ball)...I'm so frustrated now trying to fix this whole thumb issue. I'm more comfortable with a bigger thumb hole and squeezing, however I have reason to believe this is what's causing me to not be consistent. I also have a SMALL thumb if that helps for any info. HELP, I'm taking all advice...Thanks
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Brunswick Scorchin'' Inferno (retired)
Roto Grip RS-P (HIGH Game 269) / now using as spare ball/ dry lanes
Ebonite RSX300 (HIGH Series 650) / Now Rico Drilled
Hammer Cherry Vibe
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agroves

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2008, 02:18:05 AM »
quote:
I'm more comfortable with a bigger thumb hole and squeezing, however I have reason to believe this is what's causing me to not be consistent. I also have a SMALL thumb if that helps for any info. HELP, I'm taking all advice...Thanks


Squeezing is probably causing you to swell.  I'd say your span and pitches need to be check.  You shouldn't have to squeeze the hang on to the ball.


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strikealot

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2008, 04:50:32 AM »
Not in every case but the more forward pitch the less the person has to squeeze the ball..and you want your thumbhole as tight as possible without hanging up in it... That being said I like to squeeze the ball to, I recently went to 3/8 forward and finally have learned to hold the ball with the base of my thumb instead of the pad of my thumb.. Any way u want a tight thumbhole and like said before check your pitches
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once upon a time i loved diamonds....now i break pins with a HAMMER!!!!!!!!!

~<:-0======"IN CG WE TRUST" i chant as i pray to the static weight God...======



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~<:-0======"IN CG WE TRUST" i chant as i pray to the static weight God...======

dicnic

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2008, 09:16:33 AM »
Try Ron C's Magic Carpet. Solves a lot of those problems.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/magiccarpet/magiccarpet.htm
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baltimora

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2008, 09:20:46 AM »
don't know if valid but i found it much easier now that i have very little bevel on the front of the hole. you can't pinch it and i quickly learned to hold it more relaxed as otherwise you end up with sore thumb.
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Jay

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2008, 04:40:38 PM »
I squeeze with the thumb too and have struggled with my fit for months.  Me and my driller are currently trying something different now but it has been frustrating to say the least.  After 5 or so games my thumb is just so sore from the squeezing  If not for that I wouldn't have a problem.  I have a test ball at the shop with a grip set-up of what I should have, while my stuff is different.  With the test ball and a tight hole, no squeezing necessary but the ball goes in the air a little more than I'm used to(3 inches?) upon release, and I wasn't sure if that was okay or if it's hanging.  I didn't throw it on the lane yet just in the room.  But my thumb shrinks while I bowl so after a few times of messing with it, I can now slide my thumb in and out easier(wherease before I was struggling both ways).  At this point I can get away with gripping with the skinny part of my thumb and not bending it in the hole, but the ball comes off my hand quicker and dosn't go in the air like before(maybe 1 inch now).  What do you think?
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ranAAchan

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2008, 09:05:03 PM »
Well I'm finding that a loser hole with a free release + 3-4 piece of tape in front and a piece in the back to  to be more comfortable, than a tighter hole with 2 piece of tape in the front and 1 in the back to be snug tight. My thumb is all messed up right now from yesterdays trail and errors. I'll bowl 2m on the shark to see what works.
I've also got a ball that I'm trying for reverse pitch. If I don't like how that feels I'm going to try forward pitch.
My pitches on all the balls are 0-0, and on my recently drilled ball 0- and 1/4 reverse, at least that what I requested(I requested to go reverse, and do it a bit more than a lil so I can get the idea)
--------------------
Brunswick Scorchin' Inferno (retired)
Roto Grip RS-P (HIGH Game 269) / now using as spare ball/ dry lanes
Ebonite RSX300 (HIGH Series 650) / Now Rico Drilled
Hammer Cherry Vibe
RotoGrip Cell x2
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strikealot

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2008, 09:08:22 PM »
when i say tight, if its with tape its still tight..i have tape in all of my balls.
--------------------
once upon a time i loved diamonds....now i break pins with a HAMMER!!!!!!!!!

~<:-0======"IN CG WE TRUST" i chant as i pray to the static weight God...======



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~<:-0======"IN CG WE TRUST" i chant as i pray to the static weight God...======

Strider

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2008, 09:15:43 PM »
Generally if you have to squeeze, your thumb hole is too big, you have too much reverse pitch for your hand, or both.  After moving to more forward pitch (certainly not typical - 5/16 reverse to 5/8 forward), my release is cleaner and more consistent.  I have a second ball of my favorite I drilled just before changing my pitches.  It's a slight layout change, but mostly a replacement for when the first wore out.  Since the original is still chugging along, I still have the second with the 5/16 reverse.  By comparison I can now see that I had to grip the heck out of the ball just to hold on to it.  Like any other habit, most people don't even recognize how much they squeeze the ball.  I'd make sure to get the size and span right, then adjust the pitches if necessary.
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ranAAchan

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2008, 06:38:20 AM »
Ahhh I got it. More comfortable now, and more consistent. Now when I look close to the line, the ball rolls. and when I look at the arrows I tend to loft a little. when I look way down the lane I loft...? Is it all in the mind and timing? IMO Not bad for my 2nd from adjusting from squeezing to not squeezing, I just need to find out how to manipulate ball movement all over again.
--------------------
Brunswick Scorchin' Inferno (retired)
Roto Grip RS-P (HIGH Game 269) / now using as spare ball/ dry lanes
Ebonite RSX300 (HIGH Series 650) / Now Rico Drilled
Hammer Cherry Vibe
RotoGrip Cell x2
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Martin710

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Re: Thumb Hole Q for higher Avg
« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2008, 12:47:27 PM »
quote:
Hi, for all you 210+, how is your thumb hole fitted? (I ask the higher avg bowlers because even when I'm pinching my thumb I can shot close to 200avg) So is the back of your thumb nail pretty much against the back of the ball? It seems impossible for me to get a comfortable fit with out squeezing on the back swing. Trying to use tape, tried inserts, tried smaller tighter hole (this was the worst, made my thumb swollen big time that I can't continue to use the ball)...I'm so frustrated now trying to fix this whole thumb issue. I'm more comfortable with a bigger thumb hole and squeezing, however I have reason to believe this is what's causing me to not be consistent. I also have a SMALL thumb if that helps for any info. HELP, I'm taking all advice...Thanks
--------------------
Brunswick Scorchin'' Inferno (retired)
Roto Grip RS-P (HIGH Game 269) / now using as spare ball/ dry lanes
Ebonite RSX300 (HIGH Series 650) / Now Rico Drilled
Hammer Cherry Vibe
RotoGrip Cell x2


I used to have that same problem and I tried everything including the magic carpet. Nothing worked until my proshop operator suggested that I use TURBO Tape on top of the thumb. You stick the Turbo tape on top of the thumb (where the thumb nail is). That tape prevents from injury and also it gives you a snug fit so that you don't have to squeeze the ball.

Martin
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