Hi all,

Just got back into bowling after a 15 year hiatus.  Loving the new ball technology!  I've been having some issues with thumb swelling.  Ball felt great the first time I rolled it.  Thumb started swelling and sticking about halfway through first league night and developed a blister halfway through the 3rd game.  Brought it in to my proshop and had it opened up a little.  Now, it feels too big at first and I have to squeeze like crazy to hold on during my backswing.  By the 2nd game, my thumb has swelled enough so that it feels fine.  Problem is, if I put tape in for the first game, it's too tight.  Any suggestions? Are the new interchangable thumb inserts I've heard about the way to go? 

Last week, I threw a 183 (1st game, had to squeeze) followed by a 255 and 237 when my thumb swelled and the fit was good.  Thanks for your help!

What is the pitch in your thumbhole?  If you haven't bowled in a while you're going to have to build some natural callouses back up, but you shouldn't be having this many problems.  I'm guessing you have too much reverse in your thumbhole and are gripping because of it.  Where was the blister at?

use black tape, it's thinner

Thanks all.  I really don't know what the pitch is for my thumb.  My knowledge level of drilling is non-existant and I completely depend on the pro shop for that type of stuff.  I'm going to bring it in and see if he has any ideas, maybe he'll want to evaluate the pitch. 

Ok, whatever the cause, it sounds like you're gripping the ball.  I bought a 500 count roll of white tape about 3 or 4 years ago because my thumb size would change several times throughout the night.  However, after I changed my thumb pitch to 0, I don't need it anymore.  Take a look at your thumb, I'll bet it's angled back, or away from your palm.  People used to think that reverse would help you get out of the ball easier, but all it really does is make you grip harder throughout the whole swing, and when you're gripping harder, it makes it harder to let the ball go too.  Try keeping your thumb straight, and if you find that you aren't able to hang onto the ball without gripping, you most likely have too much reverse pitch in your thumb. 

Lmao about the black tape . . yeah it's typically thinner, but I know that Ebonite brand black tape is thicker to make it close to the same thickness as white tape, because the complaint was that you'd only have to use a couple pieces of white tape, but if you wanted to use black tape you'd use a whole packet.  And I'm not saying that 0 pitch is right for everybody, just happens to be right for me, and your span length has a lot to do with it too.  If you could find out your drill specs that would be super helpful, but shops are really reluctant to give them out, the reason being that they either think you're going to start getting your stuff drilled elsewhere, or take that sheet to another driller to pick the fit apart . .

My proshop owner seems like a pretty good/experienced guy.  I'll try to get his thoughts as well.

I'm wondering if it might be partially or fully my swing as well.  It sounds like if I'm laid out correctly, I shouldn't be squeezing which is causing my thumb to swell.  I suppose it could be that I was laid out correctly but was still squeezing.  I've never really had any formal coaching or had anyone critique my swing, so I'm sure there's some flaws. 

Anyways,  thanks again for everyone's help.  I'll let you know what I find out.  If my pitch looks ok, I may try some smooth tape on the back of the thumb hole or try some of this ron c magic carpet stuff I read about by doing a search on here.

Once you're comfortable with your thumb pitch and you begin to bowl more, don't be alarmed if your thumb swells. It's natural. Some touring pros allow room for up to 5 white pieces. When I'm bowling 20-25 games a week, I'll be from 0 pieces to 4 pieces. I don't have any reverse in my thumb, and I don't get blisters. It's just a function of weather, water retention, and use.


Work with your proshop guy and good luck.