Let me start off by saying that previously I was a 210avg bowler who stayed between the Hammer and Storm lines.  I am lefty, throw between 15/16 mph and while I never had my rev rate checked, I "used to have medium/medium high revs.  

Last year I purchased the Cell Pearl after my previous bowling balls were stolen at the bowling alley.  This ball completely ruined my game.  Ever since I purchased the ball, I have been having major issues w/ my thumb swelling and with inconsistent releases.  I am constantly fooling around with tape and powder to try to establish the release I used to get w/ my other balls.   I have also been to the proshop numberous times to enlarge my thumbhole which probably did more harm than good.  My average has plummeted to 177.  I turned into a complete headcase over this thumb issue that I know it has now carried over into other parts of my game.

I am looking to pick up the Storm Reign or the Storm Reign of Fire when I decide on if I want another pearl or a solid.  What questions/demands can I give the proshop driller to ensure I get a proper feel.  Sometime between my previous drilling to the Cell Pearl and my drilling for the Cell Pearl, the proshop owner lost my drill sheet, so I am obviously going to have him remeasure everything and hope that there was something wrong w/ my finger pitches and/or span.  Considering I've never drilled a ball, I really do not know what to look for to make sure I get a release I am comfortable with.  I also am unaware of other variables that may be causing this problem.   All I know is that it entirely ruined my game.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

If you know thumb is the problem why not get that fix b4 get a new ball?


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"A man with no skills can be taught. A man with no honor, has nothing."

If you have other drillers in the area I would have them check out the pitch in your thumb.. or have the original driller check it..
maybe he put lateral pitch in for a right hander by mistake..
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16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 4, High Series 808
Book Average 205,PBA Xperience ave180

The ball itself would not cause thumb problems, only the fit of the drilling on that ball.

I would experiment with your current ball, or another used ball until I got a thumb that felt correct. I wouldn't want to experiment with a new ball.

Assuming you didn't have thumb issues with your old equipment, you should be able to achieve that same feel.

Without seeing the drill and your hand it would be impossible to say. Primary culprits would be the thumb pitch and/or the span.

In a ball with the wrong thumb pitch you can sand the hole way too big but still beat your thumb up. Plus you will have to grip the ball to keep it from falling off.

A ball drilled with the correct thumb pitch, spans, and hole sizes will come off automatically at the correct point for your release, no thought should be required, no changes to your swing needed.