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Author Topic: Thumb Tape Question:  (Read 4464 times)

JPbowling151

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Thumb Tape Question:
« on: January 30, 2014, 09:33:25 AM »
I'm curious as to how often one should change the tape in his/her thumb hole? I've seen some bowlers change it out before every session, some once a month, and some never at all. Is it all personal preference or is there a right and wrong way of doing this?
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Gizmo823

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2014, 09:37:25 AM »
Not really a right and wrong . . some people do it often so that residue won't build up in the thumb.  If you've ever left a piece in for a long time and go to take it out and it's all sticky and gooey, it's a real pain to clean out the thumbhole.  Your hand oils can also get on the tape and change the texture slightly. 
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northface28

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2014, 10:09:47 AM »
I put two pieces in the front and two in the back. I usually change the top layer in the front every six games.
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ImBackInTheGame

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2014, 10:13:49 AM »
If you keep the tape in for let's say an entire season, it will be difficult to remove individual layers if you have multiple pieces.  I try to keep it somewhat "fresh" and completely change once a month.

If you use any of the white textured tape, I would change that more often to keep a consistent feel.  That texture tends to catch a lot of skin/oil and become more smooth after a while.
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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2014, 11:19:28 AM »

Remove or add as needed.  I prefer the texture that white tape has, so I can't go very long without changing the top piece. 

The other reason is that our thumbs can/do change depending on several reasons.  The tape helps me keep my thumb hole perfect regardless of the size of the thumb at the time.  Whatever works for you is the right way.

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JPbowling151

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2014, 01:15:55 PM »
Thanks for the advice everyone! I tend to use one or two pieces of white up front and change it out every two weeks or so (6-9 gms of league) to try to keep the feeling snug and as consistent as possible.

I've noticed a lot of people, well in my area anyway don't use black tape anymore. Some pro shops in the area don't even carry it in the shop anymore. Instead I see a lot of bowlers just use white tape to pack the back of their thumb holes. I've tried it but I tend to get too much drag due to white tape being so tacky. To each his own I guess?
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icon

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2014, 02:15:26 PM »
you should change your tape pretty often, if you dont and it starts melting in your thumb hole its terrible to get out. Its worth the time to change it then the mess of it stay in there.
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avabob

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2014, 03:26:21 PM »
No right answer.  Keep lighter fluid and a towel handy, because it can be sticky even when it doesn't appear to be.  Change when it feels like you should.

I am more interested in the comments about using white tape.  It wasn't so long ago most guys didn't use anything on the front edge.  I did, but rather than tape I opted for cork sure hooks, which are getting hard to find.  I now use white tape, but I don't think it maintains the feel for me as long as the cork. 
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2014, 05:00:27 PM »
Quote from: avabob on February 01, 2014, 03:26:21 PM
No right answer.  Keep lighter fluid and a towel handy, because it can be sticky even when it doesn't appear to be.  Change when it feels like you should.

I am more interested in the comments about using white tape.  It wasn't so long ago most guys didn't use anything on the front edge.  I did, but rather than tape I opted for cork sure hooks, which are getting hard to find.  I now use white tape, but I don't think it maintains the feel for me as long as the cork. 

I am pretty sure I recently saw a site that had some.  I checked a couple just now but I only saw these, not sure if they are what you want but not what I thought I saw earlier:

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/p-4035-master-products-grip-master-bowling-tape-100-count.aspx

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-accessories/Turbo2-N-1Grips/10492/Shur-Hook-Cork-Tape.html

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jhutch769

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2014, 05:05:25 PM »
Every three to six games..  All the oil from your hand and the ball ends up on the tape, causes extra tension to squeeze to hold on.
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JohnP

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2014, 07:46:35 PM »
Quote
Keep lighter fluid and a towel handy, because it can be sticky even when it doesn't appear to be.

Goo Gone works very well to get tape residue out and is a lot safer than lighter fluid.  I use GG on a paper towel to remove the residue then follow with rubbing alcohol to get totally rid of the GG.  --  JohnP
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themagician

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Re: Thumb Tape Question:
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2014, 07:07:13 AM »
Quote from: JohnP on February 01, 2014, 07:46:35 PM
Quote
Keep lighter fluid and a towel handy, because it can be sticky even when it doesn't appear to be.

Goo Gone works very well to get tape residue out and is a lot safer than lighter fluid.  I use GG on a paper towel to remove the residue then follow with rubbing alcohol to get totally rid of the GG.  --  JohnP

I agree wholeheartedly with this reply, I keep a little travel size for lack of better description bottle of goo gone in my bag at all times.
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