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Author Topic: THUMBLESS  (Read 1925 times)

PUGIDOGS

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THUMBLESS
« on: July 12, 2006, 07:13:53 AM »
Looking to get back to bowling after a 17 year layoff.  About 6 months before I quit bowling I had to go to thumbless do to a injury.  Now after all these years man has the balls changed.  So now I need a new ball to get started and my old shop is no longer around.  The guy that worked there actually new quite a bit about thumbless bowling.  The only shop around here now does not have a clue about thumbless bowling.  Can someone get me started in the right direction on a new ball and how to get it drilled....please.  thanx,  Doug
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NOTHUMB

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2006, 10:43:50 PM »
What a quick answer by Drrev---it someone would answer like that for me if I just started boy would I be in trouble.

For me its all about your track and ball speed. Above average ball speed is nice and allows for more options.

Cant suggest a drilling without knowing your track though. When it comes to NOTHUMB, its almost as important as anything else.

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Chris Green
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PUGIDOGS

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2006, 10:00:21 AM »
Drrev2000,  funny that you say that.  I went down to my new house last night just to talk to the pro shop and ended up throwing 4 games.  Found a old blue 300 with the fingers punched about 1/2 inch in front of the pin.  No clue on how much weight anywhere else.  Lanes were fresh oil down to 38' so the gentleman said.  I know they were wet.  And dry from 5 board out.  I ended up throwing at about 7 board at the arrows letting the ball go out to 3 or 4 board so it would get some action.  The ball would break fairly early and go to the pocket still curving.  It would not ever set for a solid and straight back end.  But it was controllable.  Now remember this is the first time in 17 years bowling.  Started with a couple 140 somethings.  Dejected I thought about what I was doing wrong.  I was trying to force the shot,  so I started to let the swing come more natural.  Without a thumb I don't get a very high back swing but i just let it be what it is at let the arm swing,  ended up with seemed to me as a fairly slow ball but it was consistent.  Last game was a 193 that started with a turkey and ended with a turkey and had 3 open frames in the middle.  I was coming in to high and punched some nasty splits for the opens.  

NOTHUMB,  When I was throwing with a thumb i never did really cover allot of boards,  but that was with a black rhino for my main ball.  Now thumbless my revs increased along with a few more boards.  I would guess that it is about average for a thumb bowler with quite a bit of experience.  Remember now that last night the lanes were freshly oiled heavy to 38'.  Thanx for the help guys....Doug
 

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PUGIDOGS

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2006, 10:09:42 AM »
Drrev,  one more question,  Why the negative weight.  It seems that if you moved that to positive it would break a little later and harder....Doug
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TWOHAND834

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2006, 10:26:16 AM »
He probably said that since that is going to be more of a control drilling.
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Steven Vance
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PUGIDOGS

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2006, 09:39:15 AM »
I called them up last night to see what kind of lane conditions they had.  Old oil,  they had some problems and did not oil the lanes since the day before and had a senior league during the day.  So I went on down there.  Same ball on lane 2.  This one has the radar on it.  My speed is about 16.5 mph.  OK old oil should have been said.....no oil!!!   I ended up with my foot on left 2/3 board throwing for 14 board on the marks rolling to 3 board with a monster back end for the pocket.  If i missed and come across at 16 board on my mark it would only go to about 8 board and make a mess.  I know it is hard to give advise but I live in a rural area and no one and I mean no one around here knows anything about no thumb bowling.  I am starting to find my form again and getting a few more rev's as well,  even if I don't want them.  Ended up with a 3 game average of 170.  Since I have had a 17 year lay off there are some new lingo terms that I am not aware of or just don't remember,  PAP....could some one explain this further, and how I could tell you what mine may be.  Also what is a tweener?  sorry if this sounds stupid i'm just trying to learn it all over again.  Has anyone had experience with using a for the lack of a better term a finger tip hold on your thumb.  So your span is extra long and your thumb only goes into the hole up to your first knuckle.  I think I may be able to do this to try and loose some revs, increase speed and increase control.....Doug
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kalannar

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2006, 09:51:43 AM »
The term PAP is your Positive Axis Point. It is the distance from the middle of your span to the point created on the opposite side of the ball from your first track or oil ring when you release the ball. When I nothumb the ball my track is right between the fingers and over the thumb which would put my PAP around 6" to the right of my grip and perpendicular to my span. When I throw with my thumb, my track is about an inch away from ring finger and thumb and gives me a PAP of 4-3/4"> and 1/2" ^ from my mid line.

I have also had two different teammates that have thrown with just there thumb tip (completely full finger tip grip) They both release it similar to a nothumb release and it may have given them a little more control but with a more normal track line due to a little more tilt to the ball. I may have to go to this style if my thumb is to sore after surgery. I may not be able to put my whole thumb into the ball anymore.

Mike
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PUGIDOGS

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2006, 11:51:16 AM »
thanx kalannar,  so it seems that your PAP is pretty critical when drilling.  It seems that PAP would not change from ball to ball that much.  I will try to measure it next I go.  Question though,  Being I dont have a span to measure the middle from, I assume that I should measure from the point that would be the middle of my span if i had a thumb hole.  Or configured like a normal bowler.  Does this sound right?  Doug
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PUGIDOGS

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2006, 11:55:02 AM »
also guys,  its no big deal its just a ball.  If it does not do what I want I will plug and redrill or just buy another.  I know this is off the normal beat and path so some experimentation with be required.  I am just trying to get going in the right direction.   Doug
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kalannar

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2006, 02:27:32 PM »
If you are not using a thumb hole drilling options become really tricky. The static weight requirements are different for no thumb hole balls. I cannot remember what they are off the top of my head. You will have to check USBC website for that under static weights. You would be better off putting a thumb hole in it even if you don't use one. Then if the lanes are really hooking, you can put your thumb in the ball and cut the hook down and play straighter.

louie on this site suggested to me to use a high RG low differential ball for lighter patterns (ie. Sonic X, Hot Rod Hybrid) and for more oil something with a high Rg and higher Differential (ie. Power Groove Proactive, Impact Zone). He mainly used a polished (I believe) Granite Gargoyle from Visionary and one of the guys that used his thumb tip had a Hot Rod Hybrid. I can't remember how they were drilled though.

Mike
--------------------
That which does not kill us strengthens us.

So do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

Member of the F.O.S.
***Super Carbide Bomb*** (on the way)
***Super Carbide***
***Tsunami***
***Cobalt Bomb*** (on the way)
***Fireball XXXL*** (on the way)

Edited on 7/14/2006 2:23 PM
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That which does not kill us strengthens us.

So do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

Member of the F.O.S.
***BuzzBomb***
***Solid Cobalt Bomb***
***BuzzBomb/R***
***Cherry Pearl C/2***
***Crystal Diamond***

louie

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Re: THUMBLESS
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2006, 02:20:47 PM »
Simple drillings are best. I suggest you start out with a simple drilling such as pin next to ring finger and cg near grip center. Stay away from asymetric at first. Once you have been bowling again for a while you can try more exotic drillings. Stay away from very low rg balls as they may break too early for you. Ball choice will depend on oil volume, speed, and rev. rate.
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louie

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louie

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