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Author Topic: Tournament bowlers...  (Read 1416 times)

Stormkid84

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Tournament bowlers...
« on: September 14, 2008, 04:58:29 AM »
I have bowled a few NEBA's (New England scratch tournaments) and am planning on bowling a few regionals and maybe even the U.S. Open this year.  I have one huge problem.  By the third game of qualifying, my hand swells up and i have trouble getting in and out of the ball cleanly.  Are there any good ways to help this?  Would switching to VACU grips help?  I hate being +50 after 3 games and finishing -20 cause I can't get a good clean release.

 

twister

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Re: Tournament bowlers...
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2008, 01:13:10 PM »
If it's just your fingers, yes Vacu-grips could help. if it's your thumb, try something like Ron Clifton's Magic carpet thumb tape that will compress a little if your thumb swells to still allow a quick release.
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Scott Merritt
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Stormkid84

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Re: Tournament bowlers...
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2008, 01:16:55 PM »
I use magic carpet already on 90% of my stuff and that helps.  The VACU is probably the way I'm gonna go.  Has anyone used it?  Does it take time to get used to it?

Dan Belcher

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Re: Tournament bowlers...
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2008, 03:19:34 PM »
I switched to Vacu-grips a few weeks ago.  I was able to get used to them after about five frames, and I shot my first 800 series just one week later.  Love, love, love the Vacu-grips.

I used to have trouble with my hand swelling a lot, but I reduced that with a little shorter span, a little less reverse in the thumb to lock my hand in more securely, 1/8" reverse in my fingers, and Vise Hada patch on the back of my thumb to reduce friction and drag on my thumb.  It's nowhere near as bad as it used to be, I was able to bowl 21 games in a tournament awhile back with zero swelling problems.

DON DRAPER

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Re: Tournament bowlers...
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2008, 05:04:26 PM »
don't overlook what you are eating and drinking-----these two items can make a huge difference in your hand/fingers/thumb swelling up. i have to avoid salty foods that day because when combined with my liquid intake it makes my fingers and thumb swell.

Stormkid84

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Re: Tournament bowlers...
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2008, 09:32:37 PM »
I am 4" middle, 4 1/8" ring, no pitch, 45 degree oval.  Shorter seems to put MORE stress on my hand.  I'm already in a relaxed finger tip.  Also, when I bowl a tourny, my breakfast is always the same, a wheat bagle and an ice mocha latte from dunkin' donuts.  lol