Author Topic: Two fingered bowling (Read 4503 times)

CountryClubBowler · « **on:** October 07, 2003, 05:01:26 AM »

Well, there was a post a couple of days ago that the forum was lacking healthy discussion. Here is my attempt to create some kind of discussion/get opinions from the community.

We've all seen it, probably all done it. Bowling with just the index and ring in the holes. If you haven't then it's just a style of bowling GENERALLY done by people who don't have their own bowling balls, but by no means strictly people in that category. I've seen a telecast where a guy was bowling 2 fingers, and several guys in my league do it...well 1...and me when i get pissed off.

The advantages are pretty appealing,
-MUCH higher rev rate than a standard three fingered bowler, (open to debate)
-generally faster, due to the increased revs
-less tiring on the forearm because you don't have to hold the ball up really.. you just kind of cradle it, and the whole arm/shoulder can carry 15 pounds a lot easier than your forearm.
-Most balls (if not all) can be used with little discomfort, since the thumb doesn't even need to be in, the only thing that matters is the finger tips. I can use my girlfriends 12 lb target zone or scooby doo ball for example.
-Usually easier for beginners to learn and to get a good reaction from a ball.

However it seems to be a practice that is shunned by more competitive bowlers for reasons that may be a bit beyond me, so please enlighten me. I don't because it just doesn't seem like the right way to bowl, even though i have put together great scores doing it. I do throw with 2 when i cannot get any carry with my 'freak out' due to excessive oil leading to weak pocket hits.

I know i've read in at least 1 persons profile that they 'hate those stupid two fingered bowlers. always get so lucky...'

What do others think?

NoNeed4Revs · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2003, 08:50:59 PM »

quote:
-generally faster, due to the increased revs
-less tiring on the forearm because you don't have to hold the ball up really.. you just kind of cradle it, and the whole arm/shoulder can carry 15 pounds a lot easier than your forearm.
-Usually easier for beginners to learn and to get a good reaction from a ball.

I don't really agree with any of those. For reference, my brother averaged 200+ for a whole season "palm-balling" as he likes to call it. I've also gotten pretty consistent with it messing around in practice.

That being said, I am certain that NOBODY can get the same ballspeed doing this that they can with a thumb in the ball. It's impossible to get the same sort of backswing, so the only way to really gain speed is to sprint to the line. Also, when you use a normal weight ball (i.e. 15), it places quite a bit of stress on the wrist and elbow. I actually don't know many people who can throw a 15lb ball like this without using both hands. Might be easier on the forearm (as there is no tention in your hand from gripping the ball), but it's much harder on other parts of the body.

As for your contention that it is easier to "learn" how to bowl this way, I'd say that you really aren't learning much by doing it. None of the skill you pickup bowling this way would transfer over to bowling with your thumb in the ball... if anything you'd have to unlearn all the bad habits you had.

But then again, I can't say that it's wrong for everyone. After all, there ARE the Mike Millers of the world.
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Undoubtedly the best bowler to ever come out of Sequoia Lanes. Maybe that's why they tore it down.

CoachJim · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2003, 08:54:29 PM »

I used to bowl with 2 fingers back in the early 80s then they started short oiling the lanes, which lead to me overthrowing the ball and hurting my elbow, from snapping through at the bottom of the swing.

I had to quit bowling for a while, which lead to several years. I got back into bowling in the early 90s and have been using 3 fingers ever since, with no problems... knock on wood.

Chrispy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2003, 09:20:10 PM »

My brother in law has been bowling with two fingers for as long as i have known him. He has hardly any hook on the ball when he puts his thumb in (great spare shooter). He has averaged 220+ for the last 10 years.

MrNoThumb · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2003, 09:22:18 PM »

I have a different view of this subject because I'am one of the "2 finger bowlers" I think there are disadvantages and advantages of not using the thumb.
I have been bowling without a thumb for 10 years, and have gotten pretty good. I average 210 a game. I couldn't get the rev's I wanted with a thumb so I tried without and never been able to put the thumb back in.
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The ten pin is down right evil!!!!!!

louie · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2003, 09:54:56 PM »

I bowled with my thumb in the ball for 20 years. This Summer I started bowling no thumb for fun. While my average is down about five pins, I'm having a lot more fun. I roll more high games and low games. The high games are a nice adrenaline rush. I used to throw a lot of baby 200's. It's funny that lanes that used to be a wetter medium now feel like drier mediums.

Revs are up and control is down. In terms of weight, I dropped from 16 to 14 pounds. There is no way I could throw 16 pounds without a thumb. Thunder strikes and splits abound!

If I could rev up the ball with a thumb, I would do so for control. Since I've never been able to learn to do that, I feel no thumbing is a viable alternative if you really want to rev the ball.

I have no illusions about my skill level. I'm clearly 2 notches below the best amateurs in Philly and 3 to 5 notches below the pros. I do think I can average above 210 on a house shot no thumbing with some more practice.

I'll be happy at that skill level and have a lot of fun. If I can accomplish that no thumbing, what's wrong with that?
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Why does everyone laugh when I bowl?

louie

Thumbless · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2003, 06:48:54 PM »

I've been doing it for 10 years (standard fingers, just no thumb). Average between 200-210 bowling 3 games per week, no practice. Throw a straight ball with thumb for right-side spares, but everything else is thumbless.

Advantages for me (YMMV):
- No more lumpy thumb
- No more sore finger knuckles
- No more wrist problems
- Haven't had a blister in 10 years
- Much more power
- A clean release every time
- Cheaper balls work the best for me because I don't need the big hookers
- Wet lanes are much easier

Negatives:
- More splits and weird leaves
- Dry lanes are tougher

There are a lot of false assumptions in this thread. I can get the ball up as high in the backswing as my lower back. I have plenty of speed when I want it. I can hook as much as I want or throw it fairly straight. I have very good control on the strike ball, but it's the "thumb in" right side spares that are costing me 10+ pins on my average. Especially the darn 10-pin.

In fact, most people don't even realize that I don't have my thumb in the ball. I've bowled in a league with people for years who haven't realized I don't use my thumb. I don't palm it. I only cup it enough to keep it in my hand. My hand is only average size. I don't have the severely inverted roll that "palmers" do. My track is very normal, about an inch from the holes. Personally I think my ball reaction is similar to the old pro John Gant. Which is great because that's who I modeled my reaction and delivery after, although I made the switch after watching Mike Miller. I had just gotten fed up with leaving 10-pins all the time. Now I leave 9-pins instead but it looks better

.

vlor · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2003, 07:27:59 PM »

I say if thats what it takes to score, go for it. But, be prepared to pay in the long term with elbow,wrist knee and back problems.

youthbowl · « **Reply #8 on:** October 08, 2003, 08:35:09 PM »

quote:
it's not the proper way to bowl

i didn't know there was a "proper way to bowl"
today the lanes were bone dry and my scout and vortex were just too freakin much. i picked up a ten pound house ball and had fun!!!!!