So I bought a wrist device....

[Big Nick]

Earlier this week, while bowling with my wife, I was experiencing some wrist pain and I decided to pull out my Robby's Cool-Max to see if it would help. I had used it in the past, but had never really noticed any difference in my game with it on versus when I wasn't using it. However, on this particular day it made quite a difference, and seeing the difference it made I decided to look into an adjustable wrist device. My intention was never to turn to it for full-time use, but to use it during practice and during league when my carpal-tunnel was acting up. I called around to a couple of pro shops and found a Robby's Revs I, and I went and picked it up. I didn't get a chance to use it on the night I bought it, but I did put it on once I got home and it felt really foreign even with it set to some of the most minimal settings.

So, fast forward to this afternoon after work. My wife and I go to practice and straight out of the box I roll a 175 followed by a 202. It was amazing how much I didn't have to try with the wrist support on. It was just pick my spot, swing, and watch all the pins fall down. During the third game, I started bowling a few frames without it and then I'd bowl a few with it to see if I could hold the position on my own. The 3rd and 4th games weren't great scoring games, at all, but I did find that my wrist was strong enough to hold the position without the brace.

After the 4th game, my wife was ready to go but I was able to talk her into one more game. I rolled the 5th game without the brace, and it was my finest game of the afternoon, a 211 (I know some of you guys score better than that in your sleep, but it was quite the accomplishment for me). In 5 games I went from thinking of wristers as a form of cheating to falling in love with the one that I bought. Given my performance without it in the 5th game, I intend to bowl my league games without it, but I will be using it during practice so as to better train my wrist and forearm for the stronger release that I've been working on. My usual release before today was that of a stroker, but now I'm easily into the tweener range. I was quite a kick to get to stand on board 35 and play the 3rd arrow instead of standing near center and playing just right of the 2nd.

Long story short, I think they're worth a try, especially as a training aid.

[Tampabaybob]

Do not think of the device as "cheating". Every person has some physical limitations, especially if you already know you have Carpal tunnel (OMG !). Don't be afraid to use it. If someone says something stupid to you about it, tell them you bought it to smack dummies in the head that think it's used for cheating. This will protect your wrist and lengthen the years you'll be able to bowl with a bad wrist.

Bob

[billf]

I have one and use it when I need to. It was a Godsend as a training device. I've owned several over the years. If I feel the need at league, I will wear it. I'm the last person that cares what other people in my center think or say. It's the final score that matters.
Shannon O'Keefe wears one (as do a lot of female pros). I recently learned it wasn't to strengthen her wrist or help get revs. Hers is to keep her from over revving the ball. Turns out she easily becomes rev dominant and that messes up her accuracy. Given how pretty she is, I bet most men don't even notice she has wrists anyway.

[Tampabaybob]

Agreed about Shannon ! Not paying attention to her wrist.

Bob

[Doghouse Reilly]

I just startefd using one a Mongoose, looks to be helping so far. It sure showed me what I was doing wronng with out it.. I could feel my wrist pushing back againjt it. So I started trying to hold my wrist firmer in the glove.

[Big Nick]

Do not think of the device as "cheating". Every person has some physical limitations, especially if you already know you have Carpal tunnel (OMG !). Don't be afraid to use it. If someone says something stupid to you about it, tell them you bought it to smack dummies in the head that think it's used for cheating. This will protect your wrist and lengthen the years you'll be able to bowl with a bad wrist.

Bob

Trust me, I don't think of it as cheating any more. In fact, I've already recommended to my wife that she get one. She's been having trouble achieving a consisten release, and I think a wrister would provide her with some valuable feedback.

[Zothen]

I've been using The Scorpian adjustable wrist brace and it works great. Back in '90 I had a ganglion cyst in the right wrist joint caused by using 16lbs ball,being in 3 leagues and bowling 30 pratice games a week. Had surgery and doctor told me to wear a brace when I bowl. No more problems and no pain!

Zothen

[jimlc2001]

I've used one for the past 3 years. and it had helped my scores tremendously. A month ago, I tried to ween off the brace, but pulled something in my wrist while trying to increase revs. So, back to the brace...until the wrist heals. I really would like to be able to control my revs and track without the support.

[Tampabaybob]

It's unfortunate that a lot of people consider them as a crutch or as something illegal. They serve a purpose, just as do bowling shoes with adjustable pads for sliding. Nobody thinks that's an advantage when someone you bowl with changes their pad to slide better and maybe the other person just has a normal pair of shoes. It's a sport and competition. Just like in golf, look how the size of drivers has changed over the last many years. It gives the players an advantage, but in the case of a wrist guard it may serve as a strengthener for those with problem wrists.

Other bowlers that are against them need to get a life. They serve a purpose and that's all there is to it. It's probably saved a lot of people from quitting the game because of pain.

Bob

[billf]

I heard on a PBA telecast a few years ago when Mike Scroggins was bowling in a major, Randy Pederson made the comment how so few pros use a brace. Rob Stone asked Scroggins competition after is he felt it gave Scroggins an unfair advantage. I think it was Wes Malott but not positive. Anyway, the reply was, "If I needed one I would wear one. It's not an unfair advantage as I am afforded the same opportunity to wear one, if I choose to."
Which I thought was an excellent point. The pro shop will sell them to anyone so if you think it's an unfair advantage, then go buy one yourself.

[Zothen]

Bottom line is if wrist braces gave bowlers an unfair advantage,then they would not be allowed in sanctioned leagues or on tour.

Zothen

[Big Nick]

Couldn't agree more. Given how my wrist feels this morning, I'll definitely be using mine during league tonight..... Now I just need to find an old sock I can turn into a sleeve to wear under it so it doesn't get all sweaty.

[billf]

So what you're saying is you would rather have your wrist smell like an old, sweaty foot? lol

[Demoman]

I figured I would post here since its a appropriate topic. Most of you posting here know my situation and style - I'm currently using just a basic storm wrist guard and always wanted to try one of the more elaborate devices but it seems they are designed for the normal hook bowler and I wondered if any of you here know of a particular one I could adjust for my style?

[billf]

I know you throw a back up ball but can you cup your wrist at all? If so this is what I have, http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-accessories/Storm/7427/Gadget-XF-Right-Handed.html it adjusts side to side also which might give you the ability to get more revs or at least keep what you have but with more support. Sorry I'm so uneducated with what you need.

[Demoman]

You pretty much got it - and yes I can cup my wrist. My question on this item is can I freely turn my wrist the opposite way of normal wearing a device like this? I suppose I could try it out and if not return it. There is a video in a separate topic where you can view my style here http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/10677-My-Story-What-to-do/page4

[Big Nick]

@Demoman, my guess would be that you would have an extremely hard time finding a wrist device that would work with your style (I watched the video in the other link). The way that these devices are made, it would take some serious contortions on your part to throw backup while wearing one.... especially the one that billf posted a link to. The ones that have the extension behind where your index finger goes are specifically designed to help people who tend to stay behind the ball make a "proper" wrist rotation. If you were going to try one, you'd probably be better off with something without extended finger supports like this -> http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-accessories/Robbys/2927/Revs-2-Right-Handed.html. My guess would be that you would still find it difficult to retain your normal style while wearing it, though, since they're designed to help players produce a more traditionally shaped shot.

[bowl1820]

I think I'm with Big Nick here Demoman, Any of the extended braces I don't think would be useful on a backball. Though they may help allow you to throw the standard way.
Some of the standard firm wrist ones might be okay though.

Here's a thought maybe some steel fingers might work.
http://steelfingers.com/

http://www.steelfingers.com/store/media/sf1web190.jpghttp://www.steelfingers.com/store/media/sfp1web190.jpg

[Zothen]

@Demoman-You will not be able to throw back up ball with that brace. My suggestion is to talk to your pro shop and see if he'll let you try some braces out before you buy it.

Zothen

[TheSheibs]

I'm kind of torn between using one and not. I have a good leather one that I picked up back when I got back into bowling. It seems to help when my wrist gets sore. However, I don't really like how much it makes my hand and lower arm sweat. It causes me to drop the ball by the ball slipping off my fingers. So I don't really use it during league play. However I have noticed that when I use it I don't have to try as much to curve the ball but I have seen the same scores with and without it. So I am torn between using it all the time and not using it at all. Of course if you have soreness or a medical issue, then by all means use one. I would rather see someone bowling with one than give up bowling because they don't want to be seen using one. And no it is not cheating, it is helping with technique than anything else.

[Demoman]

Thanks for the valuable info guys, I pretty much figured this wouldn't be a option for me. I wonder if the price is right if a company out there would custom make one for me .... I bet if I was a sponsored PBa they would! Back to practice....

[Tampabaybob]

Thanks for the valuable info guys, I pretty much figured this wouldn't be a option for me. I wonder if the price is right if a company out there would custom make one for me .... I bet if I was a sponsored PBa they would! Back to practice....

I also was going to suggest this one from Robbies http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-accessories/Robbys/2927/Revs-2-Right-Handed.html

My daughter uses one, and it is adjustable from one side to the other. See if you can get a number for the company 'Robbies' and see what they suggest. They may already have something in mind or be able to retrofit one for you.

Bob