Tearing my thumb up lately. What type of tape should I get?

[AZBowla]

Hi gang,

It's been awhile but I'm still around and still bowling. Put up an impressive series last night, 183, 174 and 201. I've made alot of improvements and also got some new inserts for my strike ball (the inserts have a flat edge for my fingertips which really help put revs on the ball), and I've really improved my spare shooting. My issue now is that my thumb is really taking a beating each time I bowl. My GF suggested I get some tape so I was wondering if anyone in the group had any recommendations as to what type to get or what brand they prefer.

Thanks all,
-AZ

[Greenday]

Are you squeezing the ball? I find that causes most of my problems with skin tearing.

I also had a thumb slug put in my balls and had it beveled for a smoother release. No rough edges where I put pressure on the ball. Haven't torn my thumb since.

[AZBowla]

Are you squeezing the ball? I find that causes most of my problems with skin tearing.

I also had a thumb slug put in my balls and had it beveled for a smoother release. No rough edges where I put pressure on the ball. Haven't torn my thumb since.

I might be, I don't know. I try to keep my grip relaxed but I find I have better control if I grip it a little bit. I also have somewhat of an odd release with my spare ball - it's similar to the way Sean Rash shoots a spare, with my hand on top of the ball sort of like a suitcase grip. I'll ask the guy at the pro shop if a thumb slug would be a better choice than tape. Thanks for the idea!

-AZ

[ecub]

Here's a link regarding bowling thumb injuries...
http://jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Fitting_Tips/fitting.html

[ecub]

Regarding tape, I've tried Vise Hada patch on the back of my thumb. Each color represents the thickness and release; Blue is supposed to be the quickest release. I found it to be kind of thick. I switched over to Turbo P2 Quick Release patch tape. This was slightly thinner than the Vise, as well as even a little more quicker to release.

[mxjosh]

I use the hada patch everytime i bowl. I develop thicker skin on the back of thumb when i dont use it. Sometimes theskin would tear or become raw. I now cant bowl without the patches.

[Hammer]

If your thumb is getting injured your span may be wrong. If not that then maybe your thumbhole forward or reverse pitch is wrong for you. Depending on where your thumb is taking a beating could be laterat pitch also. Throw in gripping the ball too hard also.

[SouthpawTRK]

Aloha AZ!!! Glad to see you back on the boards and great to hear that you are still busy bowling! Where is your thumb getting beat up at? I would definitely recommend using the Vise Hada patch. I like using the pre-cut variety in blue, the thinnest of the line. You can stretch the patch to make it even thinner or just apply it without stretching it. I bowled a lot of games last week on vacation and developed a callous/crack on my thumb; due to the quantity of games and me gripping a bit too much with my thumb. I bought a bottle of the Ebonite X-Tra skin and applied it before practice started for league last night; the stuff worked like a charm. It kept the callous/crack on my thumb sealed. Here are the links for the items that I mentioned:

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-accessories/Ebonite/3161/X-tra-Skin.html

http://viseinserts.com/precut_hada.html

[AZBowla]

Thanks for all the tips! Hammer, you're right, squeezing the ball doesn't help. It may also be that the ball wasn't drilled quite right. I had quite a few issues with my thumb getting hung up in it and when I took it back the second time there was a different driller at the pro shop and he said "Yeah, the other guy tends to drill 'em a bit tight for most people. I'll fix it." Since then I've started going to a different shop and the owner there seems much more knowledgeable. My GF had her ball plugged and redrilled there and it's perfect for her. When I get a new ball, it's definitely going to this guy instead of the old shop I went to with my Marauder.

I'll take it down to this guy next time we go and have him check it out. I don't mind plugging and redrilling that thumb hole if it will help keep my thumb from getting all beat up. :)

-AZ

[Hammer]

It is hard not to squeeze the ball with your thumb. Actually if your thumbhole is drilled right you don't have to squeeze the ball to hold onto it. If your wrist is straight or a little cupped on the forward swing the momentum of the ball going forward will keep the ball in the palm of your hand and the weight of the ball on your fingertips if you keep your hand behind the ball and not have your wrist break backwards. All your thumb does is balance the ball it the swing. The reward for a light grip with the thumb is a fast exit of the thumb at the release position and the weight of the ball pulling off of your fingertips which will give you good revs from the swing momentum of the ball.

[WolfGirl1980]

I don't know about the tape but here is what the guy at my pro shop about thumb slugs he said they were more for people who used alot lotion on there hands I could be wrong on this it was for people who use alot of lotion on their hands or had dry skin Ihink had solf skin or used alot of lotion and moisturizer on there body and hands and for a quick release so there thumb can clear the thumb hole quickly but as far as tape I use the blue pre-cut protective tape cause my thumb on the right hand corner where my skin meets my thumb nail is where my thumb is getting torn up also it even bleed thursday so I know how it feels and I keep taking my ball to the pro shop and getting it drilled and redrilled and it keeps hurting I guess I try relaxing my thumb maybe that help but my pro shop guy said put your thumb all the way in the hole don't bend your thumb make sure you put your thumb all the way in the thumb hole.

[Greenday]

I don't know about the tape but here is what the guy at my pro shop about thumb slugs he said they were more for people who used alot lotion on there hands

...What? :confused:

I'm not sure what lotion would have to do with it. You come out of a thumb slug faster than a normal hole so you wouldn't use one to keep your thumb in the hole longer. I don't use lotion and neither do my friends who have thumb slugs.

[WolfGirl1980]

thats just what he told me when I ask him what a thumb slug was for if it will keep my thumb from bleeding and hurting I want one cause something isnt right with my ball cause it hurts really bad every time I bowl with it.

[billf]

The Vise Hada patches work great. Before buying a big pack see if the alley has them individually. They are sold both ways so you may as well try them before buying a bunch (pack of 40)

[crimsoneyes]

I got a sampler pack of the Vise hada patches on ebay. Great to see which ones work best for you before commiting to a large pack.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vise-Hada-Patch-Skin-Protective-Bowling-Tape-Sample-/180493410611?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a063ee133

[bowl1820]

Originally Posted by WolfGirl1980 View Post
I don't know about the tape but here is what the guy at my pro shop about thumb slugs he said they were more for people who used alot lotion on there hands



...What? :confused:

I'm not sure what lotion would have to do with it. You come out of a thumb slug faster than a normal hole so you wouldn't use one to keep your thumb in the hole longer. I don't use lotion and neither do my friends who have thumb slugs.

I never heard that before either, but I'll take a stab at what it's referring too.

Soft skin can produce a lot drag against reactive resin covers. So going to a urethane slug would be better, because it doesn't stick to the urethane material like it does the reactive resin.

That's why I use a vinyl thumb insert. The skin on my thumb had a lot of friction in the hole. The first time I threw a Resin ball (a Rhino Pro back when they first came out. and the covers were thicker) it about peeled the skin off my thumb.

[WolfGirl1980]

This may help Ed gave this to me on another reply when I was asking about thumb slugs and my ball rubbing and tearing up my thumb try this site


http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Fitting_Tips/fitting.html

You won't regret it, it helped me I found out why my ball is tearing up my thumb its because my span is too short thats why I been getting these painful calluses on my thumb so I have to go get my ball plugged and redrilled and then I am going to get a thumb slug cause if you get a thumb slug some guys said on my post that you don't have to keep plugging and redrilling each time there something wrong with your ball thats not exactly how they put it but its kinda what they said and with a slug you get the same feel from ball to ball its smoooth no ridge its a one smooth release unless you don't put your thumb in the hole then you don't need it but if you do then I would suggest getting one like I am going to.