Finger inserts, to be or not to BE!

[MICHAEL]

It seems like everyone has those finger inserts in their bowling balls, does anyone out there not use them? Also, I notice a lot of bowlers wearing what looks like rubber caps in their fingers! Is that the new thing? Is one any better then the other?

Does anyone prefer not use anything in the finger holes?

[Mike White]

It seems like everyone has those finger inserts in their bowling balls, does anyone out there not use them? Also, I notice a lot of bowlers wearing what looks like rubber caps in their fingers! Is that the new thing? Is one any better then the other?

Does anyone prefer not use anything in the finger holes?

I don't know about rubber caps on their fingers, but many will use a form of tape on their fingers.

Personally I use the small o.d. inserts with the lifter side up.

On my middle finger, I drill the 7/8" hole 2" deep, then come back with a 59/64" bit and drill down 1/2"

I have a knot on my middle finger that would hit the edge of the hole if I left it at 7/8"

[MICHAEL]

I don't know about rubber caps on their fingers, but many will use a form of tape on their fingers.

Personally I use the small o.d. inserts with the lifter side up.

On my middle finger, I drill the 7/8" hole 2" deep, then come back with a 59/64" bit and drill down 1/2"

I have a knot on my middle finger that would hit the edge of the hole if I left it at 7/8"

When they use the tape, do they use it with the inserts, or instead of? What is the tape used for around the ends of their fingers ,,, Blisters, better grip??

everyone I know, and bowl with just uses the different brands of colorful inserts! Is one brand better then another, or is it all just personal preference!

[Mike White]

When they use the tape, do they use it with the inserts, or instead of? What is the tape used for around the ends of their fingers ,,, Blisters, better grip??

everyone I know, and bowl with just uses the different brands of colorful inserts! Is one brand better then another, or is it all just personal preference!

Personally I don't use tape on my fingers. I spoke with one who uses the tape on his fingers (Red Hada) and he is just experimenting with it, not to solve a specific problem.

Back in the 80's, I didn't have inserts, and didn't use any tape. I did notice that when my fingers exited the ball, there was some rotational movement in the holes.

I used to place small layers of black tape in the finger holes attempting to create the lifter that you get in inserts now.

As the night went on, the tape would spread sideways, like fanning a deck of cards. Since both holes spread the same way, the fingers must have been rotating.

When I started bowling again, the same rotation occurred, but created blisters on the sides of my fingers. So I choose to use full size (31/32 od) inserts.

Since taking over the shop I've found that I prefer the 7/8" inserts.

I also use Wizard 1 hour plug instead of a thumb slug. It just feels better to me.

[J Anderson]

I also use Wizard 1 hour plug instead of a thumb slug. It just feels better to me.

Just curious, does that mean you drill an oversize thumb hole, plug it, and then re-drill to the correct size?

[J Anderson]

everyone I know, and bowl with just uses the different brands of colorful inserts! Is one brand better then another, or is it all just personal preference!

Some people have a distinct personal preference, some don't. I think many of us don't even realize how different the inserts can be until we go to a different pro shop that prefers to sell a different brand or style.

[tccstudent]

As long as I have my ovals and they fits and they aint those stupid vacuum grips I am fine.

[Mike White]

Just curious, does that mean you drill an oversize thumb hole, plug it, and then re-drill to the correct size?

Exactly. The goal of a thumb slug, is so you don't feel the different textures in the ball…

The core has one feel, the filler another, and the shell usually ends up being a slightly smaller diameter hole due to it being much harder material than the filler.

This results in an inconsistent feeling in the thumb hole.

I'll drill either a 1 1/4 hole (with the same pitch and center point as my actual hole) Plug it with Wizard, then come back and drill the actual thumb hole.

That way I only have one texture all the way down the thumb hole.

[larry mc]

i always use grips with lifts , not sure which brand they are , just what my local proshop uses , i get more revs with the lifts then i used to without them.

[sprocket]

I use ovals. They have to be ovals and I like them overly tight. I can't use grips with the flat on the front. I will overturn the ball every time. The size has to be just right too. Every ball driller tells me they are too small.

[tccstudent]

I use ovals. They have to be ovals and I like them overly tight. I can't use grips with the flat on the front. I will overturn the ball every time. The size has to be just right too. Every ball driller tells me they are too small.

This sounds like me
I did have to rip a pair of inserts out a few weeks ago due to swelling.