Thumb inserts to tighten thumb hole?

[Blomer]

Are there thumb inserts to tighten the thumb hole? Don't want tape. Is there such a thing?

[Amyers]

There used to be vinyl inserts but these were drilled out for and installed but they have mostly been replaced by thumb slugs. Why don't you want tape in your thumbhole. bowlers use tape its your friend.

[mc_runner]

Yeah, you could drill it out and put in a thumb slug.

[Amyers]

Yeah, you could drill it out and put in a thumb slug.

Even with a slug you should still have tape in your hole

[classygranny]

Even with a slug you should still have tape in your hole

Why? I don't use tape. I don't like tape in the summer due to the excessive heat and stickiness. So I just have interchangeable thumb inserts...if I need a size up, I'm good, if I need a size down, same thing. Cost is minimal after 1st investment, and ALL my balls feel exactly the same.

[Amyers]

Why? I don't use tape. I don't like tape in the summer due to the excessive heat and stickiness. So I just have interchangeable thumb inserts...if I need a size up, I'm good, if I need a size down, same thing. Cost is minimal after 1st investment, and ALL my balls feel exactly the same.

If you are using IT systems that's a little different story. I've never tried that and most of the guys I know who do still use tape but I can't speak on those since I haven't tried them.

[bowl1820]

Are there thumb inserts to tighten the thumb hole? Don't want tape. Is there such a thing?

Other than tape there really is nothing you can stick in the thumb hole to tighten it.

1-Tape or the old time cork inserts if you can find them.

2-Fitting tape you apply to your thumb.

3-Pre-drilled vinyl thumb inserts, just go to a smaller size hole. (I use the oval ones)

4-Plug and re-drill a smaller hole in the ball.

5-A Slug is nothing more than a pre-made plug, it still has to be drilled.

5A-There are some pre-made/drilled slugs (would be similar to vinyl thumb insert just made out of a different material typ. urethane)

6-Use a interchangeable thumb system (IT, Switchgrip, Grip-loc etc.). they use drilled slugs or inserts of varying sizes you can switch between when you need too and can be switched between balls.

7- There is a adjustable thumb insert. (As far as I know nobody uses it "POS")

8- A custom thumb mold.

[rv driver]

Even with a slug you should still have tape in your hole
Sounds like a personal problem best discussed with one's doctor...

[rv driver]

Other than tape there really is nothing you can stick in the thumb hole to tighten it.

1-Tape or the old time cork inserts if you can find them.

2-Fitting tape you apply to your thumb.

3-Pre-drilled vinyl thumb inserts, just go to a smaller size hole. (I use the oval ones)

4-Plug and re-drill a smaller hole in the ball.

5-A Slug is nothing more than a pre-made plug, it still has to be drilled.

5A-There are some pre-made/drilled slugs (would be similar to vinyl thumb insert just made out of a different material typ. urethane)

6-Use a interchangable thumb system (IT, Switchgrip, Grip-loc etc.). this use a drilled slugs or inserts of varying sizes you can switch between when you need too and can be switched between balls.

7- There is a adjustable thumb insert. (As far as I know nobody uses it "POS")

8- A custom thumb mold.
Say, O Wizened One, I have perennial problems with my thumb. (I think it's a gripping problem). When I had the ball drilled, I was asked if I wanted a slug. I said I wanted to try without, since I've never used a slug before. I have tried the cork inserts -- HATED. THEM. he said, "no problem; we can always drill to add one later." What's your opinion of slugs or inserts? I think my shop uses the IT system. Is it worth having it added to the ball? Especially since I'm going to have a second ball drilled, and possibly a third? Advisable? Not worth the time and money? Best thing EVER?

[Amyers]

Well I'm sure by wizened one you meant Bowl1820 but my 2 cents for whatever it's worth and I've had about everything imaginable done to my thumb hole other than the IT system.

Slugs if you think the inside of your thumb hole is rough in spots or you want to have a more uniform feel between the balls and don't want to use the IT slug them. That's the only difference and if you use very much tape how much of the thumb hole do you feel anyway.

IT systems I've never personally used them my proshop guy doesn't like them. There are some guys on my teams that use them it's a love it or hate it thing with them. Ask 10 good bowlers five will tell you it's the greatest thing ever ask the other 5 they will tell you there junk and have problems. I haven't really met anyone who tried them that didn't have an opinion about them one way or the other.

Oval thumb holes you didn't mention this one but I'll add it. To me worth every penny best fit I've ever had seen very few who tried it and didn't like it.

Mostly on IT and slugs is how much it bothers you if your thumb holes are slightly different. I've seen people who throw really well with different spans and everything else. Some people can't stand it. It throws there game off.

[bowl1820]

Say, O Wizened One, I have perennial problems with my thumb. (I think it's a gripping problem). When I had the ball drilled, I was asked if I wanted a slug. I said I wanted to try without, since I've never used a slug before.


I have tried the cork inserts -- HATED. THEM. yeah the cork inserts are mainly just used by oldtimers, they are hard to find too since no one really uses them anymore.



he said, "no problem; we can always drill to add one later." What's your opinion of slugs or inserts?

There's nothing wrong with slugs, they are a fast way to plug a hole. makes it easier if your trying out different pitches etc.Since you don't have to wait for the plug material to setup. And you can work the thumb hole out get it just right

Most like slugs for the feel of the material (typically Urethane though there are vinyl slugs too) over the feel of just the reactive resin coverstock. because your skin can drag on the tacky surface of the reactive resin.

that's what happened to me way back when I first tried a resin ball after a few games it was about to peel the skin off my thumb. That's why I started using vinyl thumb inserts.

Vinyl thumb inserts are like finger inserts but for thumb.Easy to change sizes just glue in a new one.

Some don't like them saying they are too slick and others say just the opposite they are too tacky.


I think my shop uses the IT system. Is it worth having it added to the ball? Especially since I'm going to have a second ball drilled, and possibly a third? Advisable? Not worth the time and money? Best thing EVER?

The IT system is great! I don't use it , but I don't really feel the need too. My thumb doesn't change up and down like some do and the feel across my equipment is fine. As is I can pop a piece of tape in or pull it out if I need too.

Though I've been not using tape in the hole lately even, just a piece of fitting tape on the back of my thumb.

[rv driver]

Well I'm sure by wizened one you meant Bowl1820 but my 2 cents for whatever it's worth and I've had about everything imaginable done to my thumb hole other than the IT system.

Slugs if you think the inside of your thumb hole is rough in spots or you want to have a more uniform feel between the balls and don't want to use the IT slug them. That's the only difference and if you use very much tape how much of the thumb hole do you feel anyway.

IT systems I've never personally used them my proshop guy doesn't like them. There are some guys on my teams that use them it's a love it or hate it thing with them. Ask 10 good bowlers five will tell you it's the greatest thing ever ask the other 5 they will tell you there junk and have problems. I haven't really met anyone who tried them that didn't have an opinion about them one way or the other.

Oval thumb holes you didn't mention this one but I'll add it. To me worth every penny best fit I've ever had seen very few who tried it and didn't like it.

Mostly on IT and slugs is how much it bothers you if your thumb holes are slightly different. I've seen people who throw really well with different spans and everything else. Some people can't stand it. It throws there game off.
I'm EXTREMELY tactile. I might ask to look at an IT system. I might really like it...

[rv driver]

yeah the cork inserts are mainly just used by oldtimers, they are hard to find too since no one really uses them anymore.




There's nothing wrong with slugs, they are a fast way to plug a hole. makes it easier if your trying out different pitches etc.Since you don't have to wait for the plug material to setup. And you can work the thumb hole out get it just right

Most like slugs for the feel of the material (typically Urethane though there are vinyl slugs too) over the feel of just the reactive resin coverstock. because your skin can drag on the tacky surface of the reactive resin.

that's what happened to me way back when I first tried a resin ball after a few games it was about to peel the skin off my thumb. That's why I started using vinyl thumb inserts.

Vinyl thumb inserts are like finger inserts but for thumb.Easy to change sizes just glue in a new one.

Some don't like them saying they are too slick and others say just the opposite they are too tacky.



The IT system is great! I don't use it , but I don't really feel the need too. My thumb doesn't change up and down like some do and the feel across my equipment is fine. As is I can pop a piece of tape in or pull it out if I need too.

Though I've been not using tape in the hole lately even, just a piece of fitting tape on the back of my thumb.
Thanks for that info. I'm gonna talk to the pro shop -- maybe take a look at some balls that have them. He showed them to me briefly -- apparently they have an insert that you can switch between balls. I think that's the IT system, yes?

[bowl1820]

Thanks for that info. I'm gonna talk to the pro shop -- maybe take a look at some balls that have them. He showed them to me briefly -- apparently they have an insert that you can switch between balls. I think that's the IT system, yes?

Yes you have a removable thumbhole, that you can use in different balls and you can have a couple in different size for when your thumb shrinks or swells.

The problem is start up cost, having the sleeve put in every ball and how ever many extra inserts you want.

[Blomer]

When using fitting tape, do you put it so the bottom of the thumb, thumb print, touches it? Or the top? Probably a dumb question.

[bowl1820]

When using fitting tape, do you put it so the bottom of the thumb, thumb print, touches it? Or the top? Probably a dumb question.

For the most you can use it where ever it's needed.

click here for turbogrips tape products info (http://www.turbogrips.com/products_tape.php)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBpL0IJLTBw

[bowl1820]

another video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMhyhLMBGeU

[bowl1820]

I like the Green fitting tape, (Course (6) F325 Fitting Tape Mint, Course texture.) I put a piece across the back of my thumb.
I get a roll of it, lasts me a long time.

[zdawg]

Why? I don't use tape. I don't like tape in the summer due to the excessive heat and stickiness. So I just have interchangeable thumb inserts...if I need a size up, I'm good, if I need a size down, same thing. Cost is minimal after 1st investment, and ALL my balls feel exactly the same.

This is going to be one of my first purchases once the paychecks start hitting my bank account again...I have the problem that my thumb shrinks as the night goes on, I typically have to make the first adjustment before the first game is even over.

[Amyers]

This is going to be one of my first purchases once the paychecks start hitting my bank account again...I have the problem that my thumb shrinks as the night goes on, I typically have to make the first adjustment before the first game is even over.

Go to your pro shop and buy a insert that your thumb will barley fit in put your thumb in it for about five to ten minuites before bowling voila problem of the shrinking thumb solved. I've tried this it works.

[bowl1820]

This is going to be one of my first purchases once the paychecks start hitting my bank account again...I have the problem that my thumb shrinks as the night goes on, I typically have to make the first adjustment before the first game is even over.

Something to try as you bowl through the night.

take some calipers and measure your thumb each game and keep track of the measurements. that way when you get a couple of different size inserts for the IT, they can be real close to your thumb size when your bowling and reduce any adjusting you might have to do.

(some of the better proshops use calipers for getting more precise fits.)

you can get a cheap caliper for about two bucks. (try to find one that measures 64th's or at least 32nd's
http://www.pjtool.com/images/products/display/IMG_0001copy.jpg

or if the proshop will let you borrow a few of their thumb sizer's or some thumb inserts in different sizes you check with them.

[zdawg]

Thanks for the advice Bowl1820, I'll make sure to keep track that's a really good idea