Removable thumb inserts

[Blomer]

Hi everyone,

As I state in previous posts, I have been having issues with my thumb. Sometimes I have a clean release, other times I'm not. Been kicking around the idea of getting removable thumb inserts so I can adjust when needed. Can they be installed Ina drilled ball or is it done when first drilled? How expensive are they? Do most pro shops offer it? Thanks for any info!

[Jaescrub]

Not all of them have the Swith grips. I know of the three local pro shops o my one has them. The two brands that are out there are the Turbo Grips, and the vise It's. I have the Vise it's and love them. Never used the turbos so I can't say. You can have them added to your ball first drill or after the fact. I will never go back. Every ball I get not feels the same in my hands that you just can't beat.

[bowl1820]

Hi everyone,

As I state in previous posts, I have been having issues with my thumb. Sometimes I have a clean release, other times I'm not. Been kicking around the idea of getting removable thumb inserts so I can adjust when needed.



Can they be installed In a drilled ball or is it done when first drilled?
Yes they can put it in a drilled ball.


How expensive are they?
Prices will vary around the country, But about $30+ for the sleeve and slug, and then about $10+ a sleeve after that, just depends on the shop.


Do most pro shops offer it?
Most do or at least a lot do now , some still don't though. You just got to ask.


Thanks for any info!

[bowl1820]

Not all of them have the Swith grips. I know of the three local pro shops o my one has them. The two brands that are out there are the Turbo Grips, and the vise It's.

There's

VISE Interchangeable Thumb (IT)
http://www.viseinserts.com/it.html

TURBOGRIP Switch Grip
http://www.turbogrips.com/products_switch_grip.php

Grip Loc
http://grip-loc.com/

[Mike White]

Hi everyone,

As I state in previous posts, I have been having issues with my thumb. Sometimes I have a clean release, other times I'm not. Been kicking around the idea of getting removable thumb inserts so I can adjust when needed. Can they be installed Ina drilled ball or is it done when first drilled? How expensive are they? Do most pro shops offer it? Thanks for any info!

As long as the original thumb hole was not drilled extremely deep, a Vise IT can be drilled into an previously drilled ball.

My pricing is $10 for the thumb hole in the ball (with the parts that attach to the ball) and $10 for the threaded slug if the thumb hole is round. $15 if it is oval.

[Jaescrub]

Thanks Bowl I did not know of that other brand. I guess I have been misleading others ;( oops

[rv driver]

I'm really thinking about doing a Vise IT.

[Blomer]

I am really thinking about getting some inserts! My thumb just swells and shrinks where I never know if I can get it I to a ball. I need to get a ball drilled so I. Going to talk to the guy and see which one he suggests.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Get the vise interchangeable thumb system you will be very happy after. Tape Tape Tape, everyone should have a thumb hole big enough so when your thumb is normal size have 2-3 pieces of white or black tape which ever you prefer (i like 3/4 white). Then when your thumb swells you can take the tape out.

[Amyers]

Get the vise interchangeable thumb system you will be very happy after. Tape Tape Tape, everyone should have a thumb hole big enough so when your thumb is normal size have 2-3 pieces of white or black tape which ever you prefer (i like 3/4 white). Then when your thumb swells you can take the tape out.

This still applies to the Vise IT systems. Interchangeable thumbs is not a reason not to use tape.

[Jaescrub]

This still applies to the Vise IT systems. Interchangeable thumbs is not a reason not to use tape.
Why not? I had two thumbs made one tight and snug and the other after my thumb got big. I now no longer have to use tape. I slap one in the go to the next size up as needed.

[Mudpuppy]

Genius. I saw the pros doing this on tv and I wondered, was curious, about the details. I'm definitely going to look into this further with my pro shop guy. I don't have a ton of shrinking / swelling issues but minor at times - would be nice to have the ability to go up 1 size and down 1 size to fine tune with weather changes, etc. Especially since we have such a wide variety of weather here which does make a difference. Such a simple design - click and lock - but extremely effective.

[vdubtx]

Prices around here are $45 for the setup and $20 for the thumb sleeve. That is why I have been hesitant to get that setup in my balls.

[bowl1820]

use of tape is pretty much just personal preference, There's no rule set in stone that you have to use tape.

Just like there's no rule, that say's if you use interchangeable thumbs. That you no longer have a need for tape.

It's just a matter of what you want in the feel of your grip. You don't just put tape in to tighten the hole, sometimes it just to change the texture you feel in the hole.

You want to see a tape master, then you look at Norm Duke.

He has always been known for making adjustments to his thumb hole. He has a sensitive feel for his grip and You could see it in a lot of the tv broadcasts, he's sitting there putting in and taking out little strips of tape. Keeping his thumb hole just right throughout a match.

[Jaescrub]

Genius. I saw the pros doing this on tv and I wondered, was curious, about the details. I'm definitely going to look into this further with my pro shop guy. I don't have a ton of shrinking / swelling issues but minor at times - would be nice to have the ability to go up 1 size and down 1 size to fine tune with weather changes, etc. Especially since we have such a wide variety of weather here which does make a difference. Such a simple design - click and lock - but extremely effective.
Really I also use them so that every ball I throw feels the same. No matter how good your pro shop guy is it's hard to get every ball 100% the same. I know all of you have that one ball that's just perfect feels better then the rest even if all of your balls feel fine you have one that's just right in every way. That's how I feel when I switch balls. I only have two right now hope to add a third soon.

[Amyers]

This is just my opinion yours may be different but there are limits to how fine tuned you can get with drilling and sanding on the thumb hole. Maybe you can get that perfect fit for when thumb isn't swollen at all or maybe you can get it with the larger one for swelling but one of the two are always off a little that's why you need tape. Some peoples thumbs vary less than others so maybe some of you guys can get them both right but I don't think I ever will. I adjust my tapping before every bowling session and sometime during just depending on the feel for that day. Maybe I'm just pickier about mine than others.

[fortheloveofbowling]

This still applies to the Vise IT systems. Interchangeable thumbs is not a reason not to use tape.

That is what i meant, have both.

[Blomer]

When my thumb swells, it's about one size up, so I figured that if it get ITs or Switch Grips, I can adjust quickly without tape. Am I thinking of it the wrong way?

[bowl1820]

When my thumb swells, it's about one size up, so I figured that if it get ITs or Switch Grips, I can adjust quickly without tape. Am I thinking of it the wrong way?

No, that's one of the reasons for using them.

[Amyers]

My opinion here others feel different but if you are looking at IT system to keep from using tape period your going down the wrong road. It could diminish the need for as much tape but shouldn't get rid of it all together. Tape serves multiple purposes.

It allows you to customize your feel much more than drilling and sanding will ever be able too. Do you really think your pro-shop guy is accurate enough with a disk sander to remove exactly one layer of tape from a thumb hole?

Tape also allows you to customize the texture of your thumb hole I have gritty tape along the back of my thumb slick tape on the nail side. Can't do that with sanding and drilling.

Tape prevents vapor lock my allowing gaps for air flow in the thumb hole.

If you want exactly the same feel from ball to ball go with the IT its great for that. If your looking to do a way with tape your just thinking wrong again this is just my opinion and there are many.

[Joker]

i used to do the vise ITs, but the reason i stopped was because i travel a lot and a lot of pro shops don't offer the ITs so if my IT breaks I'm out of luck

[rv driver]

I've never used tape. I need to find a "tape guru" who might be able to suggest how I can adjust the feel of the ball. I'm still going to talk to the pro shop about the IT.

[tccstudent]

I don't use tape my thumb don't seem to shrink or swell much all I ever use is easy slide

[rv driver]

I don't use tape my thumb don't seem to shrink or swell much all I ever use is easy slide
Yes, but what do you use for bowling?






Sorry!

[mike_thomas93]

Prices do indeed vary. My local pro shop, for example, charges $15 for grips and thumb slug combined, and they carry vise inserts, and I like them. And yeah, you can have them added prior or after first drill. You can consult with your shop operator and see what would fit better in your game.