Sarge Easter & fingertip ring finger insert?

[samdasham]

After a discussion I decided to have my old ball plugged and drilled fingertip w/inserts. I passed on the thumb sleeve as this is now my practice/experiment ball. The new balls purchased are on hold for drilling until I get a feel for the fingertips & see how that progresses. So, I think I'd like the ring finger also Eastered along w/fingertip insert as that would allow me both options on the same ball.

Any reason I cannot have both? What's another hole save a couple of bucks?
Thanks gents.

[Amyers]

I would not suggest switching back and forth for number one. Sarge Easter is for bowlers who have conditions with their hands that prevent them from using a regular fingertip grip. Also I believe that USBC rules would prevent this but others on here can speak to that better than I

[rv driver]

I don't think rules allow a ball with more than three holes for the digits: 3 holes + balance hole.

[Stormed1]

It can be done as long as the ball does not have a balance hole. The unused hole would then be considered a balance hole as is the case with the thumb on no thumb/2 handed bowlers

you are acturlly allowed up 2 12 holes in a ball. 5 for gripping purposes, vent holes on thos 5 hole, a balance hole and a mill hole for checking hardness.

[samdasham]

Thanks to one and all for the response. It's a done deal and I think I might enjoy this set-up. I went w/insert for the middle finger though I didn't have quite the room for the same depth on the ring finger. So, the gent extended the ring finger span a mite, maxed out on a reverse pitch, whilst keeping that drilling on the shallow side, leaving room for the Sarge Easter drilling and enabling the finger to flatten out in similar fashion as the middle digit when employing fingertip version.

Basically a hidey hole that allows me to maintain grip, w/thumb/middle finger, and permits me to position ring finger from fingertip to Sarge on the fly. I'm not quite sure if that's an advantage or not, but I can alternate the ring finger position as thumb/middle finger remain mounted. I like the feel of me hand closer though I've yet to hurl the ball. I'm anxious to give the new grips a whirl and see how they differ in effects on ball movement.

ETA: I do not have a hand injury nor am I sure if I can fingertip bowl any better than I have w/conventional grip. It seemed to me that the SE was closest to what I had been using by default w/conventional hole drilling of the supporting cast ring finger. Thumb/index/middle are load bearing/tension, in my style of predominately straight bowling, and are unconcerned what the third digit may be up to, so long as it minds it's p's & q's.

The SE feels a lot like the conventional grip that was a wee bit small in span for me. W/straight/broken wrist, from the get-go through delivery 16.5-17.5 mph, I was encouraged to adopt a vise style grip on the grip. That's the hand/forearm that broke a Leatherman utility plier whilst mending field fence a few years back. Perchance an anchor and Olive Oil tat would prove appropriate.

Now that the ball has been plugged/drilled for me hand the 2nd digit inside of the insert projects similar sensation. At least in grasping the ball and lifting it behind me. This is reinforced by the 3rd digit when in SE. Being in closer to the ball, my actual span drilling, changes the hand flex though w/3rd digit in SE it fairly well mimics the old feeling of conventional grip that's a bit short in the span. We'll see how it shapes up.

[samdasham]

The ball weighs in at 15-7 up from 15-4. How much is lane oil vs epoxy is anyone's guess. I bowled seven games midweek and the thumb hole was eating me alive. So. I went from 1/8 forward to a 1/16 reverse and dropped two sizes. I cannot quite reach the knuckle & hope a hone on top tapering towards the fingers will help whilst still maintaining a snug fit.

The third digit fingertip was raw 90* and ate up my pad in spinning. After beveling I have no issue. The SE span seems a mite long, when combined w/2nd digit that's too short, however that was based on the old thumb drilling. Oddly enough or not the shift in my hand from the SE & 2nd digit drilling raises the right side. As the third digit follows the 2nd's lead and the cramped space lifts the right side. This as a result loads/positions the ball on my index finger pad though an awkward sensation.

ETA:[Since redrilling the thumb the 2nd digit span is a bit cramped. This forces the 3rd digit into a semi-conventional SE as it is now also cramped. If I fit just the thumb & 3rd SE it's a glove w/SE all the way in. And the hand isn't raised on the right as is w/all three. The current 2nd digit, combined w/new thumb, cannot relax. I can bowl, but the 2nd digit is in a mild misalignment that causes undue tension/early fatigue. As I recall the middle digit is to be plugged and then moved left & up w/max reverse pitch.]

At first I was only using the SE for 3/4 approach spares that start w/ball more or less perpendicular to the deck. Same though reduced five step approach though the ball motion starts w/me pulling into the backswing instead of pushing the ball forward for a pendulum assist.

As I tired my slow rev spin deteriorated and my speed dropped to the low/mid 15's. On the 14th game I went full time SE. Now I'm spinning faster and my mph are mid/high 16's. Picked up my only turkey of the evening at the last game #16 for a 168. Snagged the spare in the 10th and finished up w/5 pins.

As well I slapped on #10 sole and I'm a sliding machine. Before trying out the new drilling midweek/Thursday I couldn't hardly raise my left leg from a prone position on the couch. Quad & hip were talking to me. My Achilles heel was still sore from 25 games Sunday as well. Even w/soles it started off ugly. An 85 followed by a 100 that required me to pick up the spare in the tenth and finish w/strike to a 135 on the third.

I remarked that I should quit because it would probably be downhill from there. It was though I managed a 140 sumpthin' on the seventh/final game. I did pickup most of the 10th frame spares and though scores are weak I did rally towards the later frames to keep the games from being a total disaster.

I'm limiting myself to a maximum of 19 games on Sunday. Even though a bit sore my quad/hip/heel are in much better overall shape. The change to sliding sole/heel eliminated a lot of the strain on the left side. Stopping in the teens assisted the heel. I'm a wee bit more in tune w/physical limits and recovery time.

I do not bowl w/same techniques as most, so my results from drillings differ to a certain degree. Yet, the SE seems to be working for me for now.

ETA II: I've edited w/o refreshing and see 1820 has responded w/quote. I'll edit this post no further.

[bowl1820]

The ball weighs in at 15-7 up from 15-4. How much is lane oil vs epoxy is anyone's guess. I bowled seven games midweek and the thumb hole was eating me alive. So. I went from 1/8 forward to a 1/16 reverse and dropped two sizes. I cannot quite reach the knuckle & hope a hone on top tapering towards the fingers will help whilst still maintaining a snug fit.

The third digit fingertip was raw and ate up my pad in spinning. After beveling I have no issue. The SE is a mite long in span, however that was based on the old thumb drilling. Oddly enough or not the shift in my hand from the SE raises the right side. This as a result loads/positions the ball on my index finger pad.


Okay let's see if we have this straight.

You had your ball plugged and redrilled with a fingertip grip, plus added a extra grip (SE) hole. During this process your 15lb 4oz ball gained 3oz. in weight. and went up to 15lb 7oz.

Now the ball was tearing up your thumb, so you went from 1/8 forward to a 1/16 reverse and dropped two sizes in the thumb hole. What you had it plugged and redrilled a 2nd time to make those changes?

You cannot quite reach the knuckle? and hope a hone on top tapering towards the fingers will help? what you want to make a big long bevel to the top of your thumb hole?

Plus your third digit (ring finger?) was getting tore up too. Was this from using the fingertip hole or the sarge Easter hole?

You say the SE span is too long because they copied it off the old drilling. Why did they copy it off the old drilling? and not fit you properly for the SE span, They had to measure you for the fingertip, it could have been easily done then.

Given if this is all for real (because none of this makes sense), the grip sounds like a mess. You need to be properly fitted with either a conventional or fingertip grip.

If bowling all those games are causing physical problems, then reduce the amount of games you bowl at one time. 3-9 games practiced with purpose, is better than a 19-25 game marathon.

[samdasham]

Okay let's see if we have this straight.

You had your ball plugged and redrilled with a fingertip grip, plus added a extra grip (SE) hole. During this process your 15lb 4oz ball gained 3oz. in weight. and went up to 15lb 7oz.


*When I had the ball weighed 6-8 weeks or so ago I was told it was 15-4. Thursday after plug and redrill I was told it weighed 15-7

Now the ball was tearing up your thumb, so you went from 1/8 forward to a 1/16 reverse and dropped two sizes in the thumb hole. What you had it plugged and redrilled a 2nd time to make those changes?

*Yes. The first time the fingers were plugged and the thumb merely set w/another sleeve.[as far as I know. When I showed up the following day my ball was in the press w/fingers up needing epoxy shaved down to surface] It wasn't feeling right, so I had it tapered towards the new finger drillings. That felt better, but now it was too loose & I could feel the folds from my webbing bunching up as I'm kind of rocking my hand for a fit and having to grip too tightly. As a result it scraped my thumb on the inside from the joint halfway up towards the knuckle after seven games[not the same ole callous pad that I had]. I have the other co-owner, as he was the one available Thursday, redrill another thumb sleeve. He tells me the old one was 1/8[maybe 1/4 I forget] forward & I tell him I want a reverse pitch. As I recall he says 1/16 reverse.

You cannot quite reach the knuckle? and hope a hone on top tapering towards the fingers will help? what you want to make a big long bevel to the top of your thumb hole?

*I'm right at 1/4" [measured to 1/8"] shy of resting on the knuckle. Since my thumb is larger towards the knuckle I thought perhaps I could have material at the top of the thumb hole removed preserving the fit lower inside. I also thought if some of this material could be removed towards the fingers that my webbing/grip might benefit.

Plus your third digit (ring finger?) was getting tore up too. Was this from using the fingertip hole or the sarge Easter hole?

*My third digit fingertip pad from the sharp/straight edges of the naked fingertip drilling. I was told there wouldn't be enough room possibly to drill the fingertip deep enough for an insert as that would compromise the SE drilling. That potential problem was remedied w/plain fingertip hole maxed out on reverse pitch. After having it beveled it ceased to bother my pad. I never had an issue whilst in the SE as far as discomfort.

You say the SE span is too long because they copied it off the old drilling. Why did they copy it off the old drilling? and not fit you properly for the SE span, They had to measure you for the fingertip, it could have been easily done then.

*I've since edited that post. It's hard at times to describe properly. The SE span seemed too long because the second digit fingertip is too short. Second digit "pulls" my 3rd back giving the illusion of the SE being too long.

Given if this is all for real (because none of this makes sense), the grip sounds like a mess. You need to be properly fitted with either a conventional or fingertip grip.

*I'm on the level. I need a drilling beyond 3/8 right-3/8 left. I release the ball w/holes staring back at me and roll my forearm CCW 120*-170* on average. My track is just outside of the fingers/thumb.When I find my grip I will then be able to have the drilling transferred to the blanks I bought. I want them to be right. Part of the problem it seems is too many cooks measuring/drilling perhaps. That's OK as they do not seem to mind altering to my whim as I plod along looking for the grip that works for me.

If bowling all those games are causing physical problems, then reduce the amount of games you bowl at one time. 3-9 games practiced purpose, is better than a 19-25 game marathon.

*I've since decided to restrict my limit to 19 and under. Part of my issue was a nonsliding sole that has since been alleviated. I'm a little sore in a few spots, but I'm not hobbling[much]. All the left issues will be history now that I'm sliding. My Achilles heel will benefit as well from sub 20 games on Sundays. I'm as a kid on a bicycle, all out/wide open or nothing. It's my way.

ETA: I was measured every time. After seven games I had the smallest sleeve installed that I could squeeze into and pitch changed to reverse. Add to that my second digit 1st knuckle only bends to about 30*. It's hard to find a comfort zone and never having tried fingertip adds to the melee.

I can insert all of my 2nd digit fingertip into the insert though my finger ends up bowing to accommodate the drilling angle and my lack of flexibility. That puts undue strain on the 2nd digit/forearm & forces the 3rd digit back as well which results in my hand cupping w/right side lifting. Not so noticeable in sight w/glove, yet I have no problem feeling the fatigue. In my mind anyway I'm thinking that my 2nd digit should rest on the curvature of the ball as my fingertip rests in the insert.

Now, even though I can slide my thumb and SE in w/ease, and apparently correct span when not placing my 2nd digit in the insert, I'm back to the Chinese fingerlock as the SE seems too forward in pitch. Though I didn't have any issue in release w/SE in a semi-SE grip w/2nd digit placed into the insert. [Cannot grip SE conventionally as my second digit bowing will not allow the third digit to extend to the conventional SE grip span of drilling] I'm not going to try releasing a thumb SE finger only grip.

Top right of thumb is rubbing on release[suggests need for a left lateral pitch?] along w/callous pad on the inside of thumb betwixt the knuckles. I marked under the knuckle on my thumb w/pencil inserted and measured 1/8" to resting on the knuckle instead of right at 1/4"

I feel because I'm a schmuck, knowing none in bowling, that most drillers want to punch out a standard ball. Be it conventional or fingertip. At least these guys are working w/me in my pursuit of a favorable grip.

I only bowled 16 games and though showing fatigue in my grip I switched over to full time SE on 13th game bowling my highest score last. Even if it was only nine pins it was ten games later than the 2nd highest. The SE appears to have merit/be working.

All I can do is bowl, make assessment, adjust and have changes made to the drilling until everything melds for a comfortable somewhat accurate repetition of rolling through a full rack as a Mack truck and picking up spares semi-consistently. Splits will come later w/time.

I understand missing a 7 or 10 single on occasions, but I'm really frustrated when I roll right by them in a split on the outside. Coz I know I had to be right there. How much room is between either and the closest gutter?

Thanks again for taking the time and sharing.

A few more inquiries. Top right of thumb is rubbing on release[suggests need for a left lateral pitch?] Yea or nay?

If so how much/little might remedy the rubbing?

Is it common w/fingertip insert for the 2nd digit to rest on the surface of the ball or do most bow their finger in order to fit the fingertip into the insert?

[samdasham]

After a wee bit of deliberation I've decided to hold off on the planned 2nd digit tweaking. Being new to fingertip grip I'll wait and bowl my midweek set using only the SE. As well instead of forcing the 2nd digit, as result bowing the finger, into the insert I'll take a more relaxed approach. The SE should provide solid enough anchor, so instead of forcing my fingertip up to the knuckle crease on the 2nd digit I'll merely ease the pad into the insert. The 2nd digit pad combined w/3rd digit in a semi-SE depth may work well in tandem.

It's only natural that the first attempt at fingertip would be a learning experience for muscle as well as mind. I'm still encouraged by my last three games after going w/semi-SE exclusively in light of the previous seven games. Not earth shattering though displayed strong finish and improvement.

So, instead of rushing to a fix I'm going to delve into what lies before me. I'm interested in what scores may linger continuing where I left off w/modified semi-SE combined w/2nd digit on the ball and just the pad nestled within the insert.

My last three games averaged 141.66 which is around 20 pins over my usual. That could prove tough to duplicate.

[Shaneshu87]

the sarge easter grip is only something you should resort to out of necessity, i use the sarge only because of tendinitis in my ring finger knuckle and bowling with traditional fingers brings me MASSIVE pain in my ring finger, but it totally changes the dynamics of your ball. i would not use the sarge unless your in pain, i would also not bounce back and forth, drill a ball up with tips in it and just practice with it till your used to it.

[samdasham]

I appreciate your advice. I'm trying out what I can to see what suits me fancy whilst hurling the old ball. It's also the first time I've tried fingertip with & w/o inserts, so everything is a new adventure of sorts. I bounced back & forth dependent of whether I was rolling a full rack or spare to attempt a feel of both at the same time.

If I do not bowl tomorrow I'll wait till Sunday, but I want to at least give the SE a fighting chance at full time. For a bit anyway. I'm keeping up w/my scores to help justify a change to one style or the other. Thanks for taking the time to share.

ETA 12/15: Bowled only using a semi SE and started off w/169. For the most part it was all downhill from there over the remaining sixteen games. It is comfortable though until other aspects of my game improve it will be hard to judge how much it contributes.