Thumb swelling issues

[NewToBowling]

I had my worse night last night in regards to thumb swelling.

I've already had the PSO open up the sides of my ball to accommodate my every increasing side calluses. But the ball was sticking last night and no amount of bowlers tape removal/addition did much.

Guess my calluses got a bit rough and was catching onto the sides of my thumb hole. Thinking of adding chap stick to bag arsenal to help add slickness and maybe filing down the sides of my thumb to smooth it down.

[Amyers]

Have u tried any of the HADA tape yet? I tried it and for me it made the ball release to quickly but you may have better luck.

[NewToBowling]

Yes, I use that all the time

[LyalC52]

I've been using the black tape to keep my release smooth as my thumb is readjusting to bowing again.

[NewToBowling]

Yeah I've been using black bowlers tape but apparently yesterday my thumb swelled so much that I couldn't get a clean release with a naked thumbhole (no bowlers tape)

There was rubbing on my calluses so I just filed them down right now with a nail filer to smooth it out. When I get home will test fit of bowling ball before league tonight

I guess every one has to deal with it. It has been a bit more humid here in Colorado than usual due to all the rain we have been getting. Normally it is very dry here in the summertime.

No wonder some people choose to go thumbless. No thumb issues for them at least

[jab5325]

If you're having that many thumb issues (callouses), it sounds like your drilling is way too tight.

[NewToBowling]

If you're having that many thumb issues (callouses), it sounds like your drilling is way too tight.

I agree with you. That is why I had it opened up a few weeks ago on my balls. I started using bowlers tape and was fine until yesterday when it swelled again beyond my thumb hole size.

[DLP]

An incorrect span can also contribute to thumb swelling. After dealing with a lot of swelling over the last year or so, the final solution was to shrink my span and change the pitches of fingers and thumb. This has made a world of difference for me, as I went from needing a lot of tape/calluses/tearing up my thumb when I started to taking almost (if not all) of the tape out in three games, to only needing 1-2 pieces and a decrease of calluses (rubbing).

Opening up the hole to much may contribute to gripping, which will lead to additional problems.

If you are developing calluses, I'd recommend checking here to get an idea of what they mean and what the solution could possibly be: http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Fitting_Tips/fitting.html

[HowDoIHookAgain]

I read into your problem a bit, and I stumbled across someone who seems very knowledgeable on everything bowling. This is what he has to say about what you are experiencing:

Calluses on both sides of the thumb. This is usually not a grip problem but more of a sign that you are turning the ball early at the bottom of the swing and probably turning the ball more with the thumb than you are with the fingers.

If you have callus buildup on the inside part of the thumb, it only means that you are coming over the top of the ball, which is usually caused by wrapping the ball behind your back during the swing.

Callus on back of the thumb. This is a great indicator that you are knuckling the ball and holding the ball more with the thumb than you are with the fingers. You either have too much reverse in the thumb, causing you to squeeze it with the thumb, or it could be that you are out of rhythm. It can also mean your span is too long.

The bolded section is what sounds the most like your problem. I'm no bowling expert, so I can't really offer any advice aside from information from others. But if I were you, I would definitely record yourself the next time you go to bowl (maybe in open bowling or something). Have someone record your approach and swing, and try to get a few shots focused in on your thumb and release. To me, it honestly sounds like you are trying to put too much hook into your ball, and this is the result. It could also be a timing issue with your swing. There's a lot of things that could be going wrong here. But I would definitely record your swing and do some more research on this before drawing any major conclusions.

[NewToBowling]

I read into your problem a bit, and I stumbled across someone who seems very knowledgeable on everything bowling. This is what he has to say about what you are experiencing:

Calluses on both sides of the thumb. This is usually not a grip problem but more of a sign that you are turning the ball early at the bottom of the swing and probably turning the ball more with the thumb than you are with the fingers.

If you have callus buildup on the inside part of the thumb, it only means that you are coming over the top of the ball, which is usually caused by wrapping the ball behind your back during the swing.

Callus on back of the thumb. This is a great indicator that you are knuckling the ball and holding the ball more with the thumb than you are with the fingers. You either have too much reverse in the thumb, causing you to squeeze it with the thumb, or it could be that you are out of rhythm. It can also mean your span is too long.

The bolded section is what sounds the most like your problem. I'm no bowling expert, so I can't really offer any advice aside from information from others. But if I were you, I would definitely record yourself the next time you go to bowl (maybe in open bowling or something). Have someone record your approach and swing, and try to get a few shots focused in on your thumb and release. To me, it honestly sounds like you are trying to put too much hook into your ball, and this is the result. It could also be a timing issue with your swing. There's a lot of things that could be going wrong here. But I would definitely record your swing and do some more research on this before drawing any major conclusions.

I think your smart friend is right.

I used to be a thumbless bowler who was used to torquing the ball and turning it early. Since I was a thumbless I never gripped with the thumb and still feel I don't. My thumb is very relaxed.

This past week (prior to yesterday) I was consciously trying to keep my hand behind the ball as long as possible before turning. I was good about it and had good ball roll. I guess yesterday my bad habits came back or wasn't concentrating on every throw and probably did turn the hand early. I could feel that I was turning my hand before the thumb exited the ball. When I was doing it right I could "feel" the thumb exit and then turned the hand with my fingers rotating the ball.

I do have calluses on both sides of thumb. I use Vise hada patches on one side to protect the callus.

I did file them down a bit here at work with a small nail filer and will fit my hands tonight with my balls and insert tape as needed.

Just have to constantly remind myself to NOT turn my hand too early.

[NewToBowling]

Yep, bowled last night keeping focus on not turning the hand too early and ball came out smoothly. Will have to widen up the hole on my other ball but the Unhinged was good.

[LyalC52]

have you though about just cutting your thumb off? haha jk

I'm going to agree with those that think your thumb issues are pitch and fit related
I've been bowing 12 to 20 games a week since February
my thumb has thickened up some, but I don't have any calluses
my PSO set my thumb pitch so I get out of the ball fast

[NewToBowling]

have you though about just cutting your thumb off? haha jk

I'm going to agree with those that think your thumb issues are pitch and fit related
I've been bowing 12 to 20 games a week since February
my thumb has thickened up some, but I don't have any calluses
my PSO set my thumb pitch so I get out of the ball fast

Could be pitch related but I am thinking it is early turning of the ball. Worked on it last night and no major issues.

[foreverincamo]

I bowled a ton last year and never had a callous or blister. I did have days where my thumb was bigger than normal. Some days it was way small and I taped up the thumb hole to compensate. Well-fitting ball makes all the difference.

[mc_runner]

I've heard a few people say that there's a trick to helping de-swell your thumb. Put a napkin over your thumb and slide it in and out of the hole a few times... supposedly this helps it. Why? I have no idea, and I have never tried myself (I'm lucky, don't get thumb swell) but people swear by it.

[NewToBowling]

I've heard a few people say that there's a trick to helping de-swell your thumb. Put a napkin over your thumb and slide it in and out of the hole a few times... supposedly this helps it. Why? I have no idea, and I have never tried myself (I'm lucky, don't get thumb swell) but people swear by it.

Yes I've heard this and tried a few times. It lasts only a little bit though

[J Anderson]

I've heard a few people say that there's a trick to helping de-swell your thumb. Put a napkin over your thumb and slide it in and out of the hole a few times... supposedly this helps it. Why? I have no idea, and I have never tried myself (I'm lucky, don't get thumb swell) but people swear by it.

I think forcing the thumb with the napkin wrapped around it compresses the soft tissue of the thumb temporarily.

[Sourtower]

I've heard a few people say that there's a trick to helping de-swell your thumb. Put a napkin over your thumb and slide it in and out of the hole a few times... supposedly this helps it. Why? I have no idea, and I have never tried myself (I'm lucky, don't get thumb swell) but people swear by it.

It works but it's not a permanent solution to a swollen thumb. It does work though. I was skeptical but now I always keep a couple Kleenex in my bowling bag just in case.