Use of Chapstick?

[Blomer]

There's a guy in my league for the 3 years I have bowled in, uses Chapstick on his thumb, I assum for a smooth release. Puts it on every time before his first throw. Someone on my team started to use it as he was having problems getting out of the ball. Is this practice legal? Anyone else do or seen others use this? I used to use tape on my thumb but stopped.

[fordman1]

Craziest thing I ever heard. Legal probably as long as it doesn't get on the outside of the ball or on anyone else's.

[bowl1820]

Chapstick on the thumb is a old school trick for a sticky thumb, that's been around for years. I have some in bag right now, it's legal to do.

Just use it sparingly, a little goes along way.

And remember to clean your thumbhole out once in awhile, it can build up in the hole.

[larry mc]

first i ever heard of it ,, good old American ingenuity

[Tony]

I bowl with a guy that sometimes puts a little chap stick on his thumb in the winter when his skin is dry. I have also seen guys using band aids on the thumb to pad / adjust or protect the thumb instead of tape.

I have used the chap stick mostly near the edge of the nail on the thumb when it's dry and starting to split.

[Jaescrub]

That's crazy never would have known to do this. I guess in a pinch that's one way to take care of a trouble thumb.

[taxexpert2]

I have found as I get older my skin is much more sensitive so I use some of the new tape for fingers on two fingers and my thumb either to increase friction or reduce the possiblity of blisters. I also hate the callus that builds up on the thumb of my release hand so I use a combination of things to give me more cushion there. We all have adjustments to make I think and as I watch the pros I see they are using different devices these days. Good to change with the technology I think and adapt what is right for you.

[bowl1820]

I also hate the callus that builds up on the thumb of my release hand so I use a combination of things to give me more cushion there.

Given if you are developing a callous, that's a indication of a fit problem and that you should have your grip checked.

Depending on the location of the callous, you may need a pitch change or a span change or change hole size or change bevel or a combination of these.

Check here and you can get a basic idea of the problem.
http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Fitting_Tips/fitting.html