Take care of your fingers!

[Timmyb]

This is a little pic of what's been taking course over the past few weeks. I've complained to my PSO that I think the inserts are pulling too hard on my release. We've tried a number of different styles and sizes, and nothing seems to help. This has not been a big issue until I came back this year. My personal opinion is they're making these things just too damn soft. He doesn't think there's anything wrong, and it must be something I'm doing.


http://s7.postimg.org/5rltj868n/IMG_0979.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/5rltj868n/)

[foreverincamo]

It could be the inserts. It could be the cold, dry weather. How tight are your inserts? I always have mine as a slip-fit. If you have to force your fingers into them, IMHO, they're too tight.

[got_a_300]

I used to have a very similar problem with my finger(s)
and thumb it turned out that my pitches on my fingers
and thumb were off just a little.

I had my pitches changed and I've had no more problems
out of the fingers or thumb.

[JasonNJ]

Ouch. Have you ever tried protective finger tape? You see most of the pros using it now and I just recently started using it on my thumb and it works great. No more callouses and I get a nice snug fit. I use pre cut one but you can use something like this.

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/accessories/bowlingball.com/10024/protecting-tape-beige-roll.html

[bowl1820]

If the PSO doesn't think there's anything wrong, and it must be something your doing. Go find another PSO he's not doing the job for you.

That looks more like a fit issue, especially since you already tried changing inserts.

Either the span is off (long most likely) and/or too much forward pitch and some lateral pitch issues too.

[vdubtx]

If the PSO doesn't think there's anything wrong, and it must be something your doing. Go find another PSO he's not doing the job for you.

That looks more like a fit issue, especially since you already tried changing inserts.

Either the span is off (long most likely) and/or too much forward pitch and some lateral pitch issues too.

Absolutely this.

Might be hard if you have used that pro shop for awhile, but heck, you shouldn't have that type of issues unless you are bowling 100 games a week. Something is off in your fit for sure.

[Timmyb]

I don't keep the insert too tight, that's for sure. I have them so I feel just a slight drag when I put my fingers in. I've been bowling one extra series each week for the past two weeks, but that shouldn't be an issue. As far as my span, we re-checked it when I had the first new ball drilled last year. Everything feels real good holding the ball, but the tearing is driving me nuts. No issues whatsoever with my thumb or ring finger. Like I mentioned, nothing changed with the pitches or span for at least 15 years. I hadn't bowled in 6 years, and all these newer inserts seem really soft. Thinking strongly about plugging and losing the inserts altogether.

[Timmyb]

[QUOTE=JasonNJ;139888]Ouch. Have you ever tried protective finger tape? You see most of the pros using it now and I just recently started using it on my thumb and it works great. No more callouses and I get a nice snug fit. I use pre cut one but you can use something like this.

I've thought about tape, but not sure how that works with inserts. Most people I've seen with tape don't use inserts. How do you hang on with tape?

[JasonNJ]

[QUOTE=JasonNJ;139888]Ouch. Have you ever tried protective finger tape? You see most of the pros using it now and I just recently started using it on my thumb and it works great. No more callouses and I get a nice snug fit. I use pre cut one but you can use something like this.

I've thought about tape, but not sure how that works with inserts. Most people I've seen with tape don't use inserts. How do you hang on with tape?

The tape is textured and I was using the white textured tape in my thumb hole but now that I use the protective tape on my thumb, I've taken out the white tape and I get an even better fit with the protective tape. Not sure how the tape is with the inserts.

[bowl1820]

I don't keep the insert too tight, that's for sure. I have them so I feel just a slight drag when I put my fingers in. I've been bowling one extra series each week for the past two weeks, but that shouldn't be an issue. As far as my span, we re-checked it when I had the first new ball drilled last year. Everything feels real good holding the ball, but the tearing is driving me nuts. No issues whatsoever with my thumb or ring finger. Like I mentioned, nothing changed with the pitches or span for at least 15 years. I hadn't bowled in 6 years, and all these newer inserts seem really soft. Thinking strongly about plugging and losing the inserts altogether.

15 years, 6 years of not bowling, Your hand can change! and Just because you don't have issues with your thumb or ring finger, doesn't mean you can't have a issue with your middle finger. You should have your hand checked.

But if you don't think that's the problem, then try going to no inserts and see if it helps.


Also tape is a great tool when used properly, but using it to "fix" a bad fit isn't the way to use it. That's just hiding the problem, not fixing it.

[bowl1820]

Absolutely this.

Might be hard if you have used that pro shop for awhile, but heck, you shouldn't have that type of issues unless you are bowling 100 games a week. Something is off in your fit for sure.

Even bowling a 100 games a week, I don't think you should have this issue.

In a "good" fit you shouldn't be tearing up your fingers, have rubbing or callousing.

[Jessiewoodard57]

I agree with Bowl1820, if the ball fit is right your fingers should never have issues. Your arm would want to fall off before the fingers hurt. I had a similar issue that made me question if my PSO knew what he was doing or not. I got the name of someone said to be the best driller in my area and just so happened he was bowling that night. He took one look at my grip and told me the pitch and span was wrong. He ended up slugging and re-drilling 5 balls for me and the aches and pain went away. Ask around and get a second opinion.

[jab5325]

This is a little pic of what's been taking course over the past few weeks. I've complained to my PSO that I think the inserts are pulling too hard on my release. We've tried a number of different styles and sizes, and nothing seems to help. This has not been a big issue until I came back this year. My personal opinion is they're making these things just too damn soft. He doesn't think there's anything wrong, and it must be something I'm doing.


http://s7.postimg.org/5rltj868n/IMG_0979.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/5rltj868n/)

It looks like your span must be long. Go find a new PSO.

[mc_runner]

I had something somewhat similar happen with a ball that wasn't drilled quite right (after I gave a new PSO a try - won't be doing that again). However, it's on my ring finger and there's a pretty big callous there. I figured it just separated from my cuticle while loading up during release. It was certainly annoying, and in a tough place to heal.

[Amyers]

I would suggest having them shorten the span on the middle finger by an 1/8 on one ball and see if it helps. If you are using lifts changing to ovals may fix this without redrilling also.

[djp1080]

Timmy, I started using Vise NT50 on my fingers for a couple of months and it's helped with an issue I had with the sides of my fingers, nothing like yours. If your grips have lifts, have your PSO turn them over and go with ovals or have the PSO put new ovals only in. That may shorten the span slightly, too. I cut the NT50 tape in half and cut it long enough to wrap around my two fingertips. It doesn't interfere with my grip as I don't grab at the ball on the swing. While I'm at it, I using similar Hada protective tape for my thumb and it doesn't interfere there either. Don't be afraid of trying either the Vise or Turbo patch tape. The protective tapes are typically for protecting thumb wear. It might be that you're lifting up on the ball at the point of release a bit too much or the ball is hanging on to your fingers. Getting away from the lifts may fix it. Using the tape may help you heal up once you figure out what's causing the problem. I'm pretty sure that I could get away from the thumb tape I use now, but I continue using it as an insurance policy... :) Good luck and hope this helps...

[Timmyb]

Thanks all!

[Hot_pocket]

I just watched a video on the usbc bowling academy site and finger pitch as bowl1820 started is a major contributor to caluses and skin ripping.