Fingertip with no inserts

[billf]

I have a bad habit of grabbing?squeezing the ball at the bottom of the swing on occasion. While discussing this with a friend he suggested going without finger inserts. He bowled collegiately with Graham Fach and said that is why Graham doesn't use inserts. This got me curious so I decided to give it a try. I picked up a Storm Rocket with ten games on it for $20. Seemed like the perfect candidate. So the ball was plugged Sunday, layed out Monday and drilled Tuesday just before league. Being a scratch league it probably wasn't the best time to try it but I'm not very patient.
Much to my surprise the finger fit was more comfortable than with inserts. We went with middle finger 25/32, ring 3/4, the same sizes as my inserts. There is just enough room to add a piece of tape when the humidity drops. This worked so well I ordered a Motiv Freestyle last night with the same finger holes, no inserts. I will be picking it up on my way to work tonight. Now to decide if I want to get all my fingers plugged and redrilled or donate them and start over.

[1VegasBowler]

Norm Duke doesn't use any inserts either.

[billf]

a lot of them don't but I never asked why.

Tommy Jones needs to try it. I can't tell you how many times I've heard him on TV getting on himself for grabbing it at the bottom.

[bowl1820]

a lot of them don't but I never asked why.

Tommy Jones needs to try it. I can't tell you how many times I've heard him on TV getting on himself for grabbing it at the bottom.

Going with no inserts and leaving the edges sharp helps you learn to keep from grabbing the ball and will help reduce finger pressure. Drew who runs the proshop here doesn't use inserts, I tried his ball it feels like a razorblade against your fingers.

A lot don't like the friction they feel from inserts also.

[fordman1]

I saved a lot of money not having to by that stuff in the little jar. My palm would be black after bowling.

[foreverincamo]

I used to bowl without them. Did for years. When inserts first came out, they weren't soft or spongy at all. They were tough and lasted for years. I still have some in my Blue Pearl Hammer I bought in 1987.
I have inserts in all my balls, but I do wish they were made out of something harder.

[billf]

I saved a lot of money not having to by that stuff in the little jar. My palm would be black after bowling.

Did I miss something? What are you talking about?

[2handedsniper]

If I don't have inserts i don't bowl a 100 lol. I love love the soft padding

[bowl1820]

I saved a lot of money not having to by that stuff in the little jar. My palm would be black after bowling.


Did I miss something? What are you talking about?

I believe he's referring to the grip cream that comes in the little bottle.

I'm assuming that by using inserts, he no longer had to use it.

[Tony]

My first few balls were with no grips but I can't say I'd go back with that, I do see and know some guys who just never liked the grips and have never used them, same thing with thumb slugs, there are still people that don't use or like those either. It's all a personal feel for what makes it easier for you to bowl and score I guess, let us know how it works out for you.

[NewToBowling]

I believe he's referring to the grip cream that comes in the little bottle.

I'm assuming that by using inserts, he no longer had to use it.

Never heard of grip cream

[bowl1820]

Never heard of grip cream

It's just another type of rosin, but in a cream form.

http://www.bowlingindex.com/store/graphics/00000001/pnonslipgripcream.jpg

You don't see it used much anymore, except by maybe by some older bowlers.

Like a lot of rosins over use can cause you hang in the ball, builds up in the holes, gets all over your hand etc.

[got_a_300]

I know way back years ago I used to use rosin on my hand
which made my skin dry out and crack open all the time so
after I quit using it I've had no more problems at all with my
skin cracking.

[fordman1]

Ok I think it was called Shur Grip. Came in a little jar about as big as a silver dollar. Maybe 1 1/2 inches high. You would stick your grip fingers in and I would then rub the palm of my hand to get it tacky. Those old black rubber balls would get your fingers and palm black. It had the texture of shoe polish. Yea people used to polish their shoes. They had to really rip thru the ball to get a strong finish. Remember Mark Roth only he liked plastic.
Back then you used black electric tape for the thumb or the white tape the Dr. used.

[ytlas]

Stuff I'm thinking of was called Pro Grip. Came in a round white ceramic jar with a red metal cap. (I guess it's still made)

Never cared for electrical tape. We used Johnson and Johnson medical tape off the roll. We'd cut a piece of tape off the roll, then take finger nail clippers and clip off the edges of the tape (to round it) before putting it in the thumb hole.

[billf]

Rolled three games after giving a lesson today. Gripped it once. That's one time in six games. My thumb is very appreciative.

Had the Rocket drilled 60° X 4" X 40°, the Freestyle 60° X 4" 60°. Loved the Freestyle. I just kept moving left and adding axis rotation to see how far I could get on a fresh house shot. Fifth arrow still carried the corner pins. Any deeper and I had to slow it down too much to carry the ten pin.

[billf]

I believe he's referring to the grip cream that comes in the little bottle.

I'm assuming that by using inserts, he no longer had to use it.

Thanks. I vaguely remember seeing the same jars at the center for a few years before they finally got tossed.

[LOUVIT]

This is interesting, I have to take notice if I grab the ball. this may be why I pull the ball so much. Since I haven't had a new ball in 25 years, (don't think they had them back then...lol, at least I didn't) I went with inserts on my new stuff because I thought that was the thing to do. As far as thumb plugs, I had it put in my Phaze and n matter how big I make the hole I seem to still stick in it. I have a 1/4 back pitch in it.

[fordman1]

I had a thumb slug in my LT48 many years ago. That cork center would tear your thumb up.

[LOUVIT]

I had a thumb slug in my LT48 many years ago. That cork center would tear your thumb up.

I didn't have a slug when the ball was drilled, but it was drilled with a zero thumb pitch and I needed a 1/4 back pitch. I guess the only way to re drill was to use a slug? I think that's what he put in the ball anyway. I still not up to date on this new stuff....

[JaxBowlingGuy]

I didn't have a slug when the ball was drilled, but it was drilled with a zero thumb pitch and I needed a 1/4 back pitch. I guess the only way to re drill was to use a slug? I think that's what he put in the ball anyway. I still not up to date on this new stuff....

Just easier and quicker. He could have plugged it and drilled it again. Instead he just opened it up to fit a slug and drilled that as needed

[Amyers]

This is interesting, I have to take notice if I grab the ball. this may be why I pull the ball so much. Since I haven't had a new ball in 25 years, (don't think they had them back then...lol, at least I didn't) I went with inserts on my new stuff because I thought that was the thing to do. As far as thumb plugs, I had it put in my Phaze and n matter how big I make the hole I seem to still stick in it. I have a 1/4 back pitch in it.

You may need to fine sand the hole a little some proshops use a grit of sandpaper on the slugs that is enough to cause me sticking problems. Dry wall Sanding screen is the best solution I've ever found and I always keep a piece in my bag.

[LOUVIT]

You may need to fine sand the hole a little some proshops use a grit of sandpaper on the slugs that is enough to cause me sticking problems. Dry wall Sanding screen is the best solution I've ever found and I always keep a piece in my bag.


GREAT IDEA!, I used to do car work and wet sanding may just be the key....

thanks