Shorter span

[Jconner91]

So recently I went to a new PSO on a recommendation of a bowling friend. He watched me bowl and noticed that my span was a little long and wanted me to shorten it. This would help me in the long run and give me a more relaxed grip. He redrilled the fingertips and now its about 1/8" shorter. The grip feels great now with my thumb completely relaxed now upon release. The only thing is my revolutions have gone a bit down. I have only thrown 6 games with the new span and plan to practice this weekend at it but has anyone else noticed this? Maybe I am going crazy because it is so new but I read that the shorter span would give your more revolutions if anything. I shot about the same average in Mens league but I had to move 5 boards right and every strike was a light mixer. Cant wait to practice tomorrow.

[J Anderson]

So recently I went to a new PSO on a recommendation of a bowling friend. He watched me bowl and noticed that my span was a little long and wanted me to shorten it. This would help me in the long run and give me a more relaxed grip. He redrilled the fingertips and now its about 1/8" shorter. The grip feels great now with my thumb completely relaxed now upon release. The only thing is my revolutions have gone a bit down. I have only thrown 6 games with the new span and plan to practice this weekend at it but has anyone else noticed this? Maybe I am going crazy because it is so new but I read that the shorter span would give your more revolutions if anything. I shot about the same average in Mens league but I had to move 5 boards right and every strike was a light mixer. Cant wait to practice tomorrow.

Do you know what your rev rate actually was before or are you just assuming that from the less dramatic hook?

[foreverincamo]

I've got 9 balls drilled up, and the one with the longest span gives me the highest rev rate. The balls comes off my hand cleaner because the ball is lying on a flatter hand.

[bowl1820]

I have only thrown 6 games with the new span

This is the important part ^^^

You need to get use to the new grip, any rev's you might have lost will be made up for by the better feel and control you'll have on the ball.



I read that the shorter span would give your more revolutions if anything

It use to be the idea was to use longer spans to increase rev's, that's why so many bowler's were fitted with long spans with a ton of reverse thumb pitch.

But the trend now is to go to spans that are not stretched, but that fit more properly.


Might read Ron Clifton's article here:
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm05_files/btm5.htm

[Jconner91]

Update**

I practiced this weekend and bowled in my sport shot league last night. Revs are back after weakening my grip and bowled well. Cant wait for Mens league Thursday

[LOUVIT]

I'm curious as to why he moved the fingers instead of the thumb hole, wouldn't moving the finger holes affect the pin placement? I had my span shortened and they just moved the thumb up.

[Jconner91]

The thumb hole has a little crack on the rim and he didnt want to risk it. This ball is basically the test for a new span for future balls because I am about to buy 2 or 3 at one time.

[NewToBowling]

I'm curious as to why he moved the fingers instead of the thumb hole, wouldn't moving the finger holes affect the pin placement? I had my span shortened and they just moved the thumb up.

When I had my span adjusted they also moved the fingers instead of thumb. My guess is thumb fitment is more important and if you aren't complaining about thumb size/pitch better to leave it alone.

I also have a shortened span. If I lay my fingers across the finger holes the first crease will note be at center of hole but towards far end.

[LOUVIT]

When I had my span adjusted they also moved the fingers instead of thumb. My guess is thumb fitment is more important and if you aren't complaining about thumb size/pitch better to leave it alone.

I also have a shortened span. If I lay my fingers across the finger holes the first crease will note be at center of hole but towards far end.


that's how I did my span and most people think it's too short, but it's so much more comfortable, he just hammered in a thumb plug and moved it almost 1/4" up

[foreverincamo]

Everyone is different. I just don't get out of the shorter span like I do with the longer span. No matter what, your hand has to be soft and relaxed to get the revs and clean release.