Thumb blister.

[Chow-Chow]

I am having problem with my thumb getting blisters. It's right between the palm and the thumb. I took my ball to the pro shop and the pro shop guy kind of smooth the edge of the thumb hole a bit. It helps a bit, but I'm still getting blisters and pain from the blisters. What to do?

I was thinking of taking my balls to the pro shop and get the thumb hole fill and re-drill a bit closer towards the fingers. What do you guys think? My previous ball was drill at a different pro shop and the finger holes and thumb hole was a bit closer than how the other pro shop drill my others balls and I never had any blister problems.

[DanielMareina]

The most common reasons for a blister in that location are either your span between your fingers and thumb is too long, like you were saying, or your pitch is too far toward your palm. Any pro shop guy will try the easy fix first, which is beveling the edge of the hole first. Since that didn't work, I would recommend shortening your span by 1/16 of an inch or so. If you have them just put a bigger thumb slug in, or put one in if you don't have one already, it will save you having to wait a couple days to get it back from being plugged. They can put a thumb slug in, drill it with the new span, and drill your thumb hole back into it in about 15-20 minutes.

[mbg1977]

Also pickle rine or however you spell it will help with the healing of blisters this hasalways worked for me. Old baseball thing it works;)

[J Anderson]

Also pickle rine or however you spell it will help with the healing of blisters this hasalways worked for me. Old baseball thing it works;)

I think you mean pickle brine, otherwise known as the salty solution the pickles are packed in.

[wes909]

i have the same thing :(

[Stormed1]

As was mentioned above if you are talking about a blister at the base/web of your thumb it can be caused by too little bevel ( which the pro shop adjusted for you ) , span or pitch. I would take your old bsll with you to the shop and they can compare your fit between the 2 and adjust as necessary.

[wes909]

oh ok well i just beveled my new ball i think it may also be caused by not having your thumb deep enough in the ball

[poflobo]

Chow-Chow and wes909, I don't know how long y'all have been bowling or what type of instruction you have had, but no one has mentioned this.

First thing is using a DEATH grip on the ball will cause friction and blisters. Relaxing your grip will also help other problems such as aiming and/or causing you to muscle the ball.

Second thing. In the last couple of years, I have noticed several people that were inserting their hand into the ball improperly. Putting your thumb in first and then inserting the fingers will cause a friction point exactly as you describe from having to grip the ball too tight in order to hang on to it. Fingers should be inserted first, then the thumb, which will give you a comfortable feeling grip, more ball control and less pain.

Now if this doesn't apply to you, please forgive this old man and just ignore what I said!!! Hahaha.

[Chow-Chow]

Yesterday, I stopped by the pro shop and told the pro shop guy to plug my thumb hole and re-drill it closer. He is going to move it a eighth of a inch closer. I will get my ball back on Tuesday. If this goes well, I will also do the same for my other ball (spare ball). The only different thing (besides moving it closer). Is that I told the guy to re-drill the hole a size smaller and with no thumb slug. I like the feeling without the thumb slug better, than with it. I have my spare ball with finger grips and no thumb slug.

Thanks for the help peoples. And for poflobo, I don't death grip my balls and I do put my fingers in first, before the thumb. ;)

[owlish]

What about trying Nu-skin liquid bandage on the tender area? I had a hangnail on my thumb that got tender today and used Nu-skin on it and it helped a great deal.

[DanielMareina]

As for moving it closer, that is a good idea. I do recommend using a thumb slug though. On a spare ball, there isn't much of a difference in materials that you feel. Just the coverstock and the fill. With a ball with a core, if you hit the core with the thumb hole, your thumb will be touching coverstock, fill, and core. The three different materials have different feels and grit. This can cause for inconsistentcy in how the ball comes off your thumb. As for the NU Skin, that stuff works great, but you should always fix your balls to not cause you to blister or tear. If for some reason it does tear, but doesn't usually cause that problem, then NU skin is the way to go.

[Chow-Chow]

What about trying Nu-skin liquid bandage on the tender area? I had a hangnail on my thumb that got tender today and used Nu-skin on it and it helped a great deal.

I have and tried Brunswick Defense Skin Protector. It helps a bit, but after a few throws, it comes off. I also have a Brunswick Thumb Saver. It works great, but I can't get enough grip as I like on the ball with it on.

[DanielMareina]

Robby's NU skin is the best one. I have tried 4 different companies stuff and Robby's is the best. It won't grip well, like your finger, but it will keep your hand from hurting as much. Like I said before though, you don't want to have to have it on every time. Your pro shop guy should be able to fix the problem.

[Chow-Chow]

Got my ball back today. Tried it out and guess what? No blister or pain. I also love the no thumb slug, because the ball come out more smooth.

[DanielMareina]

I am glad that it all worked out for you! Good luck with the new balll!