To tuck or not to tuck?

[ursus]

That is the question.

What exactly is tucking your pinky supposed to do? Does it have a very big effect?

[bowl1820]

That is the question.

What exactly is tucking your pinky supposed to do? Does it have a very big effect?

Basically it is suppose to give you a few more revs.

[JerseyJim]

It also causes the ball to skid a bit more which will save energy for the breakpoint.

[billf]

Try it, you might like it. I go back and forth depending on how my ball is reacting that day. However, doing so I have caught myself tucking DURING my swing which is real bad. I get a few more revs but more importantly it goes a little longer and hooks harder.

[ursus]

It looks painful for some reason. I will have to mess around a bit and see if I like it and has a noticable effect.

[got_a_300]

If the heads are a little on the dry side I will do one of three things I
either tuck my pinky or bring it in next to my fingers or use a little loft
on the ball to get a little more distance down the lane before before the
ball breaks.

[martin]

it can be a little painful if you're not used to it, but when you get used to it, very useful to tuck the pinky..

[MICHAEL]

it can be a little painful if you're not used to it, but when you get used to it, very useful to tuck the pinky..

If tucking it causes pain, just remove the pinky!! Not that important in regards to every day functioning!! I know when Jason mentioned to me that moving the little digit closer to the the ring finger, it would help with rev's, he was correct! Moving it right up against the ring finger, might also be less costly then having it removed! Thumbs are much more important then insignificant pinkie finger, I highly recommend keeping your thumb when bowling thumbless! Simple tasks like zipping pants, try buttoning a shirt without your thumb.... I had a young Iron Worker Friend that lost his!! Don't be dumb, Keep that Thumb!! Keep that pinky, move it next to the ringie!! lol (:)

[billf]

I never experienced pain when tucking. It felt odd the first five minutes but that was it. Seems quite natural actually.

[got_a_300]

Back during the stone age when all we had were worn out wood lanes that
soaked up all the oil in the heads in a minute or two I always tucked in my
pinky. I tucked it so much that I had a great big callous on my pinky knuckle
next to my pinky nail but it got the ball through the dry heads.

[billf]

You're describing our lanes. 60 years old and real wood. Getting their last sanding this summer. Of course I've been hearing that since I started bowling 6 years ago.

[The German Shepherd]

Don Carter (the great) taught that tucking your pinky finger helps to strengthen the weakest part of your hand by creating a support for the ball.

Jay

[martin]

Back during the stone age when all we had were worn out wood lanes that
soaked up all the oil in the heads in a minute or two I always tucked in my
pinky. I tucked it so much that I had a great big callous on my pinky knuckle
next to my pinky nail but it got the ball through the dry heads.

same here.. i have callous on the knuckle when i tucked my pinky in.. but now i'm used to it, it doesn't happen anymore

[martinezsam2495]

It all depends on the situation, sometimes that little tuck can give you the advantage!

[martinezsam2495]

I'm planning on hitting 100 posts soon, so your going to see me around :)
This is a great community.

[eugene02]

same here.. i have callous on the knuckle when i tucked my pinky in.. but now i'm used to it, it doesn't happen anymore

you can also put some protective tape over... so it will prevent any more from growing.. for new players maybe.. for me, i'm using tape on my palm just right under the index finger and 1 on the thumb to enable quicker release.. thats why..

[MICHAEL]

Question: What differance is it when tucking the little finger, or just moving it tight up against the ring finger, like I do now???

[billf]

The difference is more length with energy saved for more back end reaction. It varies person to person due to finger size, tilt, style and rev rate. Try it your next practice session and see what you think. I see roughly 12 more inches in length before it hooks. And yes, I'm talking about bowling.

[martin]

you can also put some protective tape over... so it will prevent any more from growing.. for new players maybe.. for me, i'm using tape on my palm just right under the index finger and 1 on the thumb to enable quicker release.. thats why..

just a question.. will putting tape on my pinky cause the pinky to slide off the ball and cause havoc? i currently only use tape on the thumb for quicker release..

[billf]

just a question.. will putting tape on my pinky cause the pinky to slide off the ball and cause havoc? i currently only use tape on the thumb for quicker release..

If you use white thumb tape it won't slide off. Trial and error to see what you are the most comfortable with...sorry

[martin]

i usually use black tape..

[TheSheibs]

I gave this a shot last time I went bowling. I must say that it felt weird and hurt my pinky. It also felt so weird. The first time I did it I got a strike but didn't notice any difference in how the ball moved down the lane. The second and third time I did this I only noticed how much it hurt my finger. I guess this is another thing that is different for left handed bowlers. I think as far as how I bowl, I will never be trying this technique again. But I had to try it before I commented on it.

[billf]

degree rotation
I gave this a shot last time I went bowling. I must say that it felt weird and hurt my pinky. It also felt so weird. The first time I did it I got a strike but didn't notice any difference in how the ball moved down the lane. The second and third time I did this I only noticed how much it hurt my finger. I guess this is another thing that is different for left handed bowlers. I think as far as how I bowl, I will never be trying this technique again. But I had to try it before I commented on it.

You stated in another thread how you come way up the side of the ball, like a 90 degree rotation. That may have some part of the pain and lack of reaction. Not sure but may be possible. At least you tried it and now know that for you it's a no go.

[TheSheibs]

I tried it that way and then the other times I put my hand under the ball and it still hurt and felt very strange to me. But at least I was willing to try it out on a few throws before coming to a conclusion. We all have our own style and tricks that we use like this that help us as individual bowlers. Somethings work, and something don't. This is one that I just didn't like after trying it. The other thing I tried was how far my index finger and pinky finger from my middle and ring finger. That made a difference but I didn't take the time to really analyze what the difference was. Maybe i'll do that next time I go bowling.

[billf]

I was told to help flatten the ball out to extend the pinky and put the index finger as close as possible to the middle finger. I haven't remembered to try this when I'm actually at the bowling alley though. Usually remember on the way home.

[kev3inp]

Tucking the pinky seems to tighten up the span a little and get a few more revs. I don't do it because I've broken the tip of my left pinky and it doesn't quite bend like it should. There's a Ron Clifton article out there somewhere about "finger dancing," that talks about finger placements.

[kev3inp]

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip11.htm

I found it.

[TheSheibs]

That was interesting. I'll have to try that next time. Seems that I was missing moving the index finger out. That could be why I didn't notice a difference.

[ursus]

Was going to try that today but totally forgot. Gotta remember next practice session

[martin]

it does help rev up the ball a little but not by much..

[Smiles]

I just tried this tonight during practice, and it hurt for the first two or three throws. After that I didn't feel anything. I actually liked how the ball rolled. Might continue to practice this way and see how it turns out :p

[ursus]

I also tried it today. It did have a moderate amount of pain on a few throws. I didn't notice a huge differnece in the way the ball rolled, maybe a gain of a foot or so in length. I might play around with it some more.

[eugene02]

me too might try it again next week when i'm going for bowling..

[Smiles]

For me I noticed significantly more hook for some reason. It would go long, and at the end just rip left. I'm still learning to bowl with three fingers right now so I'm bowling down and in. Might be why I'm seeing such a big difference compared to others.

[billf]

When playing down and in, the extra foot in length and the resulting hook give the optical illusion of being stronger than when the lanes are opened up more. Nothing wrong with down and in. Play around with it and see how close to the gutter you can learn to play. It's an area seldom used due to fear but plays well on a THS.

Since when is a foot not a huge difference in this sport? Keep playing with it an it will surprise you how you can manipulate reaction with this.

[blong4133]

I've just always done it. It doesn't feel right if the pinky is laying flat on the ball.

I really think it's just a matter of personal preference, because the effect that tucking the pinky has is minimal and doesn't really make a difference...at least in my opinion.

[ursus]

Lanes were bone dry tonight and my ball was hooking like crazy, kept moving left, sped up delivery still couldn't barely hit the head pin, so I thought I would give the pinky tuck a try. Gave me the length I needed to at least hit the head pin. I still think I had more Brooklyn's than pocket strikes but the pinky tuck salvaged my night and made me a believer.

Still had some pain tucking my pinky but it subsided a little by the 3rd game.

[Hot_pocket]

I used to tuck my pinky but I switch between having it next to my ring finger or spread it gives 2 different feelings and for me when I spread it it creates more revs and helps me stay under the ball also giving me more control

[billf]

I used to tuck my pinky but I switch between having it next to my ring finger or spread it gives 2 different feelings and for me when I spread it it creates more revs and helps me stay under the ball also giving me more control


Just goes to show how the same thing works differently for people. I spread my pinky to decrease revs. I agree with the control part.