How do know if my span is too wide?

[LOUVIT]

I think I'd be real comfy with a semi fingertip as my fingers and hands are stiff also. I just don't think that will do it these day's. My ball is right here and today I can't even get my hand in it without pain. I do not know how I shot 20 games or so with it. I need to realize that 25 years ago I cranked with a rubber or plastic ball yea 25 years ago.I am not the same as I was back then. It's a mental thing...lol

[bowl1820]

wish I had a shop that would take the time to fit me. As I said in another thread I know my span is too long and I know he will just plug and drill the thumb for me without anything else. Since I am new to the shop it seems they just drill and say good...I'll be going tomorrow to see if they will take some time with me. I can't tell them what to do I know nothing about pitch or pap's etc.

Well when you go to the proshop you have to speak up, if you don't know something you got to ask.

You tell them about any problems your having, what you think the problem might be and you discuss how to fix it.

If they say we can do this, we can do that and you don't understand or want to know more you ask.

One of the main parts of working with the PSO is talking about what you want or need and determining the best way to accomplish those goals.

[LOUVIT]

Well when you go to the proshop you have to speak up, if you don't know something you got to ask.

You tell them about any problems your having, what you think the problem might be and you discuss how to fix it.

If they say we can do this, we can do that and you don't understand or want to know more you ask.

One of the main parts of working with the PSO is talking about what you want or need and determining the best way to accomplish those goals.

you are right! I need to do that. Problem is all I know is that the finger holes are a bit tight and the span is for sure too wide. how do I know if I need a certain pitch or something. I don't think I should have started this in this thread. sorry.

[bowl1820]

you are right! I need to do that. Problem is all I know is that the finger holes are a bit tight and the span is for sure too wide. how do I know if I need a certain pitch or something. I don't think I should have started this in this thread. sorry.

See those are things to tell the PSO.

The PSO determines the starting pitches for you.

Once drilled you have to watch your fingers as you use the ball overtime for signs of rubbing, callousing etc. in spots, because these can be signs that the pitches need to be adjusted.

If you notice something like that, you need to bring it to the PSO's attention for possible correction.

The thing to remember about getting fitted for the first time is that starting grip might need to be tweaked (adjusted) until it is a perfect fit.

[LOUVIT]

I have maybe 25 games on the new track Heat with a new release. I guess this is why it took so long for me to realize that it wasn't right. When I got the cut on the creese of my thumb I went in and he beveled the thumb hole. After this week for some reason my hand and fingers really hurt like they were stretched. So I will start with the span and take it from there. I'm still waiting on the Storm Phaze I won from here and I want to get the Track right so he has a ball to copy from when the Storm is drilled

[ytlas]

IMHO I wouldn't be in a hurry to get any other balls drilled out until you can resolve the problem with your current ball. It's possible the ball driller screwed up but it's also possible that the ball driller isn't very good. Might be a good idea to chat with other bowlers and find out where they get their work done.

I feel that if you bring in a "Hi Tech" ball to get drilled, the PSO should ask to see the ball you've been using the most so he/she can map out your PAP. Virtually all in box instructions have layouts based on the PAP and whether you track hi, low, or throw a full roller. If the PSO doesn't ask to look at your current equipment, that would be a red flag in my book

[LOUVIT]

IMHO I wouldn't be in a hurry to get any other balls drilled out until you can resolve the problem with your current ball. It's possible the ball driller screwed up but it's also possible that the ball driller isn't very good. Might be a good idea to chat with other bowlers and find out where they get their work done.

I feel that if you bring in a "Hi Tech" ball to get drilled, the PSO should ask to see the ball you've been using the most so he/she can map out your PAP. Virtually all in box instructions have layouts based on the PAP and whether you track hi, low, or throw a full roller. If the PSO doesn't ask to look at your current equipment, that would be a red flag in my book

I must say that the PSO really had nothing to go by. When I first came back 4 months ago I was using a 15 year old ball and my release was all wrong. I bought the Track Heat and started a proper release with some coaching from tampabaybob. Like I said I have maybe 25 games on the new Track and there isn't a mark on it, it doesn't even pick up oil to see the line on it at least I can't see anything...tampabaybob advised the pso how to drill it for me as far as pin and stuff. I may have stretched my hand when he measured. Even the first day I threw it I thought the span was long but I just figured I'd have to get used to it. Now that I am learning a bit about all this I know it's 1/4 to 1/2" too long and once in a while it won't come off my thumb and I'll pull the ball.

[LOUVIT]

Had the ball fixed today moved the thumb 1/4" up. the PSO (Tom Dougherty) said it was correct as it he said the first knuckle should be in the center of the finger hole but it's all in how it feels to me.
Before pictures are in this thread. here are the after pics.
We talked for a while and maybe he will remember me. Today he was very attentive and answered all my questions and said to keep him up to date with my progress and needs.

[ytlas]

Looking at your before and after pictures, I can't help but notice that your ring finger offset (to the middle finger) in the pictures is short. That could just be camera angle. Many PSO measure and drill the ring finger 1/16"-1/8" longer than the middle but that's not always corect even if it's fitted that way. The true test is if you notice a little more "pull" on your ring finger during release.

Bill Taylor outlined it in his book, Fitting and Drilling a bowling ball. Place I worked for a couple of years was the distributor of BT Enterprise products.

[bowl1820]

Looking at your before and after pictures, I can't help but notice that your ring finger offset (to the middle finger) in the pictures is short. That could just be camera angle. Many PSO measure and drill the ring finger 1/16"-1/8" longer than the middle but that's not always corect even if it's fitted that way. The true test is if you notice a little more "pull" on your ring finger during release.

Bill Taylor outlined it in his book, Fitting and Drilling a bowling ball. Place I worked for a couple of years was the distributor of BT Enterprise products.

What picture in this thread do you see his ring finger hole in?

A lot of the time when people look at the holes drilled on the ball, they think the ring finger span is shorter because the hole appears dropped compared to the other.

But most of the time (but not all) the ring finger span is typically longer than the middle finger span, it just appears shorter.

What Bill Taylor said in his book was just that you shouldn't automatically assume that the ringer finger is longer.

From "Bill Taylors Fitting Drilling A Bowling Ball":
"You should not automatically assume that a ring finger span is 1/8th or 1/4th inch longer than the center finger, It is a very poor habit."

That's why you need to measure both spans.