Time to get switch grips for thumb.

[Blomer]

Planning on getting some switch grips for my balls. Too many times I come in and the center is too warm or too cold where my thumb can't fit in the hole it fits differently. When I can fit thumb in, my game is on, but lately, it's been swollen and bee throw in off my game. Not sure what my pro offers but it's being done Tuesday!

[KYDave]

I'm a bit on the fence about this. My pso of 24 years is 100% against them. When I went to the motiv demo last weekend it was the first time anyone has ever drilled a ball for me other than him and they almost always use them.

My guy can get the thumb right, or adjust til it is. I made it in there when my thumb was swollen and he made adjustments on all 3 balls. Now they all fit fine, or worst case a couple pieces of tape. So I dunno, maybe not necessary. But it would be nice to have 2 sizes and not have to fuss with tape.

The problem for me is usually my fingers. If I have inserts that fit one day, they are too tight the next. One size up and will fit great, then too loose another. Thats why I was looking at the insert remover, can switch insert size without chewing them up. At the demo, they had switch grip fingers which really may suit me more than the thumb.

[fokai73]

KYDave, your PSO is against them for you? Or against it all together?

Guys who clip their thumb holes like I do, more even with my spare ball, IT may not be good for high track players that do this - easily damage IT or SWITCH Grips. I have Vise IT in all my balls except my spare balls. I damage the holes on my spare balls often, so I keep it molded.

I asked my PSO to make a thumb mold (from my favorite thumb slug) for my IT and molds for my spare balls. Before I did IT system, I used thumb mold.

[fokai73]

Blomer good move, I've had IT for several years now and I do clip my thumb hole on the left edge on some balls. Or when I use my urethane as my spare ball end over end roll.. my local PSO and even buddiesprosho, both who drill my stuff, do a great job. I haven't had issues of damaged IT.

[ep1977]

Switching to VISE IT thumbs was a great move for me. My thumb has a tendency to swell after a couple of games and it's a pleasure to just take the thumb out and replace it with my bigger one. And I have more confidence making a ball switch as I know the ball will feel exactly the same.

[KYDave]

KYDave, your PSO is against them for you? Or against it all together?

Guys who clip their thumb holes like I do, more even with my spare ball, IT may not be good for high track players that do this - easily damage IT or SWITCH Grips. I have Vise IT in all my balls except my spare balls. I damage the holes on my spare balls often, so I keep it molded.

I asked my PSO to make a thumb mold (from my favorite thumb slug) for my IT and molds for my spare balls. Before I did IT system, I used thumb mold.

Against all together. Waste of money. His opinion is the shop should be good enough to make your thumb right to begin with and not need it.

I track fairly high but don't clip the thumb.

[bowl1820]

Against all together. Waste of money. His opinion is the shop should be good enough to make your thumb right to begin with and not need it.

Using interchangeable thumbs has nothing to with the shop being "good enough to make your thumb right to begin with". No matter how "perfect" you get your thumb fit in the shop, your thumb can change size (Some more than others) throughout the day or during the course of a series.

Interchangeable thumbs give a player the ability to change thumb hole sizes (if they choose/need too), Should their thumb change size do to swelling or shrinkage and also to be able switch the proper fit between balls if needed during the course of bowling.

More likely he just doesn't want (or have the customer demand) to go to the expense (which there is a start up cost) and trouble needed to stock & install them.

[KYDave]

Valid points 1820. I too see the benefit, but if I chose to go that route it would have to be thru another shop. I've had such a long relationship with him it would be tough to go elsewhere. Only ball not bought and drilled thru him was the ghost I got at the demo. I can only imagine what he would say to interchangeable fingers lol.

In the end, I guess it always comes down to what is best for you, the bowler. Sounds like Blomer (who's thread I've slightly derailed) is doing just that.

[Blomer]

Yeah, my thumb my changes too much. I could have the hole made larger, but I hate to play the tape game putting it in and taking it out. Talked to my PSO he said after the initial purchase and all the cost isn't much on a new ball.

[Stormed1]

As for you fingers you c ould go,with vacu-grips which would expand azs youfr fingers do. I went to them a couple years ago and was able to drop a full grip size. I have no issues when my fingers swell and still have a nice tight fit at the start of the night when my fingers are down.