So I bought a wrist device....

[Big Nick]

Earlier this week, while bowling with my wife, I was experiencing some wrist pain and I decided to pull out my Robby's Cool-Max to see if it would help. I had used it in the past, but had never really noticed any difference in my game with it on versus when I wasn't using it. However, on this particular day it made quite a difference, and seeing the difference it made I decided to look into an adjustable wrist device. My intention was never to turn to it for full-time use, but to use it during practice and during league when my carpal-tunnel was acting up. I called around to a couple of pro shops and found a Robby's Revs I, and I went and picked it up. I didn't get a chance to use it on the night I bought it, but I did put it on once I got home and it felt really foreign even with it set to some of the most minimal settings.

So, fast forward to this afternoon after work. My wife and I go to practice and straight out of the box I roll a 175 followed by a 202. It was amazing how much I didn't have to try with the wrist support on. It was just pick my spot, swing, and watch all the pins fall down. During the third game, I started bowling a few frames without it and then I'd bowl a few with it to see if I could hold the position on my own. The 3rd and 4th games weren't great scoring games, at all, but I did find that my wrist was strong enough to hold the position without the brace.

After the 4th game, my wife was ready to go but I was able to talk her into one more game. I rolled the 5th game without the brace, and it was my finest game of the afternoon, a 211 (I know some of you guys score better than that in your sleep, but it was quite the accomplishment for me). In 5 games I went from thinking of wristers as a form of cheating to falling in love with the one that I bought. Given my performance without it in the 5th game, I intend to bowl my league games without it, but I will be using it during practice so as to better train my wrist and forearm for the stronger release that I've been working on. My usual release before today was that of a stroker, but now I'm easily into the tweener range. I was quite a kick to get to stand on board 35 and play the 3rd arrow instead of standing near center and playing just right of the 2nd.

Long story short, I think they're worth a try, especially as a training aid.

[Tampabaybob]

Do not think of the device as "cheating". Every person has some physical limitations, especially if you already know you have Carpal tunnel (OMG !). Don't be afraid to use it. If someone says something stupid to you about it, tell them you bought it to smack dummies in the head that think it's used for cheating. This will protect your wrist and lengthen the years you'll be able to bowl with a bad wrist.

Bob

[billf]

I have one and use it when I need to. It was a Godsend as a training device. I've owned several over the years. If I feel the need at league, I will wear it. I'm the last person that cares what other people in my center think or say. It's the final score that matters.
Shannon O'Keefe wears one (as do a lot of female pros). I recently learned it wasn't to strengthen her wrist or help get revs. Hers is to keep her from over revving the ball. Turns out she easily becomes rev dominant and that messes up her accuracy. Given how pretty she is, I bet most men don't even notice she has wrists anyway.

[Tampabaybob]

Agreed about Shannon ! Not paying attention to her wrist.

Bob

[Doghouse Reilly]

I just startefd using one a Mongoose, looks to be helping so far. It sure showed me what I was doing wronng with out it.. I could feel my wrist pushing back againjt it. So I started trying to hold my wrist firmer in the glove.

[Big Nick]

Do not think of the device as "cheating". Every person has some physical limitations, especially if you already know you have Carpal tunnel (OMG !). Don't be afraid to use it. If someone says something stupid to you about it, tell them you bought it to smack dummies in the head that think it's used for cheating. This will protect your wrist and lengthen the years you'll be able to bowl with a bad wrist.

Bob

Trust me, I don't think of it as cheating any more. In fact, I've already recommended to my wife that she get one. She's been having trouble achieving a consisten release, and I think a wrister would provide her with some valuable feedback.

[Zothen]

I've been using The Scorpian adjustable wrist brace and it works great. Back in '90 I had a ganglion cyst in the right wrist joint caused by using 16lbs ball,being in 3 leagues and bowling 30 pratice games a week. Had surgery and doctor told me to wear a brace when I bowl. No more problems and no pain!

Zothen

[jimlc2001]

I've used one for the past 3 years. and it had helped my scores tremendously. A month ago, I tried to ween off the brace, but pulled something in my wrist while trying to increase revs. So, back to the brace...until the wrist heals. I really would like to be able to control my revs and track without the support.

[Tampabaybob]

It's unfortunate that a lot of people consider them as a crutch or as something illegal. They serve a purpose, just as do bowling shoes with adjustable pads for sliding. Nobody thinks that's an advantage when someone you bowl with changes their pad to slide better and maybe the other person just has a normal pair of shoes. It's a sport and competition. Just like in golf, look how the size of drivers has changed over the last many years. It gives the players an advantage, but in the case of a wrist guard it may serve as a strengthener for those with problem wrists.

Other bowlers that are against them need to get a life. They serve a purpose and that's all there is to it. It's probably saved a lot of people from quitting the game because of pain.

Bob

[billf]

I heard on a PBA telecast a few years ago when Mike Scroggins was bowling in a major, Randy Pederson made the comment how so few pros use a brace. Rob Stone asked Scroggins competition after is he felt it gave Scroggins an unfair advantage. I think it was Wes Malott but not positive. Anyway, the reply was, "If I needed one I would wear one. It's not an unfair advantage as I am afforded the same opportunity to wear one, if I choose to."
Which I thought was an excellent point. The pro shop will sell them to anyone so if you think it's an unfair advantage, then go buy one yourself.