My thumb keeps splitting open - pic inside

[Batmite]

Hello everyone.

My thumb keeps splitting open on the right side. I've enclosed a picture to show you.

thumb.jpg

Also, you kind folks have tried to help me with my horrible back swing. Here is a video.



I do like a snug thumb hole otherwise I drop the ball. I also tend to loft the ball. I took the summer off and my ball speed went down to 11.2 instead of the usual 13-14.

Thanks for all the help.

[10-in-the-pit]

I'm pretty sure your thumb is bent and not relaxed/straight in the thumb hole. Too much friction is rubbing against your thumb. As you say above, your backswing is funky and is something you should fix as well. Try using tape to protect your thumb first. You will probably need to open the hole to accomodate the tape.

[Batmite]

I'm pretty sure your thumb is bent and not relaxed/straight in the thumb hole. Too much friction is rubbing against your thumb. As you say above, your backswing is funky and is something you should fix as well. Try using tape to protect your thumb first. You will probably need to open the hole to accomodate the tape.

This all started when I started going into my slump last year. I never had a problem prior to this.

Thanks for the tip.

[billf]

Did the backswing start at the same time? I don't see how you can not grip the ball with the big loop in your swing.

[cane]

I feel the chicken dance would be an appropriate soundtrack!


Check out Ron C's magic carpet.

[billf]

I feel the chicken dance would be an appropriate soundtrack!


Check out Ron C's magic carpet.

Not no but HELL NO! That stuff made my thumb worse when I was gripping. Shur-cushion wasn't as durable but was far more gentle on the thumb. Then Ron C's magic carpet when the gripping is over.

[Batmite]

I've never had a straight back swing but it has progressively gotten worse. I was averaging 230 and now I can't shoot 180 on a house condition. My thumb has been bothering me for awhile. I just can't get the hang of the free arm swing.

[cane]

Not no but HELL NO! That stuff made my thumb worse when I was gripping. Shur-cushion wasn't as durable but was far more gentle on the thumb. Then Ron C's magic carpet when the gripping is over.

Even if he were to re-drill the thumbhole to a larger size?

[billf]

Most gripping occurs due to the hole being too large already. The carpet should wait until the cut has completely, fully, totally healed at a minimum. The carpet continually caught the hanging skin on my thumb and kept re-opening it. Once healed then the carpet is a great tool to learn how tight you can really get the thumb hole and still get the thumb out.

[ArtVandelay]

Ditto to let it heal completely before bowling again. Could take weeks, but I'm sure it would be worth it.

I dunno if it would defeat the purpose, but my thumb hole is rather snug. I put a bit of ultra glide on my thumb every now and then, and that allows the thumb to remain snug in the ball, BUT it reduces the friction on the release.

I do that because my hands sweat (I live in Texas... It gets hot here...), and when my thumb gets sweaty it gets stuck in the ball. But now I do it even in the winter when I'm less likely to sweat. I just like the smoother release.