The Great Thumbhole Experiment

[Rdmonster]

If the boards have read my posts then some of you know that I have had thumb issues. Most notably numbness. Although I have gotten over the worst of it I am very careful. I can feel it ready to creep back up. I'm pretty sure I now know the true cause.....gripping the ball.

In the quest for better technique and proper form I read a lot. I was pretty sure I had a decent fitting thumb......I was wrong. In warmup for league me and the guys were messing around. My buddy and me decided to go at the same time on adjacent lanes (in practice). I was so relaxed that I didn't grip the ball at all...it fell right off my hand in the backswing. I didn't really think much of it at the time.

The more I thought about it the more I thought it was wrong. I read some articles about thumb holes and ran across a good one by Ron Clifton. It basically made me think my hole was way to loose.

When I got home from work I decided to do the test where you hold the ball super relaxed with it at your side.The ball fell right off after I finally overcame the desire to grip it.I then started adding tape.

I kept throwing practice tosses into my couch. When I messed up....the ball stuck like glue....when my hand was relaxed it came off like butter.Its gonna take a lot of work.....I'm convinced its still to loose.

I'm going to find my Zen spot and practice on Monday. I think I can get it because my practice throws have shown me its not going to stick if I do my part....Im up to five pieces tape.

My only concern is that my team (yes...my team...it was all my idea!!) is in first place...ive got my average to 156 and I've never done worse than winning two out of three all year.I don't want to mess it up.

Please add your thoughts and wish me luck.

[unclemantis]

If the boards have read my posts then some of you know that I have had thumb issues. Most notably numbness. Although I have gotten over the worst of it I am very careful. I can feel it ready to creep back up. I'm pretty sure I now know the true cause.....gripping the ball.

In the quest for better technique and proper form I read a lot. I was pretty sure I had a decent fitting thumb......I was wrong. In warmup for league me and the guys were messing around. My buddy and me decided to go at the same time on adjacent lanes (in practice). I was so relaxed that I didn't grip the ball at all...it fell right off my hand in the backswing. I didn't really think much of it at the time.

The more I thought about it the more I thought it was wrong. I read some articles about thumb holes and ran across a good one by Ron Clifton. It basically made me think my hole was way to loose.

When I got home from work I decided to do the test where you hold the ball super relaxed with it at your side.The ball fell right off after I finally overcame the desire to grip it.I then started adding tape.

I kept throwing practice tosses into my couch. When I messed up....the ball stuck like glue....when my hand was relaxed it came off like butter.Its gonna take a lot of work.....I'm convinced its still to loose.

I'm going to find my Zen spot and practice on Monday. I think I can get it because my practice throws have shown me its not going to stick if I do my part....Im up to five pieces tape.

My only concern is that my team (yes...my team...it was all my idea!!) is in first place...ive got my average to 156 and I've never done worse than winning two out of three all year.I don't want to mess it up.

Please add your thoughts and wish me luck.

Good luck!

Also take into concideration the overall tempature. My ball heats up during a game so the thumb feels smaller. I don't use my thumb at all but just letting you know it could be weather related.

A hole that is too big is better than one that is too small. You can always add tape.

Also visit your pro shop, they may have some ideas.

Again, GOOD LUCK!

[noeymc]

Good luck!

Also take into concideration the overall tempature. My ball heats up during a game so the thumb feels smaller. I don't use my thumb at all but just letting you know it could be weather related.

A hole that is too big is better than one that is too small. You can always add tape.

Also visit your pro shop, they may have some ideas.

Again, GOOD LUCK!

very good answer to his post!

[Rdmonster]

Ive had my proshop go over my stuff and they say the meaurements are fine but I know beyond a doubt that I am gripping the ball too much. My plan on Monday is to try to develop a relaxed hand feel even if I shoot a 50. Thinking about how much I hang up in this ball with no tape but how it falls out of my relaxed hand standing in my living room tells me it's to loose and I'm gripping when I bowl.

I want to develop the feeling of not holding on at all and having the ball fly out of my hand at release without me having to "let go of it". I can feel my hand tightening on it during the backswing. When I take a few practice tosses at home after putting lots of tape in the thumbhole it releases clean with out me grasping it.I make a conscious effort to keep the tip of my thumb ressing back...the opposite of grasping it. With no tape it just falls off...I'll be experimenting and letting everyone know if I learn anything or if I am totally wrong.

[unclemantis]

Ive had my proshop go over my stuff and they say the meaurements are fine but I know beyond a doubt that I am gripping the ball too much. My plan on Monday is to try to develop a relaxed hand feel even if I shoot a 50. Thinking about how much I hang up in this ball with no tape but how it falls out of my relaxed hand standing in my living room tells me it's to loose and I'm gripping when I bowl.

I want to develop the feeling of not holding on at all and having the ball fly out of my hand at release without me having to "let go of it". I can feel my hand tightening on it during the backswing. When I take a few practice tosses at home after putting lots of tape in the thumbhole it releases clean with out me grasping it.I make a conscious effort to keep the tip of my thumb ressing back...the opposite of grasping it. With no tape it just falls off...I'll be experimenting and letting everyone know if I learn anything or if I am totally wrong.

Let the ball do the work.

[scottymoney]

If you don't use your thumb how does the thumb hole feel smaller? And it has nothing to do with the ball heating up and everything to do with the thumb swelling or shrinking due to the weather. Your ball does not heat up enough to change the thumbhole size.

[SouthpawTRK]

Have you ever thought about using the interchangeable thumb systems on the market? There are a couple of guys in league that use them; having different sized ones for when their thumb may swell or shrink. I'm sure there are going to be mixed reviews on them, but definitely could be a possible solution.

[unclemantis]

If you don't use your thumb how does the thumb hole feel smaller? And it has nothing to do with the ball heating up and everything to do with the thumb swelling or shrinking due to the weather. Your ball does not heat up enough to change the thumbhole size.

Because I stick my thumb in it from time to time to pick the ball up from the return rack or out of the bag.

[Rdmonster]

Have you ever thought about using the interchangeable thumb systems on the market? There are a couple of guys in league that use them; having different sized ones for when their thumb may swell or shrink. I'm sure there are going to be mixed reviews on them, but definitely could be a possible solution.

I have but would rather conquer this fundamental issue before contemplating something like interchangeable thumbs. I'm sure it's technique related..if I can get it snug with tape and learn to keep my thumb from gripping the ball I will be very happy.

[unclemantis]

Just go thumbless. I have a high game of 225