Tearing my thumb up lately. What type of tape should I get?

[AZBowla]

Hi gang,

It's been awhile but I'm still around and still bowling. Put up an impressive series last night, 183, 174 and 201. I've made alot of improvements and also got some new inserts for my strike ball (the inserts have a flat edge for my fingertips which really help put revs on the ball), and I've really improved my spare shooting. My issue now is that my thumb is really taking a beating each time I bowl. My GF suggested I get some tape so I was wondering if anyone in the group had any recommendations as to what type to get or what brand they prefer.

Thanks all,
-AZ

[Greenday]

Are you squeezing the ball? I find that causes most of my problems with skin tearing.

I also had a thumb slug put in my balls and had it beveled for a smoother release. No rough edges where I put pressure on the ball. Haven't torn my thumb since.

[AZBowla]

Are you squeezing the ball? I find that causes most of my problems with skin tearing.

I also had a thumb slug put in my balls and had it beveled for a smoother release. No rough edges where I put pressure on the ball. Haven't torn my thumb since.

I might be, I don't know. I try to keep my grip relaxed but I find I have better control if I grip it a little bit. I also have somewhat of an odd release with my spare ball - it's similar to the way Sean Rash shoots a spare, with my hand on top of the ball sort of like a suitcase grip. I'll ask the guy at the pro shop if a thumb slug would be a better choice than tape. Thanks for the idea!

-AZ

[ecub]

Here's a link regarding bowling thumb injuries...
http://jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corn...s/fitting.html

[ecub]

Regarding tape, I've tried Vise Hada patch on the back of my thumb. Each color represents the thickness and release; Blue is supposed to be the quickest release. I found it to be kind of thick. I switched over to Turbo P2 Quick Release patch tape. This was slightly thinner than the Vise, as well as even a little more quicker to release.

[mxjosh]

I use the hada patch everytime i bowl. I develop thicker skin on the back of thumb when i dont use it. Sometimes theskin would tear or become raw. I now cant bowl without the patches.

[Hammer]

If your thumb is getting injured your span may be wrong. If not that then maybe your thumbhole forward or reverse pitch is wrong for you. Depending on where your thumb is taking a beating could be laterat pitch also. Throw in gripping the ball too hard also.

[SouthpawTRK]

Aloha AZ!!! Glad to see you back on the boards and great to hear that you are still busy bowling! Where is your thumb getting beat up at? I would definitely recommend using the Vise Hada patch. I like using the pre-cut variety in blue, the thinnest of the line. You can stretch the patch to make it even thinner or just apply it without stretching it. I bowled a lot of games last week on vacation and developed a callous/crack on my thumb; due to the quantity of games and me gripping a bit too much with my thumb. I bought a bottle of the Ebonite X-Tra skin and applied it before practice started for league last night; the stuff worked like a charm. It kept the callous/crack on my thumb sealed. Here are the links for the items that I mentioned:

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/...-tra-Skin.html

http://viseinserts.com/precut_hada.html

[AZBowla]

Thanks for all the tips! Hammer, you're right, squeezing the ball doesn't help. It may also be that the ball wasn't drilled quite right. I had quite a few issues with my thumb getting hung up in it and when I took it back the second time there was a different driller at the pro shop and he said "Yeah, the other guy tends to drill 'em a bit tight for most people. I'll fix it." Since then I've started going to a different shop and the owner there seems much more knowledgeable. My GF had her ball plugged and redrilled there and it's perfect for her. When I get a new ball, it's definitely going to this guy instead of the old shop I went to with my Marauder.

I'll take it down to this guy next time we go and have him check it out. I don't mind plugging and redrilling that thumb hole if it will help keep my thumb from getting all beat up.

-AZ

[Hammer]

It is hard not to squeeze the ball with your thumb. Actually if your thumbhole is drilled right you don't have to squeeze the ball to hold onto it. If your wrist is straight or a little cupped on the forward swing the momentum of the ball going forward will keep the ball in the palm of your hand and the weight of the ball on your fingertips if you keep your hand behind the ball and not have your wrist break backwards. All your thumb does is balance the ball it the swing. The reward for a light grip with the thumb is a fast exit of the thumb at the release position and the weight of the ball pulling off of your fingertips which will give you good revs from the swing momentum of the ball.