Thumb swells over time?

[travkoiboi]

Have a few switch grips. One is snug before season, one is larger than thumb, and one is in the middle of those 2. Once season starts thumb swells, so I normally have to start with large switch grip then work way down as thumb develops a callas. I never break skin wear skin tape along thumb.

[Tampabaybob]

Switch grips have been a great invention for this type of problem. Years ago "before" switch grips the only way around the problem was to increase the size of the hole and use different layers of tape.

[billf]

Billf, Have you ever tried a thumb cover? I've been bouncing between my thumb cover, tape and just bare naked thumb. I have to say it is slightly wierd using the cover, but you get no friction or blisters on your hand.

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/...ht-Handed.html

This is the thumb cover I have and it works decent, but does make your thumb a bit bigger.

Never tried it. Thought about it but didn't lol

[DLP]

Switch grips - interesting concept! Never thought about (nor did I ask) if it were actually possible have thumb hole grips that you could swap back and forth between.

Bowling tonight, I wasn't do to bad with the ever so slightly adjusted thumb hole. Two things of note though:

1) Once again about 1/2 through the third game (so more tolerable than previously) my thumb was really sticking. I found that wrapping the towel around my thumb only worked for a little while. What ended up giving me greater relief to the sticky thumb issue was what was also mentioned. Put towel over thumb, insert thumb into hole and work at it until it fits with towel over thumb. After doing that I saw immediate relief and finished out the came with two strikes and 9 pines (while previously I was lucky to drop 7 pins at a time).
So thanks for the advice, whoever recommended that one

2) I wear a wrist brace I got when I first started bowling. What I've run into, without the brace, my thumb sticks really really bad. Like, I may need to go run and get the salad dressing, bad. With the brace on, it isn't a problem until actual thumb swelling occurs. Could wearing the brace (since it comes across between the webbing between my thumb and index finger) be changing the shape of my hand and acting like some type of hand fat girdle?

[classygranny]

I just had my two new balls done with interchangeable thumb grips and I LOVE THEM. I have three sizes, but so far I have only been able to use 2 - that 3rd one will come in handy in cooler weather. I come out of the ball great and both balls feels exactly the same. Anyone with thumb changing sizes should seriously consider this option - I would pay double the price they are as it is well worth it! - but don't tell my ProShop guy...lol.

[DLP]

Talked to the pro today and the interchangeable grips are probably the direction I'll end up going. I talked to the pro today and he has them in his shop so it is only a matter of time!
Planning on working with him early next week with tape to see if I can get some control of the immense amount of swelling that is occurring over the span of just three games. I know summer is a heck of a time to bowl with the humidity and heat but being in a/c doing something I love, so there!!!

[billf]

What part of your thumb is swelling? The tip, knuckle, base or all three?

[DLP]

From just behind knuckle to base.

[billf]

Have the pro shop help you with tape. It will helpo come out quicker. Here's what you don't want to hear: you're bending your thumb in the ball causing the irritation. This is a common problem. The hole is too big giving the impression to your brain that the ball will fall off your hand. Keep all the pressure between your index finger and base of the thumb. Think about keeping your thumb bent backwards, like you want the nail to rub the ball. Chances are you will be like 75% of people and the nail won't rub.

If you're not using fingertip grip, disregard all I said above. Then get fingertip grips and try again.

[Tampabaybob]

Bill's correct, I used to knuckle the ball for years, so I always had a much larger thumb hole and played the tape game. Finally a buddy of mine, at a pro shop asked me to give him a ball and let him plug it to solve the problem. Without telling me what he did, he drilled it and told me to go out and try it. I was like WOW !! He drilled the thumb hole "smaller" but changed the pitches on the thumb. No more knot on the back of my thumb, no more sore thumb, and VERY SELDOM, do I ever use tape. So have your guy in the proshop check your thumb pitches as well and maybe he can cure that. But the interchangeable grips would still be a great option for you.