Bowling tape intro...

[scruffwhor]

Hey guys and gals,

I bowled my first league in twelve years this '13 Summer. Now I'm in a fall league and, of course, my thumb gets a little smaller with each colder day in the Chicagoland area.

It's time I add some tape to my bag. After doing some research, there seems to be a lot of options as far as different kinds of tape goes.

Would you folks mind giving me a primer on what brand or type of tape I should consider depending on my release and thumb size at the time.

Thanks folks!!

[scruffwhor]

...also.... I've seen some sites make it seem like you put the tape on your finger and some go into the ball.

I've always assumed tape is added or removed from the fingers only.

please clarify..

[noeymc]

as you can already tell tape comes in all types some go in the ball others on your thumb i use the kind that goes into the ball with the rough patch on it, its all up to personal preference really i try to buy the thinnest i can so that i can keep adding if needed but i might just need a 1/16th of a inch to make it work again or even a 32nd so i mean really tape is a personal choice none of it is bad remember u can always add if needed thin is better if you ask me

[MICHAEL]

I would be lost without my tape!! I buy the brand that you put ON YOUR THUMB, not in the ball! I guess both work, just a lot less effort putting it on the thumb where the problem area is.

They come in different textures, and to a degree thickness! The brand I use comes in different colors, that correspond to different textures. Without the tape I would get blisters, but with it I can bowl, and have in the past with THE BOWLING GOD, JASON,, many games without any thumb discomfort

[bowl1820]

The other pretty well have it down.

There are basically three types, with different versions of each (Thickness,Width, Textures)

The grip tapes that go in the front of the thumb hole to help grip. ( They technically increase your span a little also) example The White bowlers tape

The smooth tapes that go in the back of the thumb hole, Basically making the hole smaller. example the Black bowlers tape

Then there's the tapes that are applied to the thumb itself. Example Turbo Tape

Another option is the interchangeable thumb inserts, where you can have several different size holes to switch too. Example Switch-grips

As for which one to use, it's all a matter of feel, what you like.

[bowlerRob2]

I use both the "in hole" grip tape and the "on thumb" tape. As Bowling God Michael alluded to, the tape you wear on your thumb will eliminate blisters and torn skin. Knowing where to place it depends on your pressure points, but I just use one strip along the outside of my thumb. Here is a video on that kind of tape:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1negmAlOlfU


The other kind of tape goes inside your ball in the thumb hole (this is different kind of tape) and Bowling God Bowl1820 did a good job of explaining that there is smooth and rough, each coming in different thicknesses. Here is a video on that kind of tape:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8PEAPkYAM0


You will have to do some experimenting with tape to see what works best for you. You may not need both in hole and on thumb or you may need a combination of both like I use. And of course you will have to enough room in your thumb hole to still fit your thumb.

Also consider getting a pair of kiddie scissors to put in your bag (no sharp ends to punch holes in your bag). That way you can make on-the-fly tape adjustments at the lane side. Best of luck!

[scruffwhor]

I never felt that I needed any tape until the colder days of fall creeped up.

I don't like the idea of putting tape on my thumb, but inside the ball I have no problem.

Maybe I should just start with inside the finger hole tape first and figure out my comfort level.

then move on from there.

[bowl1820]

One thing if someone is having to use tape to eliminate blisters and torn skin, then they should have their fit checked. A well fitting grip shouldn't be causing those type of problems.

[dnhoffman]

One thing if someone is having to use tape to eliminate blisters and torn skin, then they should have their fit checked. A well fitting grip shouldn't be causing those type of problems.

+1

You should be able to bowl 10 games a day easy with no blistering, if that's occurring then your fit is wrong and is probably limiting your game as well.

[scruffwhor]

blistering or thumb pain is not an issue for me.

sometimes I bowl three practice games prior to league play. no thumb pain what so ever or blistering.

but I do notice a difference in the looseness in the thumb hole.

hence the thumb tape suggestion thread.