Thumb Sticking…then slipping...

[Aslan]

So, after 4-5 months of starting this whole bowling journey I'm on…I'd say my number one aggravation is my thumb.

When I first got the ball drilled, the thumb hole was very tight, so the driller sanded it down just a bit. He told me to use the ebonite powder to make it a little more slick. And if it really felt tight regardless of the powder, to go from using powder to taping the back of my thumb with turbo tape.

So…I've been doing that. But, what happens is…I'll use some powder…throw it once, twice, three times, four times, five times…THEN PLUP…thumb sticks…ball goes high in the air and bounces left of target. So…back to the powder I go! But…first throw…into the right gutter…ball slips off my thumb. Then, again, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 throws….fine…then PLUP…sticks!! Then powder…ball slips…into the gutter. Rinse, repeat…

I mean, it isn't a "huge" deal…because I haven't had a 300 game ruined by it or anything. But today in practice…I missed a clean game by one frame. Actually, I almost had a clean game THREE times out of 9 games. But in the final of the 3…the thumb stuck a little as I picked up a 9 /. So, I powdered the thumb…it felt fine…I threw the ball…it slipped off and went in the right gutter. I only could get 9 pins with the 2nd throw. Frames 3-10…clean game.

Now, I know Iceman advocates the tape. And I actually have had more success with the tape than the powder so I agree with him. The issue I have with the tape is…it falls off. You have to get your hand completely clean and completely dry. If you do, it'll stay stuck for 1-2 games. But after 1-2 games, it starts to come off your thumb and bunches up. Not to mention it's about 50 cents per piece.

So has anyone else struggled with your thumb sticking then slipping then sticking then slipping?? What were your experiences? Thanks.

[bowlerRob2]

I had horrible problems with my thumb UNTIL I got oval thumb slugs put in. Then all my thumb problems went ***Poof*** .... gone.. You didn't mention what kind of thumb hole you have, but they usually start you out with round ones without even looking at the shape of your thumb. It took me going through two pro shops before I found one that diagnosed the problem correctly. Anyway, now I have plenty of wiggle room for thumb tape and the tape stays on all three games. (I never use powder). No more cramming my thumb in the ball and no sticking anymore. So that is my experience anyway. HTH.

[vdubtx]

Aslan, not sure if you will read this as I saw you have me on ignore per the chat window.

I would do away with the tape on your thumb as you say you have trouble with it staying on. I can't use the tape on thumb as it does the same thing. I sweat too much from my hands during bowling. Constantly using the hand drier before each shot.

My advice would be to use the black or white tape in the thumb hole. White tape which is textured goes in the front of the thumb hole where you grip, black tape if needed goes in the back of the thumb hole.

I just started using tape this past summer and currently only use 1 piece of white tape. With the winter about to set in, I would imagine I may have to add a piece due to my thumb shrinking with the cooler weather.

In any case, it is all trial and error until you find the exact right solution for you.
Good luck.

[Perrin]

you could also consider the tiered taping method. It helps to prevent thumb bending

'Change your damn tape' on Facebook

or you can also read about it on Joe Slowinski's site

[Bunny]

you could also consider the tiered taping method. It helps to prevent thumb bending

'Change your damn tape' on Facebook

or you can also read about it on Joe Slowinski's site

Do all Slowinski's tips have "damn" in the title?

[Aslan]

Aslan, not sure if you will read this as I saw you have me on ignore per the chat window.

That was a fib.

I would do away with the tape on your thumb as you say you have trouble with it staying on. I can't use the tape on thumb as it does the same thing. I sweat too much from my hands during bowling. Constantly using the hand drier before each shot.

Yeah, it's too bad because the tape really works well and I know Iceman swears by it (and he IS my hero and all)...but I can't usually get it to stay on more than 2 games.

My advice would be to use the black or white tape in the thumb hole. White tape which is textured goes in the front of the thumb hole where you grip, black tape if needed goes in the back of the thumb hole.

I just started using tape this past summer and currently only use 1 piece of white tape. With the winter about to set in, I would imagine I may have to add a piece due to my thumb shrinking with the cooler weather.

If I add tape to the hole, that'll just make it stick worse. I added tape to my tri-grip ball because the thumb hole was a little "off" or maybe slightly too big. But to add tape to my Frantic thumb hole which is very snug...I'd never get my thumb in there...it'd be an even worse situation. Are you suggesting I have it drilled/sanded to be a bigger hole and then use tape?

[vdubtx]

That was a fib.


Yeah, it's too bad because the tape really works well and I know Iceman swears by it (and he IS my hero and all)...but I can't usually get it to stay on more than 2 games.



If I add tape to the hole, that'll just make it stick worse. I added tape to my tri-grip ball because the thumb hole was a little "off" or maybe slightly too big. But to add tape to my Frantic thumb hole which is very snug...I'd never get my thumb in there...it'd be an even worse situation. Are you suggesting I have it drilled/sanded to be a bigger hole and then use tape?

Knew you were fibbing about that.

Sorry, figured it was a given that the hole would need to be sanded just a bit to allow for the piece of white tape.

[Mudpuppy]

I use powder and never tape. It works for me. I don't have any slippage issues.

[vdubtx]

I use powder and never tape. It works for me. I don't have any slippage issues.

Used to be the same way until I started to learn to use tape. Does make a difference.

[noeymc]

what type of tape are you useing? and i cant really help over all with thumb issues if its sticking it may be that there is some moisture on your thumb that u are then carrying over to your ball making it a little sticky this is just a guess tho