Removable thumb inserts

[Jaescrub]

This still applies to the Vise IT systems. Interchangeable thumbs is not a reason not to use tape.

Why not? I had two thumbs made one tight and snug and the other after my thumb got big. I now no longer have to use tape. I slap one in the go to the next size up as needed.

[Mudpuppy]

Genius. I saw the pros doing this on tv and I wondered, was curious, about the details. I'm definitely going to look into this further with my pro shop guy. I don't have a ton of shrinking / swelling issues but minor at times - would be nice to have the ability to go up 1 size and down 1 size to fine tune with weather changes, etc. Especially since we have such a wide variety of weather here which does make a difference. Such a simple design - click and lock - but extremely effective.

[vdubtx]

Prices around here are $45 for the setup and $20 for the thumb sleeve. That is why I have been hesitant to get that setup in my balls.

[bowl1820]

use of tape is pretty much just personal preference, There's no rule set in stone that you have to use tape.

Just like there's no rule, that say's if you use interchangeable thumbs. That you no longer have a need for tape.

It's just a matter of what you want in the feel of your grip. You don't just put tape in to tighten the hole, sometimes it just to change the texture you feel in the hole.

You want to see a tape master, then you look at Norm Duke.

He has always been known for making adjustments to his thumb hole. He has a sensitive feel for his grip and You could see it in a lot of the tv broadcasts, he's sitting there putting in and taking out little strips of tape. Keeping his thumb hole just right throughout a match.

[Jaescrub]

Genius. I saw the pros doing this on tv and I wondered, was curious, about the details. I'm definitely going to look into this further with my pro shop guy. I don't have a ton of shrinking / swelling issues but minor at times - would be nice to have the ability to go up 1 size and down 1 size to fine tune with weather changes, etc. Especially since we have such a wide variety of weather here which does make a difference. Such a simple design - click and lock - but extremely effective.

Really I also use them so that every ball I throw feels the same. No matter how good your pro shop guy is it's hard to get every ball 100% the same. I know all of you have that one ball that's just perfect feels better then the rest even if all of your balls feel fine you have one that's just right in every way. That's how I feel when I switch balls. I only have two right now hope to add a third soon.

[Amyers]

This is just my opinion yours may be different but there are limits to how fine tuned you can get with drilling and sanding on the thumb hole. Maybe you can get that perfect fit for when thumb isn't swollen at all or maybe you can get it with the larger one for swelling but one of the two are always off a little that's why you need tape. Some peoples thumbs vary less than others so maybe some of you guys can get them both right but I don't think I ever will. I adjust my tapping before every bowling session and sometime during just depending on the feel for that day. Maybe I'm just pickier about mine than others.

[fortheloveofbowling]

This still applies to the Vise IT systems. Interchangeable thumbs is not a reason not to use tape.

That is what i meant, have both.

[Blomer]

When my thumb swells, it's about one size up, so I figured that if it get ITs or Switch Grips, I can adjust quickly without tape. Am I thinking of it the wrong way?

[bowl1820]

When my thumb swells, it's about one size up, so I figured that if it get ITs or Switch Grips, I can adjust quickly without tape. Am I thinking of it the wrong way?

No, that's one of the reasons for using them.

[Amyers]

My opinion here others feel different but if you are looking at IT system to keep from using tape period your going down the wrong road. It could diminish the need for as much tape but shouldn't get rid of it all together. Tape serves multiple purposes.

It allows you to customize your feel much more than drilling and sanding will ever be able too. Do you really think your pro-shop guy is accurate enough with a disk sander to remove exactly one layer of tape from a thumb hole?

Tape also allows you to customize the texture of your thumb hole I have gritty tape along the back of my thumb slick tape on the nail side. Can't do that with sanding and drilling.

Tape prevents vapor lock my allowing gaps for air flow in the thumb hole.

If you want exactly the same feel from ball to ball go with the IT its great for that. If your looking to do a way with tape your just thinking wrong again this is just my opinion and there are many.