Thumb-less Bowlers

[rhaith85]

Are there any thumb-less bowlers here? I am a novice bowler, league average right now 180 thumb-less. Been tweaking little things here and there, but seeming to fall into a slump in which I cannot bowl a 600 series. I have before but for some reason, I fall short.
Last week, I bowled a 199, 203, 155.
I know there are gonna be comments/suggestions about going with the thumb to be more consistent. I have tried and I cannot get myself to un-learn the thumb-less technique.
Maybe there are some here who share the same way I bowl. Please comment on how you've been doing and any tips about it. I'll probably try to get a video of me bowling.

[Aslan]

Not a thumbless bowler. But I've never seen a truly consistent thumbless bowler. Like 2-handed...when you're hot...you're unbeatable. When you're off...you got trouble.

I think it's simply physics. The more of a hook or arc your ball has to make...the more area it has to cover...the more of the lane it comes into contact with...the more likely that lane is to affect the ball's ultimate path/direction. So sometimes it leads to a great angle into the pocket and gives you an advantage. But when the lane conditions change...or you miss...you could get some nasty leaves.

But I'm sure there are some thumbless guys somewhere on this site that might have tips/suggestions.

[ALazySavage]

Rhaith85,

I personally am not a thumbless bowler, but I am going to jump into this discussion before you start catching some hate from other members on the board. A few additional questions that may help diagnose what is occuring with the lanes in relation to your scoring. When you say you are falling short, does this mean that you start off strong and then fall of at the end or is this just mean you are not reaching 600 and the problem could be in the first, second, or third game?

A video would be very helpful in assessing potential things you may want to work on and you don't necessarily need another 2 handed bowler to help you with finding issues. As much as there are differences between one and two handed bowling, there are also similarities; having a strong leverage point, projecting the ball, rhythm, etc. are necessary with either style.

If you could answer the first question we may be able to provide some assistance in understanding what is occuring on the lanes and the video may assist us in identifying potential issues in form (just make sure to have both a back and side view of you bowling, looking at other posted videos may assist in this).

[rhaith85]

Thank you ALazySavage, and Aslan... I will get a video up in the next few days. I've been in two different leagues, now bowling only one, but before bowling in both leagues in the same season/half. I have hit a couple of 600 series but now that I have only one league, I think maybe I'm starting to get rusty only bowling once a week. Now to combat that, I have been bowling one other day just to practice and have fun.

The past four days in league, i have shot 597, 597, 465, and 560. I know, that 465 was one of my very off days.
My current arsenal for now is a Roto-Grip Wrecker, Storm Zero Gravity and Sigma Sting (recently acquired so I'm still not used to it yet.) I'll be recording myself or getting someone to record me while I bowl and hopefully if anyone decides to watch, they can give me a few pointers or show me the errors in my ways. (other than for thumb-less)
Thanks again and I'll update as soon as I get a video up!

[mike_thomas93]

I used to bowl thumbless when i was younger, but could never break 200 ;p. in fact my high was like in the 150s, so i knew that wasn't for me. Bowling thumbless can hurt your wrist and lose a little control, from what i've learned. But every bowler is different. Whatever works for you basically. Keep working hard

[Amyers]

I bowl on one of my leagues with a thumbless bowler. When he's on he's great when he's not my 12 year old daughter could beat him. The style seems very inconsistent to me even more so than two handed. Best of luck to you hope it works out.

[mcdpr56]

I bowl 2 handed and avg 205 on THS only have been doing it for 2 years and have had great success! But I have no idea how people can bowl thumbless one handed I feel like there is no control like you have 2 handed but hey thats just my 2 cents no pun intended...

[Pauley]

I used to bowl thumbless when I first got back into bowling 18 months ago because that is how I bowled when I was younger. I could bowl very well, but as others have said my consistency was the issue. To get to the next level (FOR ME) I decided to get fit and use my thumb. It is a big change and takes some time, but for me was the right decision. The biggest reason I struggled with being consistent was there is so much muscle involved in bowling thumbless that I didn't think I could reach a level of consistency that I wanted.

In no way saying that it cannot be done, there are some great bowlers that bowl thumbless I just think it is harder. There was a guy that bowled in my league last year that did not use his thumb and carried a 225 plus average and did well in tournaments bowled on much tougher patterns than THS. The biggest difference I saw in him compared to others was his arm swing seemed less muscled than the average thumbless bowler and he worked the back of the ball more instead of just ripping his hand around the side of the ball to get revs. He is the only one that I have seen in person not using a thumb that had a release that looked like he did use his thumb (if that makes sense). Good luck and look forward to the video.

[rhaith85]

sorry for not posting/responding... i still have yet to grab a video of me bowling. which i'm still working on.
the last two weeks of league proved a little different for me. Finally broke the 600 series barrier!
233,223,167 (i know, i know the last game was off... I think i was like whatever because I kept getting pocket-splits.)
279,158,240 (second game, I think I was really hyped and was just throwing it super hard)
Will post more. Sadly this weekend I'll have to pre-bowl. Hoping for a good series tho.