Lay down point consistency (vertically)

[AlexNC]

Lately I have been struggling a little bit with consistency of my release as it relates to the ball coming off my hand. In a three game set, I have been comfortable and consistant during game one and into 2, but then the ball begins to come off early. I almost feel like my thumb begins to shrink instead of swell - which makes no sense. So my adjustment has been to add a piece of tape on the back of my thumbhole, and then I start to hang up in the ball. i have experimented with the Vise hada patches in the past, but didn't like the feel between my thumb and the back of the thumbhole. Anyone have any strategies for getting a constistant release as it relates to the ball coming off the hand?

[BrianG]

Have you considered trying the Vise It and getting a couple different sizes for when your thumb shrinks or swells. I personally do not have them in my balls but a lot of my teammates do and love them.

[bowl1820]

Lately I have been struggling a little bit with consistency of my release as it relates to the ball coming off my hand. In a three game set, I have been comfortable and consistant during game one and into 2, but then the ball begins to come off early. I almost feel like my thumb begins to shrink instead of swell - which makes no sense.

It makes perfect sense it happens to a lot bowlers, some shrink, some swell, my thumb shrinks as the night goes on (and the day). That's why you should try and get your thumb fit (sized) close to the time you normally bowl.

Originally I when I got a new ball and had my thumb checked, it was early in the afternoon. The thumb fit good, but at night when league started as the night went on my that hole seemed to get bigger and bigger. I've since changed and went to a smaller size,.

So my adjustment has been to add a piece of tape on the back of my thumbhole, and then I start to hang up in the ball. i have experimented with the Vise hada patches in the past, but didn't like the feel between my thumb and the back of the thumbhole.

Taping is a option, you just have to find the right setup. I use some storm thunder tape on the back of my thumb (I use to use Vise Turbo tape) and a piece of white tape for texture in the front of the hole.

If your not using one now, you should check into getting a oval thumb hole (if they can't drill one, there are oval thumb inserts)

Anyone have any strategies for getting a constistant release as it relates to the ball coming off the hand?

Using a interchangeable thumb system is a good option.

Get a thumb measurement at the start of bowling, then get another measurement about the time you usually feel it getting smaller. Start with that for the sizes for the inserts, see how it goes and if needed you can add a third size.

[vdubtx]

Loving my thumb feel since I switched to VISE IT thumbs a month or two ago. Have 3 different sizes and will likely get one or two more as I need them. Having consistent feel in all equipment has been great.

[AlexNC]

I had not considered the sizing/time of day relationship. I was fitted in the am and it was snug. It has always been loose (but still able to be snugged up with tape) around the time I usually bowl in league at night. I do end up using one piece of white on my pad side and 5-8 black on the nail side - which is a little much.

Even though it is loose in terms of the nail/pad, it was too snug side to side and required some time with sanding screen on the sides to get the right fit - so oval would perhaps benefit me quite a bit.

I have been hesitant to go to the IT system until I get a thumbhole that I am really comfortable with first before I make the investment. I may explore things though when we visit family in the Toledo/Detroit area around the new year - lots of good proshops I could visit.

Thank you for the feedback guys. I have been going a little nutty having good starts only to struggle with my thumb as the night progresses.

[fokai73]

Here's my 2 cents...

1. make sure your span and pitches are right. I'd go to another driller for this, for some drillers get offended when you asked them to recheck your grip. But I'd still go to another good driller for this. The human body changes over time and checking the grip every 2-3 years is a good way to ensure you have a proper fit. You could be gripping it or whatever, we don't know.

2. Experiment with tapes. I used to use white tape for both the front and back in my thumb slug. And if I have to had tape, I tapper or stagger them - picture stairs. But, for the last 8 years or more, I use Ron Cliftons Magic Carpet tape.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/magiccarpet/magiccarpet.htm

It's a "carpet" tape that you place on the back side of you thumb hole. I can have my thumb really snug and still have a clean release. If the thumb hole seems too loose and I reached my limit of white tape up front (3), I flip the carpet tape upside down for a later release. This tape is the best tape I've ever used, and they last half the season or more once you place them. Adding too much white tape up front will change your pitch.

3. Going with the switch grips or Vise's IT is another option. You can have different size thumb ITs. Get two or three different sizes.

Good Luck

[AlexNC]

Here's my 2 cents...

1. make sure your span and pitches are right. I'd go to another driller for this, for some drillers get offended when you asked them to recheck your grip. But I'd still go to another good driller for this. The human body changes over time and checking the grip every 2-3 years is a good way to ensure you have a proper fit. You could be gripping it or whatever, we don't know.

2. Experiment with tapes. I used to use white tape for both the front and back in my thumb slug. And if I have to had tape, I tapper or stagger them - picture stairs. But, for the last 8 years or more, I use Ron Cliftons Magic Carpet tape.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/magiccarpet/magiccarpet.htm

It's a "carpet" tape that you place on the back side of you thumb hole. I can have my thumb really snug and still have a clean release. If the thumb hole seems too loose and I reached my limit of white tape up front (3), I flip the carpet tape upside down for a later release. This tape is the best tape I've ever used, and they last half the season or more once you place them. Adding too much white tape up front will change your pitch.

3. Going with the switch grips or Vise's IT is another option. You can have different size thumb ITs. Get two or three different sizes.

Good Luck

I just had my span and pitches checked, and changed about a month ago. The span change was significant (increased) and is so very much more comfortable than my last fit. Although it is possible pitch is an issue, I am leaning towards the thumbhole size and shape right now as the correction. The ball feels great at the beginning of the session, although I am using more insert tape on the backside of the thumbhole than I should need to.

I may try the magic carpet tape at some point - Ron Clifton isn't far from my area. Right now I only use one piece of the Realbowlers silver tape on the front.

[billf]

I by no means recommend what I do but here it is:
I use an old Vise IT insert. During my prep after my shoes go on I put Turbo red fitting/protection tape on my thumb. Then I force my swollen thumb into the insert. All the shops around me went to Turbo and I haven't bothered with it yet. Anyway, after a few minutes the swelling in my thumb is down and stays down until after I'm done bowling. Hurt like hell for a few minutes but still less hassle than having to change inserts every couple of frames.