Braces? Whats the difference between cloth and metal braces?

[blazerunner]

I have always used one of those full metal style braces since I started bowling at 16. I out grew the latest one I have had for a while. So went to buy a new brace and asked my local Pro Shop about what should I get as a new brace and suggested I go with a Mongoose. But when I asked why I would take a Mongoose over a metal brace he couldn't tell me why.


So my question is whats the difference between simple cloth braces with the little metal bar in or a full on metal glove?

[AlexNC]

I have a mongoose lifter that I used in the past. The plastic insert in it is pretty strong. It also doesn't contain the metal or plastic piece in the palm - so it doesn't really change your span and it feels comfortable. It does not allow you to preset your cup or wrist cock position like some of the heavy duty braces. You can bend the plastic to get more cup, but you cannot lock your wrist position in laterally.

[J Anderson]

Disclaimer: I do not use a brace. I did use one for a couple of games coming off a wrist injury, but felt it was too uncomfortable.

I tend to think that with modern bowling balls, braces are unnecessary for competition. They can be a useful training aid to get someone used to keeping their hand in a good position.

Look at the pros. In the 70's some used braces and some didn't. By the late 80's all the pros seemed to be wearing one. Now you see compression sleeves (Belmonte) , trainer's tape (Josh Blanchard), and the occasional wrist band (Rhino Page), but very seldom do you see a brace.

[NewToBowling]

Braces are good as a training device. I got one to get the feel of how my hand should be and to learn no to break my wrist.

[Timmyb]

I've been using a Master Wrist-Mate for most of my adult life, thanks to carpal tunnel from being a machinist. I can bowl without it though, just a little painful!

[JJKinGA]

I use the ZL-1 from ebonite. You can cup but you cannot break the wrist beyond neutral. The large thick metal keeps its shape. I use a cloth brace with metal inserts prior - the metal bent too easily and it restricted motion too much