To Tape or Not to tape... That is the question!

[NewToBowling]

I use tape in the thumb hole and on thumb. I really can't bowl without it. For weeks now I haven't had to adjust my tape but I know over time I will have to either remove or add tape as my thumb does swell up on occasion.

[mc_runner]

I'm also lucky in that my thumb doesn't swell at all. I have a nice fit in all my balls - if it did swell I'd definitely be using tape to get the feel and fit right

[okfoz]

The taping suggestion was directed to the class in general, then they went and showed us how to do it individually, the coach took time to help me with it, but now that I am here, and he is 500 miles away, I am struggling using it now. I gave it a good month of usage, so it was not immediately I just gave up on it..

For the most part I never thought I had a release issue, unless the ball started sticking on my thumb (interestingly my Thumb swells more in the winter than the summer, since going to the switch grips, have not had the problem)

Like I said, my scores seriously suffered. I just wish I could get used to it, I understand the concept and the reasoning behind it tho...

John

[Amyers]

The taping suggestion was directed to the class in general, then they went and showed us how to do it individually, the coach took time to help me with it, but now that I am here, and he is 500 miles away, I am struggling using it now. I gave it a good month of usage, so it was not immediately I just gave up on it..

For the most part I never thought I had a release issue, unless the ball started sticking on my thumb (interestingly my ball swells more in the winter than the summer, since going to the switch grips, have not had the problem)

Like I said, my scores seriously suffered. I just wish I could get used to it, I understand the concept and the reasoning behind it tho...

John

Sounds like to me you were fixing a problem you don't really have. That's the problem with general information. Tape can be a good thing and I would encourage you next time that the ball feels a little lose grab a piece and put it in you may discover that you can customize your fit more than you though possible but if you try adding something you don't need it just causes problems as you discovered. Most people have at least some thumb size changes at least seasonally. Mines a lot I typically need 2-3 pieces more of tape in the winter than I do the summer.

[foreverincamo]

When I get my thumb and fingers to fit in the ball correctly, the ball holds me. Upon release I snap my hand out of the ball. It doesn't even feel like I'm holding anything. Hand feels super soft and relaxed. The more I have to expend energy holding onto the ball, the less my rev rate.

[okfoz]

Thank you for all of the comments, I appreciate them. It gives me something else to think about. I know that sometimes I have something going on, where I just want to pull it left for no apparent reason at all, I wonder if it has to do with my release, and not relaxing my hand...

John

[billf]

Thank you for all of the comments, I appreciate them. It gives me something else to think about. I know that sometimes I have something going on, where I just want to pull it left for no apparent reason at all, I wonder if it has to do with my release, and not relaxing my hand...

John

Odds are yes

[billf]

I use Turbo thumb protection tape obviously on my thumb. I use the Purple for a quick release. I have Turbo switch grips and will use tape in them as needed. Also, I probably have one of the tightest thumbholes you will see. My thumb shrinks during bowling so I actually use an old Vise IT to jam my thumb into before bowling.

[Tony]

I find with most ball's I have a little tape in the thumb to get a good fit, I am thinking of trying the thumb tape sometime too. I have had and do have a ball where the thumb is nearly perfect and usually doesn't need tape. I have only slight swelling but in the winter when it's really cold the fit is a little too loose until I get warmed up, even with tape I'll have to blow into the thumb hole for the first few frames so I can hold into the ball.

[jab5325]

I generally don't like using tape, but have recently been using the Hada Patch. I like the feel of it and think it helps with my roll. It's still too early in the season to determine if there's a real difference. Like an idiot, I didn't bowl all summer and only have 18 games in so far this fall.