Thumb Issues

[bowl1820]

Just some of my observation's.

First that's a fit problem, go to the jayhawk fitting page and look at the Fit Problems charts . Find the one closest to your problem. This will give you a place to start in getting the fit right. (if you check there let us know which is closest to your problem area.)

Click Here Fitting Tips

Next you've been to 2 dozen pro-shop's!! pick the one you liked the best and stick with him for a while to work on the fit.

your using thumb slugs, it would be easy to remove slugs and drill a new one to make changes to the thumb size & pitches.

Your not going to work out a fit problem going to a new guy all the time. Fit problems can take time to work out and you need some one to work out those problems. that you don't have to keep getting them up to speed on what the problem is.

Tapes, glue, Velcro, new skin are for emergencies or for minor tweaking of fit. Not as a cure for a problem.

Once you get the fit correct your thumb won't be getting hurt, the swelling shouldn't be as big problem.

Plus you will find your release well improve because you get out of the properly.

Also once you get the fit right you should have it checked once a year, your hand changes over time.

[NoTapNorm]

If I have problems with the thumb coming out of the ball, I use chap-stick on the back of the thumb to help it slide out. If you use the medicated kind, it helps heal too!!! (haha)

[LeftyLuck7]

If I have problems with the thumb coming out of the ball, I use chap-stick on the back of the thumb to help it slide out. If you use the medicated kind, it helps heal too!!! (haha)

Haha I will have to try that if nothing more for curiostys sake!

But on a good note...

I went to the new pro shop last night. First time I have ever met a driller that is going to drill a old house ball for me at no chage and swap thumb slugs until I can bowl 3 games with no irritation or quick fixes. He said he likes to do that vs. him drilling my widow 3-4 times.

So if all goes well next week my thumb should be healed(from Father's Day bowling). And should be pain free bowling for the first time in years

I mentioned the term knuckling, which I never heard prior to this forum site and he knew exactly what I was talking about. So thank you every one for helping me with this issue.

LL7

[playbowl]

LeftyLuck7

Pro shop rule of thumb is move pitch in the direction of the injury

[manningm]

LL7,

It seems you have received some good advice from several board members. I hope the issue has been resolved. I iproblem was the wrong thumb pitch as well. My problem is opposite of yours. My thumb shrinks from the time I start until I finish. I normally add a strip of protecting to fill the gap and maintain a consistent feel.

Mike Manning

[sebchbum]

Hey All,

New to this site and wanted to try this as last ditch effort to try fix my thumb problem before I probley quit Bowling all together.

Basically I have a problem where I am always ribbing my thumb. It peels the skin bleeds, forms get hard and rip it again next week.

Bowler Information:
-I bowl in the Greater Cleveland Ohio area.
-Left Handed
-Generally Only throw Hammer’s (Have Psycho, Black Widow, Venon, and will be getting Hot Sauce and Sting if I continue bowling).
-Considered to be a cranker.
-No physical Disabilities.
- AVG 180+ bowler, throwing on normal lane conditions.

Ok, now for thumb ripping description. If you are sticking your thumb up in the air(looking at the side with your finger nail) and you bend it down. So your finger knuckle is in the air. The tears are happening about half an inch from the finger knuckle between 4 and 5 o’clock. They are red/ irritated and are roughly the size of a penny.

Since I have been paying for my own balls I would go buy 3-4 White Dots(for money reasons) I would also pay for different ball drillers to drill them to hook and explain my situation to them. They would watch me throw a game and everyone would say they know the answer. I have gone to over 2 dozen different pro shops in Cleveland trying to find someone that could drill a ball . That’s when it dawned on me that the issues is probley something I am doing wrong with my release.

I have had people watch me and they cannot see an error in my approach/ release and everyone assumed it was ball driller. I have recently started using "new skin" every time I go bowling as a pro-active way to save my thumb when bowling more then three games. I have no idea what is happening and was wondering if anyone here could help in trying to correct this problem for me.

Thank in advance.

_Tried to give as much information as possible above if anyone needs more or has any questions to try and help the cause please think out loud. I will try anything at this point.

try relaxing hand in ball anpushing your thumb nail to back of thumb hole that will keep your thumb straight in ball and not cause youto grip it by bending thumb....you also might check your side pitch in your thumb....that is ussually the problem

[Coach 3G]

I'd hate to see anyone quit bowling over something that surely can be rectified. I'd definitely be working with a pro shop operator and or coach to determine the root cause of the problem. Sounds like you already have some great ideas from this forum, but there is nothing like having someone up close who is in the know identifying the problem and offering a solution.

I hope you get that resolved soon.

[man40plus]

I too had thumb issues until i purchased a brunswick thumb sleeve.................. give it a try, it made a big difference in my release.