I did some dry runs and I started thinking that my arm is probably not that straight during the swing, generating immediate squeezing. Hard to be sure though with just dry runs, but my arm is a bit sore from the last visit to the alley and it would be not beneficial to go again this soon. I'm not a physician, but the soreness feels like it's the extensor muscles that suffer from my swing. As for my form, to be honest I don't have clue. I'll need to try to capture some video of me bowling the next time I visit the alley.
All in all this all feels a bit frustrating, as the move to my very own ball was supposed to be a key step towards really improving my game. At best, my average with old fingertip house balls has only been around 150-155 for 6 games, and my record for one game is just above 200. This might all be only due to the fact that I've got customed to squeezing and perhaps throwing with a bent swing, kind of "forcing" the ball. Some coaching would definitely not hurt, but I do not know where to begin searching for a decent coach.
If your arms are sore, it could be that the ball is too heavy for you. You should be able to swing the ball freely without any trouble. If you don't think this is the case, then a sore arm can come from squeezing the ball and/or not keeping your arm straight. When you're at the approach, try to hold the ball with your arm extended, then swing and release the ball. I used to have a problem with a bent elbow as well, and this exercise really helped me keep my arm straight throughout my swing.
I'm not sure whether I do not have enough muscle strength or if it's my swing that's affecting the feel I get. I tend to have a rather low swing - at the back my arm does not reach my shoulder. About after going past my right foot, the weight seems to shift to my thumb and the wrist is no longer in a right position. I'm am I fairly mid-sized man however, weighing about 190 lbs. The way the swing feels, I can't imagine a drop of 1 lbs would make it feel THAT much different. Maybe I should head to the local gym and start doing some forearm and wrist exercises?
By the way, my ex-regular elbow bend has probably been something like that of Jason Belmonte. And I'm no two-hander..
Looking at the picture of your thumb, where those sores are is another sign of a possible too large thumbhole and/or a too long span.
I'm guessing from the looks of the picture. That the ball originally had a shorter span and that they just plugged and moved the finger holes(the white plug material i see) and left the original thumb hole?
If its the span you could try adding some more bevel, this will shorten the span a little. Which my let you relax your grip and hold your thumb straighter.
Last edited by bowl1820; 11-30-2011 at 10:33 AM.
Right handed Stroker, high track ,about 13 degree axis tilt. PAP is located 5 9/16” over 1 3/4” up.Speed ave. about 14 mph at the pins. Medium rev’s.High Game 300, High series 798
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The driller measured up all my fingers. Is it possible that the he filled out the thumb hole and made a larger hole right at the same spot after measuring my fit? I bought the ball used, he filled up the holes on last friday and I was up doing the measurements on monday and then got the ball. Looking back at it now - having more knowledge - the whole measuring process seemed like he was in a rush though...Originally Posted by bowl1820
Unfortunately, a lot of times ball drillers are not that knowledgeable. Especially if it's your first ball, they have nothing to go by. It'll take a lot of drilling to get that near perfect fit. If I was in your position, I would probably plug the thumb hole, and search around for a well known ball driller in your area.
As bowl said, I have a feeling that he left the original thumb hole in the ball and just plugged the fingers and stretched the span (too far).
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Went bowling after a decent break and I was amazed how good the ball felt. I haven't had any modifications made to it after the original post and I wasn't using any tape. Sure, my game scores were practically nothing yesterday, but I did not have a single throw where my thumb would feel awkward at the release. The downside is that I, myself, think that this was because I got used to bowling with my ball without a straight-arm swing. Be that as it may, my hand did not hurt at all after the one hour I spent bowling. I seem to have a fair amount of lift in my style, and the swing isn't the most easy one to control my aiming. However, like I said: yesterday restored my faith in the game!
go get your ball redrilled by a different driller. Just because you feel it come off you hand right doesn't mean its right. You probably have to have a death grip on that ball with the current drilling.
#1 span is too long
#2 thumbhole is way too big
#3 I would bet dollars to donuts you have way too much reverse thumb pitch to accommodate the large span.
You are learning to fit yourself to the ball instead of getting the ball to fit you. Bowling all those times with house balls has taught yourself how to adjust. If you want to get more consistent bowling get a correct ball fit.
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