Using Tape to snug up the fit.

[littlelegs]

First of all, if you need 5 pieces of tape, your ball isn't drilled properly. 0-3 pieces is a good fit. Secondly, bending your thumb at the first knuckle isn't good for a release. If you need to bend the knuckle to hold on to the ball, you either need a tighter fit, or more away pitch in the thumb. To get a smooth and proper release, your thumb should be straight and pressing equally across the entire thumb (not just the pad of the thumb).
As for white and black tape to tighten fit, I personally use 1 or two pieces of tape in the front of the thumb hole, and like to use Turbo thumb tape on the back of my thumb instead of tape on the back of the hole. Not only does it mean that you can change balls, and still use the same one piece of tape, but I feel like it gives a more even release than skin does. I never bowl without the tape on the back of thumb.

Certainly no disagreement here with 5 pieces being too much. As I say I usually use just the two although may add a third once in a blue moon when the ball's warm and my hand's a little cold.

I know people have posted on the forums that they were able to get used to relaxing their thumb (once they realized they should be doing so) almost instantly. I wish they same were true of me. I spent far too long gripping with my thumb (as way too many bowlers do) and learning to relax without thinking about it took me ages. Sure, I could bowl a few balls relaxed, but would find I drifted back to gripping slightly unless I made a conscious effort not to. Easy enough to know when I did, way too much loft and I'd often pull my arm too and so miss left.

I finally got over that a few months ago, but it took me weeks rather than a day or xx number of games to do so. Maybe I'm just slow on the uptake but I'd guess that when you've been repeating something for a long time, stopping isn't that quick and easy for everyone.

I'm rambling a little as that wasn't really in reply to your post Daniel just for those who (I can't believe I'm unique in this) don't find changing bad habits as quick as they'd like. Great advice in your post as usual and I simply digressed.

[10-in-the-pit]

My thumb used to get too many callouses and blisters until I started using the flexible tape on the thumb. I use white tape in the front to give it more texture, but I like having a clean back part of the thumb that is just the thumb slug because it has a relatively smooth feel to it and my thumb would exit the ball easier. It's all preference, and unfortunately, it includes lots of trial and error. But 5 pieces of tape is a little excessive which would prompt me to start over with a new slug.

[DanielMareina]

As a pro shop guy, I would say that if you have a hard time "relaxing" your thumb, it is probably due to a pitch issue. Most bowlers (85% of the one's I have drilled) use a 1/8" away pitch in their thumb and fingers with a finger tip grip. I spent years tearing up my knuckle, gripping the ball, thinking I could fix it by just relaxing. It took me two years before I found the solution. That solution came to me when I learned how a ball is drilled, and started doing it myself. I have low flexiblity in my thumb and fingers. I moved my pitch away, and I stopped having to try to grip it. The problem wasn't effort, but an actual physical limit to the angle I could bend my thumb. I now use 3/4" away in my thumb, 11/16" in my middle finger, and 7/8" away in ring finger. This is A LOT of away pitch, but I can finally relax my grip and let the ball come off smoothly.
The way to find out if this is your problem is to try and touch the pad of your thumb to the line on your palm below your pinky finger. If your thumb can't touch it easily, you probably could use more away pitch. Also, if your hand is bigger, we use more away pitch as the standard due to your hand getting farther around the curve of the ball. If you can't touch that line, or your grip span is 5" or more, I recommend trying 1/4" away pitch and see if it helps.

[littlelegs]

Thanks for the pitch post Daniel. You see a lot of posts and articles across the Internet about changing pitch but rarely anything with details and reasoning behind it. Unfortunately pro shop quality can vary quite a bit and many who drill balls don't properly understand pitch. Thankfully though many, like yourself, do and the advice can be invaluable. Way too many new people to the sport want to buy the hookiest ball they can see online when they really should be contacting people like yourself as the first stop.

[tumblebug1949]

Hi all,

The main problem I noticed about going to a Pro-Shop was, as a newby, I knew absolutely nothing about what to expect nor had any way to badge weather or not the shop knew what they were doing. If a new bowler doesn't have some friends around that know bowling and can advise him, he is not in a very good position.

I have to travel a good distance to get to a pro-shop. The first and closest that I went to wasn't worth much. The bowling center employees recommended a different shop. I travelled 85 miles round trip to the one recommended and payed $70.00 to get a ball drilled.

I went to a third I found on the internet that was 75 miles away round trip and found it had just changed hands. I had a spare ball drilled there at a cost of $30.00 plus grips. I was most satisfied with this last shop. If I put what I know about the knowledge or capabilities of these pro-shops it would add up to almost nothing.

I am not saying they are not the best there can be. I am just saying for a new bowler, it is a big and maybe expensive unknown.

Tom

[littlelegs]

It's a fair point. I think you have to figure that as a new bowler a shop that will take time to talk to you and preferably watch your game before any ball advice is probably a good place to start. If they don't do that I'd be wary especially if they're located in the same building as the lanes.

I've known several places, including my current local lanes, that will sell a ball out of the book via the counter staff with no suggestion to those new or just returning that the guy who coaches and drills it is consulted first Good for them though I suppose as they quickly sell a second ball when the person realizes the first wasn't quite right to progress with.

[DanielMareina]

There are a lot of pro shop employees that will not put in the work that is necessary to drill a ball perfectly. I recommend finding a bowler in the center that has a few balls and ask them if they get them drilled there. I have a bunch of bowlers that get there equipment from me, and bowl at another center that also has a pro shop. Also, it is always best to ask the pro shop before you buy anything about what kind of pin position they recommend for a new bowler. If they aren't willing to give you a decent explanation, they probably won't give you the time when they are drilling either.
As for new bowlers, it is hard for a pro shop to watch you throw a house ball with a conventional grip and have an idea what they will throw a fingertip grip ball like. It is a guessing game on the first one, and a lot of those bowlers have set in their head a perfect ball, but that doesn't mean it is the right one for them. Most of my job is to tell my customers why the ball they are looking at isn't good for what they want it for, and what ball would be good for that. I have a new bowler this year that has a Taboo, Black widow, Cell Pearl, and a Theory. He asked me what I thought of the Storm Nano!!! I said, "I love it, but you don't need one". He had four asymetrical, top of the line balls, and he only bowls on house shots!!! I talked him into a Storm Frantic, and he not only saved $100 from the Nano, but he loves the Frantic. He assumed that if he spent the money on the most expensive, that it was the best ball for him. Most pro shop guys would be happy to sell the $255 ball, but I knew he would be happier with the $155 ball. That is why people recommend me over most the local shops.

[littlelegs]

That's the problem Daniel, but then for someone brand new to bowling that hasn't a huge choice of bowling centers (Maine is unfortunately a great example of that) hopefully a little advice from the pro-shop is better than buying totally blind even if the people working there aren't the best. The advice you'd probably hope was given for someone new would be a reasonably priced, mid-ranged reactive ball so that they can get the feel and experience of fingertip/hook bowling before progressing. i.e. something that won't break the bank to start as unless very lucky they'll probably move onto something else fairly quickly.

If only there were more pro-shop owners around with both your integrity and knowledge. Again though when the alternative for many is buying totally blind so to speak...

[tritt7]

When desperate I have been known to use velcro like the magic carpet, it works pretty good.

[aussiedave]

I went out and bowled a couple of games this afternoon and after reading a couple of articles on the use of tape, I tried it.

Until learning the proper use of tape on youtube, I didn't realize the different uses for the white and black versions.

My ball needs two layers of the white textured tape under the thumb or one layer of the white under the thumb and one layer of the smooth black tape on the back side of the thumb.

Each layer of tape take up a little space. Use just enough to making the ball fit perfect. The white tape I got had a textures surface for a little better grip. The packaging stated that the white tape could also be purchased smooth or in an extra rough texture.

The black tape is for a somewhat different purpose than the white. It is smooth and is meant to be placed to fit against the back side of the thumb. It is meant to take up space but also provide a smooth release of the thumb.

I was surprised at how well these items worked. My Storm Reign and T-Zone spare ball were only recently drilled. When things are normal, the grip is about right. When it is cold out or dry, and my thumb is a little smaller, the tape does wonders.

If you decide to try some, be aware that the pre-cut tape comes in different widths. I got the widest, being 1 inch. I figures if I wanted 3/4 inch or smaller, it would be easy to cut.

Happy bowling

Discovered the tape myself the other day and used it to get some better feeling on a ball I bought off the pre-loved rack in the pro shop.
Thanks for the tips on the different colours and their uses.
ad.