Callus on thumb bad?

[Smiles]

I stopped by the proshop today after work just to check out new balls and such. While I was talking with the guy from the pro shop, I told him that my thumb felt a little sore when I first started bowling with three fingers. He took a look at my thumb and was shocked. I have hard calluses on the side of my thumb (next to the index finger) with skin peeled off and such. I remember someone telling me that calluses were GOOD to have and was a sign that I was bowling correctly. So, now I'm confused. Help? Who's right and who's wrong? Also, if it is bad, what's causing it, and how does one fix it?

[panbanger]

ooooh I like this question! I have a couple sore spots on my thumb after my 7 game practice session yesterday. In the past when I bowled frequently, these spots on my thumb were a bit rougher. So maybe I just need to get my thumb back in bowling shape? I'm more of an old school bowler right now though - conventional grip and a plastic ball.

Not trying to distract from your question, just saying that I'm looking forward to the answers too :-)

[The German Shepherd]

I would suggest that callouses should be expected on your thumb. Perhaps the person at your pro shop had never seen mark Roth's thumb. I mean, Mark Roth's thumb looked like a potato when he was bowling on tour! I might even think that some callous would be beneficial. I suspect that one could develope some serious and undesirable callouses from having to squeeze and/or grab at the ball. Do you need to squeeze the ball to keep it on your hand while you throw??

Jay

I stopped by the proshop today after work just to check out new balls and such. While I was talking with the guy from the pro shop, I told him that my thumb felt a little sore when I first started bowling with three fingers. He took a look at my thumb and was shocked. I have hard calluses on the side of my thumb (next to the index finger) with skin peeled off and such. I remember someone telling me that calluses were GOOD to have and was a sign that I was bowling correctly. So, now I'm confused. Help? Who's right and who's wrong? Also, if it is bad, what's causing it, and how does one fix it?

[bowl1820]

I stopped by the proshop today after work just to check out new balls and such. While I was talking with the guy from the pro shop, I told him that my thumb felt a little sore when I first started bowling with three fingers. He took a look at my thumb and was shocked. I have hard calluses on the side of my thumb (next to the index finger) with skin peeled off and such. I remember someone telling me that calluses were GOOD to have and was a sign that I was bowling correctly. So, now I'm confused. Help? Who's right and who's wrong? Also, if it is bad, what's causing it, and how does one fix it?

No calluses are not a sign of bowling correctly! In a properly fitted ball you won't have a callous or skin peeling off.

Here's from the BRONZE CERTIFICATION manual: Chapter 6 Bowling Ball Parts and Dynamics.
First thing proper fit
"Blisters, calluses and broken blood vessels on the athlete’s hand are signs of an improper fit."

A callous on the index finger side of the thumb is a sign of possibly too much right pitch or a too small hole.
Depending on the shape of your thumb you might need a oval hole also.


Also Mark Roth's thumb used to be torn up when he was on tour as a result of how hard he cranked the ball and the tight thumb hole he used.

[vgw]

Yeah, in addition to bowl1820, you might also want to invest in some skin protection to place on your thumb. Note that you should have the thumb hole refitted to accommodate the extra space. If you are able to take a break, I would wait until the thumb heals, then get everything done at once.

[panbanger]

Thanks for that picture, bowl1820. That is right where I've got skin peeling off! Also just a bit on the opposite side of my thumb near the bottom of my fingernail. I think I'll be getting my thumb hole enlarged a bit later this week.

[GeorgiaStroker]

When I started bowling in the 80's my thumb had callouses that I lived with because the conventional wisdom was that it was normal. Now that I have found a good ball fitter I know that my thumb is oval and therefore I need an oval hole. Fits like a glove and no trace of blisters and callouses.

[martinezsam2495]

yeah I don't think that's good, have your thumb hole redrilled bigger,

[panbanger]

When I started bowling in the 80's my thumb had callouses that I lived with because the conventional wisdom was that it was normal. Now that I have found a good ball fitter I know that my thumb is oval and therefore I need an oval hole. Fits like a glove and no trace of blisters and callouses.

I remember back then, which is also when I started, that a distinctive "pop" sound when you threw the ball was regarded as a good thing.

[billf]

There's nothing wrong with a "pop" noise. My thumb does that ever since I finally got the thumb hole the correct size. Most callouses are from the hole being too big and trying to squeeze it. Since my hole is smaller my callous is gone. That's one of the biggest things listed as different from amateurs to pro's, pro's thumbs are tighter and they release the thumb sooner.