Hi all,

In the past year or two, I've been getting more and more disgusted with my fit.  My thumb has become more callused on both sides and my thumb hole has become more oval in nature.  One thing that has really caused me issues lately is that my thumb changes size so much during the course of 3 games.  When I start out, I can barely fit my thumb in the thumb hole.  After 3 games, I am dropping the ball badly because the thumb hole feels so large.   What do people out there do to cope with this type of change.  I guess tape is the obvious answer, but I dislike the constant in out changes.  Then it's always a guessing game whether I will hang if I put too much in.  I tried Ron Clifton's fuzzy tape, and have had some success, but as my thumb has oval-ed over time, it feels like it rubs my thumb in certain spots.  I have tried cutting that tape down a bit, but even that has given me mixed results.

Any suggestions?  I've been bowling for about 15 years now, and have really only had this shrinking thumb problem over the last few years.

Sounds like interchangeable thumbs would be a good investment?

Most thumbs are oval and not round. A good ball drilled should be able to help you with that by either an oval thumb insert or drill the thumbhole as over. I prefer the oval thumb insert so if needed, you can have it removed and placed with a different one. Also, you can accomplish this with using the interchangeable thumb system.

Thanks to everyone who replied.  I really appreciate it.

The interchangeable thumb does sound like a good idea, but my thumb changes so much over the course of a night, as well as over the course of the season, that I probably would have to have 3 or 4 replaceable thumb inserts … just guessing.

I have looked at the foam tape, and maybe I will give that a try.

I have never liked the feel of white tape.  It makes me feel like I am going to hang, and always wind up getting tape residue when fiddling with it. 

I have tried an oval drilling before, and didn't like the snug fit of the narrower hole.  I felt like the skin on the underside of my thumb would pull on exiting and prevent a clean release.  It could certainly be that after so many years of bowling with a round thumb hole, I just need to get used to it.  I think that my thumb actually seems to rotate as it exits the thumb hole, and the oval seems to stop me from getting out clean that way.

I would love to be fit by someone who really knows how to fit.  I live in Central Virginia and would travel within the state (or perhaps even further) to find someone who really knows his/her stuff.  I have been to many coaches over my "career", and most have told me my fit is fine.  Of course that isn't the same as hearing it from someone who fits people for a living.

Contrary to what the "standard" fitting guides have suggested, I have a forward pitch in my thumb (1/4") … yet my overall span is close to 4-3/4 and 4-7/8.  I recently switched to Bill Hall's "tri-grip", and talked to him over the phone to settle on a span … but that isn't the same as being fit in person.  Somedays the fit feels good, but some days it just feels bad.  I wish I could describe it better.

I would not be scared of having too many thumbs for an interchangable thumb. I use the Turbo switch grip, and have 3 different sizes, with a fourth thumb being a copy of my largest size. I use a plastic index card box (one of the cheap clear ones) and that fits every size thumb. My fit is correct, but I fight my thumb swelling and shrinking as well, and I do not regret the decision at all. Now I only use tape in the very uncommon event that my smallest thumb is too small.

Thumb Molds and tape. If you're having this many issues, your fit isn't as good as you think.

Assuming you have the correct span and pitches, tape is the only real solution.

Steven does what we recommended to bowlers who shrink a lot. For about 10 minutes before they would start bowling they would force their thumbs into a vinyl insert that was too small. This will preshrink the thumb.

Some can run cold water over the thumb and others could wrap a towel/handkerchief around the thumb tightly to try and pre-shrink the thumb.

If you are getting excessive callousing on the sides of the thumb I would look into side pitch issues because you are rubbing somewhere.

Assuming you have the correct span and pitches, tape is the only real solution.

Steven does what we recommended to bowlers who shrink a lot. For about 10 minutes before they would start bowling they would force their thumbs into a vinyl insert that was too small. This will preshrink the thumb.

Some can run cold water over the thumb and others could wrap a towel/handkerchief around the thumb tightly to try and pre-shrink the thumb.

If you are getting excessive callousing on the sides of the thumb I would look into side pitch issues because you are rubbing somewhere.

I have always questioned what is 'excessive callouses'.  If I use a rake or shovel in the yard for a couple of days, I begin to develop callouses. I don't see how bowling is much different. I think you have repeated contact and friction with your thumb. This in turn causes callouses to develop.  If there is no pain, or other negative effects, I don't think that the callous is a bad thing. If the skin build up becomes excessive, remove some with a razor, but leave enough build up to protect the delicate thumb.