Here is what I can offer on the subject. I went from grips to finger tip not inserts about 8 years ago. Won't ever go back. I prefer the clean feel coming out of the ball. I believe most people think grips help with gaining revolutions, mine was the opposite. That being said, comfort is to each his own, I find my way more comfortable, you may not. Some of those things are solely based on the desires of the bowler and nobody can tell you this is the right way or that. I don't have problems with swelling in my fingers, don't know if that is cause of how clean I clear the ball or how my holes are drilled. My dad also recently switched after being with every kind of insert imaginable including vacu. He has greatly improved his game and less pain in his wrist. Now span, fit and a hundred other factors can lead to all this. Trial and error is the best way to find something you like and that works for you.
Most importantly This is how I drill my fingers to ensure ball to ball feels the same. If you look at your finger you will notice that it may be wider than it is thick. Mine is, not everyone has this. So what I did was oval my fingers. My middle finger for example. I measured width and thickness with a caliper. Then subtract the two numbers. Say for the sake of conversation width is 1/2 inch and thickness is 3/8 inch. That leaves a difference of 1/8 inch. In digital numbers that is .125. Now divide that by 3 and you get .042 rounded to 3 spots. To drill it, use the bit that matches your smallest reading in this case, 3/8. Drill your first hole nearest your bridge, then take 3 swipes each time moving .042 to the left. This works best on a press that has the ability to track movements by tenths and hundreths of an inch. 3 swipes at .042 will give you a total of .125 which is your width. Now your hole is the exact width and thickness of your finger. If you do this properly, every ball will fit the same. I think the reason I don't get swelling on my fingers is because all of my finger holes fit so perfect for me. I believe for my ring finger I use 5/8 lateral pitch to start with and then drill first hole in by the bridge and drill my extra swipes on the right side of the finger hole moving away from the bridge. That process seems a lot more confusing written down than it is watching it done. I just drilled out 5 balls last week and they took 5 minutes each to do the fingers. Call me and I can answer any questions you may have about it. I can also send you pictures of what mine look like to help visualize it. Ben Goergen 701-426-2964
Everyone on here has an opinion as to what works, what doesn't, what is crazy and whether or not you are crazy. But they don't know you, your game, or your body so they really don't know much. I just gave you my experience with this change and how I do it. Your results will vary I am sure. Try stuff out and see what works. Hope this helps.
