Author Topic: Wider Bridge (Read 6601 times)

Moon57 · « **on:** September 20, 2009, 03:36:14 AM »

Is it necessary when fitting a ball that it rest in the palm of the hand after it's drilled? When I put my hand in the ball and turn my palm up the ball seems to rest more on the index finger side of my palm. I took my ring finger out of the ball and spread it out a little until the ball seemed to rest equally on the palm. I eyeballed how far away from the middle finger it was now and then drilled a plugged ball I had sitting around. The bridge wound up being 1/2" wide, but now when I put my hand in the ball it rests equally across the palm. I did some "in the chair" deliveries and the ball seemed alot more comfortable. I'm wondering if this will cut down the revs at all although if I get a more consistent release it might be worth it. I should mention also that I have small hands. Ring size is only 8 1/2. Has anybody else played around with the width of the bridge?
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Moon
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So many questions, so little time but I''m having fun.

JustRico · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2009, 11:45:51 AM »

First of all, if you want to stay behind the ball at the release, having the ball rest at the base of the index finger is a proper feel or position.
Lateral pitch in the thumb can also effect how the ball lays in your hand/palm. Also, not everyone's hand lays on the ball the same, so laying in the palm is a myth or misnomer.
Secondly, the wider the bridge, the more chance or opportunity you have of hurting the tendons in your hand, by splitting your fingers farther apart than natural, normal or necessary.
My thought would be if your are not having issues with your grip, as far as hand or finger pain, as well as performance issues, then you are worrying about unnecessary things.
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Formerly BrunsRico

As posted by Steven..."None other than our esteemed JustRico!!"

Moon57 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2009, 12:52:49 PM »

I checked what you said about splitting the fingers farther apart than normal. With my thumb in the ball and my hand fully relaxed my middle and ring fingers lay right across the holes. But I will be careful when trying this ball uot
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Moon
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So many questions, so little time but I'm having fun.

the pooh · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2009, 10:30:30 AM »

In the last couple of years, I have done some experimenting with bridge width. I have found that I bowl much better and more consistently with a bridge(not including insert width) of 3/8".All my life, I had been told better bowlers like a narrow bridge. So, that's all I used. Then one day I plugged a ball to repair a finger and ended up with a 3/8' bridge. I immediately had a better feel and cleaner release! I also use 0 lateral on the middle finger and 5/8 right on the ring finger to keep the ball resting on the ball of the index finger, where it belongs. I have no tendon or pain issues. I now drill all my balls with these widths.I also use the correct reverse for my flexibility, which is 5/16". I am releasing the ball better than ever and highly recommend that anyone try a slightly wider bridge, you may be surprised!

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the pooh

T-GOD · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2009, 04:26:57 PM »

A wider bridge will allow your ball to balance better on your hand, giving you more stability. As Moon said, your palm will be on the ball more. This allows you to stay behind the ball better, which helps in keeping you from topping the ball, while also getting more lift.

You may need to increase your left lateral pitches(RH bowlers) for more comfort.

For better lift and more roll, I highly recommend using a wider bridge. =:^D

JustRico · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2009, 06:02:38 PM »

GO with a wider bridge and chance having the Vulcan Death Grip.
There are times that a wider bridge may fit A bowler, but it is not to be the NORM. And it may seem to work for a short amount of time, but the long range ramifications can be painful, as well as bad.
Pitches in the fingers and thumb can help the ball lay better in the palm area (if the bowler's hand allow's it) as well as laying more on the base of index finger. You have to look at EACH and EVERY situation as just that, INDIVIDUAL. To make a blanket statement as
"For better lift and more roll, I highly recommend using a wider bridge. =:^D" is assinine to say the least, as well as malicious. The average bowler needs a narrower bridge to attain comfort and repeatability-bowling long term pain free keeps bowlers in the game.

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Formerly BrunsRico

As posted by Steven..."None other than our esteemed JustRico!!"

azguy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2009, 06:23:04 PM »

I have a 3/8 on one ball and a 1/4 on another. Pitches/laterals are the same on both. The 3/8's feels better in my hand. I don't get all that better performance on one over the other but I think that's MY fault, not either ball.

My hand may not be normal, I have broken the knuckle a couple times and it's very large and stiff when it's cold but for my hand, my feel, I like the 3/8s better.

I also have a customer that is older, stiff fingers and he wants between 3/8s and 1/2. I think the 1/2 is to much but he says it's comfortable for him. In comfort cases, it's like trying on shoes, I can not feel the way his hand feels, it's his hand, so if that's what he wants, he's happy, that's what I'll do until he wants to change.

There may well be 'guide lines' for things but one cut and dried rule doesn't work on 100% of everyone.
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az guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net

Moon57 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2009, 07:09:50 AM »

Well, tried the ball with the 1/2" bridge out last night. The ball feels really good at release. No hand problems at all seemed to be able to come thru the ball better. But like anything it's the long haul that counts so I'll be checking this out before I do this to anymore balls. Nice to know tho that other people have tried this and had good results.
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Moon
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So many questions, so little time but I'm having fun.

JohnP · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2009, 02:37:42 PM »

Keep in mind that if you use finger grips with a 1/4" drilled bridge your actual width, including the grips, is about 1/2". -- JohnP

Moon57 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2009, 03:33:50 PM »

Well, after putting some games on 3 balls with a wider bridge, I'm liking it. Ball feels more secure without having to squeeze. One thing I have noticed is that my track dia seems to have gone from 11 to 10 inches and the track has moved farther away from my fingers and thumb. This is with 3 balls that have different cores. I'm still checking this out and have some older stuff I'm going to convert to a wider bridge to see if the track winds up the same on those balls.
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Moon
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So many questions, so little time but I'm having fun.

Author Topic: Wider Bridge (Read 6601 times)

Moon57

Wider Bridge

JustRico

Re: Wider Bridge

Moon57

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the pooh

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T-GOD

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JustRico

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azguy

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Moon57

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JohnP

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Moon57

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