For years, I have used fingertip grip in my equipment, but since the advent of reactive balls, I have struggled with an over reaction.

 I have toyed with the idea of using a conventional grip to even out the reaction somewhat, but have just never convinced myself fully to do it.

 A couple of all time PBA hall of famers used a conventional grip their entire careers ( Dave Davis and Glen Allison) and never had a problem competing, and as almost everyone knows, Mr. Allison once shot a 900 series with a conventional grip yellow dot.

 Have any of you guys ever tried this?  If so, what were your results?

A conventional grip might give more accuracy, but the secret to strikes is a strong forward roll when the ball hits the pocket!  You cannot get this with a conventional grip.  Watch the Pros videos.

The great Don Johnson did this in the middle of a PBA tournament years ago. The lanes
were in such bad shape that nobody could control their reaction. The lane track was
fried and anything outside the track was out of bounds entirely. Don immediately went
to a conventional grip and ended up leading the tournament. 

I sure agree with AvaBob that forward roll at the end of the pattern is in many instances a nice thing to have.

Axis rotation of from 20 to 40 degrees in many cases makes a lot of sense on today's patterns!

Then again how do we explain the senior tour year of Pete Weber with his stronger side roll?  I thought I noticed a slight tweak in his roll at the tournament at the Villages in Florida where he won for the first time.  Creating a little less side to side motion.  The rest has been history in this record breaking season.  I think we would all have to agree on that!

As to conventional grips and Dave Davis.  I was fortunate enough to stumble in to a house in South Florida and end up getting to meet and then over a period of time subsequently bowl with Dave Davis.  This was around 1998.  At the time Dave had just finished winning a couple of USBC Masters titles for big money and over the next couple of years was throwing the ball fantastic! 

He had a knee that was healed up with special treatment from a long period of painful accommodation and was throwing the ball fantastic.  For a year or two more he was throwing fantastic and leading and winning more than one event on the PBA senior tour.

I have watched videos of him early in his career and none of them reflect what I got to see at this time in his mid 50 to late 50s with his dramatically improved knee!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk_cOVvpg-I 

At this time he was fast around 17 mph at the pocket elegant and with a beautiful full fingertip forward roll style!  Enjoyable to watch like Parker Bohn.

As to a conventional grip I knew none of it, though it may have been a fact.  I know he was famous for a four step delivery, (though he was five step by then), and his effortless speed.  I know watching him helped my own bowling and learning of his practice regimen which he used most of his bowling career.

I remember him telling me of when he converted from being a full roller to a semi roller and if I remember right, it was months of changed roll practice with no steps!

I feel lucky and honored to to have stumbled upon my relationship with Dave and frankly wish I could still see this elegant style several times a week like the good old days.  I felt I never bowled as well, just because of osmosis! 

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS as is well known Dave is a fine Gentleman, outstanding sportsman, and fierce competitor.

 As far as Mr. Davis goes, I will admit to relying on a Mike Durbin reference to his grip I heard on an old youtube video. Wish I could remember which one.

 Mr. Allison, however, is a different story. It is a well known fact that he used the conventional grip.

 It is "just bowling", and I really don't have anything to lose by trying it, so I think I'm going to guve it a whirl. The worst that can happen is I end up with ANOTHER boat anchor, and I've had plenty of those, lol. 😜

 yeah, I've watched a few of his vids in the past. He's an unusual example of someone who actually chooses to use a conventional grip instead of fingertip.

 I think I'm gonna go ahead and try it. The center I bowl has a shop that always has a rack of decent used balls for sale. I'll pick me out a good one and we'll see what happens.......