Author Topic: So how tight is your thumb hole ? (Read 6852 times)

Scooterdog · « **on:** March 08, 2008, 11:12:02 AM »

Its been brought to my attention that I keep my thumb hole too loose. I guess I'm so used to using muscle to hang on to the ball it became natural. So when ever I tried to relax my hand and arm swing I would actually drop the ball every once in awhile. If I put more tape in I would hang up in the ball. So I let Jeff Ussery fit me a new ball. The thumb is tighter then anything I've had in thirty years. After 12 games I'm lucky to get out of the ball clean 30% of the time. On the bright side I'm up to 5 sticks of 1" tape in my older stuff. Plus I can totally relax my hand and arm swing and feel like I could never drop the ball.

So I'm fighting with a couple of things. A lot of coaches say you need to get your thumb out quick. Seems hard to do if your thumb is TOO snug. Yet you want a good grip so you can have a loose swing. AND you need a relaxed hand too get those revs.
So when is a thumb hole too tight ?

Scooterdog

Spider Ball Bowler · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2008, 09:47:27 AM »

The tighter my thumb hole, the worse I throw the ball. I get mine drilled larger, then put tape in there to get what I feel is the best feel for me. If my thumb starts to swell, and the fit gets too tight, I pull the crud out of the ball.

I was missing a lot of 7 pins to the right, and couldn't figure out why. I was hanging up in the thumb. So I took all the tape out, and now it rolls off my hand perfectly. The thumb hole is too big, but for me that just works better for my spares.

I have always had trouble getting my thumb just right, but I like to have a little bit of room in there.
--------------------
Formerly SGC300
"Never get into a pissing match with a skunk, cuz he'll piss all over you and like it."-Keyshawn Johnson on Terrell Owens

tekneek · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2008, 10:03:00 AM »

all my slugs have vent holes drilled, allows less vacuum, if my thumb swells, I just paint the backside of my thumb with clear chapstick, no hang, no squeezing, clean release.
--------------------
Steve
Leading Edge Pro Shop
512-755-2947

http://stores.ebay.com/Leading-Edge-Pro-Shop

Paypal: tekneek@wildblue.net

Brickguy221 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2008, 11:05:09 AM »

I started out throwing house balls with over size holes in 1963 and of coarse had to squeeze the ball. Thus I learned to bowl squeezing the ball and still squeeze it today although very lightly now and a bit harder than the "holding a bird in your hand type squeeze", but it is still a squeeze. Thus I have to use a thumb hole slightly on the large side with tape in the front to help the gripping of the abll and in the back adjusting looseness-thightness as needed.
--------------------
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick

dicnic · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2008, 02:58:37 PM »

Put Ron C's Magic Carpet in the back of the thumbhole and your thumb will not stick, not pop and will fit properly. You will probably have to enlarge the thumb hole prior to doing this.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/magiccarpet/magiccarpet.htm
--------------------
Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Brickguy221 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 09, 2008, 03:12:22 PM »

quote:
Put Ron C's Magic Carpet in the back of the thumbhole and your thumb will not stick, not pop and will fit properly. You will probably have to enlarge the thumb hole prior to doing this.

I know all about the Magic Carpet. I have tried it off and on and like it one time and not another, so overall, I don't use it much. I may try it again sometime since I have now gone to using custom made thumb molds. Will depend if my molds are loose enough to allow it.
--------------------
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick

Strike300 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 09, 2008, 07:50:33 PM »

Hey deadbait you got a copy of the article on fishhooking the fingers or the setting the thumb method. I sure could use those.

Scooterdog · « **Reply #22 on:** March 09, 2008, 10:00:55 PM »

My thumb swelled up some and I just took a step backwards in regards to this whole thing. Looks like its time to resort to baby steps. Why do things have to be so hard sometimes. lol If anybody finds my thumb please return it. Last time I saw it was rolling down the alley in my new bowling ball !

Scooterdog

Weaser · « **Reply #23 on:** March 09, 2008, 10:20:05 PM »

SD - Had 2 new balls drilled for tourney this weekend & the fat thumb reappeared. Standard equipment is drywall screen & a bevel knife to be followed by black & white tape for league this week.
--------------------
Gary
Proud Member of the Track Legion
Tag Team Coaching Success Story

novawagonmaster · « **Reply #24 on:** March 10, 2008, 08:36:26 AM »

quote:
So tight that initially I can't even get my thumb into the hole until I force it in and it shrinks a bit from compression.

Me too! I have to jam my thumb in the hole at first and leave it in for about 30 seconds. When I pull it back out and try a second time, it goes in much easier. I have pretty dry skin, so I rearely hang up. I use urethane slugs and 1/2 forward pitch. I keep baby powder in my bag in case it gets warm.
--------------------
Jon (in Ohio)
aka: Rico Swerve~

se7en · « **Reply #25 on:** March 10, 2008, 09:14:07 AM »

+1 for Magic Carpets.
--------------------
There is nothing so easy to learn as experience and nothing so hard to apply.

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #26 on:** March 10, 2008, 02:58:18 PM »

Just was reading Bill Taylor's old standard book.

He stated a good guideline was 3/64" greater than the tightest hole one can freely fit in. As all realize that is slightly less than 1/16 of an inch over the VERY tight hole standard talked about above.

I found this related well to where I tend to end up fitted size wise.

Still a great book in many ways.

REgards,

Luckylefty
--------------------
Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

9andaWiggle · « **Reply #27 on:** March 10, 2008, 03:13:52 PM »

quote:
So how tight is your thumb hole ?

I don't know. Why don't you buy me a couple of drinks, and maybe later you can find out!

LOL, sorry, I couldn't resist!

--------------------
9~

The Shepherd has Spoken!

MX 267 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 10, 2008, 03:58:23 PM »

quote:
Last time I'm gonna bring this up.. There is a method (has been explained on this forum before) called "setting the thumb" or "Fishhooking the fingers". With this method, the size of the thumbhole and the use of tape becomes a secondary issue. It is archived in BTM's magazines

I'm glad its easy to find?

Probably wouldnt have asked dumb questions then

--------------------
Hammer Sharp Blade
Hammer Toxic

I'm thinking I might take that new chick from Logistics. If things go well I might be showing her my O-face. "Oh... Oh... Oh!" You know what I'm talkin' about. "Oh!"

Lane1Redneck · « **Reply #29 on:** March 10, 2008, 04:11:11 PM »

quote:
don't know. Why don't you buy me a couple of drinks, and maybe later you can find out!

SOB 9, didn't think you was THAT easy.
--------------------
Looks Like a Telefunken U-47

Please don't drink and vote
YOU CAN'T AFFORD HER

F.O.S
Great deals,and service www.Shirts4Bowling.com

Jeff

Brickguy221 · « **Reply #30 on:** March 10, 2008, 11:54:40 PM »

Once again I tried the Magic Carpet today and I didn't do well with it and am simply not comfortable with it when I release my ball plus my ball doesn't work as well with it. I seem to do better with Storm 3/4" white tape in the front and back of the thumb hole. The Storm White Tape seems to be smoother than other brands of white tape and works the best for me when I tape my thumb hole.
--------------------
"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

Brick