Used Grips until about 12 years ago, and a Pro-Shop driller suggested I try a ball without them. I don't remember why exactly, but I liked it and switched to no grips and was happy for most of the time since then.
But at least 3 variables have changed over time:
1) Am older and don't have quite the same pop on the ball (never had many revs, but "cruising speed" (without deliberately trying to throw hard) used to be around 17-19 mph, and now is a respectable, but lower, 15-17.
2) Shortly after going to no grips, was getting some discomfort in my finger joints and another driller recommended a slightly narrower span for a more relaxed grip. It lowered my revs further, but was and is comfortable and almost never experience any joint pain ---even after bowling 15-20 games in a practice session. But my revs are literally laughable and most of my friends and teammates in leagues are constantly pointing to that whenever I'm not doing well.
3) The lane conditions --at least at the houses I bowl at-- use much more oil than 12 years ago. I think the drier conditions at the time I switched to no-grips, countered the loss of revs, and I was actually bowling lights out, especially if the lanes were burnt and everyone else (or at least the crankers) struggled to keep their balls on the lane.
This year I gradually switched several balls back to grips and noticed an increase in revs, but a decrease in accuracy and a disturbing tendency to squeeze the ball at times, and some dull pain in my shoulder and a little in my hand as well, so I, of course (pretend you see a rolling eyes icon here), abandoned the experiment and went back to no-grips.
The physical pain subsided and my accuracy improved, but the carry and the scores went south, and have now decided that the mental anguish of not being able to put any "stuff" on the ball is driving me mad and I'd am willing to deal with some physical discomfort instead.
Also... part of the reason I bowl 15-20 games of practice is cause I'm frustrated with the lack of "stuff" on my ball, and am trying to somehow manufacture it. All that's really happening, though is that the lanes are breaking down and the dryer conditions start to allow my shots to cover more boards and then I feel better and go home thinking I've solved the problem.
That's the not so short summary of why I'm going back to the grips. If you have decent revs and are ----well just a better bowler than me--- you might be thrilled with the feel of no grips. It DOES stop the tendency to squeeze the ball and yank it too far to the left (or right, if you're a lefty). And I absolutely never get blisters or lose any skin without the grips....except maybe early in the season when I have no callouses yet.
In short (finally, some are saying!
), if you have decent revs, and a relatively relaxed span (or are young enough that it's not a concern), I would recommend trying a ball without the grips. But for myself, I need to go back to them.
