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Author Topic: Back to Grips (again)  (Read 1157 times)

Neptune66

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Back to Grips (again)
« on: June 01, 2019, 08:49:26 AM »
Full Disclosure...  Posted basically same post to the Drilling Forum, but only received 2 humorous (I think ?!) replies, and in the meantime have decided to proceed anyway, but still interested in some feedback.

Am going back to Grips/Finger Inserts after recently (few months ago) having several of my balls plugged and redrilled to go without them.  Even though it's basically a matter of drilling back through the filling material  for the finger holes (and in same locations), was a little concerned about the integrity of the balls. Any reason I should be?

Thanks.


 

Dave81644

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Re: Back to Grips (again)
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2019, 10:17:12 AM »
Shouldn't be an issue as long as its in the same spot.
Out of curiosity, why didn't you like the no grips?
Been thinking of no grips to help with squeezing

Neptune66

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Re: Back to Grips (again)
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2019, 10:44:26 AM »
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.


star

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Re: Back to Grips (again)
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2019, 02:36:26 PM »
Neptune, have you ever tried silicon (silicone) grips from Vise. They are pale blue.

They make all the varieties from oval, semi, power lift etc. They are the closest feel to no grips that I’ve found. Tough to hang up in them, well I never have and I really hated standard Vise grips.

Tough to get hold of and a little expensive but they do last a long time. I actually have some grips in my balls that I bought in 2008 and they are still very usable.

Maybe a thought for you.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2019, 02:38:25 PM by star »
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BowlingForDonuts

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Re: Back to Grips (again)
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2019, 03:42:22 PM »
Have balls with and without grips (conventional and fingertip) and honestly almost never think if had one or the other my score would be higher.  Plenty of other variables to blame instead (either threw it good or I didn't generally once I am lined up).  Have had times when felt throwing 16# lowered my score but usually when had other flaws being exposed.  I wouldn't discount the pain part of the equation too much though.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2019, 04:09:22 PM by BowlingForDonuts »
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Neptune66

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Re: Back to Grips (again)
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2019, 05:53:42 PM »
Had not heard of the Silicone Grips. And Although I did mention a concern about hanging up sometimes, it’s probably mostly operator error. Is like I have to relearn to gave a more relaxed grip on a ball with the finger insets. But I am going to look into the Silicone grips. Thanks for mentioning.

Picked up 4 balls today that I had converted back to grips, and results were good. Not every shot or game was good,  but most of the results were positive. Felt like I had more control and more confidence that my ball was going where I intended. Even my mistakes were not disasters as they tend to be without the grips. More movement, more carry, and easier to repeat the same shot from frame to frame.

As for the pain, really had no discomfort. Usually don’t WHILE bowling. It’s a couple days later when I have trouble combing my hair or reaching toward the car radio, etc..

Also... when last using the grips, was using one size bigger, which may have allowed me to put my fingers in a little past the first joint and THIS might have led to hanging up in the ball or more tugging of my arm/shoulder. Didn’t seem to have this problem today, but I’ll see what the shoulder and fingers feel like in a couple days.

Seems like I can throw a little more free and easy with the grips. May be more accurate without them, but I also HAVE to be.  It’s like a choice between more accuracy without grips, but more carry and more foregiveness with them.

The pain? I’ll have to see how it goes. Don’t want to be a martyr or mess up my shoulder, just to bowl better. But I may have panicked a couple months ago when the pain began. Could be some muscles being used that were not  wing used as much when not using grips. Different arm motion in delivery.