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Author Topic: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....  (Read 16115 times)

stopncrank

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Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« on: August 02, 2011, 03:13:21 AM »
This summer has been a re-tooling summer for my game. This will be my 22nd year, add to that that Carpel Tunnel has set in so Ive had to find things that alleviate those symptoms.

 

One thing is ive experimented with is a dropped ring finger on an old ball, and pitched the fingers away from the palm to eliminate most of the stretch in my grip. While most of the weakness has subsided, and the carpel tunnel is just not allowing me to squeeze the ball as much as I used too(which may be the best thing to come out of this), the ball just doesnt feel stable throughout my swing, it actually feels like the ball could fly off my hand at times.

 

Add to this that Ive had to change my whole setup in my stance to help with the weakness, im an old urethane cranker, so naturally ive always dug my fingers into the inserts, as well as cupping and turning my wrist, which got me where I am now. Also, we checked my pap and it used to be 4" straight over, now its in the 3 3/8" over, and 1" up range.

 

So a good friend who is a former PBA champ suggested to me the other day that I try a pinky finger hole. He says he went through exactly what I talked about here, and helped him so much that he still uses it today.

 

So does anybody use a pinky hole on here? Will this hole change my pap again, and will it affect ball roll?

 

Thanks,

Stopncrank

   


Still taking your lunch money one strike at a time, just without a Mission in my bag....
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Jesse James

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2011, 11:41:49 AM »
I have a couple of balls drilled with pinky holes. Of course, I got them for a completely different reason than you.

 

For me the pinky hole gives me greater control of the rotation of the ball. It does cut down on the natural squeezing that occurs in your swing,.....but for me it givea me added revs. I don't know if that is what you are looking for, nor do I know if my PAP changed at all. But it is a very comfortable grip.


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stopncrank

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2011, 11:51:15 AM »
Jesse, what about it allows you greater control on the rotation? 



Jesse James wrote on 8/2/2011 11:41 AM:
I have a couple of balls drilled with pinky holes. Of course, I got them for a completely different reason than you.


 


For me the pinky hole gives me greater control of the rotation of the ball. It does cut down on the natural squeezing that occurs in your swing,.....but for me it givea me added revs. I don't know if that is what you are looking for, nor do I know if my PAP changed at all. But it is a very comfortable grip.


Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, but it still holds the universe together.

Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.


Still taking your lunch money one strike at a time, just without a Mission in my bag....
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fialdj

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2011, 12:27:35 PM »
I have been using a pinky hole with insert for many years. I've got tendon issues and arthritis. It allows my to hold onto the ball without pain.  I would also suggest pitching your thumb forward and shorten span.   One thing the pinky hole will do is help with extra top or finger weight and even can be used as your balance hole.  Start by drilling your thumb, I'm using 1/16" forward, but at least 0, then without stretching mark all of your finger holes.  on the pitch for the pinky add 3/4" to 1" to that of ring finger, so it doesnt touch at the bottom and cause cracking. add remember 1/4" between the holes. I started with only a hole, but prefer an insert. You can message me for additional help

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psychodad

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2011, 03:41:43 PM »
I have a couple follow up questions to this post. For the pinky finger do you drill it with fingertip grip or conventional, And also I had ask my pro shop guy about adding a pinky hole and he said I would have issues with Cracking if I added another hole so close to the other holes, could this happen?

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BrianCRX90

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2011, 05:10:28 PM »
you shouldn't need to use a grip. The pinky hole should be drilled finger tip drilled and not conventional btw.

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2011, 06:59:35 PM »
psychodad,
I have not seen any increased cracking due to the pinky hole being added. Just make sure there is some bevel (which most of us like anyway) and there should be no problem.  I think if the manufacturers were worried about it causing cracking they would mention it in their warranty. To my knowledge they have not addressed it. Does anyone know of a ball company that will not warranty the ball solely due to a pinky hole?
 
 


Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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JohnP

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2011, 09:27:37 AM »
Be sure the pinkie hole is pitched so it doesn't meet the RF hole at the bottom.  --  JohnP


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Track_Fanatic

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2011, 11:39:29 AM »
 A long time ago I used to get my equipment drilled by someone who had a shop in strike and spare lanes in Northbrook Illinois which closed down some 15 years or more ago.  He was also a PBA national champion and has been a gold certified instructor for quite a long period of time and also has an article in the bowlers journal. I believe he still uses the pinky finger still.  I tried it in a few bowling balls and it was more comfortable for me but I felt like I was overturning it/topping the ball so I stopped using it.  I felt like I was holding onto the ball too long and couldn't get a faster release.
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Pinbasher209

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #9 on: August 17, 2011, 02:32:36 PM »
Does the Pinky hole increase rev's?  I have low rev's, Stroker 14-15 mph. I like to play down and in and occasionally the lanes are so, oily I can't get any movement even with the heavy oil balls.  Drill is fine, just looking for extra help.  Does anyone that uses a pinky hole get their ball drilled this way for increased rev's?


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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2011, 12:03:55 AM »
I doubt anyone would try it to increase revs, but who knows? If it allows someone to clear their thumb more quickly it may help, but that will depend on the bowler.
The reason most of our customers have gone with the extra finger hole is to take a little strain off the other two fingers, due to arthritis or other issues.
We are all so different, that I don't dare say "do" or "don't" try the pinky hole. Try it on a ball and see if it does what you like. Later you can add it to any other ball if necessary.
 
 


Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
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www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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ccrider

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2011, 07:16:13 AM »
 If the reverse in the fingers has stopped the pain but it now feels like you are going to drop the ball, odds are that either your span is too short, you need more forward in your thumb or that your thumb hole could be too big. Work with your driller to figure out why, rather than trying to add a pinky hole hoping to fix the problem. After you fix it, the pinky hole may help take pressure off of your other fingers or may change your rev rate or tilt. Whether this is good or bad will depend on your ball speed and how it matches up.

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JohnP

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Re: Thoughts on a pinky finger hole....
« Reply #12 on: August 18, 2011, 09:07:09 AM »

 



Pinbasher209 wrote on 8/17/2011 2:32 PM:
Does the Pinky hole increase rev's?  I have low rev's, Stroker 14-15 mph. I like to play down and in and occasionally the lanes are so, oily I can't get any movement even with the heavy oil balls.  Drill is fine, just looking for extra help.  Does anyone that uses a pinky hole get their ball drilled this way for increased rev's?



I doubt that a pinky hole will increase revs.  Go to the thread in the link below and find the slo mo videos of Robert Smith's and Wes Malott's releases.  Watch how they cock (not cup) the wrist prior to release and then snap back to straight, similar to throwing a yoyo, as the thumb clears.  That's how revs are created.  --  JohnP

 



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