Yesterday I saw one of my teammates using one of those and when I asked him about his experience with the Turbo grips he told me that for him it makes a big difference since he started using them, having the same feel in all his equipment instead of getting used to the new feel when you switch balls. The thing is, I just bought two bowling balls (Sigma Sting and Tribal fire) and I was wondering about using the turbo grips on my new equipment. Any thoughts? Are they good? Is it the same as the usual thumb hole? It is supposed that when you drill a ball the thumb hole is the same in every ball isn't it? So what's the difference?

The thumbhole in every ball feels identical since the same thumbhole is used in each ball.  If you change balls frequently, it is helpful.  Also for me, I know my thumb is larger when I bowl in the morning or midday vs. the evening.  I can switch to a larger thumb if needed.  That way I don't need to open up a thumbhole I like just for one tournament.  I switched to interchangeable thumbholes a few years ago and I am very happy I did.

But....

If you track high and roll over your thumb hole, I wouldn't advice it. I track over my thumb hole, balls flare over my thumb. I have a ball with a 4x4x2 layout (pin high) and even that, the flare goes over my thumb.

I even changed my spare game in order to use my spare ball less. I only use my spare ball for single right side pins and a few multi right side leaves. I got tired of having my thumb hole fixed or spare ball replaced.

There's also zero way I could ever go back, and I just have a round thumbhole.  Once you get the bevel and the tape fit just right, it's hard to exactly replicate that no matter how easy or simple it is.  Process or procedure you can copy, FEEL can't be copied. 

Which is odd because I've heard other shop guys say they have constant problems with the IT and none with the Turbo.  Most failures with these systems seem to be caused by improper installation, but I've had to replace so many Turbo's that have mechanically failed that it's unreal.  They've been built better recently though, it's been a few months since I've had to do much.  I do spend a lot of time prying stuff out that's gotten jammed between the ball sleeve and the ball.  Slug gets stuck in there and won't come out, but can't get the stuff out between the sleeve and the ball unless the slug comes out. 

I use Turbo Switch Grips, have had no problems or regrets.

Thank y'all for your help and great respones. I thought that that technology was exclusive from Turbo, I didn't know about Vise IT so I will go with my pro shop guy tomorrow to see what does he have available. I've been having some issues when I switch balls by the second or third game and it usually takes me about two to three frames to get used to the ball, which I didn't like, so this looks like something that will be helpful to me.

What is in bold is almost verbatim to what my shop said (I'm blessed to have a great shop) when I was pondering making the change, with the exception of the failures.  He did say that the few that do fail mostly are related to improper installation and that they're very well built now.  He also noted the IT was actually substantially more involved w/installation. 

Which is odd because I've heard other shop guys say they have constant problems with the IT and none with the Turbo.  Most failures with these systems seem to be caused by improper installation, but I've had to replace so many Turbo's that have mechanically failed that it's unreal.  They've been built better recently though, it's been a few months since I've had to do much.  I do spend a lot of time prying stuff out that's gotten jammed between the ball sleeve and the ball.  Slug gets stuck in there and won't come out, but can't get the stuff out between the sleeve and the ball unless the slug comes out. 

Quote from: Good Times Good Times on December 03, 2014, 12:42:45 PM

I use Turbo Switch Grips, have had no problems or regrets.

I resisted getting Switch Grips for years, because of the failures I had heard about. I finally broke down and got them. I was told also, the contruction was much better now. Now that I have them, I could never go back to bowling without them. I found the biggest difference was in my Spare ball. I throw straight w/ Plastic at almost every spare. Started that when bowling some PBA regionals and some sport pattern leagues. Having that same feel in my Spare ball is immeasurable.
 
But, with that, I do have a small warning. Make sure you go to a reputable shop, as others have stated, most failures today trace back to improper set-up. The other thing to watch for is if you are planning on moving. I have moved around quite a bit for my job. In my last relocation, I ran into a problem. The driller I went to, who was recommended to me by a an old friend, said he could drill my ball with switch grips. But is drillbit was set at a different depth than my previous driller's was (or maybe one was sharper, there are a number of reasons why this might occur) even though they are supposed to be standard. But, since I was a "new" customer, he didn't want to change the depth of his drillbit,because then he might not be able to get it back to where it was for all his oid customers who he has drilled for in the past. He made me a new thumb slug, but the feel just isn't the same as my other one, so the ball is useless to me at this point.  I haven't had the time to go to another driller and get them to correct it yet. So just be aware that this might be an issue as well. But overall, I don't think you can go wrong with either the IT or Switch Grips, and you will love it once you make the change, I think.