Author Topic: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this? (Read 69339 times)

looseleftie · « **on:** January 27, 2008, 09:09:49 PM »

Hi all
My team mate over the last year has begun bowling without his thumb in ball. He cradles ball between hand and lower arm. He generates a ton of revs, has strong forward roll, and sends the pins all over the place creating awesome ball reaction and regular strike bonanza.

My question, should I follow him? His av has picked up 20 pins, and he is only improving.Is this a technique that can be used till you're 70 yrs. He uses only a 12lb ball, but u wouldn't know it when the ball his the pins!!!

Myself, more of a stroker, not a great angle of entry or a ton of revs. It is just so exciting to watch. The green eyed monster returns LOL!!

I would love to read your thoughts on this.

Does anybody else bowl the same, or have views regarding this technique?? I would love to know any pros/cons with this?
Take care
LL

looseleftie · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2008, 01:56:31 AM »

Firstly thanks everyone for taking the time to respond.

Like High Rev said, I too have probs stringing strikes together, as my two fingered no thumb friend simply breezes turkeys and 4 /5 baggers together. I want to bowl till I'm 80, but don't want to have my bowling cut short by some 20-30 yrs due to back probs/wrist probs associated with thumbless bowling.

If I were to give it a go, what weight do I throw? Also what kind of ball. I bowl in THS centre currently using 14lb. What are u throwing High Revs???

Love to read as many thumbless bowling tales as possible, both good and bad.

Take care
LL

Grayson · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2008, 02:42:40 AM »

well though everything is said already I would like to add my personal experience of the topic - no thumb one hand bowling:

I started bowling this way to get a real strong hook out of a houseball
My friends and I went bowling once or twicee a month so no real need for a ftting drilled reactive. Ball reaction was strong and averaging 170 was no problem after some time...
Then I got me a reactive - a TornadoWarning from Ebonite with a short pinn drilled pin in palm and the ball was a monster for me as speed was an issue

when I then got me a "real" reactive everything started to become tricky... ball was too strong... ball rolled out... didn't carry... left splits... etc.

Just then I was getting sick and tired and switched to three fingers. Took me 1 year till I "recovered".

Bowling without a thumb is totally different and for some people is not an option in any way imho. the bigger your hand... the better... I have small hands ... not good for not using the thumb. The guys that play without the thumb here have big hands.
One has his balls drilled so he puts the thumb in only till the first joint (thumbtip drilling) to get at least that bit of stability. Maybe you would like to try that (of course position and size of the thumbhole needs to be adjusted
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"Have fun and bowl well!" - Grayson
"Some things are made so even idiots won't fail using them.... But I ask what about the genius?" - Grayson

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Edited on 1/29/2008 4:05 AM

agroves · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2008, 03:34:34 AM »

I would certainly look at this as the exception, not the rule. No thumbing is great for the wow factor. If all you plan to do is bowl on house shots and league, do whatever you want. You keep bringing up your friend who "simply breezes turkeys", but who wins on more demanding conditions? Watch him closely, does his ball hit close to the same spot every shot or is he just spraying and praying?

Admittedly, there are some quality no thumbers out there. But, in the long run, you need to play YOUR game and hone YOUR skills to become a better player.

Andrew
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FUFU

Zanatos1914 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2008, 06:18:11 AM »

I really was looking for something that I could take back with me concerning this style of bowling... I have balls for different conditions but the most challenging is when the head of the lanes are dry..

I find myself working extra hard because the ball starts setting up earlier...

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2 Fingers 4 Life
I Am The 3 Fingers Nightmare

badnuzjr · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2008, 07:50:33 AM »

I'd like to know where these back problems come from? A typical two finger bowler has a similar style to Ryan Shafer. Short back swing and quick follow through. So what causes back problems or wrist problems that a three finger bowler like Ryan Shafer wouldn't have?

I can't see the logic there, and I can only assume this is speculation? But I'm not a doctor also.
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Bad Nuz is Good News

High Game USBC: 255
High Game Unsanctioned: 298
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marsden74311 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2008, 07:55:11 AM »

Richie Sposato bowls without a thumb.

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:08:15 AM »

Richie Sposato President of Lane#1 bowls no thumb and bowls fantastic!

ALSO...a friend of mine with fantastic form (kegel reviews say double thumbs up) bowls both ways!

He goes no thumb when oily and tears it up! When dryer puts the thumb back in!

I believe he has more super high scores no thumb.

I've seen him lead many a tournament no thumb and his form is near Parker Bohn on the right with a touch softer speed.

REgards,

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

marsden74311 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:16:12 AM »

hahaha
I was waiting for the flames to start, i was hiding under my desk.

rhbowling07 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:28:41 AM »

i bowl with no thumb and my friend bowls with his and we both started bowling rite at 2 years ago and we are around the same age. 21 and 19. and we both put a lot of revs on the ball. i dont really leave big splits. Im bowling on the pba league now but we practice on ths and im usually 200+ average for the nite of ab 15 games or so and so is my friend. B/t us 2, neither one really leaves more splits. we throw close to the same speed 17-19mph and we both use 15lbs. We have both consistently gotten better so i think either way works. the only problem i really have is every once in a while it comes off my hand wrong, but usually doesnt happen if i concentrate. I use a wrist brace bc if not my wrist would b killing me.

AnthonyAmick · « **Reply #25 on:** January 29, 2008, 11:45:45 AM »

Hello all.

I bowl with no thumb and have so for fifteen years or so since I was in junior bowling. I have averaged over 200 for eight consecutive years now, over 210 for the last five, currently at 223 for 63 games this season, and also the proud owner of three sanctioned 300 games, and one sanctioned 800 series.

With all of that said, I do wish that I could use my thumb to bowl. The reason why I do not use my thumb is because I broke my thumb in high school playing football and it never healed properly and it hurts every time I try to throw a ball with my thumb in it. I would love to have more control and accuracy that using the thumb brings because by not using your thumb, you have to cradle the ball, which doesn't always lead to consistent hook and a few other things.

Also, I am now 30 years old and at the end of last season, I have noticed pain in my wrist as well from the poor form that comes with not using your thumb. This summer, I will not be able to bowl so I can try and rest my wrist.

The moral of my story is that bowling with no thumb isn't too much of a bad thing, but unless you absolutely have to do it, try to learn the proper way to bowl. I wish I still could.

BigBHammer278 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 29, 2008, 07:25:35 PM »

My personal friend Kyle Troup bowls 2 handed and he's awesome. He's been working with wrist positions and can straighten the ball out well and slides to the line instead of jerking up at the line like Osku and Jason. You can ask any of the TST bowlers that know kyle, they'd all tell you he has one of the smoothest 2 handed deliveries.

Bowling like this at 70, would you even be able to get adquate speed on the ball to keep it out of the gutter or in the pocket?

looseleftie · « **Reply #27 on:** January 30, 2008, 04:44:55 AM »

Ok, I have read many posts, and the jury is still out!!

In all honesty, I will probably never bowl on PBA patterns, or scratch leagues, and you know I am totally fine with that. I bowl once a week, enjoy it and love it when I bowl 200 +... Great feeling!!!

In saying this, its looks like a heck of a lot of fun bowling thumbless, and the fun element in bowling is why I began in the first place. If I bend correctly, relaxed armswing and focus on consistancy, then it may be fine.. Or it could be terrible!!! I truly don't know..

My only concern, is that I wish to be bowling well into my senior years. Anyone have a view on this???

Love to continue reading all thoughts on thumbless bowling, keep em coming, as I'm sure that there are a truck load of bowlers out there who are curious about this style of bowling.
Take care
LL

scotts33 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 30, 2008, 11:23:47 PM »

You forgot speed Deadbait the most important of the facets of todays game with high powered balls. Otherwise I like your analogy.
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Scott

NOTHUMB · « **Reply #29 on:** January 31, 2008, 01:18:22 AM »

Well now that everyone has thrown their "You wont be good on tough shots thoughts" and "Pro bowler blah blah blah".......

I have been bowling exclusively without my thumb for 11 years. When bowling well (which right now I am not---admittedly), I can be as accurate as anyone. Ive had success on tougher patterns---Nationals and PBA patterns.

The most true thing I have seen mentioned in this thread is how long it will take to master. The more revs, less accuracy notion is not true all the time. It is true most of the time. But there are some people who are more accurate without their thumb-------Im one of them.

All that said, if you have established your game with your thumb in, I wouldnt switch to throwing without your thumb. Your timing will inevitably change. You may need to redrill all of your equipment to get it to do what it is supposed to---when I bowled thumb in, I spun the ball, then when I throw without my thumb, my track inverts. It gives you options if you are going to switch back and forth. Problem with that---some people dont know what to do with their options or when to throw thumb in or thumb out.

My suggestion.......
Do what you enjoy.
Stick to 1 or the other.
If you throw without your thumb, turn your ears off. Youll hear garbage all the time about sticking your thumb in the ball, blah blah blah.
I have alot of opinions about this, but theyve been expressed over the years. What it comes down to is why are you doing it? If you are doing it purely for more power, you may not realize that missing the head pin 1 or 2 more times a game or leaving more greek churches basically eliminates any carry advantage you have from throwing NOTHUMB.

Just my 2 cents.

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Only Losers Feel Pressure
www.thetimekillers.com

gilly300 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 31, 2008, 04:12:37 PM »

Hey,
I remember a time when i was 9 or 10 years old just throwing a plastic ball...resin was becoming poplular and everyone was hooking the ball. I used to get the little purple 7 lb house ball and throw no thumb and love it. It looked like Amleto and his purple rhino pro, those were the days...Anyhow, this one time one of my coaches happened to be in the bowling alley and took notice to what i was doing...He was pissed, he had me stop immedietley and then proceeded to tell my father so he made sure this didnt happen again. Well, after that, my dad sent me away to military school because the coach thought it was the best thing for me since my behavior was so bad. When i got back from military school, my coach broke my bowling fingers so i was forced to throw the ball with just my thumb...Let me tell you what, i never appreciated my thumb more in my life and since that day have been a changed man. Ok, jk about the last few items. I have no problem with people throwing without there thumbs, i think over time you will see it being less of an issue. Out of all the people i know that throw without a thumb, most of them are pretty sucessfull. I would say the percentage of bowlers who are sucessful without there thumb is greater than bowlers with thumb in as far as your average joe in a bowling alley.
P.S. NOTHUMB for pres.
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For bowling tournaments in central PA

http://www.freewebs.com/gilly300

Author Topic: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this? (Read 69339 times)

looseleftie

two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

looseleftie

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

Grayson

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

agroves

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

Zanatos1914

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

badnuzjr

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

marsden74311

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

LuckyLefty

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

marsden74311

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

rhbowling07

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

AnthonyAmick

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

BigBHammer278

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

looseleftie

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

scotts33

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

NOTHUMB

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?

gilly300

Re: two fingers no thumb bowling with the one hand?? pros and cons of this?