Post by: looseleftie on January 27, 2008, 09:09:49 PM
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
Post by: looseleftie on January 28, 2008, 05:41:48 AM
Freakin, good point, there are no pros that I know of who do this, but to be honest, I am not a pro, nor my team mate. I don't bowl anywhere near the number of games, so I am looking at perhaps trying this. I would be most happy to av close to 200 or so....
I don't know, I really want as many takes/opinions on this post.
Are there many/or any higher av bowlers who use this technique???
Also, are there any potential long term problems (physically) with this action??
I want to bowl till I'm old and grey. I've already got the grey. SOB,SOB!!
Look forward to all thoughts on this.
LL
Post by: Zanatos1914 on January 28, 2008, 06:44:13 AM
Most important thing is reading the lane and seeing the oil and knowing your breaking point.
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2 Fingers 4 Life
I Am The 3 Fingers Nightmare
Post by: RotoGripGal on January 28, 2008, 06:56:18 AM
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RotoGrip Convert
Post by: se7en on January 28, 2008, 07:33:32 AM
You wont have to deal with callus.
You get a discount on ball drilling.
Cons:
You wont really ever be that good on anything but walled up house shots, and even then, it's rare to see a thumbless bowler break out of the 190s.
PS: Jason and Osku are two-handed bowlers. There's a big difference.
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There is nothing so easy to learn as experience and nothing so hard to apply.
Post by: badnuzjr on January 28, 2008, 07:46:03 AM
Bowling is about repeatability and if you can be repetitive with 2 fingers than go for it. If you can't, try something else. Here are a couple pictures from this weekends action...
http://www.freewebs.com/badnuzjr/1.27.08a.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/badnuzjr/1.27.08b.jpg
That is my track inertia. And as you can see clearly, thumb out of ball.
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Bad Nuz is Good News
High Game USBC: 255
High Game Unsanctioned: 298
Edited on 1/28/2008 8:48 AM
Post by: another300 on January 28, 2008, 12:24:00 PM
Pro's -
Lots of rev's
Great pin action
great carry
more area
Con's -
takes years to master
will have to learn to bowl with thumb when you get older
horrid splits
more suseptible to wrist problems
Post by: notgoodenuf on January 28, 2008, 01:53:04 PM
starting out, its pretty impossible to be consistent and accurate. but now after working at it, i have a lot more versitility and accuracy. i can play as straight as a lot of people with there thumb in the ball. i don't really have a lot of problems leaving obscence splits.you throw it good you get good results....you throw it bad, you pay.....just like always. its just about how much effort you want to put into it. as far as physical problems, i throw 15 pound equipment and haven't had any problems....but i am still young, only 25....bowling since 18.
like was stated earlier, you just have to be able to repeat whatever you choose....its all about repeating
Post by: Spartan on January 28, 2008, 02:05:24 PM
the cons are:
-insane splits
-somewhat difficult to use for spares
-hard to be accurate
-takes lots of practice to use effectively
however, one of my good friends is a no thumber. mind, he's bowled this way since he started. his average is around 225 and he is leading our invitational youth scratch travel league. but, the only way to describe him is a stroker-his style is very smooth. no extra wrist or hand stuff, he just rolls the ball. but yes, he has high revs. his ball speed is about 16-17 mph.
hope this helps and best of luck.
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currently for sale:
15lb animal
14lb icon2
Post by: MrNoThumb on January 28, 2008, 02:15:55 PM
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Bowling balls are like video games I don't need anymore but I keep buying them.
Post by: azus on January 28, 2008, 02:16:16 PM
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I like my coffee black, just like my metal.
What would Chuck Norris do?
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Cute Bunny! copy bunny into sig to help him achieve world domination
Post by: mrbowlingnut on January 28, 2008, 02:22:35 PM
quote:
Well Mike Miller from New Mexico won 4 PBA titles using the no thumb release and has thrown 55 300's according to stats http://www.stormbowling.com/company/bowler-staff.asp?tour=6
Pro's -
Lots of rev's
Great pin action
great carry
more area
Con's -
takes years to master
will have to learn to bowl with thumb when you get older
horrid splits
more suseptible to wrist problems
Post by: VIXIV on January 28, 2008, 02:23:43 PM
VID (http://"http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=66djtcp&s=1")
I started out throwing no thumb before I had my own equipment. It was so annoying trying to find a house ball that wasn't gonna annoy that much. When I finally got my own stuff drilled, I was just so used to it and comfortable with it, that I stuck with it. Yeah, if you're serious about this sport, stick with the conventional and proper way of throwing it.
Oh, and please try not to hurt yourself if you try this! lol I see too many people who get really close to face planting or launching themselves into the adjacent lane lol
Post by: Zanatos1914 on January 28, 2008, 02:43:17 PM
quote:
I'am one of those bolwers that don't use a thumb, bowled like that for 16 plus years, something I wished I wouldn't have started. My wrist is sore after bowling, hand swells up after 6 games, but I average 205 without my thumb. I have tried to put my thumb back in the ball and can't even hold it anymore. Shot my 300 without thumb also.
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Bowling balls are like video games I don't need anymore but I keep buying them.
Dude I have a question...
Since you have been bowling longer than me how are you holding the ball.
I noticed your comments about the wrist and etc..
Started throwing a 16 but dropped down to 15.2 with a brace to support my wrist... Megaforce 9000
I like the extra grip on the ball...
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2 Fingers 4 Life
I Am The 3 Fingers Nightmare
Post by: high_revs on January 28, 2008, 03:12:39 PM
Post by: looseleftie on January 29, 2008, 01:56:31 AM
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
Post by: Grayson on January 29, 2008, 02:42:40 AM
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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c(')(')
Unoffical Ballreviews.com FAQ (http://"http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5")
Edited on 1/29/2008 4:05 AM
Post by: agroves on January 29, 2008, 03:34:34 AM
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
Post by: Zanatos1914 on January 29, 2008, 06:18:11 AM
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
Post by: badnuzjr on January 29, 2008, 07:50:33 AM
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
http://www.freewebs.com/badnuzjr/1.27.08b.jpg
Post by: marsden74311 on January 29, 2008, 07:55:11 AM
Post by: LuckyLefty on January 29, 2008, 08:08:15 AM
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..
Post by: marsden74311 on January 29, 2008, 08:16:12 AM
I was waiting for the flames to start, i was hiding under my desk.
Post by: rhbowling07 on January 29, 2008, 08:28:41 AM
Post by: AnthonyAmick on January 29, 2008, 11:45:45 AM
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.
Post by: BigBHammer278 on January 29, 2008, 07:25:35 PM
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?
Post by: looseleftie on January 30, 2008, 04:44:55 AM
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
Post by: scotts33 on January 30, 2008, 11:23:47 PM
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Scott
Post by: NOTHUMB on January 31, 2008, 01:18:22 AM
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
Post by: gilly300 on January 31, 2008, 04:12:37 PM
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