Alright Carl, here you go:

I used to throw my Arsenal (and spare ball) with my thumb halfway in the ball.  Because of the lack of support, I also had to grip it.  I found that lately I have been blistering on the left side of my thumb (I am right handed).  I tried to fully insert my thumb into the ball(s), but the thumbhole was too tight a fit, and I either couldn't get out of it, or threw it with about 4 revs down the lane.  I also have a Brunswick Riot Zone Purple Pearl, which is 13 pounds and has a much bigger thumbhole.  I can throw that ball without blistering.

I recently opened my Arsenal’s thumbhole so that I can now fully insert my thumb without it sticking (almost an entire personal size, actually). However, because my thumb is further into the ball, it looks like I have lost about half the revs I couldn’t spare.

I went open bowling yesterday. I threw it (the Artillery) for about a game-and-a-half before my thumb started blistering again. However, the blister was significantly smaller than it was before I opened up the thumb(slug). In the sixth or seventh frame of my second game, I switched to my Riot Zone.  The Riot Zone is a ball that was not designed to handle as much oil as the Artillery, but what I found was that the Purple Pearl actually hooked MORE because I could put more revs on the ball, however, my track was lower. I don’t know why the Riot Zone out-hooked the Arsenal yesterday. The only differences between these two balls (besides the coverstocks and cores) are the bigger thumbhole on the Riot Zone, and weight difference (the Arsenal Artillery is a heavy 14). I can’t imagine I was throwing slower; the Purple Pearl is lighter than what I’m used to. Does anyone have any thoughts?
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I'll give you five bucks off 'cause you look like a guy who knows his BALLS!

Lower track equals more spin that creates more length & backend due to energy retention once it reaches the dry backends. Also Rg of RZ is 2.578 vs. 2.45 for the AA. Powder is the first step before surgery. What usually swells in warm humid weather also shrinks in cold weather ala GIANT thumbhole with multiple pieces of tape. If you do remove material, only remove the areas that are too snug, not the entire hole.
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Gary
Proud Member of the Track Legion
Tag Team Coaching Success Story

spinner,

do you happen to know the pitches that are in the thumbhole?


-Carl
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Carl Hurd
C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio


Tag Team Member #1

TAG TEAM COACHING!!!!!!/Co-Founder

There are just far too many things that could be wrong here. If you were only putting your thumb in halfway and decided to put your entire thumb in       then:    
- The span could be too long for you.
- When you were putting the thumb in half way pitches were not important, they are now! Have a pro shop operator check them so they can tell you what they are. Odds are he/she will have to to check our hand and suggest using pitches different from what you have.
- The thumbholes may very well be the proper size now, but you are used to grabbing the ball because of only putting your thumb in halfway.

Odds are that you hooked the Riot Zone more because it is lighter in weight. That is a problem that alot of people encounter when they drop in weight with their equipment. Most do it to have more speed, but you will also be able to get more lift on the ball.

I do agree with bowling 300 900. You have to get into a pro shop and have it looked at. We can help here....but being there and actually seeing is ideal. Go to a local pro shop and have it looked at.

-Carl

PS- Are you able to post videos? If so see a video of you would be helpful.
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Carl Hurd
C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio


Tag Team Member #1

TAG TEAM COACHING!!!!!!/Co-Founder