Bowling tape intro...

[scruffwhor]

Hey guys and gals,

I bowled my first league in twelve years this '13 Summer. Now I'm in a fall league and, of course, my thumb gets a little smaller with each colder day in the Chicagoland area.

It's time I add some tape to my bag. After doing some research, there seems to be a lot of options as far as different kinds of tape goes.

Would you folks mind giving me a primer on what brand or type of tape I should consider depending on my release and thumb size at the time.

Thanks folks!!

[scruffwhor]

...also.... I've seen some sites make it seem like you put the tape on your finger and some go into the ball.

I've always assumed tape is added or removed from the fingers only.

please clarify..

[noeymc]

as you can already tell tape comes in all types some go in the ball others on your thumb i use the kind that goes into the ball with the rough patch on it, its all up to personal preference really i try to buy the thinnest i can so that i can keep adding if needed but i might just need a 1/16th of a inch to make it work again or even a 32nd so i mean really tape is a personal choice none of it is bad remember u can always add if needed thin is better if you ask me

[MICHAEL]

I would be lost without my tape!! I buy the brand that you put ON YOUR THUMB, not in the ball! I guess both work, just a lot less effort putting it on the thumb where the problem area is.

They come in different textures, and to a degree thickness! The brand I use comes in different colors, that correspond to different textures. Without the tape I would get blisters, but with it I can bowl, and have in the past with THE BOWLING GOD, JASON,, many games without any thumb discomfort

[bowl1820]

The other pretty well have it down.

There are basically three types, with different versions of each (Thickness,Width, Textures)

The grip tapes that go in the front of the thumb hole to help grip. ( They technically increase your span a little also) example The White bowlers tape

The smooth tapes that go in the back of the thumb hole, Basically making the hole smaller. example the Black bowlers tape

Then there's the tapes that are applied to the thumb itself. Example Turbo Tape

Another option is the interchangeable thumb inserts, where you can have several different size holes to switch too. Example Switch-grips

As for which one to use, it's all a matter of feel, what you like.

[bowlerRob2]

I use both the "in hole" grip tape and the "on thumb" tape. As Bowling God Michael alluded to, the tape you wear on your thumb will eliminate blisters and torn skin. Knowing where to place it depends on your pressure points, but I just use one strip along the outside of my thumb. Here is a video on that kind of tape:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1negmAlOlfU


The other kind of tape goes inside your ball in the thumb hole (this is different kind of tape) and Bowling God Bowl1820 did a good job of explaining that there is smooth and rough, each coming in different thicknesses. Here is a video on that kind of tape:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8PEAPkYAM0


You will have to do some experimenting with tape to see what works best for you. You may not need both in hole and on thumb or you may need a combination of both like I use. And of course you will have to enough room in your thumb hole to still fit your thumb.

Also consider getting a pair of kiddie scissors to put in your bag (no sharp ends to punch holes in your bag). That way you can make on-the-fly tape adjustments at the lane side. Best of luck!

[scruffwhor]

I never felt that I needed any tape until the colder days of fall creeped up.

I don't like the idea of putting tape on my thumb, but inside the ball I have no problem.

Maybe I should just start with inside the finger hole tape first and figure out my comfort level.

then move on from there.

[bowl1820]

One thing if someone is having to use tape to eliminate blisters and torn skin, then they should have their fit checked. A well fitting grip shouldn't be causing those type of problems.

[dnhoffman]

One thing if someone is having to use tape to eliminate blisters and torn skin, then they should have their fit checked. A well fitting grip shouldn't be causing those type of problems.

+1

You should be able to bowl 10 games a day easy with no blistering, if that's occurring then your fit is wrong and is probably limiting your game as well.

[scruffwhor]

blistering or thumb pain is not an issue for me.

sometimes I bowl three practice games prior to league play. no thumb pain what so ever or blistering.

but I do notice a difference in the looseness in the thumb hole.

hence the thumb tape suggestion thread.

[dnhoffman]

I have the IT system in all my equipment but also keep a piece of the white I the front of each of the slugs and transition first by removing the tape then moving up another slug if it starts to swell even more.

I've found the white on the inside works best for me.

[vdubtx]

I use a single piece of white textured tape in front of thumb hole on each of my balls. I feel it has made a difference as I don't have to worry about my thumb slipping out of hole at all. Good to have a little grip feel there.

[Stormed1]

Depending on your thumbhole size the tape that goes in the ball is available in 3/4 & 1 inch widths

[Aslan]

One thing if someone is having to use tape to eliminate blisters and torn skin, then they should have their fit checked. A well fitting grip shouldn't be causing those type of problems.

Agreed.

I think one common misconception is that all bowler's tape is for the same purpose. If my thumb is swelled, high humidity...and the glide powder isn't working well enough...I use the turbo tape and it helps my thumb from GETTING STUCK.

On the tri-grip ball...the thumb hole is a bit big...so I use a few pieces of the white tape to keep it from falling off my hand. I could also close the gap in the thumbhole using the "black tape" or electrical tape....on the other side of the thumb hole.

I agree with Iceman, that turbo tape is very, very useful if you have issues with your thumb getting stuck. I try NOT to use it and just use the ebonite dyna glide powder...but on certain nights...the powder just doesn't cut it. The only issue with the turbo tape is; your hand has to be completely clean and dry...and even if it is...because of the oils in your skin...by game 3 the tape tends to start coming off.

[MICHAEL]

I have never had ANY problems with the Vise tape coming off even after bowling 6 games or more?? Now I don't eat frinch fries before putting it on but it does stay on VERY WELL in my case,,, I use the Red, Blue, and brown in combinations on both sides of my thumb!! I don't bowl without it! Its like a spandex material and eliminates all friction completely to the skin..

The vise comes in color's each has a different texture and thickness... GREAT STUFF!! Try it instead of Turbo next time!

[scruffwhor]

it seems like a small pack of all these different tapes is pretty cheap.

perhaps i'll mix and match and find what seems to work for me.

thanks for the input!

[Aslan]

The vise comes in color's each has a different texture and thickness... GREAT STUFF!! Try it instead of Turbo next time!

Perhaps I will. Like I said, I would prefer not to use it and stick to the glide powder...but I admit I do bowl better with the tape on. I think it's a mental thing where I'm confident the ball won't stick when I have the tape on.


it seems like a small pack of all these different tapes is pretty cheap.

perhaps i'll mix and match and find what seems to work for me.

thanks for the input!

I got a baggie full of the white/textured tape of 3 varying widths....I think it was $6.

[Zaxmazr]

Yeah you just need to make sure you buy the tape that doesn't slip off. That's my only problem with tape. (Except for the non-slip newer kinds)

[mjoyce]

Anyone use hockey tape? I'm thinking of giving it a shot in the front of the thumb hole for some texture and added grip.

[vdubtx]

mjoyce, it is likely the same thing. The white tape from different manufacturers from what I have discovered is all the same, just branded differently.

[Aslan]

Anyone use hockey tape? I'm thinking of giving it a shot in the front of the thumb hole for some texture and added grip.

Hockey tape (standard) will be thinner, less textured, and less sticky. It would be an option for those that don't like the feel of textured bowling tape. But you'd have to use many, many more strips of it and you may have trouble with it not sticking.

If you're talking about "sticky" hockey tape (the black kind used sometimes on the blade of the stick that is "tacky")...I would not recommend that tape. It's even LESS sticky on the backside and is very, very tacky...so your ball will either stick on your thumb or at the least make your hand all black and sticky.

[mjoyce]

Hockey tape (standard) will be thinner, less textured, and less sticky. It would be an option for those that don't like the feel of textured bowling tape. But you'd have to use many, many more strips of it and you may have trouble with it not sticking.

If you're talking about "sticky" hockey tape (the black kind used sometimes on the blade of the stick that is "tacky")...I would not recommend that tape. It's even LESS sticky on the backside and is very, very tacky...so your ball will either stick on your thumb or at the least make your hand all black and sticky.

I have a ton of hockey tape so having to use a few strips of it to do the job wouldn't be a big deal. And it would save me the trouble of having to find it online, and wait for it to arrive. But I apprecaite the feedback. I was referring to the regular hockey tape. Not the friction tape.

[scruffwhor]

what about electrical tape or masking tape??? has anybody used this with any success or failure???

I work for an industrial supply company that sells tape most folks have never even heard of.

I'm looking for a convenient and cheap tape option.

[Aslan]

what about electrical tape or masking tape???

Masking tape might work in place of the white tape…but you'll find that it'll break down faster. Electrical tape is a perfectly acceptable replacement for the green/black tape for the back of the thumbhole. Actually, thats what people used to (and some still do) use.

[dnhoffman]

what about electrical tape or masking tape??? has anybody used this with any success or failure???

I work for an industrial supply company that sells tape most folks have never even heard of.

I'm looking for a convenient and cheap tape option.

Just buy the good electrical tape (still way cheaper than regular ebonite tape...) and its more or less the same thing as as the black tape.

[Mudpuppy]

I need some tape for a better grip on my beer between frames - any suggestions?

[vdubtx]

I need some tape for a better grip on my beer between frames - any suggestions?

Use a koozie glove:

http://images1.vat19.com/covers/large/suzy-kuzy-beer-mitt.jpg

LINK (http://www.vat19.com/dvds/suzy-kuzy-beer-mitt.cfm?adid=gbase&gclid=CJv9q4P20LoCFYhcMgodJg8AVQ) :cool::D

[Mudpuppy]

Perfect AND patriotic! 'murica!