Thumb inserts to tighten thumb hole?

[Blomer]

Are there thumb inserts to tighten the thumb hole? Don't want tape. Is there such a thing?

[Amyers]

There used to be vinyl inserts but these were drilled out for and installed but they have mostly been replaced by thumb slugs. Why don't you want tape in your thumbhole. bowlers use tape its your friend.

[mc_runner]

Yeah, you could drill it out and put in a thumb slug.

[Amyers]

Yeah, you could drill it out and put in a thumb slug.

Even with a slug you should still have tape in your hole

[classygranny]

Even with a slug you should still have tape in your hole

Why? I don't use tape. I don't like tape in the summer due to the excessive heat and stickiness. So I just have interchangeable thumb inserts...if I need a size up, I'm good, if I need a size down, same thing. Cost is minimal after 1st investment, and ALL my balls feel exactly the same.

[Amyers]

Why? I don't use tape. I don't like tape in the summer due to the excessive heat and stickiness. So I just have interchangeable thumb inserts...if I need a size up, I'm good, if I need a size down, same thing. Cost is minimal after 1st investment, and ALL my balls feel exactly the same.

If you are using IT systems that's a little different story. I've never tried that and most of the guys I know who do still use tape but I can't speak on those since I haven't tried them.

[bowl1820]

Are there thumb inserts to tighten the thumb hole? Don't want tape. Is there such a thing?

Other than tape there really is nothing you can stick in the thumb hole to tighten it.

1-Tape or the old time cork inserts if you can find them.

2-Fitting tape you apply to your thumb.

3-Pre-drilled vinyl thumb inserts, just go to a smaller size hole. (I use the oval ones)

4-Plug and re-drill a smaller hole in the ball.

5-A Slug is nothing more than a pre-made plug, it still has to be drilled.

5A-There are some pre-made/drilled slugs (would be similar to vinyl thumb insert just made out of a different material typ. urethane)

6-Use a interchangeable thumb system (IT, Switchgrip, Grip-loc etc.). they use drilled slugs or inserts of varying sizes you can switch between when you need too and can be switched between balls.

7- There is a adjustable thumb insert. (As far as I know nobody uses it "POS")

8- A custom thumb mold.

[rv driver]

Even with a slug you should still have tape in your hole

Sounds like a personal problem best discussed with one's doctor...

[rv driver]

Other than tape there really is nothing you can stick in the thumb hole to tighten it.

1-Tape or the old time cork inserts if you can find them.

2-Fitting tape you apply to your thumb.

3-Pre-drilled vinyl thumb inserts, just go to a smaller size hole. (I use the oval ones)

4-Plug and re-drill a smaller hole in the ball.

5-A Slug is nothing more than a pre-made plug, it still has to be drilled.

5A-There are some pre-made/drilled slugs (would be similar to vinyl thumb insert just made out of a different material typ. urethane)

6-Use a interchangable thumb system (IT, Switchgrip, Grip-loc etc.). this use a drilled slugs or inserts of varying sizes you can switch between when you need too and can be switched between balls.

7- There is a adjustable thumb insert. (As far as I know nobody uses it "POS")

8- A custom thumb mold.

Say, O Wizened One, I have perennial problems with my thumb. (I think it's a gripping problem). When I had the ball drilled, I was asked if I wanted a slug. I said I wanted to try without, since I've never used a slug before. I have tried the cork inserts -- HATED. THEM. he said, "no problem; we can always drill to add one later." What's your opinion of slugs or inserts? I think my shop uses the IT system. Is it worth having it added to the ball? Especially since I'm going to have a second ball drilled, and possibly a third? Advisable? Not worth the time and money? Best thing EVER?

[Amyers]

Well I'm sure by wizened one you meant Bowl1820 but my 2 cents for whatever it's worth and I've had about everything imaginable done to my thumb hole other than the IT system.

Slugs if you think the inside of your thumb hole is rough in spots or you want to have a more uniform feel between the balls and don't want to use the IT slug them. That's the only difference and if you use very much tape how much of the thumb hole do you feel anyway.

IT systems I've never personally used them my proshop guy doesn't like them. There are some guys on my teams that use them it's a love it or hate it thing with them. Ask 10 good bowlers five will tell you it's the greatest thing ever ask the other 5 they will tell you there junk and have problems. I haven't really met anyone who tried them that didn't have an opinion about them one way or the other.

Oval thumb holes you didn't mention this one but I'll add it. To me worth every penny best fit I've ever had seen very few who tried it and didn't like it.

Mostly on IT and slugs is how much it bothers you if your thumb holes are slightly different. I've seen people who throw really well with different spans and everything else. Some people can't stand it. It throws there game off.