Was my ball drilled properly?

[BLB]

I am very new to bowling and had played only twice (once more than 10 years ago and once recently). And I love this game.

I bought a ball myself and had it drilled at a local alley but I haven't used it yet. However, I have a question on the drilling. The position seemed very good. While I insert my thumb and two middle fingers all the way to the second joint on both fingers and thumb I have a nice grip on the ball and the ball gets contact to my palm. But I feel I can't pull my thumb and fingers out freely. It's expecially aparent when I put the ball on the ground and insert the thumb and fingers and pull them out. I do this at home now. The thumb may make a poping sound sometimes. The shop pro did grind or enlarged the thumb hole a little bit after he drilled the ball and had me tried the inserting and puling out. He said when I really play on the lane I would release the ball freely and should not feel difficulty letting thumb and fingers out. I think I should believe him who as a professional works in the in-house shop. But I as a newbie do have a little concern on the ball. I won't be able to play for a week. When I play it would be at a night. If the holes are too tight it would spoil the game. At night I do not think the pro would be there to fix the ball. How tight or loose the hole should be to the thumb and fingers? Would a little large or loose be better for the releasing of the ball? Please comments. Thanks.

[tumblebug1949]

Hi BLB,

I am fairly new at this also so the more experienced bowlers will maybe help you more.

I just had two balls drilled and can tell you it is stressful not knowing exactly what the right amount is. Mine has fingertip grips instead of complete fingers but part of the process is still the same. I know you want everything snug. Many have used the erase "like a glove". I thing your pro is correct in being careful not to go too far with the sanding to adjust fit. My grips seemed to gain a little room after it set for a while. I don't know if it is the cooling after the sanding or what but the thumb hole mine got a little looser afterwards. You may find that it will be a little snug at first and needs to be adjusted slightly. I know that isn't what you would like but that is much better than going a little too far to start with. Then, you would have to use tape from then on out.

The Pro is also telling you correctly that when going through the approach, the ball will release easier than when just standing up trying to get it to release. If when you do bowl next, you decide you need to get it adjusted, just remember the pro is going in small steps to make sure it is right.

Let us know how it works out

Good Bowling

[BLB]

At this point I really don't know what I want, snugly or loosely. I don't know what's good to me either. I only concern that the holes may be a little too tight and have a remote worry that if the releasing of ball is not smooth it may cause injury on my thumb and finger. Maybe my concern and worry would turn out be nothing at all. As you said I will find out after I play a real game instead of trying it standing at home. I will report back.

[BLB]

In early morning the thumb and fingers are fatter.

Looking at the directions of the three holes which point directly to the center of the ball. The thumb and finders would come out of the ball in a different way when playing a game and simply trying it that without throwing it away.

[tumblebug1949]

Morning BLB,

In some of the training videos I have watched on u-tube, they say to go right up to the foul line and without any footwork, do your arm swing and release the ball. Something like this might not be a bad idea for you to do at first until you get the feel for the proper release. Don't worry about slowing everything down until you get comfortable with the new ball. It would also be less chance of having any injury. One of the most important things I have learned is when you are working on your game, whether it be release, approach or lane position, don't think at all about your score. It does not matter. The important part at those times is only the specific area you are working on.

I know the fit is suppose to be somewhat snug because you are not supposed to need to squeeze the ball. Being the right fit gives you more control and should give you better consistency.

For others to assist you with information, it is somewhat important that they know a ballpark age and the model and weight of your bowling ball. You can add this information to your profile and it will be available for those that need it.

Good luck with your bowling

[BLB]

Thank you tumblebug1949, I actually threw the ball mostly standing still. I believe the stability of the whole body base is very important in bowling and most sports. Those fancy foot work looks cool and may help experienced bowlers. I am not far from being ready to combine all those skills all together. Have a good weekend.

[tumblebug1949]

You are right, stability or balance is very important. It is also important to get some power or energy into the ball. The energy you can put into the ball will give you much more pin action and that will improve your score. The arm provides about half the power you can put into the ball but the approach is also instrumental in providing energy in the ball. All of this needs to work together and the bowler must stay in balance to achieve the best result.

When I was in my early twenties, I thought I needed to use a 16 pound ball. Now I am in my 60s and although I am in reasonable good shape, I am not the youngster I used to be. I did some reading and a more recent train of thought is that the 15 pound ball can have just as much energy put on it because it is easier to have more ball speed. At certain points, less weight but more speed will end up producing the same energy. So I have been using a 15 pound ball.

If you do decide to go with a lighter ball, give the fingertip grip some thought also. That will get more revolutions on the ball when the proper release is provided. Those revolutions convert to energy when the ball gets to the pins. Just something to think about for the future.

Good luck

[littlelegs]

It's worth bearing in mind that a ball drilled to fit will often be slightly difficult remove from your hand without bowling it. It's the rolling action off of the thumb and then the fingers that usually makes it come off.

Certainly on a fingertip grip drilled ball you should be able to hang your arm with fingers and thumb relaxed without the ball falling. I'm not sure though if the same is true with a conventional grip, although there are some very experienced coaches and pro-shop owners kicking around here who would.

[10-in-the-pit]

It sounds like you are gripping the ball too tightly. Try applying pressure with your fingers and thumb straight in the holes and squeezing without bending the knuckles. You might need to practice releasing it at a cushion on the floor because the ball comes out during the release at a different point where you are trying to do this at home. If it doesn't work out at home or at the lanes, you should go back and have the holes adjusted.

[StormGirl]

if you try to release the ball while it is stationary, it will be hard to take it the thumb and fingers. until you actually throw it you won't know.