Expert: Chip Aki - 2/11/2008

Question
Is a convential grip condusive to only rolling a straight ball  and thus limiting?

Is it possible to adopt a fingertip style grip with a house ball?

Thanks.

Answer
It is not possible to use a fingertip style with a house ball unless you find a ball on the rack that is drilled fingertip.

The conventional grip is ver good for control.  There have been some great bowlers in the past that have used the conventional grip and even one of todays exempt players uses it as well.  

A fingertip grip allows for more seperation between the time the thumb clears the hole and the fingers clear the holes.  This can create more rotation.  Having said that, it is possible to create rotation with the conventional but requires practice to learn the release.

Good luck,
Chip