Expert: - 4/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: I bowl a big curve ball and just lately bowling just kills my ring finger. After three games of bowling my ring finger is swollen up about half again its size. It really hearts the second knuckle the most.  I used to bowl 9-12 games with no problem until just this year. I have tried putting less "lift" on the ball and that still doesn't work.
What can I do to eliminate this problem?

ANSWER: Van,
It sounds like a fit/pitch issue.

What style of grip do you have? Conventional (fingers to the second crease, thumb to the base of the thumb) or finger-tip (finger is inserted to the first crease, thumb to the base of the thumb)?

Is your finger hole large enough? Can you insert the fingers to whatever depth needed? Do you put your thumb in the ball?

Angle of the holes and the size and length from thumb to fingers may be an issue. Is your hand flat on the ball? Can the ball just hang in your hand with no grip pressure? Without seeing you throw, getting some of the numbers from your fit may be the next step. Let me know the above and let's see if we can figure out your problem.

Thanks for the questions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have a full finger-tip with thumb to the base of the thumb. The finger holes are fine and I do put my thumb in the ball. The ball hangs on my hand with no grip pressure.

I have asked our local pro shop operator about it as he drilled the ball for me and he says that I am probable rotating my hand too late in my swing putting all the ball pressure on my ring finger when released.

I have tried not rotating my hand at all during my throw but cupping the ball instead and that seems to help...but one misguided ball with too much lift and it just kills me. I can hardly use my finger for anything, including typing, for days.

Do you think if I added another finger hole for the 1st finger it would help?

ANSWER: Van,
There is quite a bit of torque applied to your fingers as you deliver around the ball.

What is the pitch angle of the finger holes? Both forward or reverse pitch and the lateral pitches of the holes?

Putting less pressure on the finger should help, but a drastic amount of lateral pitch also might put undo pressure on the finger.

Away pitch for the ring finger, and some lateral pitch adjustment should help. Also, a third finger hole is a possible solution. Putting in a PINKIE hole will limit how much and how aggressively you rotate around the ball at delivery.

Before the pinkie hole, I'd be interested in minimizing continued aggravation on the finger though. An index finger hole in the ball WON'T Help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I already have a "pinkie" hole in the ball as I usually put so much rotation on my ball that I was literally tearing the flesh away from my finger nail.

I have no idea of the pitch used on my finger holes but I have been bowling with the same ball for a number of years before getting this new one drilled exactly like my older ball and I even went back to my old ball to see if it could be the way the new ball was drilled...It still heart even with my old ball

Maybe I have just gotten too aggressive when I trow the ball.

Answer
Van,
I need the angles. Get to your driller and ask for the information. The store should be able to measure the angles or have a fit record for your ball. If they must measure, measure both balls for consistency.

Even a very aggressive delivery should not put that much pressure on your ring finger. Elements of flexibility, how moist or dry your hand is and the length of your fingers can suggest adjustments to your grip.

The aggressive delivery may be part of it, but i suspect more.
Thanks for sticking with this.
Warren