Expert: - 5/13/2008

Question
Well my friends have started inviting me to bowl with them, and I'm starting to like it, but there's one thing thats been bothering me. I've just been borrowing my friends spare ball, and my middle, ring, and thumb all hurt, along with my forearm. Is there anything wrong with the ball, or is it my form? I take all the advice they give me, and they're all GREAT bowlers, so I don't believe it's my form (But it could be). Is it possible that the balls' finger holes are too far apart and I am trying to hard to keep a grip on it?

Also, do you have any tips on taking away the soreness? It's been like this for about 3 weeks straight. At first I could barely get a grip around a cup because of how sore it felt.

Answer
Jon,
Before you create bad muscle memory with a ball that doesn't fit. A good ball fit should allow way more success. Get your own starter ball at an International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) member. Check out ibpsia.com to locate a store.

When you stop working so hard to hold on to the ball, the soreness should go away.

Thanks for the questions.