Expert: Chip Aki - 10/2/2009

Question
I just switched this year to a finger tip grip.
I hurt my middle finger 2 years ago with a conventional grip had to have an extra hole drilled for my index finger.
Ended last year with a 131 avg, had to do something.

I'm double jointed and seem to have problems when I get to the second game of three. The 1st week of league play rolled 182,175,165. Since then it's been all down hill.  My 1st games of the last two weeks have been 175, 167. It seems my hand is swelling. It least my hand starts out real cool then gets warm and I loose the feel of the ball. It just doesn't feel comfortable after the 1st game. Find myself struggling on the release. I had read something about I need a relaxed grip. I don't think I have that. It seems everybody has a different answer for me. Can you help me get a consistent comfortable release. I use a Hammer Black Widow Venom. Try to roll between the 1st and 2nd arrow. Ball moves nice. Have to be carful on the 10 pins. But when the ball feels comfortable the release is great. But when my hand starts to tighten up I fall apart.
HELP.

Answer
I would have your span checked again.  If you have to stretch you hand to place your fingers and thumb in the ball, it may be causing the issues.  If the span is not stretched, then you may want to look at the pitches.
Does you whole hand swell or just the fingers?
It is very hard to diagnose this problem withouth being able to see what is going on.  If there is another pro shop you can go to get a second opinion, I would suggest doing that.
If the holes just get tighter as you bowl, have them enlarged and you can use tape when you start and remove it as you swell.  That is not a bad thing to do.  There is no such thing as a perfect hole.  Some bowlers swell while others shrink during bowling.

Good luck,
Chip