Expert: Chip Aki - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I have drilled a five holes bowling ball and I want to know if I'm obliged for each throw to have all the fingers in their holes ? When I read the rules, they speak about the fact that all my fingers much reach their holes not that they have to be in, and what will be the trouble if for example I put my middle finger in the index hole ?
By the way, concerning the balance of the ball it will takes in consideration an average distance of the four holes with the thumb one in order to define the center of the grip isn't it ?

BR,
Vincent

ANSWER: The grip holes must be able to be covered by your hand or the hole now becomes a balance hole and you can only have one of those.  If you do not have the extra balance hole you should be ok unless two of the grip holes are left uncovered.
The center of the grip would be based on the finger holes furthest from the thumb.

Chip

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

QUESTION: Thanks Chip,

If I understand you well, the holes must be "only" able to be covered, that means I'm not obliged to put all my fingers in their dedicated hole or I can put a finger in a hole which is not its dedicated one ?

BR,
Vincent

Answer
1. Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not
exceed five (5) and shall be limited to one for each
finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand.
The player is not required to use all the holes in any
specific delivery, but they must be able to demonstrate,
with the same hand, that each hole can be used
simultaneously for gripping purposes. Any hole that
cannot be reasonably shown to be used with a single
hand would be classified as a balance hole.

This is from the rulebook.  I hope this helps.

Chip