Expert: - 2/8/2009

Question
How tight should the thumb hole be? I just had my ball drilled and the thumb hole is pretty tight. I'm an amateur learning a hook along with the proper bowling technique. My previous balls (2) were drilled for straight shots and the thumb holes were not real tight.

Answer
Terri,
The answer is as tight as (your fit demands) they need to be.  Your fit is a combination of span, hole angles and hole sizes.

I have found if the span and angles are correct, thumb hole can be fairly huge and you can still control the ball (it should just hang in your hand).

If angles and spans are not correct, you need a death grip and the holes will rub and bruise your fingers and thumb. If your hand is not flat on the ball, angles and tighter thumb hole can make up. If you are flat on the ball but the angles (pitches) aren't correct, you'll need tighter holes to control the ball.  If your hand is flat on the ball, and the pitches don't cause discomfort (a bind or rubbing), and the ball hangs from your relaxed hand (at your side), you can afford more room in the thumb.

Your previous balls were looser, so to compensate, your driller may have left the thumb hole tighter so you unlearn the habit of gripping (and un-gripping/releasing) the ball.

Thanks for the question. Bowl well.