Expert: Warren Friedl, Pro Shop Owner/Operator, - 6/30/2009

Question
Mr. Friedl,

I just switched from a middle fingered grip to a fingertip ball with plugs.  I used to average around 175 with just the one finger (somehow I made it work).  I decided I wanted to improve my game, as well as maintain some sort of consistency.  I purchased a ball and had it drilled by a former pro bowler at a pro shop.  He also gave me a free lesson in throwing the ball the proper way.  After the first horrendous game, I ended up bowling close to 200, but my thumb kept getting stuck in the hole and by the end of the series, my thumb was too swollen.  The pro indicated that I was not supposed to grip with my thumb, but to push my thumb (nail side) up into the wall of the hole so that it would not get stuck.  I found that whenever I did this, I would drop the ball on my backswing.  I am beginning to think that the thumb hole is too small, but I'm just an amateur.  Since the switch, I actually dread bowling now, and instead just use two fingers in the plugs and am back up to my 180ish average.  

My question is: How does one properly throw a fingertip ball with a hook that doesn't involve the thumb popping out every time, and the ball launching halfway down the lane?  I see people at the lanes bringing the ball back almost to their shoulders, and hurling the thing, but I can't hold onto it, and if I do, the thumb gets stuck.  

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Dacus,
Give yourself some time to unlearn the muscle memory that caused you to grip your bowling ball too much.

The swelling is from the bent thumb rubbing on the sides of the thumb hole. You were used to grabbing the ball and releasing it late. The ball is letting go of you and it feels like it is coming off to soon. When in fact, the ball is rolling off and out of your hand, not UP, OUT and down.

Try rolling the ball at home. In a non-threatening environment, where you just swing and allow he ball to let go of you, you'll get a better feel for what the ball needs to do. Roll it into a pile of pillows or couch cushions or the couch. You'll find with less effort the ball will come off the same place (driven by gravity and momentum).

The driller wants you to roll well. Contact him and confide that you're struggling a little and he may work with you some more.

Thanks for the question. Keep me informed if things don't improve.