Expert: Warren Friedl, Pro Shop Owner/Operator, - 7/5/2009

Question
Hi Warren,
I was wondering if you could suggest any good resources for learning about ball drilling. The last time I had a ball drilled I don't feel like the guys in our pro shop wanted to take the time to help me get a proper fit. I am thinking if I go in with a better idea about what I want to try they might be more willing to help me out.

Specifically I have problems getting my thumb out of the ball cleanly. For whatever reason I tend to end up using the pad of my thumb to hold the ball throughout the swing and it ends up causing the top of my thumb to get blisters after several games, especially in high humidity. I've also read that I shouldn't be gripping the ball throughout the swing, obviously I am.

I would love to just rely on our shop to get when set up correctly but when I showed them my thumb after bowling a few games they basically said "hmm, I don't know".

Thanks,
Nate

Answer
Nate,
The ball should let go of you.

Are you interested in ball drilling or ball fitting? Why do you spend money with a store that you don't get satisfaction from? Point out that "I don't know" is not an option.

The Pro Shop and Instructors trade Association (IBPSIA) has been a resource for fitting and drilling for almost 20 years.

If a pro shop guy isn't aware, or hasn't invested in the knowledge available from the group, they truly "don't know"! or are oblivious to your (and other customer's) pain and are less than professional.

My problem with shops that haven't, at least, looked into IBPSIA  information about fitting and drilling, they truly don't know what they don't know.

One of the reasons I do this, is potentially impacting the stores out there that don't know their customers are having a problem with what they do. And encouraging the customers to motivate the store operators to get better.

The International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) can be accessed at: www.ibpsia.com. It's education options are geared for shop owners and operators and are not cheap. Seek out an IBPSIA member (members are listed on the website) and share your concerns. Or encourage your shop guy to contact me (www.revbowl.com), and I'll help him.

Thanks for your question. Please elaborate and we can get into more.