Expert: Chip Aki - 1/6/2011

Question
Chip, I will try to keep this short. Please tell me the proper way to measure span. I am told, with thumb in ball, holes should measure to crease of fartherest joint. Others say measure to  center of middle joint. I have been too short. U can get two fingers under my span stacked on top of each other. And would that make me come around.? Thanks so much. Lefthander, 330 cats rev rate.60 y.o. tweener. Sport league 207 Avg.

Answer
I tend to go with the the middle of the two joints, and is the more frequently used.  Each person is different so there are bowlers that like the span longer and some that like it shorter. I would suggest taking one of your balls, and by using a thumb slug, lengthen the span an 1/8 inch and see if you like that.
It does sound like your span is a bit short and can make you have the tendancy to top the ball.

If you change the span, make sure you take a look at the pitches as well.

Good luck,
Chip