Expert: Russ King - 8/13/2007

Question
My son was recently at the Shocker Bowling Camp, Wichita, KS.  While there, his grip was analyzed & his ball drilling was evaluated.  It was recommended that his thumb hole be moved from having 3/8" reverse pitch to 1/8" reverse pitch.

My son periodically grips the ball, bending his thumb and has a mini callus on his thumb located on the back side of the knuckle (on the thumb base side & toward the side of the thumb).

We took his balls to the gentleman who's been drilling his balls and asked if his reverse pitch could be adjusted to 1/8".  He indicated that if the reverse pitch was put at 1/8" that my son would rip open his thumb.  He indicated that the way the ball is drilled that it needs to be released like a "yo-yo" and not a frisbee.  His recommendation is to increase the reverse pitch to 5/8".

My son has been working hard to improve his game.  He's averaging 210 on a house pattern and 185 on PBA Experience patterns.  My son wants to have the ball drilled so he can release it effortlessly.  What would you recommend?

Answer
His grip could be a bit too long. If he has pressure under his thumb by the base & cheats by not putting his thumb in all the way, he will caulk his thumb creating a rub on the knuckle.
Have him (with the hall sitting on a table)put his fingers in first seat them in all the way & then have him put his thumb in.If his thumb does not go in all the way(space in back of thumb on top edge of hole or he has to slightly pull his fingers out to fully seat his thumb this is one way to tell if the grip is too long.Check the top edge of the hole to see if it is beveled down to a smooth entry.If it has a sharp edge, you can bevel it down a little to take pressure off of the underside & it also shortens the grip slightly.Only do this of the grip looks long. This will tell you if the grip is too long when the pressure lessens slightly on the knuckle.
Everybodys hands are different. I have 5/8 to 3/4 reverse in my thumbs & have no problem holding on.HE NEEDS TO FEEL THE THUMB HOLE FROM THE BASE TO ALMOST THE TIP OF HIS THUMB. IF THERE IS A SPACE LIKE UNDER THE KNUCKLE, THE GRIP IS LONG.AGOOD driller CAN ADD A THUMB SLUG TO REDUCE THE GRIP SPREAD WITHOUT PLUGGING THE HOLE.iF THEY TAKE IT SLOW & GENTLE, IT WILL COME OUT RIGHT.pLUGGING IT UP IS OK TOO. iT WILL BE MORE MONEY & A FEW DAYS LONGER.
 I THINK IF YOU DECREASE THE SPAN, THE 3/8 PITCH SHOULD BE OK. 3/8 IS FINE.If he has a problem at the release point,try a little (no flavor) chap stick.A dab on the spot that sticks & rub it in will work until he gets out of the grabbing habit & develops a relaxed grip.HE WILL GRAB THE BALL EVEN AFTER IT IS FIXED.HE IS USED TO IT & HAS TO BE GENTLY BROKEN OUT OF THAT BAD HABIT.
 AS HE RELEASES THE BALL, HAVE HIM POINT HIS THUMB UP TO THE SKY AT THE RELEASE POINT AFTER THE GRIP IS CHANGED.THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO BREAK THE GRAB FACTOR.
 HAVE THE PRO SHOP LOOK AT THE SPAN.
HE SHOULD ALSO FEEL THE SAME WEIGHT OFF OF BOTH FINGERS 14LB 7 ON EACH FINGER. THIS TELLS IF BOTH FINGERS ARE EVEN.