Expert: Russ King - 3/23/2007

Question
I bowl in a league, and also one other time during the week.  I have been bowling over 35 years.

Rently I got a new ball, and, since I like a snug thumb hole, it is relatively tight.  My problem is that just at the knuckle on the outside of the thumb a rather large calus has built up- and my thumb hurts in the knuckle, and gets worse as I bowl more games.

I don't want the ball to fall off my thumb, my spare ball is a little to loose, and it isn't much less.  Do I need to have them adjust my thumb hole or is there something I can use on this one spot.  If fits well everywhere else.

Answer
If the thumb fits well & is drilled with the same pitches, I would say the span is a little long. If you rub your knuckle, your thumb is bent slightly to make up for the pressure under the thumb where it meets to your hand.I would suggest checking the pitches & compare them to the other balls. Then check the stretch span.You may get away with beveling the top edge to a more rounded or teardrop. But, that is a cheap fix to a bag grip.There is another thing, if you do not use a thumb sleeve,slug,collar, the ball maybe too porous & gets a sand paper type friction when your thumb rubs.Thats why they use thumb slugs & others. There pours are tight & very smooth.I also like a very tight thumb. A spare balls thumb is tricky. You may think it is loose. But can be the same size & feel loose. As you throw a first ball after waiting several minutes after your last frame, your thumb will shrink up a hair from the motion & release. Then as you pick up your spare ball within 10 seconds after your last [itch,your thumb is a bit smaller.This is where I suggest black tape on the back of the thumb to take up slack without any added friction.This time of year is the toughest. After a cool period with smooth releases, the humidity plays a big factor in grips.Some nights are still cool & some are very hot & humid.I file down rods of soapstone into a powdery texture.Put a tiny bit on the rub. My thumb swells or feels like it does I think because of humidity feels sticky.I use a little bottle either with a brush or roller for application to the right spot & rub it in a bit.Chap Stick also works ( no flavor)well. A little dab will do.But thats for humidity. With a factor of a new ball & blister, I say it is pitches,span or texture of the hole.
There is one other exception, if your finger pitches are more under pitch, it will mess with your thumb release.
A ball should not hurt & blister you! If it does, it has problems with the drilled grip!Compare the one that feels good & the one that hurts side by side in the Pro Shop.Even if they have the new programmable drill press, there is still the human factor.Your strike ball should only have 1 1/2 slices of tape max.! your spare ball, maybe a little more from time to time.This is due to body changes (eating just before bowling,drinking & temp/humidity).