Expert: Chip Aki - 11/21/2006

Question
Chip,

First, thank you so much for a quick reply!  

In your opinion and experience, does a looser thumb hole have any adverse effects on the amount of torque / spin that the bowler can impart upon the ball, compared to having a tight fitting thumb hole and all other factors theoretically equal?  I ask because if tighter thumb hole goes hand in hand with greater hook potential and ball control, then I may try to learn living with the tighter thumb hole.  Otherwise, again, I would be inclined to open it up a bit for peace of mind.  
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Yesterday I got my new ball (Brunswick Vapor Zone, 14lb.) drilled with finger-tip grip to fit my hand.  The pro shop guy who fitted me and drilled the ball did a pretty good job convincing me that the thumb hole was supposed to feel tight on my thumb, but when I 'relax' my hand on my release gravity would drop the ball of my thumb naturally.  So I went out and on the first throw the ball stuck pretty badly on my thumb.  It pulled my arm across my body a bit until the ball came loose and dropped onto the lane from a few feet.  "OK" I thought, "next time make a conscious effort to relax your hand on the follow through."  So on the next throw I made sure to let my thumb go limp but to my surprise it got stuck EVEN WORSE and I sent the ball about 5 feet in the air and ten feet out, and it landed directly in the left gutter (and I'm a righty).  Embarrassing and disconcerting.  

So the rest of the night I bowled with my thumb out a bit, which of course meant that I was slightly gripping the ball, but I managed to be somewhat consistent and bowl some decent games (172, 192 and 198).  So my question is this:  How important is it to have a tight fit between thumb and thumb hole?  Based on this experience I would be incline to have a loose fit instead of a tight or even "line-to-line" fit between the hole and my thumb.  Will it affect my game adversely if I get the thumb hole opened up such that I avoid any real interference and risk of getting stuck?  I already read your suggestion of putting a spot of chapstick on the thumb where it is sticking, but I guess I am looking for something more consistent and low-maintenance than that.

What are your thoughts?
-----Answer-----
In a perfect world, tighter is better but very few bowlers can actualy use that.  Personally, I use tape.  I can have the thumb hole a bit loose and then add or subtract tape as needed.  I used to fit everyone tight but it has scared a few people so I have given in a little bit.  A tight thumb hole I save for the more experienced bowlers, of which you will become one at some point.

Good luck,
Chip

Answer
I would go ahead and make the hole a bit bigger.  By doing this, you will feel more comfortable and be able to start learning how to release the ball.  Over time, you can add tape and slowly get used to the tighter feel.  The reason we look for the tighter thumb hole is to decrease the want to squeeze the ball.  By using tape, I think you can learn that over time.

Good luck,
Chip