Expert: Russ King - 9/8/2007

Question
Hey,

I'm just getting back into bowling after 6 years out. I ended up with all new equipment. In early August I picked up a black widow and I love the ball, except for one thing. I now have a huge callus on the under side of my thumb right under where it bends. I bowled for over 10 years prior to this and never had such a problem.

This is starting to hurt my game as it is very sore when I first begin to bowl, so until about the 4th or 5th frame I have no power behind the ball. After that it goes numb and doesn't bother me as much.

I was wondering if this was a drilling problem, or a mechanical issue on my end. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also I don't know if this information will help but now I'm a strong tweener, and I used to be a cranker. I bowl in two leagues a week, and I practice once or twice a week in addition to that.

Answer
RULE # 1,   
     BOWLING SHOULD NOT HURT!!!
If it does , something is NOT RIGHT. Most of the time it is a drilling problem.
  There is a cartiledge under your thumb.It floats there. You can even wiggle it by pushing it side to side. If you get too much pressure pushing it in, it will oush on a nerve & feel numb.I had this problem when I was a kid.There is a number of ways to relieve the pressure.You can bevel the top edge (round).If that is not enough, try a more severe bevel (teardrop).If it goes this far, the span is too long by maybe 2 mm &/or the pitches are bad & need to be out & away from the palm to relieve the pressure.
 In the meantime, you can get some white 1" athletic cloth tape & wrap your thumb.One slice . Go from your wrist up & around the base of your thumb back to your wrist overlapping the ends. NOT TOO TIGHT.Just for support & a friction barrier.

You should be able to bowl untill your legs fall off without your hand hurting.