Expert: Russ King - 2/7/2007

Question
Russ - I feel like I know you, and you'll be happy to hear we're making progress.  Everything you've suggested is almost exactly what they did.  I did re-schedule a lesson with one of the guys, so he's no expert like you, but he certainly knows more than me.  I really needed that lesson to get some supervised practice with this new fingertip grip, after first dropping the ball, and now being so scared that I'll do a "Fred Flintstone", I had no confidence at all and it just wasn't fun either.  Anyway, the lesson went well, I've never had any so it was good to know I wasn't doing anything totally off-the-wall, but after about an hour with a new and heavier ball, my hand is suffering today.

They did put 2 pieces of tape in the thumb insert, which is exactly what you warned me about.  However, I can certainly see the need for bowlers tape.  You will be happy to know that thanks to your advice I told them I didn't want that tape in there, and they said they would be happy to re-do the thumb insert, but suggested we wait until I have a few practice games under my belt just to make sure we have all facts correct for that final adjustment.

So, my question to you today is how the heck do you manage bowlers tape.  I am so anxious to go bowling today, but I want to give my hand a few days to heal, but if I go anyway and it's a little swolen, won't the thumb insert be sticky if I pick the tape out?  And then on an ongoing basis are you always either putting tape in when it's cold and picking it out when it gets warm, or whatever makes your fingers swell.  Sounds messy to me, how is this supposed to be done?

Your patience and experience are HUGELY appreciated . . .
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I personally think the span is too long.  Every time I pick-up the ball even to take it out of the box I get that tingling feeling, which only gets worse.  I'm going to cancel the lesson I scheduled and tell him what I think about the span and see what happens.  I'm about 2 heartbeats from returning EVERYTHING, including my new shoes and wristband, but I'm trying not to get all female about it :)
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My new ball was drilled by Adam Ishman at K&K ProShop in Las Vegas.  I was thinking of signing-up for a quick lesson with him, but maybe that's putting good money after bad?
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after 30 years of recreational bowling with a 12 pound conventional grip (columbia plastic), I recently purchased a 14 pound fingertip grip (columbia 300 hyjinx).  Yikes, I dropped it on the 3rd frame!  Bowled 2 games, thumb is numb, and having the same accuracy quirks I've always had.  Got no backswing at all because I can't get my hand under the ball.  Am I panicking for no reason and just need to practice, or did I get a ball that's too heavy and that I can't handle?
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If the ball grip pinches,blisters,numbs,rubs &/or dropping the ball, IT IS DRILLED WRONG!!!!!!!
A good grip WILL NOT hurt or anything above listed for at least 10 games bowled in a row.
It sounds like the pinch (numb thumb) is du to a stretched(to long) grip.The dropping is due to a loose(to big) thumb hole.
I don't think you can tell yet if the 14 is to heavy. You need a good driller to cure the pain.IF IT HURTS, SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT!!!!!!From what I hear, it is an AMATEUR DRILL JOB!!!
The first thing you yourself can try is to sand bevel the top ridge of the thumb hole to a rounded shape to 1. take pressure off under the thumb & 2. it will shorten slightly the span.But I would hold off until you talk to the driller. As for the big thumb,theres bowlers tape but you should not have to use these things on a fresh drill.You should not need rosin,powder,wrist band or more than 2 slices of tape in your thumb. You need to take it back to be drilled to your satisfaction.Do NOT let them talk you into any tape,powder,resin,rosin or anything to help the grip.You should not have to pay for any corrections either.Many people have brought their new ball to me for these reasons.This is why I learned to drill. I used to tear up my thumb looking like hamburg after a game or two. Please study how the ball hurts & exactly describe the problems to the driller. Maybe ask for the owner or manager if your not satisfied with him.If you get the runaround, look at PBA.COM TO FIND A PBA MEMBERS PRO SHOP . THEY CARE!!!!!
LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES & WHAT THEY SAID.
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If he doesn't know how to drill your grip correctly, what makes you think he knows how to bowl correctly? Learning with a ball that DOESN'T FIT RIGHT, teaches you very bad habbits.LEARNING IS SECOND! A GOOD FITTING BALL IS #1 !!!!!!Put as much effort into this as you would purchasing a new car.If it needs to be corrected, GET IT CORRECTED!!You can throw a bad ball all wrong & it won't hurt if drilled right.It hurts for a bad reason.You will never get consistent if it hurts.Go to another driller & ask them what they think of your grip. Then get back to me on what they say.A second opinion never hurts.
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If they try to sell you something  or try to charge you, then get a refund. The corrections are from their mistake not yours. Then go to another Pro Shop.But wait a few days or a week to let your hand heal up so you can get a good fit.You are not getting all FEMALE! YOUR A BOWLER WANTING A FAIR DEAL!!  THATS ALL!
         LET ME KNOW .

Answer
Lessons can be tough on a hand. You try this /do that & work different muscles different ways.I get soar when I try new things.As you get settled into your comfy form,it will get easy & way less pain.If you only bowl one night a week, try a I think they are hand balls. Their blue & a bit smaller than tennis balls.Try 3 days before you bowl,squeeze the hand ball gently for around 10-15 minutes. Gently rotate the ball in your palm with your fingers & gently squeeze each time with your fingers & thumb. This will strengthen your hand & work the wrist & will loosen up the joints.
As for the tape, I use alcohol. I have a little hard case kit I keep in the bag. It contains a little vile of alcohol,ground soap stone,chap stick(no flavor),scissors,tape(black & white just in case) are the major items.Alcohol to remove tape residue,ground soap stone to smooth out the hole & prep it for clean release after alcohol,chap stick for a swollen thumb or humid sticky days(just a little dab where it sticks),scissors to cut tape/shape it,black tape(smooth take up slack/space) tighten thumb up,white tape to add grip(at least 1/4" below top edge of thumb.I like it down about 3/8" just to grip with my thumb tip. This way it will release as soon & clean when thumb is at release point.
 As for the lesson,most everybody teaches their ways & style.It is ok! It is only human.I take it this way,listen to 100%,try 50%,work with 25% & adapt into your style 3%-5%.This way, it doesn't change your personal style. I refines & progresses it.This is the formula I used when I started out.
When you use tape(white textured),be sure it is down in the hole aways.Try at first pointing your thumb up to the sky at release.This will straighten out your thumb & get out clean.Then you can lightly touch the texture when you are shure.I personally like snug thumb holes. I don't get to use much tape. I mainly use chap stick. I put a dab & rub it lightly with mu other hand so it gets into my pores. When the ball rubs,it releases by squeezing the polars & releases the chap stick.This is a way for a snug thumb & South Texas is very humid down here.I grew up in Boston & never had a problem until I came to San Antonio where it gets very humid.I seem to bowl my best in the winter months. I say this because seasons change & so will your body with the climate.This is where the tape might come into play.
SO,LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING.MAYBE WE CAN SMOOTHEN YOU OUT AFTER YOU RUN INTO A PROBLEM.LET ME KNOW WHAT THE THUMB PROBLEM GETS FIXED.