Expert: Russ King - 12/24/2006

Question
New ball fingertip drilled with inserts. Third time bowling had to stop. Ring finger(RH) fingertip swollen finger felt broken. Inserts a problem?? Should I have ball drilled deeper to cover more of finger?? 51YOA M Thanks

Answer
There is way too much stress to that finger. BOWLING SHOULD NOT NOT NOT HURT!!!!
Either the span is too long or the hole pitch is too much under .With your hand in the ball place it on your lap with your hand in the ball. Push down lightly on your knuckles. There should be some flex in the knuckles.Since you are only getting problems with just the ring finger, I would say the grips span & pitch needs redrilling.You shouldn't feel the same weight & feel on both fingers say on a 16 lb ball, you should feel 8 lbs on ring & 8 on middle .You need to shorten the span on the ring finger atleast 1/32-1/8
You won't get the right feel for a while since the finger is messed up. You need to rest it.Once it feels better (a week or so) you get it redrilled!!!!You are 51 & your finger is not too flexible. You can get a serious injury if you continue with this anymore.
 Miss a week & get it plugged up! Just the ring finger.When the finger feels better, then redrill it.It is either this or when you really hurt that finger, you will have to quit!
BOWLING HURT DEVELOPS BAD HABITS & WILL BADLY INJURE THAT FINGER.BACK OFF FIR A WEEK OR 2 THEN REDRILL IT.