Expert: Chip Aki - 2/23/2006

Question
Chip,

I have a similar situation as Rick who on 12/19/2005 posted the
"Relation of Thumb to finger angle when measuring fit"
question.  Your response mentioned an offset thumb hole of
maxY.

I've been bowling for 30 years.  I'm right handed and am
considered a down and in player.  I've averaged over 200 at
every house I've bowled at but I've never felt comfortable with
my thumb hole and how my thumb comes out.  I've had different
pro shops drill my bowling balls.  I've never had 2 balls that felt
the same even if the same person drilled it.  Consequently I
rarely change balls during a league session.  I don't even use a
"spare" ball because my thumb hangs up when I switch balls.

I'm interested in the offset thumb.  When I was a Junior bowler,
an adult bowler had a ball that had an offset thumb.  I used the
ball a few times and liked it a lot but I was not knowledgable
enough to know whether it helped my game any.  I felt I bowled
better but it could have been just the ball and not the offset
thumb.  

Recently I asked a pro shop for an offset thumb and they said
the thumb hole has to be positioned near the middle of where
the two fingers are otherwise it would strain the ligaments in  
my hand.  I did not challenge the response even though it
seemed to me that the people who palm the ball (putting only
the fingers in the ball but not the thumb) would have the same
problem.  I know some fingers only bowlers and they don't have
any problems.

How can I tell if I'm a candidate for an offset thumb?  With some of the
problems I have getting my thumb out of the ball it seems like
the offset thumb is more natural for my hand.  I do not have any
hand or arm problems with my current drill fit.  The offset thumb
would seem to be a way to have a better release given my hand
geometry.  

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Ed

Answer
This is the kind of question that starts heated arguments in the ball drilling world :)

The offset thumb is a misnomer.  All that you are really doing is changing the span to the ring finger and changeing the pitch in the thumb hole.  With 3 points, you can not move one point,(the thumb) without changing the length to the other point.(ring finger)  Usually you end up with more left lateral in the thumb and a longer ring finger span.

You might want to try a center line shift drilling as well.  It is also know as the CLT layout.

Dont be afraid to experiment.  As long as the pitches match up, you wont strain your hand.

Good luck,
Chip