QuestionQUESTION: Dear Sir:
I am 68 years old, not retired, took 15 years off, and started bowling again four years ago. Always a 200 plus bowler, now 215ish. Problems with thumb swelling, callousing, and finger ends heavily calloused, cracking, bleeding. I have been to all local pro shops. I have gone out of town. I have to use a think cloth or cocktail napkin to size my thumb to get it into the ball when it swells after 'start and stop' league bowling, but during practice it is not as much a problem. Joe Salbimini of Oreville, Ca. also left handed, sez my thumb holes were too big, and caused hand problems. Made appropriate thumb and finger angles, shrunk the thumb hole size. Re did six balls for me. Really helped temporarily.
My game has dropped 17 pins, since this summer. My last tourneyment I shot 783, and won singles division, and did well in doubles with Son. I have alot of experience, but can't think of anything. I bowl three leagues a week, and enjoy (except for the pain) bowling practice with my girl friend about ten games a week.
When I have good feel of the ball, I average over 230. Can't seem to figure out why a professional ball driller can't help (I've tried several).
Can you direct me where to go, or who to contact. I'm in good shape, warm up cause I'm 68, before bowling, am a stroker, left handed, throw about 16 to 18 mph, with moderate to probably low revs.
Thank you.
ANSWER: Frank,
Sounds like your 68 with the fit of a 30 year old. As we age, the loss of flexibility and texture changes in our extremities create issues. I hope you've come to the right place.
Several things to ask before I can attempt to help. Does your hand/thumb shrink/swell/no change as you bowl? Have you started with an old ball/old fit when you got back in? Do you use finger/thumb grips? Do you know any of your personal stats (rev rate, ball speed (a better approximation than 16-18, how long does it take from the ball hitting the lane until the ball hits the head pin?), axis rotation, axis tilt, positive axis point)? Describe your left hand for me (length of fingers and thumb, is the hand dry? moist? if moist, slick or sticky when you bowl)? Hold the hand out in front of you eye level and slowly press the thumb back towards the wrist keeping the index finger horizontal, what is the angle you see represented by the thumb and index finger when hand is relaxed and slightly tensed pushing the thumb, (less than 90 degrees, more than 90, more than 120 degrees?)? Please explain how you play (do you swing the ball, play straighter)?
First solution: get a tapered thumb grip from your local guy and put it on the thumb between shots, if you swell that much, the grip will help restrict the fluids from getting into the digit. Also hold the hand up, rather than laying it down or holding it below your heart (level), that will minimize the swelling. Does the hand only swell in the summer?
Second: callousing etc. sounds like a fit issue. Your thumb hole can be huge (if necessary) as the span and pitches should represent 80% of the fit of your ball. Flexibility and skin texture may contribute to the problem you are having but I'll have more to work with when you answer the above questions.
Running off to a senior regional, I'll wait to hear back from you. Thanks for the question.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dear Warren: Thanks already. 1. Thumb swells as I bowl league (no so much in practice, but yes after 5 games).2. Old balls when I started again? Got stolen almost immediately. Started with reactive, couldn't handle went to urethane got to 200, and graduated to reactive 16's, have three roto grip pin 1&1/2" from left hole for oil, just left of ring finger for longer #both have balance holes#Drilled by Keith who used to do trailer on tour...he's gone now. Ultimate inferno, and now massive damage, with Storm Natural. Like the Ultimate best. Shot most 300 in practice with the Roto grips. Not stretch spans. 1/4 reverse fingers, 0 to 1/4 reverse on thumbs, 1/4 away on thumb. I sasked for 1/8th forward on the thumb so I can hold easier. 10 balls drilled, none with 1/8th.3. I use finger and thumb inserts. 4. Personal stats I'll send time down the alley, but electric scorers say 15 mph when I start, and that seems pretty normal for me. Roger Koplin Jr. told me I have about 300 revs. I think that is 50 high. I start slower, getting body going, and pick up to 17 on the machines #when I have good feel#. When I can't get out of, or hold on to the ball 14 mph. I throw a 3/4 roller out from the top holes 1 & 1/2" 1/4 to 1/2 closer to thumb. The flare on the balls takes it way out to 3 or more, and the flare pattern is sometimes three inches. I am a stroker. Shoot down and in. slide foot 18, straight up approach, shoot at 4, cross range finders at 6 to 7. I can swing the ball, but our lanes at Mardi Gras in Sacramento don't finish well, so being left handed, I have to shoot straight up. 5.# Pulling my thumb back to wrist it goes about 45 to 50 degrees. When I flop my fingers back and forth and let my thumb hit where it will on my fingers it hits the index finger right in the middle. Howie Noah #3d in masters in 1959# said that means 1/2 away from palm. noone agrees. 6.# Thumb length 2 3/4 " #middle outside top joint#Same at web. 1 1/4" looking down from top, 1 inch thick. Right thumb 1 1/16 wide14/16 thick. Palm 3 3/4" wide at finger side of thumb. Index finger 3", Middle finger 3 1/2" #on little finger side# and 3 1/4 on middle finger side. little finger 2 1/2". I'll ask some people about the other things, and write and let you know.
I hope that is what you need.It's the little finger side of my ring finger that bleeds the most. the index finger side of my middle finger. Both ends of the fingers are split, and cracked, and most of the other cracks seem to be the same direction as my fingers. up and down. My index finger is 3/4" thick at the tip. the middle finger just like my right hand. Weird...
Thank you so much. I'd like to have your address so I can send you something for helping me.
Thanks,
Frank
Answer
Thumb/ Index finger an
Frank,
Splitting, bleeding fingers could be a fit issue or just very dry skin. Try the Ebonite (Magic Tape) or Vise (Bio Skin or NT50Y) finger tape which allows you to cover the finger tip and protect the skin. Also, you may opt to forgo finger grips. Check with your doctor about the skin issue if that's the problem.
You should never jump back into the sport of bowling with a grip that is more than a year or two old. People's hands change, and humans are remarkably resilient and make do with some of the worst fits imaginable. Your fit should allow the ball to hang from your hand with no grip pressure.
What happened after the fits on your equipment were changed? Why was the fix only temporary? Trying several drillers is commendable, but unfortunately they may not have encountered a player with your specific issues/characteristics.
Why are you using 16# equipment? You mention some pitch info, what is your fit? Length of the spans/types of grips, etc. Sounds like from your description that your hand is stiff and there's not much flexibility. I've attached a graphic please let me know more about your flexibility and texture of the hand. Thanks, look forward to getting more info.
My store is in suburban Chicago. Go to www.revbowl.com for the address on the contact page. Thanks for the thought but sending something is not necessary.
