Span, Pitch, and Ball Layout

Question
QUESTION: Hi Chip,

I'm fairly new to bowling and have been bowling for the last 3 or 4 months and have absolutely fell in love with the sport. I have several questions and some of the most prominent involve Span, Pitch, and Ball Layout. I currently have two balls: the Brunswick - Evil Siege and the Storm Virtual Gravity. They are both drilled fingertip with almost identical pin placement (above and to the right of my ring finger (right handed)). When my Brunswick was first drilled, the span was too long which caused my nails to be pressed up against the back of the finger holes with my thumb fully inserted and my thumb to get torn up badly on the right side. The ball was drilled with zero forward pitch and zero reverse pitch and because I think that the span was far too long it resulted in me squeezing the ball in fear of dropping it. I recently had the pro shop reevaluate my span and they reduced it to about 4 3/8" and added 1/8" forward pitch and 1/16" right lateral pitch. Now however, I feel as if the span is too short and I still feel as if I'm going to drop the ball on the back/down swing. The way my pitch is now causes me to now tear up the left side of my thumb. I was wondering if I possibly went to a 1/4" right lateral, 1/4" forward pitch, and extend my span a little if this might remedy some of the problems that I am experiencing and allow me to relax my thumb in the ball. When I grab a water bottle my thumb points directly at my middle finger. It could also just be bad technique, too heavy of a ball (14 lbs) or a broken wrist on the downswing. Again let me stress that I'm not an experienced bowler, nevertheless, something feels off.

I also wanted to get your take on urethane thumb inserts and possibly using a golf glove or a wrist brace while bowling as well. I've been watching a good amount of bowling and love the way Pete Weber bowls. I've read that instead of coming up through the ball on the release that he comes around the side with an open hand and creates enormous axis rotation. I understand that this technique and bowling in general takes years to master but that style also feels best to me rather than ripping through the ball with my fingers. Do you have any idea on what kind of layout, pitch, span, etc. that Pete uses on his ball. I know the way his ball is set up helps the ball to come off his hand and react the way it does.

Any input on any of the above topics would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance Chip!

Brayden

ANSWER: First, let me welcome you to the greatest sport in the world.  I hope you continue to stay in the game.
A couple of comments before I get into your questions.  I would suggest you get your next one or two bowling balls be a plastic or urethane ball and a weaker performance ball.  The plastic or urethane ball will be great for spares and to use on drier lane conditions.  The weaker performance ball will allow you to work on your release and make it better and more consistent as it wont hide mistakes.  I always try to practice the most with my weakest equipment when I want to work on my technique.  I save the high end stuff for tournaments.

Wrist braces can be a very good learning aid, or can help with power if there is an injury or weakness.  I would go for one as a last resort as the ball would need to be measured with the device on and could make going back and forth between balls difficult.

Gloves are a bit easier, but not if you use the full finger version.  If you get the ball to feel right, you will not need the glove.

Lateral pitches of over 1/8th sounds a bit excessive except in rare cases.  If you were at zero, I would add an 1/8th in the direction you are getting the rubbing on your thumb.  By using thumb slugs, you can adjust pitches quickly, and I would suggest the urethane slugs.

If you like the longer span, use reverse in your fingers to eliminate the pressure on your nails.

Where do you live?

If you can hook up with a ceftified silver level coach, they can help you with your technique and work with you and your pro shop to get the best fit.  Look for an IBPSIA certified pro shop.

With your thumb all the way in the ball, lay your fingers over your finger holes and tell me where the joint closest to your fingertip crosses the finger holes.

Chip

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response!

To answer your questions:

When my thumb is inserted fully into the ball and I lay my fingers across the ball, the first crease in my my fingers fall right at the top of the hole.

I live in Grand Rapids, MI.

If I could, I would like to send pictures so you can better evaluate everything. I want to avoid visiting the pro shop so operators often changing things and getting nowhere. So tomorrow I will send pictures if its not a problem.

I love the sport, which is why I'm being so analytical about everything. Maybe even too much, but I would just like for everything to be right. I understood this will take time but I'm more than willing to learn and be patient.

Like I mentioned earlier, my biggest concern and problem is that I am gripping the bowling ball during my swing causing pain at the base of my thumb and blisters on the left side of my thumb. This is also causing an inconsistent ball release, little rotation, and varying follow through at the end of my swing.

Maybe I could even send you a video of my swing? Well whatever the case I do appreciate your help and hope that we will be able to find a solution.

Thanks again for your help.

Brayden

Answer
If you can sned pics and a video,that would be awesome.
It sounds like your span is about right, but it can always be tweaked.
What bowling center do you bowl at?

There are times that small issues in technique can cause the ball to feel terrible too.

If you can send video or pictures, sent it to [email protected] and we can continue to communicate via the email address.