Question
thumb bruise
Hi Chip. I have developed an unusual and painful bruise on my right thumb (I'm right-handed). If you hold your right thumb up to your face with the nail facing you - it is located just to the right or inside of the tip of the thumb. I've been bowling competitively in leagues for almost 4 years and for the last year or so I've been developing this bruise. It began as a blood blister that would eventually surface every few weeks and I would pick out the clot. Over the last several months I have developed a hard callous over the bruise. I went through a period of topping the ball in attempt to play an outside game. I've since stopped hitting up on the ball but my thumb continues to hurt during play. I sometimes grab the ball a bit at the bottom of my swing as well before my release to generate some power. My game and scores have improved dramatically but my thumb is sore for days after playing. My ball spans do not feel overly long and sit in my hand comfortably. My thumb holes are elliptical and the ends are very modestly beveled. Moreover, I've been using an exorbitant amount of talcum powder for a long while now. It feels like it helps me get out of the ball easier but does very little if anything to help the bruise. Please help!
AnswerThis may sound odd, but the thumb hole may actually be too tight. This will cause a pinching action and will actually cause you to have to squeeze the ball, especially at the bottom of the swing.
The other thing I would look at is the pitch of the thumb hole.
Like with most things, too much is not good whether that is tape or powder.
Good luck,
Chip
