Question
My Drill
QUESTION: Hi Warren,
Wondering if you can help. I have a very longtime issue with the thumbhole. Right now I think the problem is that the thumb exits at the same time as the fingers.
Attached is an image of my drilling with one change. About a year ago I went back from about 3/8 F pitch on thumb to about 1/2 or 1/8. But it is still forward.
In fact last night out of desperation I cheated on the thumbhole, putting the thumb only into the knuckle. I went from my Black Widow Sting going straight to all of a sudden hooking great. I don't care about a big hook, I want an effective role with the ball reading the lane. Of course when I thumb-tipped the ball my speed went WAY down, so that could explain the hook. But I don't think that is all the explanation because I started out attempting to keep the ball speed way down by holding the ball very low at the stance.
With the thumb completely inserted and attempting a slow speed, the ball still went straight or even backed up and did not read the lane at all. I must say I was on the US Open pattern, but this is a casual Sports League with a lot of occasional bowlers. None of the others on my pair experienced these difficulties. They actually had normal back-end reaction with a lots of pin action and fairly typical scores.
I went to a forward pitch about 5 years ago and then put in a specialty thumb insert that made my thumbhole snug. I also just discovered that I was not inserting my hand properly for the fingertip drill. I now put the fingers in first only to the knuckle and insert the thumb completely (Hey Chris Barnes keeps his thumb very snug). Now my revs have gone way down.
I want to experiment with the pitch. But I have always dreaded that I would be going back to the pro shop weekly drilling different pitches and getting nowhere. I have seen/read that there is a specialty slug that allows one to change the pitch by screwing in a differently - pitched hole depending on conditions. Maybe I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
ANSWER: Bill,
1/2 forward is more than 3/8 could the change be to 1/4, 1/8 is a a lot less? How does your hand feel when the fingers are inserted fully and you put your thumb in to the base of the thumb? Pressure? Do the fingers pull out? For your span, without complicating factors, the forward pitch in your thumb might be hindering your clean release. If you are slightly stretched, you could be getting forced to help the ball off your hand, which reduces the rotation and often changes tilt dramatically.
Trying to slow down is a very difficult physical adjustment. Ball speed is a very useful tool, changing yours should not be your focus. It's easy to buy more hook (a stronger core and cover bowling ball), that's potentially roughed up and/or drilled strongly to help your ball read the lane when you need it to.
The system you mention is actually offered by a couple companies. But, switching hole sizes not changing pitches is the primary purpose of the idea. The amount of wiggle room in one of the slugs of these systems is minimal. A significant pitch change probably is not possible (unless your thumb hole size is fairly small).
Spending a lot to have different pitches is an experiment that sinks money into interchangeable slugs most of which you will reject and they become useless for you. Better to use a solid performing ball and plug/slug the thumb and tweak the thumb until you get what you need. Issues of flexibility, length of your thumb/fingers, texture and moistness all contribute to comfort and performance. Your speed, span and thumb pitch may be causing you to release the ball late and/or causing you to overturn or fail to effectively turn the ball at point of delivery. It sounds like you have a fit issue, but getting a local coach to evaluate syncing your speed and maybe stronger hand action at release could be a key to providing the stronger reaction you're looking for.
Experimenting with the pitch is commendable. Getting a workable, comfortable thumb release is crucial. But, you don't say what you used prior to trying the 3/8 forward??? Any adjustments should be tried, played with for a fair number of games, and if still not optimum, a small adjustment made again. But, you can't go from 1/2 reverse to 3/8 forward and expect heaven. Keep me informed about what you do, I'm curious what direction works best for you. Thanks for the questions.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks so much Warren.
First yes, my math was off, I went from 3/8 forward to something a little less 1/4 or 1/8 forward, I'd have to ask the driller.
Also I think now that the way I was inserting my fingers was the root of the problem (I have not since bowled so I won't know for sure until next week). I explain here.
The new way I was inserting my hand, I only put my fingers into what I think is the first knuckle. And then I am able to put my thumb in all the way.
With that type insertion the thumb-hole does feel very snug but I can pull it out with maybe a little more effort than usual. The fingers do not come out unless I put unusual, though moderate effort into it. I can see the finger nails stopped by the back of the finger holes. Finally when I hold the ball straight down with a relaxed grip, gravity does not pull the ball from my hand.
Now previously I was inserting my fingers first as far as possible. I just tried that and I see that the fingers are still only to the first knuckle, though a little farther up. This way I cannot insert my thumb all the way. It feels like it is going 90% down but never touching the bottom of the thumbhole. Now the fingers are very snug and I cannot seem to pop them out at all. The thumb now feels less snug and slides out easier, it gives a softer "pop" sound when exiting. When I hold the ball straight down by my side, gravity still does not pull the ball off. What I feel is pressure on the nail side of the fingers and the nail side of the thumb holding the ball in place.
I do use a special insert, Ron C's Magic Carpet, placed on the nail side of the thumb hole, just below the bevel. I have the others but I like that the best. As I relayed before I was first experiencing "hanging" up on release and Ron thought I was lofting. And I think I was to some degree.
I always thought that revolutions came from lift. But you have to lift at the right moment, otherwise it is loft. I think I was lifting before the ball reached the sliding ankle. Now I think of an imaginary line about one foot above the foul line and getting the ball to go under that. The only lifting I do is natural from the pendulum swing I do turn the hand from under to the on the side, but again I am thinking it has to be done after the ball reaches the slide ankle.
As for special thumb inserts I am still seriously considering the new inserts that Vise sell that you can interchange as your thumb changes size. I have never been good at putting in or taking out tape, and not knowing exactly what the feel should be, I think changing inserts would be optimal.
As for changing pitch, I appreciate very much what you say. One thing I could do, is I have a lot of old bowling equipment and I could have pitches drilled in three or four of them from say 1/2 reverse to about the 1/8 or whatever is just less than my current forward pitch. I should be able to tell just from the way the ball comes off my hand what is a good pitch.
Thanks
Biill
AnswerBill,
Thanks for following up. One or two quick points:
First, The interchangeable thumb inserts are a fantastic product, if you are an avid tournament bowler that bowls at 9:00am some times. Mornings your body is more swollen and holes will be tighter, fingers/thumb/hand is swollen with morning water weight, liquids are more evenly dispersed throughout your body after sleeping/laying horizontal for 8 hours. You will need a bigger thumb hole and probably bigger finger holes/grips.
If you bowl late, maybe 7:00pm other days, or just later in the day, water weight dissipates and liquid moves down and out of your body, out of your thumb/hand/fingers.
If you bowl multiple shifts in one day, wear and tear may cause some swelling or shrinking. My issue with the interchangeable thumbs is a GOOD ball fit WON'T cause much damage (swelling, abrasion, blisters), even if you bowl a lot of games (at one time, in one day, etc.).
I'm afraid some bowlers are masking an ill fitting ball with bigger and bigger thumb options needed because of gripping and swelling; they must work so hard to hold onto the ball (gripping is not recommended).
Secondly, trying pitch changes on your old equipment is perfect. Determine if the balls have your current fit (spans, pitches, etc.) try to mimic what you will use from now on (spans, pitches) as close as possible, but don't go drastically back to too much reverse pitch as a starting point. You might even concentrate all your changes on just one ball, a ball reaction you like, so not only will you be able to evaluate the release, but also how the release effects your roll and reaction.
Take the current thumb angle (keep the lateral if there is no issue side to side) and change the thumb pitch just an eight of an inch (less forward). Be very mindful of what the ball did (does, trying them out for a little bit will refresh your mind as to what ball motion you got from it/them) because the pitch change may cause a huge change in how you release the ball. A free swing and relaxed delivery often allows more hand action at the release. You'll see more ball reaction.
Just trying a pitch change won't tell you what works better. Your current muscle memory will make every change feel weird/bad. You must give yourself some time with a change. First and foremost the ball should hang in your hand, when hand and arm are relaxed at your side. Good luck.
