Alternative drilling

Question
QUESTION: Do you think it is practical to replace the middle finger with the forefinger in a fingertip drilling.

I ask because this in now being considered due to a long term injury to the first joint on the middle finger, making it painful at all times. Have already tried most pitch variations and it does not help

ANSWER: There are a couple of problems with adding the index finger in the grip of the ball.
One problem is that you have more difficulty in rotating around the ball during the release.  The other problem is the ball wanting to track over the added finger hole.  I would try to take the pressure away from the middle finger by adding more reverse to the middle finger and add gripping hole for the pinky or little finger.  In this way, you will still have the index finger to help with rotation.  
By adding the index finger, you would still have the ball wanting to roll off of the middle finger and you would not take as much pressure off of the middle finger as you will by adding the pinky finger hole.

Good luck,
Chip

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


p0048   QUESTION: Chip, thanks for the prompt reply which make a great deal of sense, however I now realise that I did not advise that the middle finger is no longer used in the ball as no ammount of reverse or other pitch can alleviate the pain (see photo)

Final question, is it possible and legal to provide a full length channel in the ball for the middle finger to rest and provide support

Answer
http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/equipandspecs/pdfs/04_2

The above link will give you the information on the allowed indentation specs.

Have you tried just adding the hole for the pinky or little finger?  It is just my opinion that would be better.

Chip