It is I, spammer of the Beginner Help forum. :P

I got my first ball today!

Problem is, I'm not sure if I can even use it yet. I told the dude I wanted the fingertip grip, because that's how I'm holding the house balls. I also told him I wanted those rubber inserts because they're quite comfy.

He took my measurements and yadda yadda. After I got home, I tried it on for size. If I stick just my two fingers in the top in and out, it's fine. If I stick just my thumb in and out, perfect.

Should I stick my entire thumb in, and put my finger tips in to the first knuckle, insta-Chinese fingertrap. I can feel my fingernails strain to come out, and then hear that nice "Pop" sound when the holes give free. My thumb knuckle binds in the thumb hole before it breaks free.

I'm hoping this isn't the only way I can throw the ball:


That looks AND feels awkward. I can see how it would roll off the hand to produce a nice spin, but I don't think I could bring it behind me too far without dropping it.

Did you not try to get out of the ball at the Pro Shop?

You need to keep your thumb straight and place your fingers all the way to the first knuckle line and the thumb all the way in the hole without bending it at the knuckle. The ball should hang onto your hand and not the other way around. I am surprised you didn't try it out at the shop before leaving with it.

Pro Shop guy didnt have you try it out first? Usualy when i get a ball he have my try it and see how the fit is and even have me throw a couple to make sure he got everything i wanted. If not he make adjustments.

When I got my first ball drilled the other day, it felt really awckward to put my hand in, and still does feel a little weird. I ended up bruising my thumb because to make it comfortable for me I'd bend my thumb slightly in the thumb hole. So my thumb would only go in about 3/4 of the way, so I must be doing something wrong.

Looks like you're just holding it funky..

If I am having pain in my thumb is it possible my span is a little too long for me? I kind of thought it right away, but I chalked it up to inexperience/growing pains.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack your thread 2wisted, but it's a similar question right?

i'm new to the finger tip ball too, but mine fits like a glove. fingers in to first knuckle, thumb all the way in, my hand matches the curve of the ball when i hold it in any position, at times it's like i am not even holding onto a ball.

I'm about to leave for the lanes. If I can't get into the groove, then I'll talk to the guy. He's a nice dude.

You see, I don't get this feeling at all, I might talk to my Pro Shop guy.

What a terrible set. The ball was hooking just fine, but I was throwing Brooklyn ALL NIGHT. I got one (1) shot in the pocket and it blew the pins up perfectly. That shot was millimeters away from the gutter.

If I'm not mistaken from my readings, when you throw Brooklyn, you're not throwing the ball hard enough. Which leads me back to not being able to have my thumb all the way in. Thus, I can't get any more swing without the ball slipping.

I think my scores were 83, 106, and 87.

http://www.bowlingcommunity.com/b/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=50312#Post50312

Agh, the agony of watching that.

You're overthinking and trying to do everything at once. Break it down, back to the basics. You don't get good overnight, or with a new ball.

How do you put your fingers/thumb into the ball? Do you put your thumb, or fingers in first. You should put your fingers in first up to the first knuckle, then your thumb.

I've been having fit problems too. However mine seems to be quite different from yours. I have a free arm swing and before I even push away the ball to begin the swing I can tell that my thumb is not coming out. I am 99% sure that the ball still would not come off if I tried to do what you do to get the ball off. My thumb swelling has a lot to do with this.

Don't give up. Keep working with your Pro Shop until you get it figured out.