I'm having it fixed tonight. Moving for a fingertip grip.

Should I do fingertips on the raw ball surface, or fingertip inserts? Or, just use tape? How snug are the fingertips supposed to be?


Tonight, before turning the ball in for plugging, I bowled these games:

http://picasaweb.google.com/xptical/BowlingGames

My wrist is killing me from cramping my hand for a fingertip grip.


Things I changed:

1. More consistent crouch.

2. Moved hand to 10-o-clock starting position.

3. Stopped trying to "doorknob" the ball.

4. Tried to get my first step more consistent. i.e. always pushing the ball out to the same amount.

5. Tried keeping my arm straight and letting gravity do the work.


Basically, last night, I was struggling for 100. I had 2 games in the 140 range (leaving the stupid 10 pin and couldn't find a groove to hit it) and one game at 190. The split in the 8th frame completely broke my game and kept me just shy of 200...


I was going to get video, but the alley was packed tonight.

There is no point in trying to coach anything right now, because your grip will not allow you to bowl properly. Yes, the 16 pound ball should lock onto your hand due to friction, and not come off until the bottom of the swing, where gravity will pull it off your hand.

Re: embarrassed getting video, no, why should you be? The only thing I've ever gotten is "That's a good idea" from other bowlers.

The ball you have is drilled for conventional, so the holes are too big to be used properly for a fingertip grip. The holes should be fairly snug, not to the point that you have to twist your fingers into the hole, but not so loose that you have to grip to keep your fingers int he holes.

As far as inserts or not, that is a matter of comfort, since you are just starting out I would recommend using the inserts.

As far as being crouched, you want to walk tall to the foul line then descend into the slide. You want to let the ball swing your arm not your arm swing the ball. You don't want to squeeze the ball to hang onto it, if you have to squeeze the ball to hang onto it your arm will tighten up and your swing will have to be muscled instead of letting gravity swing your arm.

When you have a fingertip ball you will want to keep your palm facing your target and roll the ball off your hand, no twisting.

The first time I walked in with my video camera I got a few strange looks, and then the next time I went in I could see a couple of those people that were giving me the looks were using camcorders. Now when I go in for practice I see at least two or three people in there with camcorders. So don't feel embarrassed for trying to improve your game.

I think the big problem here is that you guys have an *actual* bowling alley with *actual* bowlers.

I'm on a USMC base where people go "bowling" to have something to do between beers.


Last night, as I rolled my best game ever, the lane to my left had two drunk marines THROWING 8# house balls in what can only be described as super-uber-cranker style.

The lane to my right was "girls night out". No more should be needed to form a visual image of that.

Frankly, you should get video of yourself. BUT you are quite correct in NOT doing that on base, wait until you come home and get to a House during the day with open lanes on both sides of you. Having the room to tape without fear of someone knocking the camera over, will greatly benefit you.