Preventing Blisters

[jcauthen]

I've seen posts about Tapes, and most recently the Magic Carpet, but I still have a question about how to make the thumb hole a little better fit.

As it stands rite now, it usually takes me about 4 weeks of bowling (1 to 2 sets a week) on a new ball for a fair callous to build up on the side of my thumb. But during those few weeks, I'm cursed with a blister that comes up about half way through the 2nd game, or early in the 3rd game. It comes up on the outside of my thumb (not top or bottom), rite above the final joint on my thumb. It usually pops about middle of the 3rd to the end of the 3rd, making my last game suffers dramatically. Superglue is always in my bag for these occasions, but I don’t like the fact that I keep getting blisters.

If I bowl more than 4 games (as I did down in nationals with 6 games) in a row, even my callous doesn't survive. :(

I've suffered with it for a few years now, and it's frustrating when I get a new ball (like my new baby, my No Mercy.) I want to bowl with it, get used to it, and have fun with it... but my thumb usually fights with the ball. It doesn't play nice with new balls. :(

I've tried other people's bowling balls to see what it feels like with Tape on the inside of the hole in the position where my blister forms, but with the tape there, it makes that part of my thumb feel as if it would form a blister even faster.

A few days ago while browsing through the posts, I saw a link to a site that had some tape that actually went onto the thumb itself... Has anyone tried something like this for prevention of blisters? I think it was called Turbo Grip or something like that, but it was also mentioned as 'Smooth'.. I browsed to the site but couldn't find a dealer in their list of links for it so closed it out as a random thought in the back of my head...

I love my No Mercy, but my No Mercy and my thumb don’t love each other just yet. :mad:

Any Suggestions??

[Johnny Blaze]

Got the same problem too mate!

I just got a new ball and on the 2nd week,callous started to form on the side on my thumb's midjoint.I started using a handguard recently and within hours,I had blisters on the base of my thumb as well.

Some posters here said its the pitching problem.Well,good luck on that and keep us(me especially:D ) posted if you already solve the problem

[jedi47]

WOW,,,,,the ONLY time I've ever had skin problems of any kind was when the ball wasn't drilled right.
Either your' ball is drilled totally wrong or you're really torqueing your' thumb during the delivery.

[gripnripwatchitflip]

Could be thumb pitch, span length, or your squeezing the ball. I am a high rev bowler, with good lift, and I have no wear on my thumb, no blister, calous, nothing. Mom was a coach a always pressed the issue to not squeeze the ball. As soon as you find out what the problem is, let us know.
Good Luck

[PackRat]

I use the tape religiously. If you look at my hands, you can't tell which hand I use to bowl with. I just put a piece up the back of my thumb and don't worry about my release for the rest of the nite. Even if my thumb swells alittle, the tape provides for a smooth release. I use the green tape which is a little thicker and coarser than the purple

I do agree with the others reference checking the fit of your ball. Bowling a game or two should not produce a blister or tear off an existing callous. Is it possible that you are cocking your thumb trying to hold on to the ball?

[jcauthen]

I appreciate all of the feedback!

Here's a few visual aids for those that may be interested: :p

First off, here's the general area that the blister usually forms (forgive the blur.) Usually after a month or so of bowling with the ball (always using the easy-slide powder on my thumb), it'll build up a callus and be fine unless I get frisky and try to play 4+ games.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/refrus/hand.jpg

This one is how my ball is drilled... I'm not as skilled with Photo Shop to put purdy lines on it and measurements, but, you can see the ball markings as well as my dog checking the ball out.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/refrus/ball.jpg

Now... with those visual aids in mind, when I hold my ball on the approach, usually elbow at my hip, hand under ball, and my other hand to steady it, I can feel the side of my thumb pressing against the ball in the direction of the heart pictured on the ball above. It feels as if the ball is leaning away from the heart and my thumb is helping to steady it. Through my throw, it's similar, almost constant contact with the side of my thumb.

I've heard a few people talking about the angle/pitch of the hole and I'm thinking that you might be onto something there... From approach to release, I'm almost always in constant contact with the side of my thumb and the ball.

My question is though, could I be holding it completely wrong? or does the pitch theory sound more of what could be happening? :confused:

If the pitch is playing an adverse affect in the love for my thumb, is this something that they could just plug the hole and re-drill it with a slightly different angle, aimed slightly towards & under the heart design on the ball?

[Thepainscoming]

I appreciate all of the feedback!

Here's a few visual aids for those that may be interested: :p

First off, here's the general area that the blister usually forms (forgive the blur.) Usually after a month or so of bowling with the ball (always using the easy-slide powder on my thumb), it'll build up a callus and be fine unless I get frisky and try to play 4+ games.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/refrus/hand.jpg

This one is how my ball is drilled... I'm not as skilled with Photo Shop to put purdy lines on it and measurements, but, you can see the ball markings as well as my dog checking the ball out.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/refrus/ball.jpg

Now... with those visual aids in mind, when I hold my ball on the approach, usually elbow at my hip, hand under ball, and my other hand to steady it, I can feel the side of my thumb pressing against the ball in the direction of the heart pictured on the ball above. It feels as if the ball is leaning away from the heart and my thumb is helping to steady it. Through my throw, it's similar, almost constant contact with the side of my thumb.

I've heard a few people talking about the angle/pitch of the hole and I'm thinking that you might be onto something there... From approach to release, I'm almost always in constant contact with the side of my thumb and the ball.

My question is though, could I be holding it completely wrong? or does the pitch theory sound more of what could be happening? :confused:

If the pitch is playing an adverse affect in the love for my thumb, is this something that they could just plug the hole and re-drill it with a slightly different angle, aimed slightly towards & under the heart design on the ball?

Well, first, i would try enlarging the thumb hole just a little, just enough to put some black tape on the back and the side where the callous is, that might make it a little smoother.

[jedi47]

1st thought is pitch of the thumb hole.
2nd is you might want to consider a sleve or slug in the thumb.
3rd is the hole may too big allowing you to bend your' thumb & hang up
4th is the bridge between the finger holes looks too wide,,, had a ball once that had too wide of a bridge & it caused my thumb to hang up (on top of making my hand cramp) because the fit was un-natural with the fingers spread that far. over the years I've found that a bridge of 5/16 to 3/8 is ideal.

[Thepainscoming]

1st thought is pitch of the thumb hole.
2nd is you might want to consider a sleve or slug in the thumb.
3rd is the hole may too big allowing you to bend your' thumb & hang up
4th is the bridge between the finger holes looks too wide,,, had a ball once that had too wide of a bridge & it caused my thumb to hang up (on top of making my hand cramp) because the fit was un-natural with the fingers spread that far. over the years I've found that a bridge of 5/16 to 3/8 is ideal.

Find a reputable coach around you and let him check out your ball.

[TenPinSniper]

You need to pitch the thumb hole in the opposite direction for relief, from everything I have ever been told. Maybe slug it and get your thumb oval spec'd.

[Nascar4292]

i actually do have the same problem and usually all that i do is put some new skin on that spot or also vise grip tape will do the really really thin type which is light blue......i see ALOT of bowlers in my area use that on there thumbs and fingers i do both and it works fine....i actually got a blister/cut on my ring finger and put some of the vise grip tape on it wrapped around and now it is gone. So i think new skin or Vise Grip Blue tape it is really thin and helps.....watch out for new skinn tho because it is slick once u put it on takes a few frames to not slide anymore and i would practice with it first during your 15 min of warm up.

also what everyone else is saying the pitch and length of the drill could be the problem. I cant tell but do u have a oval shaped thumb hole or a circular?

[jcauthen]

... but do u have a oval shaped thumb hole or a circular?

The thumb hole is straight up drilled, not ovaled out at all.

I wouldn't know if my thumb hole is over-sized or not though, as I've always had to fight a blister on my thumb since I got my first ball about 8 years ago... If the thumb hole is over sized, I guess I wouldn't know what a properly fit thumb hole should feel like. :o

I'll get with my friend (who coaches me a little bit, but she's not my coach) and see what she suggests. With easter being this past Sunday, our league didn't bowl, so I have to wait to see her until this coming Sunday.

If I find something that works, I'll definitely post what i found.

[PackRat]

I was always taught that when you let your ball hang by your side, you should feel any pressure on thumb running right down the middle.

Because my hand is not as flexible as it used to be (read old), I have 1/4" left and 1/4" reverse pitch. This allows my thumb to release a lot cleaner.

You should be able to find a good driller to look at your hand and your ball and give you a good diagnosis.

Good Luck

[BradM]

Get a sleeve or slug, have it ovaled out. Make sure it's a nice snug fit. Don't squeeze the ball to the point that your using more pressure than you would use to hold an egg from above. Squeezing the ball will scrape/rub your knuckle up quick. Good luck bud.

[slap]

Check out this link from Jayhawk bowling. It includes a diagram on blister locations and there usual causes.

http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Fitting_Tips/fitting.html

[Nascar4292]

[QUOTE=jcauthen;18020]The thumb hole is straight up drilled, not ovaled out at all.

i have bowled with both straight up drilled and also recently oval.....the place up here has both while back home they only had straight i would recommend the oval because it has a way way way better feel to it because your thumb is not circle shaped it is oval and it will make it a better fit i think.

[impossible_is_nothing06]

you might try some new skin and put on the areas of your hand that you have problems with b4 you even throw 1 ball...

[jcauthen]

Check out this link from Jayhawk bowling. It includes a diagram on blister locations and there usual causes.

http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Fitting_Tips/fitting.html

Very Nice document! I never thought that blisters could form in some of those places on the hand.

As of rite now, I'm leaning the same way most everyone else is. I'm thinking that the thumb hole is pitched just a tad bit off, as well as the hole being straight drilled and not oval shaped at all.

For this Sunday, I'll go in an hour or so early prior to my league and see if my pro-shop guy can assist with helping me out with the oval process for Sunday. Also going to talk to him about the options for changing the pitch of the hole.

I'll keep you all updated with what I find out! :)

[Johnny Blaze]

Check out this link from Jayhawk bowling. It includes a diagram on blister locations and there usual causes.

http://www.jayhawkbowling.com/Pro_s_Corner/Fitting_Tips/fitting.html

Now thats a fantastic website bro.I cant believe blisters might occur on a different part of the hand as well.I used to have a sore thumb at the joint.My proshop guy said its due to gripping the hole and advised me to a handguard,which I did eventually.But till now,I dont know how true is that but my sore is all gone now.Maybe hes trying to sell his products but on the other hand,he might be spot on except now a diff problem came up in a form of blisters:eek:

[Trydent]

hope ya get it worked out man, i had a hell of a time getting my thumb right. Not only did i have the blisters you have, but i had one on the top, right side, and close to the webbing of my thumb too. I had my hole slugged and we re measured my pitch and made a slight adjustment to that. I think alot of my problem was in my pitch, but at the same time i was gripping the hell out of my ball which is a REAL easy way to tear up your hands. As mentioned above, my pro has always had me hold the ball at my side and relax you're hand, it should stay on your hand with no effort. Mine was falling off. It took a lot of custom work to my thumb hole but its finally right now. So best of luck gettin yours right. It WILL get there, just a matter of time :)

[jcauthen]

Last Sunday, I talked with my pro shop guy, and he helped me out a bit. I showed him that my thumb was rubbing inside the ball 100% of the swing and release. He took one of his working tools and scraped out a spot where my thumb was hitting. I also adjusted the way I held my ball a little bit too.

But with the Adjustment of my holding (very slight,) and the removal of material and cleaning out of the thumb hole near the 'Heart' on the ball, my thumb doesn't feel like it rubs at all any more.

It took me about 4 sets to get used to the ball, but over the last few games I've started to get used to how I'm supposed to be releasing it, as well as how it reacts. Me and my roommate went out this evening and threw a few balls for fun, I did pretty good, made some nice progression. :)

My NoMercy is teaching me how to bowl. ;) haha. :D
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q93/refrus/4-19-2007-scores.jpg

[Johnny Blaze]

Now thats nice:D

[jcauthen]

Like I said, took me a few sets for the ball to train me. ;)
I think it was a total of 4 sets, that one being the 4th, over the last 2 weeks.

I'm impressed with the power it carries with it down the lane! Last night it was at the point that when I let it go, I knew ecactly where it would hit. I knew when it would not strike on all but 1 of those spares... was a beautiful hit, but left the 8-pin.. *shrugs* :confused: 11 pins from my high game, and a nice series to boot (atleast for me.)

I can't complain at all though. With those 3 games, my thumb didn't bother me at all. The high-sodium meal I ate earlier that day did though.. hand was a bit stiff, but it didn't affect too bad.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'll keep in mind for my next ball, to have the pitch of the thumb hole angled in just a little bit.

[Snake]

lol wish my progression had that big of differences from game to game. My progress might go up a few pins here and there but not like 30 pins per game lol

[jcauthen]

lol wish my progression had that big of differences from game to game. My progress might go up a few pins here and there but not like 30 pins per game lol

I just need to try and keep it now. My goal is to raise my average up to around 200... i think it's a reasonable goal. Now that my thumb can handle a few more than 3 games a week, i think I'll start doing a lot better!