Taping Thumbholes

[Countyboy1477]

Hi everyone !!! New to the forum, and just had a question.
Can someone please explain the proper way of taping the thumbhole? I have heard many people mention this, but do not recall ever seeing or reading the proper way or ways to do it.
Thank you in advance for all your help !!!!

[5chmitty]

Im not an expert by any means becuz I just recently taped 3 of mine for the very first time, becuz the 2 new ones i got the thumbholes were drilled tighter for a more proper fit. but what i do know is it depends on what your looking for. If you need a better grip, throw some white tape in the front of the thumbhole. if your just looking to tighten it up, I was tought to put tape where your thumb is actually in contact with the thumbhole which is usually the side of your thumb, or at least in my case. but like i said im ne at taping as well, im sure some of these other guys can help a lot more

[BubbaRay]

The use of insert tape for the thumb hole is very important. Having a good grip on the ball is a necessity to a relaxed swing. Put your hand in the ball and then pull out your thumb half way. Now put a mark on the ball where the middle of your thumb is, and that is where the tape should be. I suggest putting the tape on the back side of the thumb hole. If you use the Vise Tape it goes on the back of your thumb.

[Stampy79]

I disagree (as usual) I think the tape such as the white textured tape goes to pad of your thumb, which is roughly 45 degrees as in this illustration on Ron Cliftons site (Page Down)

http://www.bowl4fun.com/magiccarpet/magiccarpet.htm

[BubbaRay]

I also said put your hand in the ball and mark the spot on the ball where the middle of your thumb is. This is where it goes and 100% of the time it is in the same place Ron Clifton pictured it. That's where mine is . Only I don't use the Magic Carpets. I only use tpae and it is in the spot where the magic carpet is shown. On the backside of the thumb. The tape on the backside is for tightening purposes, Putting the tape in the front of the hole is for gripping. If you are griping the ball with your thumb you are trying to squeeze it at the same time wich isn't good.

[Rowdy]

You're both right. Some bowlers subscribe to the Bubba theory,tape on the back of the thumb. Some go with Stampy and put tape on the front side of the thumb. Neither is wrong. Depends on WHY you're putting the tape in the thumbhole to begin with. Got a hole drilled in the ball with NO slug? Tape the back. Got a hole WITH a slug and it's too slippery? Tape the front.

[BowlingRay]

I've been wondering about tape in the thumb hole myself. My Black Widow Pearl needed tape in the thumb hole and my pro shop guy who watched me throw a couple shots put both the white textured tape on the front of my thumb hole and the black shiny tape where the back of my thumb goes. Is there any downside to having both kinds of tape in the thumb whole at the same time?

[Young300]

I've been wondering about tape in the thumb hole myself. My Black Widow Pearl needed tape in the thumb hole and my pro shop guy who watched me throw a couple shots put both the white textured tape on the front of my thumb hole and the black shiny tape where the back of my thumb goes. Is there any downside to having both kinds of tape in the thumb whole at the same time?

No, it is more along the lines of having a comfortable grip. Placing the black tape in the back gives you a smooth exit with the back of your thumb with little chance to tear open the back of your thumb. Placing the white tape in the front gives you more grip on the ball because of the texture of the tape. Usually having both pieces of tape in the ball is a good thing, as they both help with the release.

[Rowdy]

No problemo with tape front and back. But I see you're up in CT. gets cold there,I know. Question:Is your thumb drying out with the cold? Feel like you're losing the ball (Thumb slipping out) on the downswing??? Try the textured tape on the front of the thumbhole. Either that or(and this is gonna sound gross,but it works) stick your tounge out and dab the pad of your thumb on it. It'll make your thumb stick just a touch,enough to hold the ball but not enough to hang up. Trust me,I was using this all day today and averaged 204.66 for 10 games. Warming up,I dropped 6 in a row,after that,not a one.

[agroves]

I put a 1/2" piece of white in the front of every ball, the rest goes behind the thumb to adjust for tightness. I do not advocate adding tape to the front of the hole b/c it can change your span depending on how much tape you put in. But, to each his own.

Andrew

[Rowdy]

Oh yeah. One in the front for grip and the rest in the back for tightness. But sometimes two pieces are too many and one ain't enough. A little dab on the thumb will do ya.

[agroves]

Oh yeah. One in the front for grip and the rest in the back for tightness. But sometimes two pieces are too many and one ain't enough. A little dab on the thumb will do ya.

I shim behind the white with a piece of black tape. ;) I don't like the slick feel of black, that is why I put it behind the white.

Andrew

[jedi47]

It's actually a matter of personal preference & trial and error.......
I use the slicker black tape only, and use it on what ever part of the thumb hole is loose (front, back or either side).

[Stampy79]

I use the white texture on the front for gripping and I also will change the distance of the depth of the tape in the hole. If I am getting just a bit of hang, I will replace that pice with a new one and put it just a bit lower. I also use the black tape on the sides and back of the holes (when not using carpet) to just simply take up space. One thing I would like to say to younger and newer bowlers to tourneys. I prefer to drill everyone of my thumbholes so I need at least 1 piece of tape (Usually 2) when its drilled. A quick reason why.... I went to Baton Rouge a few years ago to the ABC tourney and I went out the night before bowling and had cajun food. I could only get my thumb into the hole up to the knuckle ! I swore that would never happen again, and it hasnt since I changed technique of drilling thumbs

[SledgeMe]

A cheaper alernative to the carpets and works just as well is moleskin. You can buy it at any WAL-MART, etc. It is in the foot care section.

How to prep:

Get yourself a piece of tape and moleskin. Stick the piece of tape to the backside of the moleskin, lining up the bootom of the tape with the straight edge of the moleskin. cut the moleskin to form. Peel off back and stick in the back of your thumb hole.

These usually last me anywhere from 20-40 games. Not to mention you usually get 2 or three big sheets of moleskin in a pack that can make rouhgly 5 "carpets".

Hope this helps.

[Rowdy]

Does it tear up the back of your thumb at all?

[BubbaRay]

The moleskin shouldn't do your thumb any harm. What I see a lot of people using also is the felt side of Velcro. It's cheaper and you coould get more pieces out of moleskin and velcro for the money compaired to Magic Carpets.

[Rowdy]

You better either have a really big thumb hole or be prepared to shave down the velcro. Those things are thick.

[Mike_N_Nashville]

I actually ordered some magic carpet after reading about all of this. I haven't opened my thumb hole up enough to try it yet but I did compare it to the fuzzy side of some black velcro my wife had in her sewing kit and it looks the same and is the same identical size.

Mike

[JoshWithrow]

I compared it to the fuzzy side of some black velcro my wife had in her sewing kit and it looks the same and is the same identical size.

<sarcasm>

Oh no no no that's not the same thing. Don't confuse regular velcro backing with Ron's. Ron's is really high end stuff that he bought at a craft store and is reselling after repackaging it ;) lol

Not the same thing at all...

</sarcasm>

[TenPinSniper]

<sarcasm>

Oh no no no that's not the same thing. Don't confuse regular velcro backing with Ron's. Ron's is really high end stuff that he bought at a craft store and is reselling after repackaging it ;) lol

Not the same thing at all...

</sarcasm>

Oh yeah, Ron also puts that fancy edge on one end of the tape too.

LOL, when I got a sample piece several years ago, I brought that up to him. He stated it not velcro... I just left that alone.

My Proshop, stocked Magic Carpet for a while... now he has the sign, but sells the felt side of the velcro.

[sideburnz2k3]

what kind of tape should be used when taping a thumbhole