Getting back in the game

[blksiryder]

i have been bowling from age11-16 then got a job and droped off till i came in the marine corps. i have picked it back up and just got a new ball. 14# BW. i don't use my thumb unless i am using a spare ball. is there anyone else who does this or is it uncommon? i'm right handed and drop the ball on the center line and hook it out. what i would like to know is should i have the pro shop drill a thumb hole or not.

[BubbaRay]

Welcome to the Hammer message board.

Your style of not using a thumb is not uncommon. There are alot of bowlers mainly young who do not use their thumb. They generate more revs this way but sacrifice consistancy. Also they usually have a bent elbow whick causes inconsistancy also. The USBC rule states there must be a min. of 3 finger holes. Two finger and one thumb hole. Not counting XHoles or a vent hole.

[blksiryder]

well at 1pm tomorrow i am going to get my ball fitted. but i will put a thumb hole in it for the fact that i play on a league. what do you meen by a bent elbow?

[fitzy]

someone who bowls in our center doesnt really use his thumb - but he has a 3rd hole drilled over span so his thumb only goes into it upto the first knuckle (like a thumb tip).he can generate alot of revs but it took him a long time to get used to it

[Rowdy]

Every guy I've seen who rolls without a thumb bends his elbow while he swings. A free armswing has a straight elbow. Let's simplify this,we're talking about swinging with either a bent or straight ARM. From the shoulder to the wrist. It's much easier to be consistant with a straight arm than a bent one. BUT,if you can repeat your swing with a bent arm and it's the way you feel most comfortable,go with it. If you should start to have problems with hitting your mark,the problem will most likely be in the area of when you're elbow unwinds during the shot.

[blksiryder]

well i put 5 games on the new ball and wow that BW has a hook. i just need to find a way to get it to hit the same place every time.i don't know if i'm putting to much on it but it carries past the pocket and likes to hit just the 7-8 pin. if i release the ball lower it hits the 1-2 pin. but i'm having a hard time getting it into the 1-3. it just hooks a bit much and it makes me pay for my style of bowling. however when it hits the pins they fly. any way i could help cut down the hook?

Matt

[agroves]

i just need to find a way to get it to hit the same place every time........any way i could help cut down the hook?

Matt

Start by using your thumb..........:rolleyes:

[Hammerhead1987]

Start by using your thumb..........:rolleyes:

Couldn't agree more! I used to bowl 2 fingered as well. Got the BWP and watched that thing hook passed the pins. I came on here and that is when everyone said drop your thumb in it. So I did. What a change! I started out horrible and have started to get better. I recently got me a coach and now am averaging in the 150's, after 1 lesson. Getting better each time I practice and hope to be posting scores with the rest of the guys soon! Learn to drop your thumb in the ball and bite the bad scores for awhile. You will be glad that you did in the long run.

[JaraTo]

Anyone? Rowdy ? Bubba? How long ago did this two finger cra... I mean phenomenon catch on? I know I remember it being prevalent 10 or 11 years ago.

[idlehourlegend]

Start by using your thumb..........:rolleyes:

Yep I agree, I learned a while ago that a big hook doesnt knock the pins down, it looks cool but thats about it, and I'd rather get the scores than look cool anyday, yes I can play the big wheel with the best of them, but I have stopped doing that a lot, still play a good swing but nothing compared to how I use to play. Stick your thumb in, work with it for a while, your accuracy will go up and so will your scores.

[JaraTo]

Post him a link to your vid just so he knows he doesn't have to completely convert. BTW idle, how are you on here so much during school hours?

[idlehourlegend]

Post him a link to your vid just so he knows he doesn't have to completely convert. BTW idle, how are you on here so much during school hours?

Homeschooled, its a beautiful thing.:D

[JaraTo]

Homeschooled, its a beautiful thing.:D

Oh man that does explain alot about you :rolleyes:

[blksiryder]

well i'm going to put in a few games at lunch so i'll see how it works

[idlehourlegend]

Oh man that does explain alot about you :rolleyes:

lol like what?

[blksiryder]

well didn't do to well with the thumb but i changes a few things and bowled 416 in 3 games. not hot but its better then the first 3 games i had on the ball. i'm not tops like some of you all but this is the first time i have picked up a ball and played real games in 8 years or so. thank you all for the help.

Matt

[JaraTo]

Majority of us talk the talk (me :o ), but only a few walk the walk here. Seasoned vets. Can say that I gained alot of know-how from here, just gotta apply it. Keep at it.

[Steve1591]

Couldn't agree more! I used to bowl 2 fingered as well. Got the BWP and watched that thing hook passed the pins. I came on here and that is when everyone said drop your thumb in it. So I did. What a change! I started out horrible and have started to get better. I recently got me a coach and now am averaging in the 150's, after 1 lesson. Getting better each time I practice and hope to be posting scores with the rest of the guys soon! Learn to drop your thumb in the ball and bite the bad scores for awhile. You will be glad that you did in the long run.

I used to bowl 2 fingered also..although i shot a backup ball with a white dot before that :rolleyes:

I was averaging 140-150 with a backup ball, but then when i changed to 2 fingered, my average jumped up to 170..and that was with an old yellow rhino pro, but once i got newer equipment and couldnt keep it on the right side, i started putting my thumb in the ball and changing everything..this was only about a year ago, and my average has jumped up 20+ pins :D

Now the reason that you cant keep the bws on the right side is most likely to be that you put too much on it..but that happens with a lot of 2 fingered bowlers...however, if you do try and switch to using the thumb, make sure you dont attempt to keep your swing the same, or the release for that matter..everything changes. You dont need to be cupping the ball as much, nor should you have a bend in your elbow (however, you may have a small bend, just not as large as if it were 2 fingered), also you will most likely have to change your approach around a bit, as your timing will be off until you get used to it. :rolleyes: