QuestionI have a black widow venom by hammer. It has fingertips with turbo inserts and a thumb slug. It starts out fine but as things heat up I guess my thumb swells plus the oil gets into the hole and then it is hanging up the rest of the night. I have sanded it out but afraid to make to big, is the slug causing the hole to sweat? and would a conventoinal thumb hole be better for not being sticky?
Answer
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Hi Dave, I noticed the first thing you said was that you had Turbo inserts. From experience with my bowling students I know that Turbo inserts are a bit tackier than other inserts. They have ridges on the inside to give the bowler that added support, and sureness of grip. Great bowlers and professionals will often do a couple of things compensate for changes during play. Their thumbhole may be a little larger. To this they can add tape and then remove it if the thumb swells up during play. Depending on how you release the ball and the grip pressure you use, and the proper span, you could be scraping your thumb as you exit the ball. If you injure the thumb, it will swell and that is not a good thing. Beveling often helps relieve thumb issues. Pro shop staffers can provide a exit ramp for your thumb that can be comfortable for you. They are the experts and perhaps they can guide you through the pitfalls of getting that nice release off the thumb. Don't be afraid of making the thumbhole too big, but just big enough. If you are a bowler who keeps the ball in their hand too long while standing on the approach, that can certainly have an affect on the stickiness of the thumb. However, I can only take a stab at some things you can try. I truly don't know how you release the ball. Some people keep powder with them to combat the sweating or stickiness.
In summary Doug, take a chance on beveling, powder, or even a little bit of a larger thumb hole. We truly can't have you hanging up in the thumbhole. Get a coach to put "eyes on you" on the lanes to see if there is a delivery and release problem. I only know one thing, and that is, a bowler's release has to be consistent. Thank you very much for your question. This is truly one that has to be resolved.
- Gary
Las Vegas,NV
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)
