(Part 2) Best products from r/Bowling

my friend has the same problem. he has issues because he squeezes the ball on his approach. this makes the thumb flare (get larger from side to side) and the ball sticks on the release.. he has a tendency to develop blisters on the inside and outside of his thumb. this causes swelling too, which makes the problem worse.

he has reslugged his ball 3 times just because he kept asking the driller to open it up, against the driller's advise, and had to close it back because the hole was simply too large and forcing him to squeeze the ball.

important to note that your thumb hole should be an oval and not a perfect circle. this is a common issue, but it depends on your thumb's shape and your driller.

another option is pitch. some PSO's won't bother with it. the short of it is... you can have your thumb hole (and finger holes, far less commom) pitched forward, back, left and right. normally, a PSO will drill the thumb hole straight into the ball, resulting in a hole where the centerline makes a 90 degree angle with the line tangent to the ball. this angle can be adjusted to optimize your release. i would suggest this as a last option because its kind of hit or miss. you need a good PDO/driller to know which way to go based on you grip. my friend did end up getting a slight pitch adjustment, but jury is still out (after like 16 weeks) if this helped or not. his release has improved over time.

idk where you live, but consider finding a PSO with IBPSIA certification. enter your state in the following link and try to find an advanced certified technician, or better. not to say a driller must be IBPSIA certified, but i stand by my PSO, who happens to be. he fit all three of my drills perfectly just from an old ball, its track, and checking my natural thumb position and thumb grip pressure when i squeezed his wrist. i can't tell the difference between any of the three balls and i have had zero issues. take this with a grain of salt because i would consider myself an advanced bowler with a relatively smooth and consistent release.

https://ibpsia.com/find-a-pro/technicians/find-a-technician-in-your-area/#

also..try to use some release tape, this stuff was a game changer for me..

https://www.amazon.com/Storm-S570-P-Thunder-Tape/dp/B00BUICA0O

There are left handed bowling shoes. Lower end shoes tend to be universal, high end shoes have interchangeable soles and heels on the specific 'slide' shoe so you need to make sure the shoes are 'lefty' and rubber soles are usually on the non slide foot shoe. - This is what you wanted (add left handed to your searches) - http://www.amazon.com/Dexter-Bowling-Shoes-Black-Stone/dp/B008BSO3CY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1409263837&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=dexter+men+sst+6+lefty

Continuing writing this as we speak, but I'm adding rest as an edit.

So yes you need a bowling ball drilled fingertip style for your hand. Plastic house balls are, well, plastic so they don't hook much (and they are conventional grip).

You can get anything you want, 205 drilled sounds like an average price for the ball you'd be getting. I've never owned a Roto Grip ball, but I threw a Hyper Cell a few weeks ago and I really liked it. You probably won't go wrong with whatever you buy if you talk to your proshop guy and do some research on the internet.

Finally, you got yourself into a fun sport that's a bit of a money pit if you get semi serious or enjoy it a lot. One or two bowling balls will never be enough, before you know it you'll have like 6-12 haha.

Someone commented that this bag tips easily? I took a test drive today after loading it up with three 15 lb balls and gear and misc bull crap and didn’t see that issue. It’s 109 for this color and ten more for others on Amazon in case your wondering. Here’s the link hope it works.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJCC69I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_LUa2AbJHR42SP

You may get lucky with your PSO maybe they have an old demo. Also check 5 miles app and letgo. Good luck. I’m very pleased with the bag. The storage is great.

It does not have ball strap in it. I’m going to rig something up parts from my old ebonite bag which has them. I loved that bag i got it for 30 used and it served me great. Even flew with it.

Like i said you may get lucky. Those deals go fast because bags are hella expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-Medium-Tension-7-Pounds/dp/B0006GBDZY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491831858&sr=8-3&keywords=finger%2Bstrength&th=1

I'm not saying with 100% certainty that this will work, but I started playing guitar about 15 years ago and when I started my fingers would kill me if I played for like 30 minutes or so. I bought one of these and it drastically improved my dexterity to where I could play as much as I wanted without pain or stiffness. Granted I was 16 at the time and things didn't hurt as much or for that long, but it did help.

Another thought it tape? Maybe open up the finger holes a bit more and tape your fingers. It should work like a compression sleeve and keep your fingers from swelling in the first place.

Or neither of these are good ideas. I don't know. I'm spit-balling here lol

> If changing to right handed or left handed only shoes actually improved your game

ABSOLUTELY!!!! If I could choose between the biggest+best arsenal in the universe and a blah pair of shoes, or a 3-ball arsenal and great shoes... I'm taking the great shoes every single time. If you don't have a good footing/platform then you're gonna be on the struggle bus no matter what.

As far as your thumb and hand getting sweaty... get a small portable fan and keep that in your bag. I carry one like this around with me in my backpack and it can make a HUGE difference. Thumb slugs also help a lot with providing a consistent feel/texture from ball to ball.

Yeah man, I was thinking of doing my Lebron Sprite 8s but I just couldn't convince myself to touch one of my all time favorites, here is a pic of the soles.

http://ibb.co/n9ZOHc

I found the best pairs that work are anything that has a flat bottom like these pair. Next what you do is get the soles from dexter now they have a bunch of different slide types just buy whats best for your game, I like more slide so I bought these for the slide shoe and you see what I got for the stop shoe.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V7ZXH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cut them to size then take some 00 steel wool and scuff up the soles of the shoes, basically just enough so the glue can grip better, Youre going to need some velcro as thats how the dexter soles go on and off I got some from a local shoe repair place. from there you just cut the velcro to size glue it on the sole and add the dexter soles and boom you are you have the freshest pair of shoes in league.

If your just starting there are great pairs on amazon for beginning bowlers.

• KR Strikeforce Bowling Shoes Mens Flyer Bowling Shoes- M US, Black/Orange, 9 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CT47QZ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_onAzDb0S3C3GX. These are great for starting out these are the pair I started out with 3 years ago.
  
• Another shoe for great value would be great are Dexter Turbo II Bowling Shoes, Black/Khaki, 9.5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B1QV6U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9oAzDbMSRASVH I see these being used a lot for bowlers who are just starting out.
  
  
• Also check your local pro shop they should have beginners pairs stocked up and should be around the same around 50 price point.

I'll give you 2:

Between sets I use Neo-Tac Hook-It. Stuff works amazingly well but you can't use it during USBC play. You can use it before or after USBC play. Make sure you use a paper towel with this stuff and throw the paper towel away after each use. I've left a regular towel with this stuff on it and it will eat through some plastics.

During USBC play I use That Purple Stuff. Does a pretty good job of getting the most gunk off my ball but isn't as good as Hook-it.

This is tough and sort of depends...

Shoes, you can get shoes for less than $100 easy, but there are many higher end shoes that costs close to $200...if he uses those, then shoes would not be a good ideal.

Most bowling balls cost 140+, however a fun Viz-A-Ball can be considered. If he does not have a spare ball and/or wants one, you can get a cool spare ball for him. Close to $100. NOTE: http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-balls/kr-strikeforce/11389/nfl-green-bay-packers-ver2.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiA6_TBBRDInaPjhcelt5oBEiQApPeTFw3GAfY6P90t1eb4BniOdZpcrJ4ZOFAYSzQF8jitVgkaAqP-8P8HAQ These type of balls are more like $120, getting out of your price range. Yes I'm a GB Packer fan.

A good bowling bag, does he have an older/broken up one? A decent bad could be around $50-75 and higher depending on his needs.


Fun bowling shirt: https://www.amazon.com/Mens-Grandpas-Bingo-Bowling-T-Shirt/dp/B01IUOZLH4/ref=lp_15168688011_1_2?srs=15168688011&ie=UTF8&qid=1480436877&sr=8-2

I asked my wife for one of these: https://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIUDB-Bowling-Shape-Night-Change/dp/B01MQF41PI/ref=sr_1_44_a_it?srs=15610792011&ie=UTF8&qid=1480437085&sr=8-44 - She said I was nuts and there is no place to put it.


A bowling themed clock would be ok...i'm sure you can find one on amazon without me putting huge links up.

Bend your wrist backwards, you mean?

Depends on wrist strength and personal preference, I think. I, personally, wear one for league nights/tournaments, partially for consistency's sake and partially because my wrists are already sad from working as a keyboard jockey. It can help reinforce proper form so you know how to go without it as well.

I'll take it off about 50/50 for practice, though, to work on keeping a strong wrist as well as having more degrees of freedom to work on release.

I'm sure it's telling that nearly 0% of pros wear one, I can tell that it (by design) limits what I can do with my hand/wrist, but if it works for you, it works for you. I ordered several from Amazon and kept the one I liked. Ones like Robby's Revs (II and III) were too bulky and complicated; glove-style doesn't let me feel the ball, the small wrister style didn't feel like enough. Ended up with a Mongoose, I particularly like the open palm to let me feel the ball.

Have you talked to a ball driller and explained your condition? They might be able to do something with the pitch of the thumb hole and or something else. If you are talking about having problems on the back of your thumb then go buy hada patches asap, I use them all the time and can't imagine bowling without one now. https://www.bowlingindex.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BI&Category_Code=FA&Product_Code=FG-AC-VHPCut Never bought from that site but that's the product. If you're looking to reduce excessive moisture I highly recommend trying this http://www.amazon.com/Kegel-Sweat-Hand-Drying-Spray/dp/B00A4NN7RG I was hesitent to try it but now I use it everytime I bowl, just make sure to wash your hands after because you will want your hands to be able to sweat when you'e not bowling. You only have to apply it once before you bowl. Good luck and keep us posted. Also if you are using white tape inside your thumb you definitely don't want to be using it on the back of your thumb hole, way too much friction. I do see some people using it that way but it blows my mind on how their thumbs don't rip open.

The one I'm going to link is a sleeve but its really flexible and doesn't constrict movement but still provides good support to the knee. I use them for weightlifting and volleyball and they hold my knees up great, I almost never have knee pains.


https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tec-Athletics-Force-Sleeve-X-Large/dp/B004TTW3JO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493664826&sr=8-3&keywords=Pro-Tec+Knee+sleeve

What about these?

Another one, although with a little "multicolor", but mostly purple

These are cute and a classic style. They say "pink" but they look like a darker pink, depends on your shade

Finally, if you want to splurge, get The 9's in lilac/white

Also, FWIW, I wear a half size down in Dexter shoes. If you can get them somewhere with a great return policy, it would be worth it try on the 9.5.

Quick to recommend these - https://www.krstrikeforce.com/products/Flyer-Black-Mag-Blue. Super comfortable like tennis shoes, last easily 3 years if take care of them and $40 or so.
At amazon - https://www.amazon.com/KR-Strikeforce-M-032-105-Flyer-Bowling/dp/B01CRPRUF8/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia

https://www.amazon.com/Salmon-Creek-NuBall-Bowling-Rejuvenator/dp/B00BCQ0YG6

I have one and swear by it. It's amazing and an awesome investment. Much better than other homemade alternatives IMO.

This is a pretty good deal, They have interchangeable soles and in 11.5 it's about $65 plus shipping

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https://smile.amazon.com/KR-Strikeforce-M-916-085-Raptor-Bowling/dp/B01CT4C46W/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=bowling&psr=PDAY&qid=1563260072&s=prime-day&sr=1-12&th=1&psc=1

Yes, in a ball oven (not in the oven in the kitchen)

Ball Oven example

a wire brush, like this.