| Bowling balls are made of hard smooth | | | | equipment, you need to check out and learn |
| materials such as hard rubber, polyester, | | | | the fingertip grip. |
| urethane and more recently reactive resin, | | | | |
| are allowed to weigh up to 16 pounds, with no | | | | Inserts for the finger and thumbholes are |
| minimum weight, with a circumference of | | | | allowed, only if they are non-removable |
| between 26.7 and 27 inches, and a diameter of | | | | without being destroyed and non adjustable. |
| 8.5 inches. An item this size would be rather | | | | These inserts, if they are used, change the |
| hard to hold on to, let alone grip and throw | | | | diameter of the holes, are a wearable part |
| if it were not for the holes that are allowed | | | | that can be replaced, and provide a smooth |
| to be in the ball. | | | | surface. Thumb inserts tend to be larger than |
| | | | your thumb, which allows for the use of tape |
| Typically there are 3 holes in a bowling | | | | to adjust your grip to compensate for |
| ball, however you are allowed to have up to | | | | swelling or shrinking of the thumb during |
| 12, one for each of your fingers and your | | | | your game. Finger grips, typically used with |
| thumb the other seven are allowed for air | | | | the fingertip grip, are usually softer and |
| pressure relief (one for each finger hole) | | | | assist in being able to apply more torque and |
| one for weight adjustment up to 1 1/4 inches | | | | rotation to your shot. |
| in diameter, and one to check hardness of the | | | | |
| cover stock. | | | | There are a couple of variations of the 2 |
| | | | standard grips. The Sarge-Easter grip, where |
| For this discussion we are going to | | | | the middle finger is drilled to the first |
| concentrate on the typical 3 holes, which are | | | | knuckle and the ring finger is drilled to the |
| usually for the middle and ring fingers and | | | | second knuckle, supposedly helps cut down on |
| the thumb. | | | | extreme hook patterns, and is not very |
| | | | common. |
| The more common configuration is finger holes | | | | |
| that will allow your two fingers down to the | | | | Another is more technique than grip and |
| second knuckle and your full thumb at a | | | | involves throwing the ball without inserting |
| comfortable span (span is the distance | | | | the thumb. Very few bowlers use this |
| between the fingers and the thumb). This is | | | | technique, and those that do, with a few |
| called a full finger or conventional grip. | | | | exceptions, are typically not very accurate |
| Most house balls found in your local bowling | | | | and do not score very high. Lack of control, |
| center are full finger conventional grip | | | | and slipping off your hand are the hallmarks |
| balls. This grip is usually very comfortable | | | | of this technique. |
| and allows some degree of control. | | | | |
| | | | If you are going to buy a bowling ball you |
| Our next grip is the fingertip grip; the main | | | | need to find out who, in your area is the |
| characteristics of this grip are that the | | | | expert ball driller. Almost anyplace that |
| finger holes only allow the fingers to be | | | | will sell you a bowling ball can provide |
| inserted to the first knuckle, with the thumb | | | | drilling, however if they are not really |
| fully inserted and a wider span. The main | | | | expert at fitting the ball to you and then |
| advantage of this grip is that it allows you | | | | drilling it to perform how it should you may |
| to apply much more leverage to the shot. You | | | | end up with an expensive paper weight. Ask at |
| should be able to throw harder, smoother, and | | | | your bowling center, or ask some of the |
| be able to control the natural hook in your | | | | accomplished bowlers in your area, where they |
| shot pattern a lot better. If you are serious | | | | get their bowling balls drilled. Some premium |
| about becoming a better bowler, and you are | | | | bowling balls can cost $200.00 and up, it is |
| going to invest in your own bowling | | | | worth taking the extra time. |