Finger Placement

Put your middle finger and your ring finger in the side-by-side holes and your thumb in the other. This grip gives you the most control and the lowest likelihood of experiencing a freak injury. Make sure your fingers are inserted as deeply as the holes permit.

What finger comes out first in bowling?

The thumb is the first finger that exits the bowling ball during the release. This is often referred to as thumb or release timing.

Why do bowlers tuck their pinky?

Tucking the pinky finger works best on a full fingertip grip as opposed to the conventional grip. Because your pinky finger is tucked, your bowling fingers are naturally propped toward the palm of your bowling hand which will encourage a pronounced finger action when the thumb exits the ball.

Should I cup my wrist when bowling?

Cupping the wrist in bowling is a way to increase your hook and deliver more power to the pins. If you have your ball drilled for fingertip grip, then you know the fingertip grip in itself produces more lift on the ball. And also cupping the wrist in bowling, you will increase the rotation even more.

How far should fingers go in bowling ball?

First, check the size of the holes. When you place your fingers in the ball, they should slide comfortably to the first crease down from the fingertips for a standard “fingertip” grip. If you're jamming the fingers in because they're too tight, change the inserts or have the holes opened slightly.

16 related questions found

Should I bowl with 2 fingers or 3?

Your best spare strategy is to employ a traditional three-finger grip. Using the thumb hole will heighten your control of the ball and reduce your hook. Some bowlers even elect to throw a separate plastic ball for spares. Plastic balls slide more smoothly down the lane.

Can you bowl with just two fingers?

All you have to do is twist your fingers up and to the side of the ball as you release. Some bowlers rotate their wrist a bit as well. Practicing this for a few frames is usually all you'll need to be spinning the ball significantly.

Is bowling with 2 fingers legal?

Here is how the new specification will read in the USBC Playing Rules starting Aug. 1: Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not exceed five and shall be limited to one for each finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand.

Do you put thumb in bowling ball?

Make sure your fingers and thumb are inserted as far as the holes permit. Care should be taken to fit your bowling fingers and thumb into the holes of the ball in the same manner each time you are getting ready to bowl.

Does hand size matter in bowling?

Because more of your hand spans the circumference of the bowling ball when your index finger is spread away from your middle finger, you can gain increased ability to turn the ball quickly and aggressively at the moment your release occurs.

Can 2 handed bowlers have a thumb hole?

A two-handed bowler is required to use the same dominant hand during their delivery on both their first and second shots (this refers to the hand in which the bowling ball rests). They also have the option of utilizing a thumb hole or not—both are acceptable. However, only one set of gripping holes is allowed.

What is the best speed for a bowling ball?

The average speed of a bowling ball for the average player is approximately 16 to 17 miles per hour. For the average person playing competitively, the ideal bowling ball speed should be about 20 to 21 miles per hour when the ball is released onto the land and 16 to 17 miles per hour when the ball hits the pins.

What is an illegal bowling ball?

Related: The Storm Spectre bowling ball, which the USBC banned from all USBC certified competition, is not allowed in any level of PBA competition. Purple Hammer bowling balls manufactured in 2016 and 2017 were banned from USBC certified competition, and are not allowed in any level of PBA competition.

How do you bowl correctly?

First: Straighten your hand and wrist. Second: Hold your bowling arm out at a distance while you're bowling. Third: Keeping your arm straight, swing it towards your ankle. Fourth: Rotate the wrist, hand, and arm away from your body as you bring the ball near your ankle.

How do you curve a bowling ball without a thumb?

Thumbless Bowlers Need to Cup Their Wrist

When bowling without a thumb,your wrist is cupped and you are basically holding the ball between your arm and wrist. you can only go so high with your back swing before you lose control of the ball. So you are not able to gain any adjustment by not cupping the wrist.

What weight bowling ball should I use?

A bowling ball should weigh 10 percent of your body weight (up to 16 pounds), which means you really shouldn't be grabbing, say, an 8-pound ball if you weigh 150 pounds. You want some weight to the ball, but it shouldn't be so heavy that it's uncomfortable.

How tight should thumb be in bowling ball?

You want your thumbhole to feel loose, but it needs to be tight enough that you can release the ball without gripping it. You shouldn't need more than a piece of tape to accomplish this.

How far should your thumb be in the bowling ball?

Take the measurement with 1/2 the thumb inserted. Work with a bowling ball that has a thumb hole and doesn't have finger holes drilled in it. With your thumb inserted, stretch your fingers up to where the finger holes should be. Mark a quarter of an inch below each finger knuckle.

Is a Four finger bowling ball legal?

USBC's specification states: Holes or indentations for gripping purposes shall not exceed five and shall be limited to one for each finger and one for the thumb, all for the same hand.