SolveYourProblem Article Series: Bowling
Teach Me How To Bowl

How To Grip Or Hold A Bowling Ball

One of the most important aspects of bowling technique is the grip. The manner in which a bowler holds the ball can have a big effect on the power and accuracy of the shot, and will in turn affect that bowler’s score, and ultimately his average. There are four different kinds of grips that a bowler can use; the conventional grip, the fingertip grip, the semi-fingertip grip, and the Sarge-Easter grip, with advantages and disadvantages to using each one.

Popular among beginners, the conventional grip is the most common method of holding the ball among amateur bowlers. In preparing for this grip, bowlers place their middle and ring fingers in the two holes that are side-by-side, while inserting the thumb into the third hole. The fingers are inserted in the holes up to the second knuckle, and the thumb hole is drilled deep enough to allow the entire thumb to be placed inside the ball. The holes must be drilled relatively close together to facilitate this grip, depending on the size of the player’s hands. Using this grip gives the bowler a feeling of security and control over the ball, which is why it is popular among less-experienced players. It does not allow for much lift when releasing the ball, but it can provide the ability for the bowler to hook the ball into the pocket.

Many advanced bowlers use the fingertip grip, which allows them to put more of a spin on the ball for a better hook. The finger holes for this grip are drilled more shallowly, only allowing the tips of the fingers to be inserted into the ball, but the thumbhole depth remains the same as for the conventional grip. Because the holes are wider apart and ball is held using just the fingertips, this grip requires more arm and wrist strength than the other grip, but it allows the bowler much more finesse and control over the rotation of the ball as it is released.

A hybrid between the conventional and fingertip grips is the semi-fingertip grip. With this method, the fingers are inserted into the holes up to a point between the first and second joint, and the entire thumb is placed into the ball. This kind of grip is considered a happy medium between the two other grips, as it still allows some sense of control over the ball, while also providing an increased ability to hook the shot. This type of grip is recommended for intermediate bowlers who do not yet have the confidence or skill to go with the fingertip grip.

For the bowler who puts too much spin on the ball when using the fingertip grip, the Sarge-Easter grip may be in order. With this method, the middle finger hole is drilled to the fingertip level, while the ring finger hole is drilled to the depth of a conventional grip. The thumb hole remains the same as with the other types of grips. This grip style allows the bowler to redirect the rotational axis of the bowling ball, bringing more of the rotation forward instead of sideways, and decreasing the amount of hook in each shot.

Whatever a bowler’s skill level may be, choosing the proper grip can help one get maximum enjoyment out of the game. Changing grip styles is not always possible when using the house balls of a bowling alley since most have been drilled to the conventional grip depth, but for those bowlers who are serious enough to own their own ball, changing to a more advanced grip can often pay big dividends and result in a higher average.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2009

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