Reading your hand

Calluses and other marks can help you determine problems with your grip or your game.

Making changes to your game can greatly affect the way you release and/or grip the ball.

Changing or starting to wear a wrist support or glove can also affect the fit of the ball.

Make sure you tell your ball driller about any changes, since the last time you had your hand measured or purchased a ball.

         Diagram 1                    Diagram 2                        Diagram 3                      Diagram 4

Diagram 1 shows a callus on the back of the thumb. A very common problem and prevalent amongst bowlers who use wrist supports. Possible causes are:

• Knuckling ball due to being out of rhythm

• To much reverse pitch

• To long a span

Diagram 2 shows a burn at the tip of the thumb nail. Possible causes are:

• Hitting up at the bottom of the swing

• To little reverse pitch 

• To long a span

Diagram 3 shows calluses on both sides of the thumb. Possible causes:

• Turning to early at the bottom of the swing and turning more with the thumb than the fingers.

• To tight a thumb hole

• An oval thumb hole is required

Diagram 4 shows a callus on the inside of the thumb.

• Caused by coming over the top of the ball, by swinging around your back.

• Another common callus with bowlers who wear wrist devices

       Diagram 5                        Diagram 6   

Diagram 5 shows a brown mark or burn at the front of the thumb. Causes are:

• Wrapping the ball behind your back during the swing

• Trying to grab the ball in an effort to put on more revs

• To little reverse pitch

• To long a span

• Wearing a wrist device

Diagram 6 show calluses at the base and outer side of the thumb.

• Signs you are holding the ball correctly

          Diagram 7                     Diagram 8                         Diagram 9                      Diagram 10

Diagram 7 shows calluses on both sides of the fingers. Possible causes:

• Coming over the top of the ball

• Finger holes/inserts way to tight

Diagram 8 shows calluses on inside of fingers.

• Caused by turning the ball to early

Diagram 9 shows calluses on the outside of the fingers.

• Incorrect lateral pitches

Diagram 10 shows burn marks at the tip of the fingers on either side. Possible causes:

• To long a span

• To much forward pitch of the fingers

Diagram 11 shows calluses on the pads of the fingers.

• No problem, unless they burn, caused by hitting up on the ball