Fingertip Grip Accessories For Better Feel

Excerpt from Bowling Fundamentals - Second Edition By Michelle Mullen

9/9/2018

If you use a fingertip grip, you may opt to have finger inserts, also called finger grips, glued into the finger holes (see photo). These accessories are made of rubber and offer a different feel to the fingers. The majority of bowlers who use a fingertip grip use finger inserts. The holes are drilled bigger to accommodate the circumference of the grip, and then the finger inserts are glued into the holes. Most bowlers decide whether they want them when they purchase the ball; however, the finger holes can always be redrilled later to add them.

Many bowlers like the smooth feel of a thumb slug (see top photo) to facilitate a clean thumb release. The thumb slug is glued into the ball and then the hole is drilled right into it. If you have more than one ball, a thumb slug will give you the same feel from ball to ball. You do not have to decide whether you want a thumb slug when you purchase your ball; the thumbhole can always be redrilled later to add one.

If you have multiple bowling balls and are mroe sensitive to the feel of the thumbholes as you switch from ball to ball, consider using an interchangeable thumb slug (see bottom photo). Basically, a slug is made with a locking mechanism that you can move from ball to ball. You can have different sizes made to accommodate the flucuations in your thumb, especially if your thumb size changes drastically while you bowl. These slugs click into place in a receptacle installed into each bowling ball you own. However, this does not alleviate the need for bowler's tape within these slugs because your thumb will still have slight fluctuations that require tape to size the hole just right.