Release Your Bowling Ball Cleanly

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 2/13/17; Updated; 1/28/21

If you wish to release your bowling ball cleanly and on time as often as you can, there is a technique related to your grip you can practice.

If you alter your release when you do not wish to do so, it may be due to how you grip your ball and the pressure points you apply with your bowling hand.

Next time you get to the practice lanes, try to grip your ball first by inserting your thumb completely down as far as the hole permits followed by gripping the ball with your fingers.

Make sure to keep your thumb as relaxed and as straight as possible down in the hole by avoiding bending your middle knuckle joint in the ball.

Apply a normal amount of grip pressure on the pads of your fingers and then bowl a few deliveries to determine how quickly you release the ball or if you hang on longer than needed.

Next, try a few shots by first inserting your fingers into the gripping holes and then your thumb lastly. As in the first case, make sure you insert your thumb all the way down into the hole without clamping on or squeezing the ball with your thumb.

Apply your normal amount of grip pressure on the pads of your fingers and then deliver a few shots paying attention to when your thumb escapes the ball and how consistently your release becomes.

Compare the pressure points on your bowling hand with one gripping technique to the other.

Whichever grip helps you exit your thumb from the ball quickly and at the same point relative to the bottom of your forward swing arc will likely be your best method of gripping and releasing your ball.

Since it is very difficult to describe feel using words, practice gripping your bowling ball in these two suggested ways to get the feedback you need to build awareness of your release technique.

After bowling for a while using both methods, determine where the key pressure points are and how your hand feels when you’re gripping the ball using each method.

If you can repeat very consistent releases where your hand exits the ball on time and effortlessly, you will have found a technique to build into your game.

Another technique to help your release is to apply varying amounts of finger pressure onto the ball as you swing and release it. Apply more pressure than normally if you sense a tendency to lose the crisp and quick release you seek. If you hang onto the ball too long and rotate your fingers inconsistently, then perhaps you may be gripping your ball using too much hand or finger pressure causing you to force your release. Experiment in practice you you develop a feel for gripping and releasing your ball which will enhance your overall delivery technique.

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