new to the sport

[Jay]

i've recently picked up bowling as a serious hobby. in the past, i've only played on occasions, using house balls. about a few weeks ago, i decided to take things up a notch and purchase my own equipment. i bought a storm street rod pearl and just had it drilled last week ago. in the past, i've been hooking with the two-finger grip with the house balls, like any novice, but now i'm trying to learn how to bowl with the finger-tip grip.

i have a fairly basic question, but because i'm just starting, i dont know whether my suspicions are correct. the thumb hole on my ball seems a bit too tight. there is a bit a suction when i'm trying to release my thumb. is this normal? do i just need to learn my timing, or is this too snug, which is what my suspicion tells me?

i've decided to put the ball on the shelf before i continue any further. i do plan on getting lessons, but i just want to get the ball setup correctly before i start.

any help would be appreciated!

[Randy Russell]

It's really hard to say. Many times the thumb hole isn't necessarily too tight when you're first starting out, but you're pinching the ball a little bit at release and creating a little bit of "hang up".

Without getting too indepth on a message board I'll make a suggestion. Take the ball back to where you originally had it drilled. Explain to the ball driller the issues you are having. If the hole is truly too tight, then they will open it a little, however if the hole isn't too tight ask them to watch you throw a couple of balls and help you figure out how to get out of it clean. In the essence of creating a good relationship they shouldn't have a problem with this. Who knows you might get a pointer or two out of it :)

Good luck!