How essential it is to properly grip a bowling ball? You cannot prioritize this enough. Because technically, you don’t throw a bowling ball, you roll it down the lane. And so, gripping the bowling ball correctly is everything. Not only it will make your bowling easier, but also make bowling safer.
The bowling balls you carry are usually quite heavy. So gripping it with the right bowling gripping method is unavoidable. Here you will learn about the ways to grip your bowling ball and which grip you should use for straight shots and spinning. So if that’s your cup of tea, stay tuned!
How to grip a bowling ball for straight shooting?
Are you looking for the best bowling grip for straight shots? “Conventional Grip” is what you should learn and practice. So why is it special for straight shooting? Allow me to elaborate.
If you’re a beginner or an intermediate bowler, you’re gonna enjoy the conventional grip for straighter shots as it will give you the most control over your bowling ball. And because this grip lets you have more control, it prevents the ball from hooking.
So how do you do the conventional grip? Simply, insert your thumb all the way, and your bowling fingers to the second knuckle. You have to apply pressure with all three of your fingers, so the rotation and speed are going to be different. Make sure your fingers are comfortably inside the drilled holes of the bowling ball.
Apart from the advantage conventional grip provides to new bowlers with stability and security, it has disadvantages as well. Bowlers who tend to hook their ball cannot use the conventional grip even if they feel comfortable in that grip position.
How to grip a bowling ball for spin?
Once you have mastered the conventional grip and want to move on to more advanced bowling, you should try the “Fingertip Grip”. Try this grip method only if you’re an advanced bowler. So what’s so special about this bowling grip? As you might guess, the fingertip bowling grip is not going to let you control your ball that much. On the bright side, this grip method increases your ball’s hooking ability, thanks to the added revolutions and greater lift, which of course, leads to better pin carry. To spin your bowling ball, you need this grip method and to do that it will require you to use a bit more strength.
So how do you do the fingertip grip? First, insert your thumb all the way inside the thumb hole. And what about the other bowling fingers? Well, put your ring and your middle fingers only up to the first knuckle.
Instead of this, you can also use the “Semi-fingertip Grip” method to bowl. This grip has the best features from both of them. To do this grip, you need to insert your middle and ring fingers a little bit more, just up to the midway point between the first and second knuckle of your fingers. This will provide better accuracy and stability in your shots. And what about the ball hooking? You will be able to do that just fine.
Conclusion
So which bowling grip is the right one for you? Based on your experience in bowling, you should choose wisely. Doesn’t matter which bowling grip you decide to go with, always make sure that your fingers fit inside the drilled holes properly and comfortably. They should not be too tight or too loose. If you’re feeling confused what which bowling grip to use for bowling, I hope this this article gave you enough information. Do you think you’re gonna need more assistance regarding these bowling grip? Well, you know the drill. Just get in touch with me. I will try to answer your questions one by one. Till then, good luck and keep on bowling, my fellow bowlers! See ya later!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
