Blog
Why Your Bowling Ball Should Fit Like a Glove
Ever finish a night of bowling and your thumb feels like you’ve been trying to hitchhike on the interstate for three days straight? Or maybe you’ve got a ball that you have to squeeze the life out of just to keep from dropping it. If any of that sounds familiar, then your ball doesn’t fit.
And that’s a big problem. Because if your ball doesn’t fit, you’re never going to be as good as you could be. It’s that simple.
Here at Fastlane, we see it every single day. A bowler comes in, frustrated with their game, ready to drop $250 on a new ball, when the real problem is that the ball they already have is drilled all wrong for their hand. A proper fit is the foundation of your entire game. It’s more important than the brand of the ball, the color of the ball, or how much it hooks.
It’s Not Supposed to Hurt
Let’s get this out of the way right now: bowling is not supposed to hurt. If your hand is sore after you bowl, your ball doesn’t fit. A properly fitted ball should feel like an extension of your hand. You shouldn’t have to think about it. You should be able to relax your hand and let the ball do the work.
When your ball fits right, you’ll be able to release it the same way every time. You’ll be able to put more spin on it. You’ll be more consistent. And you won’t be in pain. We had a guy, Dave, who bowled for 20 years with a sore thumb. He thought it was just part of the game. We re-drilled his ball, and he came back a week later and said he couldn’t believe the difference. He could bowl three games and not even think about his thumb.
How We Fit a Ball at Fastlane
So, what goes into a proper fitting? It’s a lot more than just measuring your fingers. We look at a bunch of different things:
- Your Span: This is the distance between your thumb and your fingers. It’s the most important measurement, and it’s got to be perfect.
- Your Pitches: This is the angle of the holes. We can drill them forward, reverse, left, or right, depending on your hand and your release. The right pitches will make the ball feel like it’s practically glued to your hand, but still come off clean at the release.
- Your Hole Sizes: This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people are bowling with holes that are too big or too small. We’ll get them just right, and we’ll probably recommend a thumb slug and finger inserts. These are little rubber grips that give you a consistent feel and make the ball more comfortable.
- Your Grip: Are you a fingertip bowler or a conventional bowler? There’s no right or wrong answer. It all depends on your style and what you’re comfortable with. We’ll help you figure out what’s best for you.
Don’t Trust a Website to Drill Your Ball
You can buy a ball online, but you can’t get it drilled online. You need to go to a pro shop where they know what they’re doing. You need someone who will take the time to measure your hand, watch you bowl, and talk to you about your game.
That’s what we do at Fastlane. We don’t just drill holes in a ball. We fit the ball to your hand. And we stand behind our work. If it’s not right, you bring it back and we’ll make it right. That’s a promise.
So, if you’re tired of your hand hurting, or you’re just not getting the consistency you want, come on in and let’s take a look at your fit. It might be the best thing you ever do for your game.
