Alternative grip, fitting methods

This forum is for topics related to pro shop operation and bowling center maintenance.
Usual topics include: shop gear, fitting, drilling and lane maintenance.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
racerjohnbf
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: December 21st, 2023, 12:06 pm
THS Average: 169
Speed: 15-16 on the monitor
Rev Rate: 240
Location: Virginia

Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by racerjohnbf »

Hi guys, I'm still in search of the best fitting grip for me. I have always felt that the ball doesn't lay on my hand comfortably the way I would like. I have read a bunch of old threads on other grip layouts, specifically Bill Hall's tri grip and Joe Slowinski's ADT. I believe after all the reading I have done that I have a hand that one of these grips would benefit.

There is a pro shop about 2hrs from me that advertises that they do the Tri Grip and I'm considering going there and have a ball refit to try it.

I can't find any current info on these grips so I'm guessing they never really caught on for one reason or another. Are any on you out there still using either of these methods?

I'm attaching a picture of how the ball currently sits on my hand....
20240303_130659~2.jpg
Suggestions?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Glenn
Member
Member
Posts: 308
Joined: May 11th, 2015, 11:00 pm

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by Glenn »

Hi, Racer!

Since nobody has responded, I will give you my two-cents worth.
I don't have any knowledge of the Tri-Grip approach that had a $200 price tag to buy in at one point.
However, I have embraced Joe Slowinski's ADT approach for a lot of years.
I used the ADT approach because I have a damaged thumb from years of hard work and abuse of that hand.
How Joe approaches the physiology of the hand has worked for me when laying out my bowling balls.
Bowling Is More Art Than Science
"Glenn is not an expert..."
racerjohnbf
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: December 21st, 2023, 12:06 pm
THS Average: 169
Speed: 15-16 on the monitor
Rev Rate: 240
Location: Virginia

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by racerjohnbf »

Thanks for responding Glenn. From what I have read both methods are somewhat similar, at least in what they are trying to accomplish.

How would best describe the ADT grip vs a traditional fit?

Also does the ADT grip allow you to do the "modern release"? I know there was some debate about that back when it first came out.

Thanks,

John
Glenn
Member
Member
Posts: 308
Joined: May 11th, 2015, 11:00 pm

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by Glenn »

John,

I would like to see how you currently hold the ball as you would release it rather than how it "sits" in your hand (I hope that's not your release).

There are a lot of similarities between the ADT method and some other methods.

Hmmm...I would describe the ADT grip as having different pitches than the traditional IBPSIA fit.
For example, my thumb pitch is 5/8" plus to the left (standard IBPSIA pitch plus 3/8" to 1/2"), and the finger pitches aren't off of the normal T-Grip, but at an (about 23-degrees) offset, so they are "different".

I'll probably get beat up for this comment, but I feel the skill needed to do this properly is pretty high (and I don't know if I do it exactly right - but it works for me).
I think the ADT technique will be actually harder (more time consuming) for your average pro shop operator to do than Bill Hall's Tri-Grip method.

I can't think of anything about the ADT grip (as I do it) that would have an adverse affect on the "modern" release.
I assume most of those debates involve having a thumb with that much left pitch being some type of problem - IDK.
Bowling Is More Art Than Science
"Glenn is not an expert..."
racerjohnbf
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: December 21st, 2023, 12:06 pm
THS Average: 169
Speed: 15-16 on the monitor
Rev Rate: 240
Location: Virginia

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by racerjohnbf »

Here are some more pics....
20240328_201902.jpg
20240328_201953.jpg
20240328_201741.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
racerjohnbf
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: December 21st, 2023, 12:06 pm
THS Average: 169
Speed: 15-16 on the monitor
Rev Rate: 240
Location: Virginia

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by racerjohnbf »

The extra lateral pitch is one reason I'm interested in these drillings. When I use the coke can overlay I get 1/4" right at a minimum. If I just wrap my hand around it naturally without looking it's more like 3/8 to 1/2", maybe more.

My current balls are drilled 1/8" right
.
Last edited by racerjohnbf on March 30th, 2024, 3:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Glenn
Member
Member
Posts: 308
Joined: May 11th, 2015, 11:00 pm

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by Glenn »

Yep, a lot of the shops will layout the ball by laying your hand on it, drill the thumb first, and draw out the fingers on the ball.
I can see from the additional pictures how a more lateral thumb could improve the fit and feel for you.
The guys in the know (not me) say the Tri Grip is very good but at $200 I am not likely to know...
Bowling Is More Art Than Science
"Glenn is not an expert..."
racerjohnbf
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: December 21st, 2023, 12:06 pm
THS Average: 169
Speed: 15-16 on the monitor
Rev Rate: 240
Location: Virginia

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by racerjohnbf »

Thanks Glenn, I really appreciate it. There is a shop about 2hrs from me that advertises that they do the Tri Grip. I'm gonna try to get in touch with him to set up an appointment. It's a long way to go, but it the Tri Grip does what they say, it will be worth it.
racerjohnbf
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: December 21st, 2023, 12:06 pm
THS Average: 169
Speed: 15-16 on the monitor
Rev Rate: 240
Location: Virginia

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by racerjohnbf »

Hey Glenn, where are you located?
J_w73
Member
Member
Posts: 918
Joined: January 19th, 2010, 12:53 am
THS Average: 210
Positive Axis Point: 4 3/4" over 1/4" up
Speed: 17 mph
Axis Tilt: 17
Axis Rotation: 45+
Heavy Oil Ball: Idol, Show-off
Medium Oil Ball: Venom Shock, Rhodman,
Light Oil Ball: Phobia, White Hot Badger
Location: Northern California

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by J_w73 »

Do you have a super flexible or double jointed thumb joint?

The current ibpsia method is left in the thumb.. and the ADT is more left because of how the drilling is lined up. My coke can is 3/4 right or more. I can get a great feeling fit with 3/4 right, but I think there are some pitches that don't allow for a proper release. I think left could work for some, but it promotes a different release and different ball roll..
Right Handed, 16-17 mph off hand (14 -15 mph on Qubica reading) ,350 rpm,PAP 4 3/4 x 1/4 up, 17 deg axis tilt, varied rotational axis deg.. usually 45+
Book Average 210+
racerjohnbf
Member
Member
Posts: 9
Joined: December 21st, 2023, 12:06 pm
THS Average: 169
Speed: 15-16 on the monitor
Rev Rate: 240
Location: Virginia

Re: Alternative grip, fitting methods

Post by racerjohnbf »

J_w73 wrote: July 13th, 2024, 10:51 am Do you have a super flexible or double jointed thumb joint?

The current ibpsia method is left in the thumb.. and the ADT is more left because of how the drilling is lined up. My coke can is 3/4 right or more. I can get a great feeling fit with 3/4 right, but I think there are some pitches that don't allow for a proper release. I think left could work for some, but it promotes a different release and different ball roll..
Thanks for the response, I'm just now seeing this. I need to find the setting on here to get emails when I get a reply lol. Anyway here is my update...

I am left handed so I assume when you say left in the thumb, that would be right for me. Correct?

I actually found someone who does the tri-grip and had a ball drilled up that way. I ended up not liking it and having someone else plug and re-drill it, that was an expensive experiment! That ball when drilled tri-grip had I think 11/16 right in the thumb. One of my biggest problems with fit has been feeling the ball come off my thumb too soon and getting a sore spot on the tip of my thumb and that ball was no different.

Well I finally found a driller who was open to changing pitches to what I asked for and I had him move my thumb from my old (traditional fit) of 1/8 right and 1/8 forward to 1/4 right and 3/8 forward. After a game or 2 of feeling like the ball didn't want to let go I am back to feeling like I'm losing the ball, but not as bad. My thumb hole is not nearly as sensitive to the amount of tape I need anymore though and if I use a grip sack between every shot I no longer get the pain at the tip of my thumb. Well not as much anyway, so I think I'm getting close. The ball is more comfortable on my hand now as it has ever been so I think the right pitch is good, but I'm thinking of going another 1/4 forward to 5/8.

And to answer you question, My thumb flexibility is about 90 degrees or a hair less. Full spans are, about 3 3/4 ring and 3 5/8 middle. My coke can test puts me at about 1/4 right or a bit more. My thumb pitches when I started this process a year ago were 1/4 left and 1/16 reverse. finger pitches are 1/8 forward in both fingers.

Thanks,

John
Post Reply