Bowling How To's & Buyers Guides, Bowling Tips & Coaching Articles, Entry Level Bowling Tips, MDM Coaching with Mike Moore
Conventional Grip VS Finger Tip Grip Bowling Ball Drilling By MDM Bowling Coaching
Which Fit To Chose When Drilling A Bowling Ball – Fingertip vs Conventional Fit
What Is A Conventional Grip Drilled Bowling Ball
There are two general types of bowling ball fittings: conventional and fingertip. Almost every beginner bowler starts with conventional because
1) it gets their fingers deeper in the bowling ball, so they have more control over it to begin with
2) it allows them to hone their fundamentals: footwork, follow-through, and hitting a target.
Conventional grip is closer to a house ball except that the holes are tighter and fitted to their hand. If you want to determine if your bowling ball is fitted conventionally, the key difference is that your middle finger and ring finger will go all the way to the second set of knuckles. This will give you very little to no hook on the bowling ball because you do not have separation time from your thumb and fingers coming out. On a conventional ball, your fingers are coming out closer to the same time as your thumb, limiting rotation.
What Is A Fingertip Drilled Bowling Ball
So what about fingertip? It’s predominately used for when people want to step up their game and learn how to hook the bowling ball. It allows the bowling ball to curve at the pin at an angle to knock more pins down.
Fingertip bowling is more common among league and tournament bowlers. We usually do this later, as it’s more advantageous to learn how to throw a hook ball after you’ve got your fundamentals down. The fitting of the fingertip style bowling is pretty straightforward, your fingers only go down to the first set of knuckles, allowing them to stay in the ball longer. When your hand is more spread out, you will create more rotation and leverage because your thumb will come out earlier than your fingers.
How To Drill The Bowling Ball If You Are Two Handed?
Of course, there are exceptions to these rules in fitting styles. Not everybody fits the mold. One example is two-handed bowlers. For them, I personally try to fit two-handed bowlers who want to progress in a conventional style because it allows the bowler to roll the ball on to their wrist and support it more easily. Look at the people who have been successful: Jason Belmonte and Osku Palermo both have conventional grips. However, some two-handed bowlers have fingertip grip, like Kyle Troup.
Other Fitting Methods For Bowing Balls – Sarge Easter Grip
Everyone is different. Another type of fitting is Sarge Easter, which is a hybrid of conventional and fingertip grip. I only recommend it on injured hands. If you’re learning to hook the ball but have an injury, this might be the right approach. It means that the ring finger is conventional but middle finger is fingertip. It alleviates pressure on the hand in some cases depending on the injury.
To determine what you are comfortable with, I suggest trying different fittings as long as they won’t affect your hand or cause injury. If you’re a traditional bowler who wants to look to hook the ball, I generally suggest fingertip. This is very unique to each individual and having a relationship with your PSO is incredibly important in being able to get the right fit. #protipfriday #mdmcoaching #iambowlersmart #bowling
See More MDM Articles BelowClick Here To See More MDM Articles
Dual Angle Bowling Ball Drilling Layouts Explained by MDM Coaching
After your PSO has watched you bowl, found your PAP (positive axis point), and you’ve [...]
5 Comments
Jan
Corner Pin Spare Shooting Bowling Tips
Learn How to Make More Corner Pins While Bowling Spare shooting is the glue to [...]
1 Comments
Oct
Interchangeable Thumbs for Improved Bowling Ball Grip – Pro Tip Friday
When you are getting in to bowling more heavily and building an arsenal, one of [...]
2 Comments
Sep
Every Shot is a Chance to Learn – Pro Tip Friday
Bowling Coaching Tips – Learning From Every Shot This past weekend, I went to Tampa [...]
Sep
Bowling Approach Pro Tip Friday: Should You Hinge or Push?
Bowling Approach Coaching Tips In today’s bowling game where power and control go hand in [...]
3 Comments
Sep
Drilling Performance Bowling Balls – Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching
Pro Tip Friday with Mike Moore I’ve been working in pro shops for over 15 [...]
2 Comments
Aug
Setting Up to Stay Balanced In Your Approach – Pro Tip Friday MDM Coaching
Pro Tip Friday with Mike Moore Balance is required from start to finish to bowl [...]
1 Comments
Aug
Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching: Pin Strings
String Pins https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/2668008320186729/ This past weekend I was fortunate enough to bowl in a very [...]
Jul
2020 Rule Changes on Weight Holes – MDM Coaching with Mike Moore
Pro Tip Friday with Mike Moore Effective on August 1st, 2020, the USBC will be [...]
4 Comments
Jul
Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching: Bowling Doubles
Bowling a Doubles Event This past weekend, I got a chance to bowl a doubles [...]
Jul
Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching: Stay in the Moment
When Bowling – Stay in the Moment This past weekend, I bowled my first tournament [...]
1 Comments
Jul
BowlersMart Orlando, MDM Coaching & Silver Level Coach Mike Moore – RealLife Bowlers Podcast 6
Real Life Bowling Podcast Episode 6 With Anthony Caso and Chris Polizzi Welcome To The [...]
Apr
Pin Down Bowling Ball Drilling Layouts & When to Use by MDM Coaching
Last week, we started talking about the difference between pin up and pin down bowling [...]
12 Comments
Apr
When To Use Pin Up Layouts On A Bowling Ball By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pin Up Pin Placement Bowling Ball Layouts  In a previous pro tip, we talked [...]
3 Comments
Mar
Best Bowling Accessory Recommendations by MDM Bowling Coaching
What are the Best Bowling Accessories You Must Have in Your Bag? Bowling Accessories When [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Improving Your Bowling Backswing with MDM Bowling Coaching
How Can You Create a Free Bowling Arm Swing? https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/2270019396613145/ An ideal swing is an [...]
Mar
Using Your Legs To Improve Your Bowling Game With MDM Bowling Coaching
Increase Your Bowling Score By Using Your Legs https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/247087789552293/ Consistent Bowling Starts With The Legs [...]
Mar
Dual Angle Bowling Ball Layouts Explained With MDM Bowling Coaching
MDM Coaching Explains Dual Angle Layouts For Bowling Balls After your pro shop operator (PSO) [...]
6 Comments
Mar
Conventional Grip VS Finger Tip Grip Bowling Ball Drilling By MDM Bowling Coaching
Which Fit To Chose When Drilling A Bowling Ball – Fingertip vs Conventional Fit What [...]
5 Comments
Mar
Bowling Adjustments Including Bowling Balls And Lane Play By MDM Bowling Coaching
Making Bowling Ball And Lane Play Adjustments https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/745386255840544/ Today’s bowling is all about adjustments and [...]
Mar
How To Handle Pressure While Bowling League And Tournaments By MDM Bowling Coaching
Staying Calm, Relaxed And Focused Under Pressure While Bowling The USBC Open Championship is biggest [...]
Mar
Choosing The Right Bowling Balls To Build An Arsenal By MDM Bowling Coaching
Creating A Bowling Bag With A Variety Of Bowling Balls For Different Conditions When you [...]
Mar
Preparing For League Bowling Season By MDM Bowling Coaching
Bowling Checklist For League Season Preparation https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/213648835998411/ Fall league bowling starts back up at the [...]
Mar
Proper Posture And Spine Tilt Helps Get Leverage While Bowling By MDM Bowling Coaching
What Is Recommended For Bowling When It Comes To Spine Tilt https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/196573784372583/ If you want [...]
Mar
Preparing Mentally For The USBC Junior Gold Bowling Tournament By MDM Bowling Coaching
How To Be Mentally Prepared For Large Bowling Events Junior Gold is biggest youth tournament [...]
Mar
Creating Momentum On Your Bowling Approach With Your Pushaway By MDM Bowling Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/180765409286754/ Your Pushaway In Bowling Helps Create Momentum The beginning of the bowling swing is [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Hard Work & Bowling Lessons Paying Off For Makoto By MDM Bowling Coaching
Bowling Lessons From Mike Moore For Makoto Makoto and his coworkers started bowling during their [...]
Mar
Hard Work & Bowling Lessons Paying Off For Leanne By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Bowling Lessons From Mike Moore For Leanne Mike began working with Leanne when [...]
Mar
Hard Work & Bowling Lessons Paying Off For Robbie By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Lessons And Hard Work Pays Off Watch Robbie’s before and after videos to [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Proper Bowling Form At The Foul Line In The Finishing Position By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Your Bowling Finish Position And How To Improve It Foul Line Bowling Drills [...]
Mar
How To Fix Your Bowling Timing And Release By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] How To Fix Late Bowling Timing Timing is the most important factor in [...]
Mar
Fingertip Grip Spans On Bowling Balls By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] How To Know If Your Span On Your Bowling Ball Is Correct In [...]
2 Comments
Mar
Surface Prep On A Bowling Ball By MDM Bowling Coaching
Why Is The Surface Of A Bowling Ball So Important? https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166725604024068/ [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Why is [...]
Mar
Need More Balance At The Foul Line? Utilize The Balance Arm By MDM Bowling Coaching
Why The Balance Arm In Bowling Is So Important https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166724017357560/ [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] A few weeks [...]
Mar
When Sliding While Bowling Keeping Your Knee Continuing Forward By MDM Bowling Coaching
 Pro Tip Friday: Knee Continuation Pro Tip Friday: Knee ContinuationImagine hitting a brick wall [...]
Mar
The Proper Way To Follow Through In Bowling By MDM Bowling Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166721974024431/ How To Follow Through Correctly When Bowling To Increase Scores [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Today’s bowling [...]
Mar
Why Your Bowling Ball Pitches Are Important By MDM Bowling Coaching
What Exactly Are Bowling Ball Pitches? [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Pitch is the angle that the finger [...]
3 Comments
Mar
When You Bowl Are You Really Playing Second Arrow? MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Second Arrow Doesn’t Always Mean 2nd Arrow When I’m coaching people who already [...]
1 Comments
Mar
How To Stop Leaving 10 Pins Or 7 Pins By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Why am I leaving 10 pins? Pro Tip Friday: Why am I [...]
5 Comments
Mar
Why Every Bowler Needs A Pre Shot Routine By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Every Bowler needs a Pre-Shot Routine Pro Tip Friday: Every Bowler needs [...]
Mar
Do You Walk Straight In Your Approach? By MDM Bowling Coaching
 Pro Tip Friday: Walking Straight? Pro Tip Friday: Walking Straight? Bowlers have always thought [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Keeping Your Hips Moving Forward In Your Bowling Slide By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Hips moving forward while you slide Pro Tip Friday: Hips moving forward [...]
Mar
Having Good Rhythm In Your Bowling Approach By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Rhythm (Featuring Ashly Galante) Pro Tip Friday: The Rhythm is Gonna Get [...]
Mar
Symmetrical VS Asymmetrical Core Bowling Balls By MDM Coaching
A Break Down On The Differences Between Symmetrical And Asymmetrical Cores [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] The bowling [...]
Mar
Setting Up In Your Approach By MDM Bowling Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166713350691960/ How To Have A Solid Set Up In Your Bowling Approach [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] [...]
Mar
How To Deal With Distractions While Bowling By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Distractions…Oh Look, Squirrel!Distractions are going to happen all the time. As a [...]
Mar
2020 USBC Rule Changes On Bowling Ball Weight Holes By MDM Bowling Coaching
How Do The Bowling Ball Weight Hole Rules Change Ball Motion In the beginning of [...]
21 Comments
Mar
The Trail Leg In The Bowling Slide By MDM Bowling Coaching
The Trail (Non-Sliding) Leg Serves An Important Role in Balance. [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] As we’ve discussed [...]
Mar
Hook Your Bowling Ball More With Less Effort By MDM Bowling Coaching
How Do The Pro’s Hook The Ball So Effortlessly [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] If you look [...]
Nov
Balls
Shoes
Bags
Accessories
Apparel
Deals
Good news on the Easter fitting never
Heard the name before thank you.
I am a 62 yr old woman, I roll a finger tip drilled 14 lb ball. I ball speed is 6 to 7 miles per hour. I am having a hard time finding the right ball. I had a friend of my husband who gave me his wife’s old Columbia Blue Knight ball. I have been rolling much better with. I need a ball that will go long with some hooking abilities. Can you help me?
Which would you recommend for someone with arthritis in their fingers?
What type of grip and drilling would best benefit me since I only use my pinky and ring finger on my right hand? It’s what I have found absolute most comfortable not only to hold the ball but also to throw the ball. I am able to hook the ball but not consistently. I also cannot use a ball that’s to heavy due to an old shoulder injury.
I have my balls conventional but i would like to change it to tips. do the have inserts for that or would they need to be filled and re drilled?