How to Bowl With Fingertips

The fingertip grip is one of the standard hand positions used by professional and recreational bowlers. Unlike the conventional grip, where your fingers are deeply embedded in the ball, the fingertip grip only uses the tips of your middle and ring fingers. This shallow placement allows for more control of the ball during release so that you can increase the speed of the ball and make hook shots. However, this grip does not guarantee you'll bowl 300 -- your swing and release is still the primary means of controlling direction and angle.

Instructions

    • 1

      Place the thumb of your dominant hand all the way into the thumb hole of the ball.

    • 2

      Insert your middle and ring fingers into the two remaining holes up to the first joint.

    • 3

      Use your nondominant hand to support the ball and raise it to the height of your sternum or upper abdomen. Position your wrist directly under the center of the ball. Keep your palm angled upward.

    • 4

      Cradle the ball without squeezing or tensing your fingertips. Switch to a ball with a different grip span -- closer or further holes -- if you are having difficulty keeping your gripping hand relaxed.

    • 5

      Swing your arm down and back, while removing the supporting hand and stepping forward one to three steps. Keep your arm straight without hyper extending or locking the elbow. Shift your body weight away from the ball to keep your balance. Step forward on the same side as the ball.

    • 6

      Stop and swing. Stop walking forward on your nondominant foot and shift your weight, bringing your dominant foot behind you as you lean into the swing. Simultaneously, swing your arm forward releasing the ball. Let go of the ball without turning your wrist for a straight release or rotate your wrist and hand towards your body as you release to hook the ball. Follow through with the swing bringing your arm to shoulder height or higher. Bring your forearm and hand up above shoulder height.