Bowling Fingertip Grip vs. Standard Grip

You can use a variety of grips with a bowling ball, but two of the most common are the standard and fingertip grips. You may also use a third grip, called the semi-fingertip grip. The type of grip you use will depend on your bowling style and skill level.

  1. The Grips

    • The differences between the standard grip and the fingertip grip all result from the different ways in which you hold the ball with the two grips. When using the standard grip, you'll insert your fingers and thumb into the bowling ball up to the second knuckle joints. In the fingertip grip, however, you'll only insert the fingers into the ball up to the first knuckle joints.

    Beginners

    • For beginners, the standard grip is better than the fingertip grip — mainly because the fingertip grip is a more difficult grip to learn and a mastery of the more basic standard grip will help you learn the more difficult fingertip grip. Learn the fundamentals of a good grip first, then move on to the more advanced fingertip grip.

    Control

    • Since the fingertip grip is a result of your inserting your fingers only up to the first knuckle joints, a natural shortcoming of the fingertip grip is that it affords you less control of the ball while throwing — another reason beginners should learn the standard grip first. The standard grip, on the other hand, affords you more control over the ball.

    Spin

    • One benefit of using the fingertip grip is that it allows you to put more spin on the ball when throwing it. The distance between your fingers and thumb is greater when you use the fingertip grip, meaning your fingers will stay inside the ball longer. The shorter time with fingers in the ball on the standard grip will cause you to impart less spin on the ball.