Last updated on May 26th, 2021
Bowling Thursdays can turn into fights when it comes to the discussions about the best bowling grips. Each player operates inside their comfort zone, and therefore it gets challenging to lay anything down in black and white.
A few grips are the general standard, and you can choose which one works the best for you. It is incredibly vital to master one of these groups to master the art of bowling. It requires some hours of practice, and you will be all set to compete with your colleagues over a pitcher of beer!
Here is a list of the grips that you can refer to before you set to bowl.
1. Standard Grip
The most common grip amongst all the options that prevail will be the middle, ring, and thumb grip. It is a reasonably easy grip to master and bases on the generic openings of the bowling ball.
You can get comfortable with this grip in no time and hike up your bowling skills. The angle to a bowl and the slight modifications are relatively more manageable when bowling with this grip. You can personalize your release depending on the moment you release your fingers from the ball.
This grip is highly ideal for amateur bowlers and is not indulging in any other physical discipline. If you plan to go bowling for the first time, this grip will be the best possible option for you.
However, it would help if you remembered that this grip is not the most effective grip for professional bowling tournaments. The breaks go over 200 points, and therefore it gets difficult to maintain the revs with this stance.
You can try to master the revs with this grip too. It will take a lot of effort and persistence, but you will achieve it if you are consistent.
2. Thumb Out Grip
Thumb out grips has been gauging a variety of audiences lately. It for people who bowl for fun and are not concerned about their ultimate score. Even though many players have mastered this grip, using it for your every set can be troublesome.
The primary reason behind these reservations is the lack of control that comes as a byproduct of not using your thumb. It will take a while to control the ball’s trajectory if you shift from the standard grip, but it is entirely doable.
The approach involves an ultimate throw that is devoid of any previous calculations and planning. This grip involves fewer efforts as the thumb is not engaged, and therefore you can revamp the number of revs without hassle. It is one of the best options for people who already have an athletic demeanor and are constantly working out.
The sole drawback of this grip is the lack of control that comes with it. You will experience a better speed and more revs, but throwing the ball in the same trajectory can be challenging. There will be times when the ball will be released before the designated time resulting in a missed frame.
If you are looking forward to mastering a grip that can get you thunderous strikes, this grip is the way to go. The consistency will take a hit, but your strikes will make up for them!
3. Two-Handed (Belmo)
If you take up bowling as a quest for perfection, the unique belmo bowling style should be your mantra. This grip will allow you the maximum possible speed topped with immaculate accuracy. The number of revs will also get increased owing to the comfort that this grip provides.
You will have to use both your hands in a technical synergy so that every movement can be in control. This grip is usually suited for people who already have mastered their hand and eye coordination. It gets easier for this lot of people to establish the desired synergy.
An important thing to note is that you must not overdo it with the speed and revs. The extended rate can tamper your throws leading to nowhere. Your accuracy will start to reduce, and therefore you will have to control the throw according to the demand of the situation.
This grip is gaining many users at the pro level due to the power-ups that it provides. You can try it out if you have already mastered the standard grip.
This grip can cause you some issues in the beginning, but you must not give up. Once you are past the taxing phase of getting familiar with it, this grip will revolutionize the way you bowl.
4. Fingertip Grip
Once you master the conventional grip, you can hop off to the fingertip grip. This grip is not meant for amateurs but preferred by semi-professionals and professionals. It resembles the traditional grip, but your middle finger and ring finger do not go all the way inside the ball.
Your thumb inserts in this grip, but your fingers have restrictions up to the knuckles. It might feel uncomfortable in theory, but you can master it by devoting the right amount of time. This grip allows the bowler to go for additional speed and increased revolutions to strike more pins.
You will have to master the art of controlling a bowling ball before you even begin to think about trying the fingertip grip. You will require some extra strength to pull this off.
5. No Grip
Yes, there is a crowd of people who do not believe in using the holes present on the bowling ball. They do not have a designated grip, and yet it works wonders for them. If you think that you can control the ball by grasping it entirely in your hands, you can go ahead to try this grip out.
This grip is infamous for causing many injuries as the ball slips out from the hand very quickly. It would be best if you did not try this until you are highly confident about controlling the ball without fingers.
What Apart From Grips
Using these grips is an entirely subjective matter, and there are no ground rules that cover this territory. You should use the most effortless grip to use for you and not fall in for the stereotypes that govern the general notions. Here are some other factors that will help you to sharpen your bowling skills.
1. Consistency
It is vital to be consistent with a single type of grip until you master it. If you keep changing your grips, you will not perform well since your aim and control will be fluctuating. The right way to master grips is by giving adequate time to each grip, one at a time.
You will also have to practice a lot since bowling requires a tremendous amount of control and accuracy. With the right amount of practice, get set to turn the charts at your favorite bowling alley.
2. Strength
Even when bowling is considered a recreational sport, you require a certain amount of strength to play the game in its most actual essence. There are plenty of grips that need an extended bar of power, and if you release the ball midway, you must be ready to face the wrath of your teammates.
If you have the desired amount of strength, you can try exploring some other difficult grips that grant you more revs and speed. If you are thinking of bowling professionally, you will have to hit the gym to gather the minimum strength.
3. Discipline
The term discipline sounds in complete contrast to the kind of vibe that the game gives. But even then, you will have to gather some discipline to ace the routine. You can try meditating and other techniques to enhance your focus so that you can master the trajectory post the release.
You acquire this discipline after constant practice, and therefore you do not have to worry about this domain if you play the game at regular intervals.
Final Words
Bowling is a great game to blow off some steam after a tiresome day at work. It is a stellar idea for a date to charm the other person with your extraordinary skills. However, to make this happen, you will have to stick to a grip and practice wholeheartedly.
Toward the end, your ultimate objective should be to derive fun out of the game, and you can achieve that with any grip of your choice. You can even develop your personalized variant if it gets you to reach the top of the chart.
This article features some of the standard and most efficient grips that you can easily incorporate into your existing routine. So, what is stopping you now? Hit the alley and score some strikes!