Thumb Tape Tiering

If the bowling ball doesn’t feel right on your hand, you have a problem. The idea that you can repeat shots is next to impossible, and your confidence in your ability will diminish. In this premium video Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, demonstrates a process known as tiering grip tape in your thumbhole to get the best possible grip with your ball.

Why tier grip tape

The top of the thumb is narrower than the base of the thumb. Getting more tape towards the base of the thumb will tighten your grip and allow for your hand to relax more in the ball. A relaxed grip avoids squeezing, which in part helps create more hook.

How it’s done

The first piece of white grip tape goes just below the bevel around one o’clock. The next piece you’ll insert over the first piece of tape is around 1/8th of an inch.

You can repeat this process until it feels tight on your hand, just not too tight. If you overdo it with the grip tape, you will notice that you hang onto the ball too long during the release. Change out the tape in your thumbhole regularly. Oil gets on your hand, then gets into your thumb hole, where the tape absorbs it.

When you have a piece of tape in your thumbhole that needs to be changed out, you’ll notice that the ball is sliding off of your thumb, and you’re beginning to squeeze it to compensate. Maintaining the least amount of grip pressure or squeezing will increase the amount the ball hooks for you. Less is more with your grip and thumb tape tiering is a great way to accomplish this.