Quick Tip: When to Replace Tape and Finger Inserts

When a golfer hits the ball just right off the club and it goes a great distance, it’s known as hitting the sweet spot of the club. Bowling’s sweet spot is when the ball comes off the hand just right at the point of release. When you get this feeling, you’re pretty confident you’re getting a strike, and usually you do. Repeatability is what we are all looking to do and when the ball feels good in your hand, that’s one big step towards achieving it.

In this Quick Tip, Coach Erik Vermilyea with Track Bowling expresses the importance of replacing bowling ball finger inserts and thumb tape to help you get there. If you’ve ever heard that bowling ball finger inserts do not wear out, it’s simply not true. Coach Vermilyea breaks down a simple rule of thumb in regards to when you need to replace them.

Six months or 60 games is a simple way to schedule replacement of your bowling ball finger inserts. If you are a bowler who does not bowl 60 games in six months, replace them once a year to get the best performance out of your bowling ball.

Thumb tape replacement should adhere to the same rule as bowling ball finger inserts, but if you like the way fresh tape feels on your hand, change it out before you bowl. We all know someone, or you may be that someone, who never changes out tape in the thumbhole. Tape, like bowling ball finger inserts, wears out and need replacing.

For more information on the subject, check out this video to learn how to change tape and discover how it affects your grip pressure.

If you want to use interchangeable bowling ball thumb inserts, our coaches will arm you with the information you need to make the most informed decision. In addition, National Bowling Academy offers a number of bowling equipment and free videos that will keep you in-the-know in today’s modern game. Become a premium member to gain access to our complete library of instructions, only found here at the National Bowling Academy.

2 Responses to “Quick Tip: When to Replace Tape and Finger Inserts”

1. William A Josephson July 19th, 2019

   Early this past spring I could not fit my bowling fingers into the insert holes. I never had that issue before. I went up one size on each insert to rectify the problem. Now, in the summer I am finding that the inserts are not snug so I am wrapping thumb tape on my fingers to get a snugger fit. Is it unusual for the fingers to change size through the year as does a thumb? I had not replace the finger inserts often. On the old inserts that I could not fit into, is it possible that the inserts had expanded due to humidty or some change in their softness?

   Reply

   • Customer Service July 23rd, 2019

     Dear William,

     Thank you for your patience while I got the answer from the experts, here is their reply:

     Well done on evaluating whats going on!

     I would switch back and forth between the ones that are comfortable for each season. There isn’t a one size fits all solution but if you have found a way to make your grip constant throughout the year… There is no wrong way.

     Thanks for watching!

     Jason
     National Bowling Academy

     Reply