"Get a grip." Are they talking about bowling? I like to think so because there are three basic types in bowling - the "conventional, "semi-fingertip," and the "full fingertip." As you progress through your game, you will eventually settle on the one that feels best for you.

All bowling center (house) balls for public use are drilled in the conventional pattern so this is the grip that the greater majority of bowlers will start with. When buying your first ball, I would advise you to start off with this type of grip because it is what you have been used to. At this stage of your development in bowling, a lot of experimentation takes place and the conventional grip is the easiest to control and work with. Keep in mind that if you continue your interest in the sport and make up your mind to improve your game, this will not be the only ball that you will own.

The conventional grip is when your thumb is fully into the hole and your middle and ring fingers are in their respective holes at the first joint from the knuckles. This allows for a firmer and stronger grip of the ball. The difference between having your own ball drilled versus the house ball is the size of the holes and having a consistent feel every time you bowl. While a conventional grip is easier to control, you will find that it has less power than the more advanced types of grips.

The semi-fingertip (semi grip) is when your fingers are inserted into the finger holes about mid-way between the first joint and the fingertip joint. It is not used as widely as the other two types of grip; but, if you are experimenting, it would be worth a try to have a ball drilled in this manner to see if it will be good for your style.

I, personally, cannot use a semi-grip because it was very uncomfortable. Since there is no bend between the knuckles, the top part of my fingertip knuckles rubbed up against the inside of the holes and caused blisters. Trying to correct the problem by adjusting the pitch of the fingers prevented me from gripping the ball firmly and I could not get any leverage and lift at my final release point. However, do not let my experience deter you from trying this grip because not everyone is built like me and it might work for you. As you may have surmised already, this "in-between" grip equates to being an average grip that is better than the conventional but less than the fingertip.

The fingertip grip (fingertip) is, by far, the most widely used among experienced bowlers. This is where your fingers are only inserted into the holes up to the finger tip joints. From a technical point of view, the distance between the thumb hole and the finger holes are wider; therefore, after the thumb comes out of its hole, it "hangs" on the fingers longer and allows the bowler to put more "lift" on the ball. The result is more revolutions, and more revolutions makes for a stronger hitting ball. Should you continue on with your bowling and want to improve your overall competitiveness and/or average, you will want to master this grip.

It is the most strenuous of the grips and your hand must be in shape to ensure a chance for ball control and accuracy of your delivery. Since your fingers are stretched over the surface of the ball and you are holding the ball with a smaller area of your fingers, the pressure exerted on the surface of your finger tips will be in the 1,000's of pounds per square inch depending on the weight of your ball.

Always remember that not everyone is exactly the same. What works for one does not necessarily work for the other. In all aspects of bowling, you must feel comfortable and having the proper grip for your style is an important factor in improving and maintaining your game.

A Hui Hou.