The Bowling Club

There are two recognised grips, or methods of holding the bowl.

Claw Grip

The bowl is placed in the palm of the hand, the middle fingers being spread out under the bowl. The thumb and little finger provide additional support for the bowl, the little finger being level with the bottom of the disc, the thumb over the top, or a little above, the large disc. The bowl is not held tightly, but gripped enough to prevent it slipping at the moment it is delivered from the hand.

Cradle Grip

In the cradle grip the bowl rests in the hand. The middle fingers are placed fairly close together with the thumb much lower down the side of the bowl than in the claw grip. The wrist slightly cupped so that the bowl does not slip from the hand as the arm is swung backwards.

With both grips the middle finger must be parallel to the running surface. A wobbly bowl is caused by the middle finger being pulled across its running surface.

I wouldn’t rule out the cradle grip; I used this when I first started playing but for me it didn’t work. Try it and see if it works for you.

I use the claw grip. I think it gives you much better control of your bowl. I couldn’t go back to the cradle grip.