Ball Sticking on Your Hand?

Ball Sticking on Your Hand?

You’ve left the house ball behind and been with your own ball for a while now. You’ve had some success but things just don’t feel the same shot after shot. It’s only one of two things, you or the ball. If it’s not in the physical game, i.e. timing, arm swing or footwork, it’s most likely something with the release.

There are countless ways the ball can become “stuck” on the hand during the release and equally as many solutions to “pry it off.”  Here are a few fixes and you don’t even need to be a Pro Shop operator to get it right.

First, check the size of the holes. When you place your fingers in the ball, they should slide comfortably to the first crease down from the fingertips for a standard “fingertip” grip.  If you’re jamming the fingers in because they’re too tight, change the inserts or have the holes opened slightly. If the holes are too big and the fingers are swimming inside them, change the inserts or use tape to make them smaller. Tape can be used inside the hole, inside the insert, or around the outside of the insert to compress it and make it smaller.

The size of the thumb hole is equally as important as the fingers and by adjusting the fit you can ensure consistency. Once again, use tape inside the hole if it’s too large and remove tape or use sandpaper to open it up.

Next, check the span; this is the distance from the gripping edges of the fingers and thumb. Check this by placing the thumb inside the hole (all to the way to the base) and by laying the rest of the hand flat on the ball with the fingers over the finger holes, not in them. For a comfortable fingertip grip, look for the gripping edge of the finger holes to sit half way between the first and second joints of the fingers.

This span is ideal for a “relaxed” fingertip grip.

If the span is too short, the gripping edge of the finger holes will be closer to the second joint of the fingers. If the span is too long, the gripping edge of the finger holes will be closer to the first joint of the fingers.

Spans that are too short or too long will greatly affect the release..

The texture of the hand changes often and there are options for consistency here, too. For moist hands, try hand conditioner or Easy Slide to provide a dry grip without leaving a tacky feel. For dry skin, use hand rosin, No Sweat Hand Drying Spray, or Non-Slip Grip Cream for increased traction.

Keep in mind that the hand and fingers can change day to day. In colder temperatures, the hand shrinks and warmer temps tend to cause swelling, so be aware of what’s needed and keep your fit and feel just right.