how to remove finger inserts from a bowling ball
Finger inserts are small, round shaped disks that go on the fingers of a bowling ball to help it grip better.
Many bowlers use them to allow for more control and reduce finger pain or injury from repeated gripping.
They’ve been around since the 1970s and have evolved as new materials become available. Today, many people use them with success and find them helpful in their quest for higher scores!
But not everyone loves finger inserts – there is a growing number of people who want to remove them from their bowling balls because they don’t like how it feels when releasing the ball (sometimes called “the death grip”) or because they feel like it interferes with their ability to release smoothly. If you’re one of them, there are several ways to remove inserts.
So how to remove finger inserts from a bowling ball? Here are some quick, straightforward ways that are proven to be efficient for many people:
Table of Contents
Different Methods of Removing The Finger Insert
Method 1: With Hot Boiling Water
To remove your finger inserts from your bowling ball, you can heat the inserts on a flat surface with boiling water (be careful not to burn yourself!); and then pry the inserts out with a flat-head screwdriver, credit card, or other plastic objects.
We recommend using caution when using this method because it may cause damage to your shiny new bowling ball! If you’re not sure how hot is too hot, you can consult your local pro shop attendant.
Method 2: Seeking Professional Help
You could also take your bowling ball somewhere to have a professional dislodge the inserts for you if it seems like they’re stuck on there really well or you don’t want to risk damaging your shiny new bowling ball.
Doing this may save you some time, but there are several other ways to remove finger inserts that are just as quick, easy, and require no tools.
One of the most common ways you could do this would be by using a hairdryer or heat gun to heat the inserts until they’re nice and soft-this makes them easier to bend over so you can slip them off.
Method 3: Using a Pen or a Spudger
The amateur way to remove a finger insert from a bowling ball is by using a pen or similar object as a spudger.
You can use a butter knife as a spudger for this purpose as well. Your hands should be dry at this point so if they’re wet, wipe them dry first.
Start by inserting the pry tool down into the finger hole and position it perpendicular to the finger insert. Gently wedge the spudger between the insert and the ball.
You should feel some resistance as you do this; if you don’t, try pushing harder with your spudger.
Method 4: With The help of a Small Blade
If you would like to cut them apart, place a small blade on top of one of the corners where it meets with one of the edges and gently slice downward so that you get a sliver of room between each insert’s edge and the inside of the thumb hole.
You can then slip your fingernail in there and pull them out. If you are having difficulty getting enough grip on the insert to pull it out, you can use a tool like a pair of pliers or grips to more easily pull the inserts out.
You can also try peeling them off of the ball. There are two ways to do this the first is by boiling water, and the second is with acetone (nail polish remover).
Method 5: Using a Screwdriver or an Allen Wrench
Another way is to use a screwdriver or the end of an Allen wrench to pry them out. Just put it underneath the insert, wiggle it around until you think you have some leverage, and then start prying.
It may take a little patience to work it out, but you’re bound to get them off eventually.
Regardless of the method you choose, you’ll need to be careful when removing finger inserts from your bowling ball.
Some people like how finger inserts feel and may not want to remove them; others find that they can interfere with their game by making the ball feel awkward in their hands.
However, removing the finger inserts is up to you but make sure it’s a method that makes sense for you and your game!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Finger Inserts, and Why Do We Use Them?
Finger inserts are small, usually, round pieces of rubber that you place inside the finger holes of a bowling ball to increase traction. You can use them with slippery fingers, which often happens when your hands are wet or sweaty.
If you don’t like the feel of the ball rolling off your fingers when you release it (and if it interferes with your grip), then this may be an alternative for you.
Why Do People Want to Remove The Inserts?
People may want to remove their finger inserts because they don’t like the way it feels when they release the ball. Often, these inserts can also interfere with the grip on your fingers.
There are many ways that you can go about removing it. You can either cut them apart or peel them off of the ball.
How Tight Should Bowling Ball Finger Inserts Be?
Your finger inserts should be tight enough to stay in place but not so tight that you can’t easily remove them.
Loose inserts may cause your fingers to slide inside the ball when you release, which will affect how the ball rolls. Tight inserts can make it difficult to release from your fingers and cause blisters if they are too tight.
Conclusion
Finger inserts are used to help the fingers get a better grip on the bowling ball. The tighter they are, the more control you have over your throw and release of the ball.
It’s important not to tighten them too much because it can cause cramping in your hand and hinder your swing. There is no universal answer for how tight finger inserts should be. It depends on what feels comfortable for each bowler!
In this article, we have discussed why people want to remove these inserts and some methods that work best for removing them.
If you’re having trouble with your finger inserts, take a look at the different methods we’ve discussed today. If all else fails, it may be time to replace them.
