The SARGE EASTER grip is a fairly uncommon grip with fairly common misconceptions. We’ll get to those in a moment, but first I’d like to explain what the proper feel of this grip should be. When the fingers are set in the ball, the ring finger should feel nothing. There shouldn’t be any strain, the finger should feel like it disappears in the ball. What we are trying to do is take the ring finger out of play. To do this, we use reverse pitch in the ring finger, which will need to be adjusted based on your span, and other variables. To do this, we use reverse pitch in the ring finger, which will need to be adjusted based on your span, and other variables.
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3 1/8 – 3 3/8″
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1/8″ Reverse
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3 3/8 – 3 5/8″
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1/4″ Reverse
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3 5/8 – 3 7/8″
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3/8″ Reverse
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3 7/8 – 4 1/8″
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1/2″ Reverse
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(This should be used a rough guide, as variables in the person’s hand should be taken into consideration.)
“The Sarge Easter grip will decrease your rev-rate.”
This is true to an extent. During the “feeling out” stage, yes, your rev-rate will go down. It takes time to get accustomed to the grip, and for a certain time, you will worry that your ring finger will hang up in the ball. Once the grip feels comfortable, your rev-rate will go back to normal.
“Only power players should consider the Sarge Easter grip.”
False. Although I am considered a power player, I did not use the Sarge Easter grip to decrease revs or reduce axis-rotation. I used this grip out of sheer necessity, I had an injury to the tendon in my ring finger. Using this grip effectively changed my grip pressure and alleviated my pain.
Bowling is about FEEL. If a tweener, stroker or cranker is not comfortable with their grip and wants to try the Sarge Easter, I say DO IT! I used the grip effectively for 2 years and converted a few people along the way. Some liked it, some didn’t, then went back to their old grip. Feel is not always constant, it changes with time.
I switched to full conventional at the beginning of this bowling season after a small hand injury that made it hurt to use a fingertip grip. I did surprisingly well with conventional, but wanted to give Sarge Easter a try. I have had the absolute best season for tournaments in my life. EVER. This grip feels great, still have some tweaking to the grip to do. The only issue I have is a slight rubbing on the outer edge of my first knuckle on my ring finger which, I assume can be corrected with a lateral pitch adjustment. Thanks!
Have you ever seen a sarge easter grip with an offset thumb. I’m right handed probably going to try sarge easter grip.