In either case, squeezing, or excessive gripping, should not be necessary and is in fact a detriment to performance. Some bowlers squeeze to apply extra pressure form the fingers and at release. While this may seem to enhance the release, it usually weakens it. It's difficult to squeeze the fingers (for lift), without also clenching the thumb. since a clean thumb release is essential to create rotation and revolutions from the fingers, the more relaxed the hand the cleaner the thumb release, the better.

    Lift and rotation are a function of ball fit and leverage, and not pressure. Squeezing to hold on to the ball is a very serious problem. It is a detriment to performance. Bowling is a game of repetition and power. The ability to repeat an arm swing often lies in the ability to relax the muscles. It is much easier to repeat shots with relaxed muscles than tensed muscles. Most often, excessive grip pressure creates swing tension.

    A relaxed hand leads to pure swing, which will produce more consistent results. If your ball makes you feel like you have to squeeze to hold on, get the grip checked. A good grip will allow you to swing freely, without the sensation that you will lose the ball. Again, gripping only delays the thumb release, which allows for less finger rotation, not more. In a clinic with PWBA player, Anne Marie Duggan, she revealed that learning the appropriate grip pressure really helped her to bowl better. Though you try hard to bowl well, too much grip pressure only creates an inconsistent swing and release.

    It is something for every bowler to understand to bowl better. Get a good ball fit, make sure your leverage at the line is all it can be, and use enough tape to keep the thumb hole snug, so you do not have to squeeze.