Conventional grip
In a conventional grip, your middle and ring fingers go into the holes up to the second knuckle. It's secure, comfortable, and easy to control — which is why house balls and beginners use it. The tradeoff: with the fingers buried deep, you can't impart much rotation, so the ball rolls fairly straight.
Fingertip grip
In a fingertip grip, your fingers insert only to the first knuckle. This feels less secure at first, but it dramatically increases the leverage and rotation your fingers can apply at release — the foundation of a strong hook. Nearly every serious bowler uses a fingertip grip, fitted by a pro shop. Making the move from conventional to fingertip is a common milestone in a bowler's development.
Span
Span is the distance between the thumb hole and the finger holes. Too short and the ball cramps your hand; too long and you'll grip too hard to hang on, killing your release. A pro shop measures your span precisely — this is the heart of a proper fit and the main reason a fitted ball outperforms a house ball.
Pitch
Pitch is the angle at which the holes are drilled relative to the center of the ball. Forward, reverse, and lateral pitches change how the ball hangs on your hand and how easily your thumb releases. Pitch is subtle, individual, and best dialed in by a fitter — but knowing the term helps you describe what feels off.
Grip pressure
The most common grip mistake isn't span or pitch — it's squeezing. A relaxed, light grip lets the thumb exit cleanly and the fingers do their work at the bottom of the swing. White-knuckling the ball causes late thumb release, lost revolutions, and inconsistency. If your thumb is sore or you're 'hanging up' in the ball, you're probably squeezing.