# 6.1.3 Step 3 — Set grip type and enter finger measurements # Step 3 — Set grip type and enter finger measurements 6.1.3 workflow With a blank spec sheet open, Step 3 is where the physical fitting begins. Before any spans or pitches are recorded, Spectre Cloud needs two foundational pieces of information: the bowler's **grip type** and their **finger measurements**. These inputs shape how the app interprets every span and pitch value that follows — getting them right here means the rest of the spec sheet builds on an accurate foundation. ## 🎳 Setting the Grip Type Grip type tells Spectre Cloud how the bowler's fingers sit in the ball and is the first field to set on any new spec sheet. It affects IBPSIA-standard auto-suggestions for pitch and span, and determines which measurement fields are active for this drilling.
Grip typeDescriptionTypical bowler profile
**Conventional**Fingers inserted to the second knuckleBeginners, recreational bowlers, older bowlers returning to the game
**Fingertip**Fingers inserted to the first knuckle onlyLeague and competitive bowlers seeking more revs and hook potential
**Semi-fingertip**Fingers inserted between first and second knuckleBowlers transitioning from conventional, or those needing a middle-ground feel
**📌 Note:** If a bowler is transitioning between grip types — for example, moving from conventional to fingertip for the first time — select the grip type for this drilling, not their previous one. Their historical spec sheets will retain the old grip type for reference. ## 📏 The Finger Measurements You Will Need Once grip type is set, Spectre Cloud activates the finger measurement fields for the spec sheet. Have your measuring tape or fitting gauge ready before starting — it is fastest to measure the bowler once and enter everything in a single pass rather than going back and forth. For a standard fingertip or conventional drilling, you will measure and enter the following for both the **middle finger** and **ring finger**: - ✅ **Finger hole size** — the diameter of the hole needed to fit the finger comfortably. Measured with a fitting gauge or sized from inserts. - ✅ **Knuckle size** — the diameter at the widest part of the finger knuckle that will pass through the hole. Used to ensure the hole is drillable to the correct size without binding. - ✅ **First joint measurement** — the distance from the tip of the finger to the first knuckle crease, used in span calculation for fingertip fits. - ✅ **Second joint measurement** — the distance from the tip of the finger to the second knuckle crease, used for conventional and semi-fingertip span reference. **📌 Note:** Not all fields are required for every grip type. Spectre Cloud activates and requires only the measurements relevant to the selected grip type — fields that are not needed for the current drilling are grayed out or hidden. ## 🖥️ Entering Finger Measurements on Desktop 1. In the open spec sheet, locate the **Grip Type** selector and choose **Conventional**, **Fingertip**, or **Semi-fingertip**. 2. The finger measurement fields activate based on your selection. 3. Working with the bowler's hand in front of you, measure the **middle finger** first — hole size, knuckle size, and joint measurements as required. 4. Enter each value into the corresponding field for the middle finger. 5. Repeat for the **ring finger**. 6. Review the entered values before moving on — it is easier to correct a measurement now than after spans and pitches have been calculated from it. ## 📱 Entering Finger Measurements on Mobile 1. With the spec sheet open, tap the **Grip Type** field and select the appropriate type. 2. Tap into each finger measurement field in turn and enter the measured values using the numeric keyboard. 3. The form scrolls naturally through middle finger fields followed by ring finger fields — work through them in order. 4. Tap **Save** or allow auto-save to capture the entries before moving to the next step. **📱 Tip:** On a tablet at the drill press, prop the device at an angle where you can see the screen and reach the bowler's hand simultaneously. Entering measurements directly as you take them is faster and more accurate than writing them on paper first. ## ✨ Measuring Technique — Getting Accurate Values Accurate finger measurements are the single biggest factor in a well-fitting drilling. A few centimetres of care here prevents a poorly fitting ball and an avoidable re-drill. - ✅ **Measure the relaxed hand.** Ask the bowler to rest their hand flat on a surface, fingers together and naturally relaxed — not spread wide or tightly closed. - ✅ **Measure the gripping hand.** For right-handed bowlers, measure the right hand. For left-handed bowlers, measure the left. Never assume — confirm dominant hand before measuring. - ✅ **Use a proper fitting gauge** for hole and knuckle sizes rather than estimating from a ruler. The difference between a `31/32"` and a `1"` hole is significant in feel. - ✅ **Measure joint distances with the finger slightly flexed** to the grip position — not fully extended flat. The joint crease changes position slightly between relaxed and gripping. - ✅ **For inserts:** if the bowler uses finger inserts, size the insert first, then enter the insert outer diameter as the hole size — not the finger measurement directly. - ❌ Do not reuse measurements from a previous ball without re-measuring. Finger sizes change over time — weight changes, age, and injury all affect fit. A fresh measurement every visit is best practice. - ❌ Do not assume symmetry between the middle and ring finger. They are almost always different — measure each independently. ## 🔌 Bowler Plus: Recording Hand Photos If your shop uses the **Bowler Plus plugin** (`$5 USD/month`), you can attach hand photos to the bowler's profile as a visual reference alongside the numeric measurements. A photo of the bowler's hand in grip position, taken at this stage of the fitting, provides useful context for future visits — especially when a returning bowler cannot remember exactly what changed between their last two drillings. - ✅ Photos are stored in the bowler's profile gallery, not on the individual spec sheet. - ✅ They are accessible from any device on your account. - ✅ Useful for documenting unusual hand geometry, scarring, or injury that affects the fitting approach. ## ▶️ What Comes Next With grip type set and finger measurements entered, Spectre Cloud has enough information to begin suggesting spans and pitches. Step 4 builds directly on the values you have just entered — the app uses them alongside the span type selected in Step 2 to populate IBPSIA-standard starting points for the fitting. ### Related Sections - 6.1.2 — Step 2: Create a blank spec sheet for the ball - 6.1.4 — Step 4: Setting span and pitch values - 6.1.5 — Step 5: Running the Oval Calculator on the new spec sheet - 04.x — Spec Sheets: field reference and measurement guide - 03.x — Bowlers (Clients): managing bowler profiles and history **✨ Tip:** If you are fitting a new bowler who has never been drilled before and has no reference point for grip type, start with a brief conversation before picking up the measuring tape. Ask how often they bowl, what their goals are, and whether they have used fingertip equipment before. Two minutes of conversation almost always makes the grip type decision obvious — and occasionally reveals a fitting consideration that changes the approach entirely.