Abstract: The thumb pad, in a preferred embodiment, is disposed in the thumb hole of a bowling ball. The pad is a thin, multi-layer, highly flexible pad. A first elongated tape-like layer has an adhesive surface adapted to be adhered to the bowling ball wall defining the thumb hole. The length of the thumb pad does not exceed the depth of the thumb hole. The width of the thumb pad is approximately the width of the backside of the thumb. The backside of the thumb is the side opposite the palm side of the thumb. The thumb pad includes a second elongated tape-like layer overlaying the first tape-like layer opposite the adhesive surface. The second layer has a low friction surface (preferably TEFLON coated) adapted to be positioned adjacent the backside of the thumb. The thumb pad further includes a thin, compressible, foam-like pad interposed between the first and second layers at a position remote from one end of the overlaid first and second layers.