Abstract: Novel ball-gripping inserts adapted to be attached within receiving holes bored into the surface of a bowling ball in order to provide lined finger- and thumb-receiving holes which improve the ability of the bowler to grip and release the ball in the desired manner. The present elements are molded from silicone rubber so as to be generally cylindrical, relatively thin-walled hollow elements which are adapted to receive the fingers and thumb of the bowler therewithin. An essential feature is the presence of a seat or finger tip-engaging portion at the base of the finger-receiving opening to limit and uniformly guide the extent to which the fingers are inserted. Another essential feature involves the presence of a cut or recess in the interior wall of the insert, in a location adjacent the fingernail of the bowler, to facilitate the entry of air and release the vacuum caused by the rapid removal of the fingers from the elements during release of the ball.