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Date: 16 Oct 2008 10:25:49
From: Dan the Man
Subject: Lane conditions?
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I bowl in the Reading, PA area, and I've noticed that both BowlORama
and Hiester Lanes are using much tougher oil patterns (dry as a dust
bowl in the middle, oily-slick on the outside) that leave me with no
place to "get comfortable". I don't roll the ball hard enough to play
the middle, and I don't have enough hook to get it to come back from
the outside. One night, I was so flummoxed that I resorted to using a
plastic ball.
My question, is anyone else out there having the same difficulty?
Also, I wonder if the USBC has instituted some sort of initiative to
kill everyone's averages, which are WAY down in both of my leagues.
Dan
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Date: 18 Oct 2008 07:55:29
From: moncho
Subject: Re: Lane conditions?
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Dan the Man wrote:
> I bowl in the Reading, PA area, and I've noticed that both BowlORama
> and Hiester Lanes are using much tougher oil patterns (dry as a dust
> bowl in the middle, oily-slick on the outside) that leave me with no
> place to "get comfortable". I don't roll the ball hard enough to play
> the middle, and I don't have enough hook to get it to come back from
> the outside. One night, I was so flummoxed that I resorted to using a
> plastic ball.
>
> My question, is anyone else out there having the same difficulty?
> Also, I wonder if the USBC has instituted some sort of initiative to
> kill everyone's averages, which are WAY down in both of my leagues.
>
> Dan
I do not have the same problems where I am. I talk to the
house proprietors and ask for the information. I find out
what pattern they put down, take into consideration the
humidity and the location of the lane relative to the front
door of the building. I find if it is low humidity and the
front door is open, the lanes closest to the door will be
dryer than the lanes away from the door. High humidity will
make the oil slicker and stay around longer thus pushing
further down the lane and resulting in my ball not coming
up quick enough and leaving many 7 pins (I'm a lefty). I then
make adjustments based on that information.
Do you play golf? If so, you know you need to take into
consideration the wind, your lie, distance and other
factors before you swing the club itself.
The house and patrons are in a constant battle with regards
to lane conditions. The house wants to make bowling a sport
while the patrons want high averages to make themselves
feel good.
Have you asked the house for the layout so you can study
the pattern, make adjustments, and then perform those
adjustments to make yourself a more accomplished bowler.
I'm sorry, but I have an issue with this kind of thinking as I
believe bowling is a sport. My opinion may differ from yours
and that is OK but I believe bowling has lost it's luster because
everyone thinks they deserve to have a 200+ average just because
they want one.
Have you bowled in a PBA experience league or on the Sport
condition? If not, give that a try and you will discover
how good the professionals really are and how, without
many hours of coaching and practice, we (that includes
me) may never be that good. There is a reason WRW Jr. is
to bowling what Jack Nicholas is to Golf.
I am on three different winter leagues with a 210+ average
in each league for the last 4 years. All leagues have the
typical house shot with synthetic lanes.
In my PBA experience summer league my average is a 179, up
10 pins from two summers ago and I feel more accomplishment
in that league than I do in any of my winter leagues.
Now if the house is not giving you the lane condition
information in addition to poor consistency, then I
agree with you and you should have a meeting with the
house to discuss why you are not getting a consistent
shot whether it be a Top Hat, Xmas Tree, Reverse Block
or whatever other shot is laid on the lane.
moncho
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Date: 17 Oct 2008 05:55:49
From: GenPounder
Subject: Re: Lane conditions?
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On Oct 16, 12:25=A0pm, Dan the Man <dan...@yahoo.com > wrote:
> I bowl in the Reading, PA area, and I've noticed that both BowlORama
> and Hiester Lanes are using much tougher oil patterns (dry as a dust
> bowl in the middle, oily-slick on the outside) that leave me with no
> place to "get comfortable". I don't roll the ball hard enough to play
> the middle, and I don't have enough hook to get it to come back from
> the outside. One night, I was so flummoxed that I resorted to using a
> plastic ball.
>
> My question, is anyone else out there having the same difficulty?
> Also, I wonder if the USBC has instituted some sort of initiative to
> kill everyone's averages, which are WAY down in both of my leagues.
>
> Dan
Oil on the outisde and done dry on the inside is what is called
reverse block. It is very uncommon for a house to put this shot out
on purpose. The only way I have seen success on that pattern is to
play deep inside and get around the ball a lot.
Is this just your league that is oiled that way or all of the
leagues? I would mention something to the management. If they are
looking to kill the averages in your house, reverse block is a really
good way to do it. It is also a good way to get rid of a lot of your
bowlers.
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Date: 16 Oct 2008 18:30:29
From: Darlene Block
Subject: Re: Lane conditions?
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I don't think USBC has changed their requirements. You know there is a
Proprietor's organization(BPA), don't you? It seems far more likely they
have agreed to change something. I have seen this pattern of change every
couple of years for at least 20 years. I think it is a plan decided by the
proprietors group. It isn't necessarily bad. They are forcing us to learn to
adjust. It keeps the game interesting and challenging. It isn't an
impossible condition, just different.
Of course, you might have a proprietor who puts down crap for the fun of
it. There are always a few jerks. They hurt themselves when customers leave,
but it isn't much fun to have to bowl on it.
Dar
"Dan the Man" <dan708@yahoo.com > wrote
>I bowl in the Reading, PA area, and I've noticed that both BowlORama
> and Hiester Lanes are using much tougher oil patterns (dry as a dust
> bowl in the middle, oily-slick on the outside) that leave me with no
> place to "get comfortable". I don't roll the ball hard enough to play
> the middle, and I don't have enough hook to get it to come back from
> the outside. One night, I was so flummoxed that I resorted to using a
> plastic ball.
>
> My question, is anyone else out there having the same difficulty?
> Also, I wonder if the USBC has instituted some sort of initiative to
> kill everyone's averages, which are WAY down in both of my leagues.
>
> Dan
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