Perfect Strike Series: Understanding the Oil Pattern

Continuing on with the perfect strike series, understanding the oil pattern is the next step. Professionals and other experienced players know this subject very well, as they’ve been observing lanes and their shots each time. Oil on the lanes is very important; not only does it protect the surface of the lanes, it allows the ball to hook.

Understanding the oil

Oil patterns also vary, and they are always changing. How much of the lane the oil covers is important, too. The longer the pattern, the less your ball can hook. Oil doesn’t cover the entire lane either. There is about 20 feet of dry lane right before the pins…that is, until the ball starts rolling. Each turn, the ball picks up oil and moves it further down the lane. This is part of what makes the sport difficult. You can’t throw the same shot in the same place and expect to get a strike every time.

Knowing the patterns

There are also different oil patterns. At your local bowling alley, they have a “house pattern.” This will give players a larger margin of error, so people of all skill levels can do well and have fun. In a house pattern, there is more oil in the middle of the lane and less near the gutters.

Professionals will play on lanes with a “sport pattern.” This pattern has a smaller margin of error. On a lane with a sport pattern, the oil is distributed a little more evenly, to increase the difficulty. Professional bowlers need to be extremely precise each time to hit the correct target and get a strike.

After learning a little more about the oil pattern, you can keep better track of the ever changing patterns each game you play, but don’t forget that your release during your approach is important as well. Combining these two, as well as future tips in this series will give you a better chance at getting perfect strikes each time! Check out our comfortable wrist support here so you can enhance your release!