The Lane Condition is Critical

There are different lane conditions referred to as house shots in nearly every bowling center. Lane conditions known as house shots can basically be any length, shape, and volume as long as there are at least 3 units of oil from L2 to R2 at the end of the buff line.

There are different types of lane graphs you are likely to see posted in a bowling center. There are overhead and composite graphs from lane machine software and/or lane tape graphics based on UV tape readings converted to graphs of the oil on the lane. Sport and PBA Experience leagues must submit the UV tape itself and/or graph to the USBC weekly to ensure conditions are compliant with USBC standards.

The overhead and composite graphs are computer generated models of lane condition patterns if properly applied to the lane by the lane machine. These are not actual representations if the oil volume applied by the lane machine (micro liters per board) is different than that projected by the computer model.

Overhead Lane Graph for Peak Bowl

Composite Lane Graph for Peak Bowl

The lane tape graphic is based on oil which is actually applied to the lane however, there are UV factors which can make graphics look jagged even though the pattern is basically smooth.

UV Tape Graph for Peak Bowl

Each graph looks different and provide different ‘views’ of the lane pattern design but actually they all give you the same basic information. Some of the information you should look for, regardless of the graph type, is pattern distance, pattern volume, inside/outside ratios and pattern shape. All of these things will provide clues about what to expect from the lane condition if it was properly applied.

Pattern distance tells you how long (or short) the lane pattern is; in other words, how far down the lane the oil is applied. A short pattern will play far different from a long pattern. It is 60' from the foul line to the head pin. Peak Bowl's house shot is 40' long with a dry 20' to the head pin.

Pattern volume tells you how much oil is applied to the lanes. The total volume of oil is normally measured in milliliters. You may also see units or micro liters. Ratios tell you the difference in the oil from left to center and right to center. The shot has a 60 unit to 26 unit slope from 10L-10R, and 12 Unit to 4 Unit slop from 2L-9L and 9R-2R. This is considered a difficult shot for a down-and-in bowler (stroker) playing the 10 board, and an easy shot for those playing up the outside of the lane and crankers swinging the ball hard to the outside of the lane.

Pattern shape is the shape of the oil on the lane. Some examples are top hat, block, Christmas tree, or flat. Again, Peak's shot is a blocked shot.

A 3D view of a typical house shot would appear as follows: