Sport bowling
Encyclopedia
Sport Bowling, an alternative to traditional bowling
leagues, offers players the opportunity to bowl on exactly the same lane conditions and oil patterns that professional bowlers face on the PBA Tour
. Sport Bowling was created by the United States Bowling Congress
, the governing body of the sport of bowling. Sport Bowling leagues, known as PBA Experience Leagues, are offered in conjunction with the Professional Bowlers Association
.
The difference in sport bowling versus traditional bowling leagues is in the way the oil pattern is laid down on the bowling lane. In a traditional pattern, the majority of the oil is applied to the center of the lane. The outsides are left dry which creates more friction and hook. The oil in the center of the lane creates hold. Therefore, a typical house pattern is very wide open and it is easy to get to the pocket. Sport bowling incorporates five unique oil patterns, each with its own conditions and playing styles.
The Chameleon
is a 39-foot, strip-style pattern that challenges players to adjust their game and attack from different angles in order to score well.
The Cheetah, at 35 feet, is the shortest of the PBA patterns. Cheetah plays extremely close to the channel and requires a smooth reaction off the break point.
The 41-foot Scorpion, with a larger volume of oil down the lane, tends to play in the track and calls for straight angles with an aggressive ball.
The longest and possibly most difficult pattern is the Shark. At 43 feet, the key to success is slower ball speed, keeping the break point as close to the head pin as possible.
Like its namesake, the 37-foot Viper comes at bowlers quickly from all angles. Bowlers will want to start as far outside as possible and make adjustments to maintain control of the pocket as the pattern breaks down.
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
leagues, offers players the opportunity to bowl on exactly the same lane conditions and oil patterns that professional bowlers face on the PBA Tour
PBA Tour
The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour is the major professional tour for ten-pin bowling, operated by the Professional Bowlers Association. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the PBA Tour consists of "exempt" bowlers who are a part of the almost 4,300 members worldwide...
. Sport Bowling was created by the United States Bowling Congress
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress is a sports membership organization dedicated to ten-pin bowling in the United States. It was formed in 2005 by a merger of the American Bowling Congress, Women's International Bowling Congress, Young American Bowling Alliance, and USA Bowling...
, the governing body of the sport of bowling. Sport Bowling leagues, known as PBA Experience Leagues, are offered in conjunction with the Professional Bowlers Association
Professional Bowlers Association
The Professional Bowlers Association is the major sanctioning body for the sport of professional ten-pin bowling in the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the PBA membership consists of almost 4,300 members worldwide...
.
The difference in sport bowling versus traditional bowling leagues is in the way the oil pattern is laid down on the bowling lane. In a traditional pattern, the majority of the oil is applied to the center of the lane. The outsides are left dry which creates more friction and hook. The oil in the center of the lane creates hold. Therefore, a typical house pattern is very wide open and it is easy to get to the pocket. Sport bowling incorporates five unique oil patterns, each with its own conditions and playing styles.
The Chameleon
Chameleon oil pattern
A Chameleon oil pattern is a pattern of oil on the lane used by the Professional Bowlers Association in tournament play.A typical Chameleon pattern is 39 feet long. It forces players to play in a specific zone on the lane because of the way the oil is layered in "strips". The lane conditions...
is a 39-foot, strip-style pattern that challenges players to adjust their game and attack from different angles in order to score well.
The Cheetah, at 35 feet, is the shortest of the PBA patterns. Cheetah plays extremely close to the channel and requires a smooth reaction off the break point.
The 41-foot Scorpion, with a larger volume of oil down the lane, tends to play in the track and calls for straight angles with an aggressive ball.
The longest and possibly most difficult pattern is the Shark. At 43 feet, the key to success is slower ball speed, keeping the break point as close to the head pin as possible.
Like its namesake, the 37-foot Viper comes at bowlers quickly from all angles. Bowlers will want to start as far outside as possible and make adjustments to maintain control of the pocket as the pattern breaks down.