Oil Conditions?

[KingsRiverKid]

I've recently started bowling just as sort of something my wife and I can do together. But much like everything else it only stays casual for so long before I start getting into it LOL

I started with a simple basic Poly ball, the Ice Storm it has served me well and will continue to do so as a spare ball. But now I'm thinking about going with an entry-level reactive ball. I was drooling over the Hammer line and things of that sort but do realize I'm not really ready for that yet. I've been looking at the Tropical Storm line or the Ebonite Tornado Line or the Bash and Clash

All the ball reviews and information I have been reading talks about lane conditions and how this ball is good for light oil and medium oil, that ball is good for Heavy oil. I've even seen them talking about particular balls for particular brands of oil.

My Question is this:
How can you tell if it is a Heavy oil Day or a light, or dry day?? can you tell by looking??

Are these conditions regular given a particular Center? This Centers lanes are always light this other ones lanes are always Heavy? Or does it vary from day to day??

Thanks in Advance

KRK

[shelley]

Most centers have their own shot that they put out, basically all the time.  They program the lane machine and just leave it alone.  How well they clean the lanes, though, can make a major difference.  Laying down new oil on top of yesterday's beaten-up shot is not nearly the same as cleaning the lane and laying down fresh oil.

Your best bet is to talk to the pro shop at your center, if there is one.  The pro shop will know what the shot is, they probably bowl there regularly.  They can watch you bowl and be able to tell what kind of ball will work for you.  If there's no pro shop in your center, ask some of the other bowlers where they go and who they recommend.  That person should be familiar with your lanes and will be able to suggest an appropriate ball.

You sound like you're interested in an entry-level ball.  In most cases, you won't save money by buying online versus a local shop.  Many local shops even sell combos with the ball, shoes, and a bag for a pretty good price.  If you intend to use your Ice Storm for picking up spares (worth learning), ask if you can upgrade from a single ball bag to a 2-ball bag.

SH

[dizzyfugu]

If you are lucky, your center hangs out an oil graph - it will tell you how long the oil is, how it is generally distributed and how much is applied. These are the most important figures.

If you have to guess, things become tricky. Normally, you won't be able to see or tell what's out there - at least from the approach. Sometimes you are lucky and yo can see dry outside boards, and the amount of oil at the foul line might indicate the oil amount/depth - but this is already guessing, since you cannot tell what's going on behind the arrows.

Sometimes you are lucky and can walk up the side of a lane - from the side angle it is pretty easy to "see" the oil pattern and its length.

If you do not have this option, some test shots with a fingertip reactive can tell you a lot:
Play straight down 10th board and watch what the ball does, when it changes direction and how it finishes. Without a buffed zone, the ball will grip when it hits the dry and change its motion -  this way you can tell how long the oil is, and how much grip the back end yields. Depending where the ball hits the pins you can then make feet and target adjustments to move towards the pocket, and you can tell if you have to stay straight or can try to swing the ball.

When the ball comes back, watch the oil rings: are they a few or many, are they big or small? This will, with some experience, also tell you a lot about pattern length and volume, and how to quickly adjust your game.

With this you won't be able to scout the pattern in detail, but with some training you should be able to guesstimate what's out there and which path to the pocket should be effective. But there's no guarantee, and you will have to keep your eye on the ball's reaction just to anticipate lane changes over time.

Hope this helps a bit.
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling?
Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section