Recently moved and have begun traveling quite often for work so I can't get my bowling fix via league. Decided that I would start bowling in tournaments for fun/learning purposes, beginning with a scratch tourney this Saturday in Goshen, IN that is laying out the Baton Rouge pattern. 

 

Anybody have any general tips for this pattern? I suck on a house shot so I know this will be a rough, long day, may shoot a 400 series at best, who knows. I'll have a limited arsenal also, OOB Roto Outlaw, OOB Roto Bandit, OOB Track 607ase and my trusty Tzone. I am more of a tweener with a ball speed of about 18mph on avg.

Email from USBC Says:

The Open Championships oil pattern
The oil pattern used at this year’s Open Championships is 39 feet long, has 25.2 milliliters of oil, and a ratio of approximately 2.2:1. It is two feet shorter, uses 2.15 milliliters less oil, and is a little bit flatter than the pattern used in Reno at the 2011 Open Championships.

Now, what does this all mean? Well, this year we are in a brand new venue with newly installed lanes. So though the pattern does provide a little more friction, the lane surface should provide less friction from what bowlers encountered at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno last year.

The best way for most people to attack this pattern will be to start with equipment that is smooth rolling and with a little bit of surface. There is still a lot of volume and it’s a brand new lane surface, so you’ll need to create some traction. Most people will find their best look is to start playing the lanes pretty straight, somewhere between 8-12 at the arrows then moving in as the pattern breaks down. With the pattern being a little flatter this year, you won’t find much help so come in with an open mind, and be prepared to make great shots and pick up your spares.