using 2 different balls on the same lane playing the same line....one ball has very wide oil rings, the other ball (different companies) has very narrow rings. NOT the flare separation but the the width of the oil ring itself is much wider on one ball then the other. Why is that?

Are both balls at the same surface texture?  If a ball has more surface would that give it a "wider" footprint, so to speak?

Also, some covers are more porous than others, which could affect how rapidly the oil is displaced.

A balls "Foot Print" usually refers to the amount of ball surface that is in contact with the lane.

The more of a balls surface that is in contact with the lane, the greater the influence the lane will have on that ball.

Larger footprints = more friction. More friction = more hook potential.

The hardness of the lane surface and the balls coverstock, affect how big the footprint is. The softer the materials, the larger the footprint will be on the lane.

The balls surface texture also affects the footprint size. The smoother the surface, the larger the footprint will be when the ball contacts the lane.

Maybe it is another case of "Deflategate" ... You know, if one ball has less air in it than the other ball, it would have more surface touching the lane ...     

Thanks Aloarjr810,

Would you also agree that depending on the ball's surface texture and composition the oil rings (individually) might "spread" slightly creating the illusion of a wider footprint? 

If some oil gets absorbed between the pinsetter and the ball rack there are lots of possibilities.  With all the various types and viscosities of lane oils there seems to be many things that could affect the oil rings' appearance.

Of course the surface texture and coverstock would affect how much oil is picked up and it spreads across the surface.