So here's the scenario. You're bowling on a pattern that is somewhat short (lets say 36 feet) and fairly flat (4.0). Middling volume. Higher friction lanes - no salvation there.

How do you play it? What equipment do you use? What's your expected transition?

Just something that's been rattling around in my head. It's always interesting to see what kind of answers you get. Especially with urethane front-and-center these days.

Urethane as far right as I can

If it is a 4:1 ratio, then you could get away with an entry level reactive that has a low differential or even a layout with the pin under the fingers to help control the backend.  Higher ball speeds could even do something like an IQ Tour Solid.  I know urethane is going to be the popular answer but not everyone can use them.  As an example; as much as they use urethane on tour, I cant recall too many times if at all Francois Lavoie has used a Pitch Black that I have seen because his rev rate is so low.  Same with Norm Duke.

As far as transition; if the gutter starts to break down, the move is going to be a big one similar to what we saw from Belmonte a couple weeks ago.  The middle is not going to play because there wont be much hold.  So you would have to really open the angles up (move 7-10 boards with your feet and a full arrow with your eyes, then adjust from that).  I bowled a 8 game sweeper years ago on the Middle of the Road pattern which I believe at the time was 4.5:1 ratio at 38 feet.  Started with an Ebonite Tornado with a typical 5 inch pin to PAP layout and started playing around second arrow with my angles closed up.  In the last game, I was still using the Tornado but amped up my ball speed and was playing around 20 at the arrows with 8-10 breakpoint.  I ended up finishing second and averaged 225 for those 8 games.   

Just bowled on a 36 foot viper pattern last week.  Old worn anvil lane surface and I was on the burn to boot.  First practice ball up 6 board got the 7 pin.  Urethane hooked right off my hand.  Eventually got lined up using a wine hustle with a ton of out angle across 15 at the arrows.  As a low rev guy my carry was bad.  Crossing pairs was the worst.  Second game was about 5 boards tighter teasing me in to going going back out around 7 board.  Bad idea.  Shot myself out that game with 4 splits as I moved all over.  Last pair was close to the first pair but I could get lined up with my Melee midnight again playing a bunch if out angle over 15 board. 

Been playing sport conditions for years and never saw one so torched outside even on the burn.  Bowled a 35 foot pattern on AMF surface a couple of weeks ago and purple hammer was the best option although carry down forced me outside of 5.

For me it's short pin Proof Hybrid and then Hustle Camo. If there's a bunch of urethane, could allow me to ball up depending on the pair

Let's be honest, I'll try a Boo-Yah Pro, pin down Phaze 2, a really dull Trend 2, and shoot 80 pins below average haha

when my league goes short and medium to lighter oil, I bring my after dark pearl, and Hy-Road X.  typically I can find a line with the after dark pearl.  sometimes depending on the overall oil volume I can find a shot with a ball from the IQ line.