We just had a local house install the string bowling machines and I have to say that this was my first time hearing anything about it but, I'm shocked this house would do this. I have never bowled with these machines and I was wondering what your thoughts were or if any of you had bowled on this before?

I'm not sure how I feel about it but it looks weird.

We just had a local house install the string bowling machines and I have to say that this was my first time hearing anything about it but, I'm shocked this house would do this. I have never bowled with these machines and I was wondering what your thoughts were or if any of you had bowled on this before?

I'm not sure how I feel about it but it looks weird.

There is a house here in Sacramento that has these on the their last 6 pair of lanes. Obviously these are not league or tournament certified, so they are basically used for kids recreational bowling, parties, etc. You won't find any leagues on those lanes. If they do, they wouldn't be USBC certified.

I've bowled on these before, and the one thing I will say i that it was only for any semblance of practice, where I'm working on something more precise as mechanics, hitting my target consistently, or things like that. Score will absolutely not matter on these lanes. Thankfully, this house does oil the entire set, so at least there is something to work with on them.

But for the most, the strings are a big pile of meh. don't worry about ball motion or continuation through the deck or the scores when on them, as the strings will affect those. Focus more on mechanics, consistency, and mental game if you ever bowl on them.

Now, if they put strings on the entire house, I wouldn't go to that house again. That's a clear sign that they are looking only for the parties and charging per half hour instead of leagues or tournaments.

BL.

The IBF allows string bowling in their equivalent of sanctioned competition.  The USBC has been studying string pins for a while and is still trying to decide if they will establish specifications to govern sanctioned string pin bowling.  Bowlero is a huge supporter of string pins and is really pushing for it to be approved because it is cheaper to install and maintain.  Time will tell.

I will never bowl at a place with those.  That WOULD be the last straw for me. 

This is where this would go.  Joe Proprietor no longer needs to pay a mechanic. 

He can pay some kid who may, or may not, show up to work; and if he's at work he'll be on his phone all the time.
 
Joe Proprietor can now save on overhead and NOT lower his prices.  Margins are getting better.  If you don't need a mechanic anymore then he can oil lanes once a week, because anyone who likes bowling with pins attached to strings won't care if there's oil on the lanes or not.  Margins getting better still... 

Real bowlers will go where they can get the occasional Messenger pin to clean up the 10 pin instead of "limits" as to how far a pin can move on the deck.  What about replacing pins that turn to mush over time?  Sounds more expensive than buying traditional pins...  so it won't happen...

After looking into this a little further I would have a hard time enjoying bowling anymore on lanes with this setup. I know I'm old school but, this just isn't the way bowling is supposed to be. I've watched a few videos and listened to some conversations on this and it just doesn't seem like a change most people would go for including me.

In my opinion, a USBC study has zero credibility. Their "results" seem to consist of whatever bullshit idea Chad is currently pushing.

There is a house here in Sacramento that has these on the their last 6 pair of lanes. Obviously these are not league or tournament certified, so they are basically used for kids recreational bowling, parties, etc. You won't find any leagues on those lanes. If they do, they wouldn't be USBC certified.

I've bowled on these before, and the one thing I will say i that it was only for any semblance of practice, where I'm working on something more precise as mechanics, hitting my target consistently, or things like that. Score will absolutely not matter on these lanes. Thankfully, this house does oil the entire set, so at least there is something to work with on them.

But for the most, the strings are a big pile of meh. don't worry about ball motion or continuation through the deck or the scores when on them, as the strings will affect those. Focus more on mechanics, consistency, and mental game if you ever bowl on them.

Now, if they put strings on the entire house, I wouldn't go to that house again. That's a clear sign that they are looking only for the parties and charging per half hour instead of leagues or tournaments.

BL.

I also bowl in Sacramento, and the house I bowl at (Country Club) has 32 regular lanes for league play, and then another 16 lanes of strings.  The strings are... Not good.  When the ball hits you can hear a deadness to the pins.  Strings get tangled and pins fall that were untouched, but got wrapped up by another string.
I agree with you, it's fine for practice, because you're (suppose to be) focusing on everything other than score.
I strongly dislike them, and if league went to that, I would no longer bowl there.  Sacramento has the benefit of enough competing alleys you have that choice.  Other towns... That's not really an option.  Lakeport and Ukiah both closed down within the past 3ish years and the closest alleys left near me are Sacramento and Windsor.