Author Topic: Why not implement lane ratings? (Read 563 times)

Constantine · « **on:** April 28, 2005, 04:44:30 AM »

I have really enjoyed the recent discussions about equipment and lane changes, so I thought it might be a good time to bring back up an old topic of discussion.

Bowling is often compared to golf. In golf, courses are given a course rating and a slope rating. A official USGA rating team plays a course and studies it based on the layout, length, and other physical attributes of the course. "The rating team will go over the course with an eye to how both scratch golfers and bogey golfers will play it." (sources: http://golf.about.com/cs/rulesofgolf/a/hfaq_determine.htm http://golf.about.com/cs/rulesofgolf/a/hfaq_sloperate.htm)

Why doesn't the USBC do somthing similar for bowling? Send an official team out to examine the lane surface, gutters, pin decks, etc. and give the lanes a rating. Then give each oil pattern a rating. Combine the two ratings to determine an overall rating.

I think this rating would educate the average bowler to what they are bowling on. Just like in golf, some would want to play the championship courses while others would stick to the easier courses. Then like with golf handicaps, you could compare averages across different houses. It could be particularly beneficial for handicap tournament play.

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Good luck & good bowling

DP3 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2005, 01:55:53 PM »

Sounds good but then they would have to actually ....(get this...) Spend Money!

...shocker
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-DP3
Respect the Game

Constantine · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:42:56 PM »

quote:
The only things that change regarding golf courses are the wind and the pin placements. Those two things can affect how difficult a course is despite the rating it got when then USGA rated the course. No matter how many golfers play the course one day, they do not alter the course for the next player.

Sawbones, you forgot one very important piece--the grass. The height of the grass can make a big difference. Change the greens and your putting game can change drastically. Grow the rough and you can make a wide open course play much tighter. A less important piece can be the tee box placement. Move the tee box and you can take obstacles in and out of play.

So the USGA is relying on the course to maintain a level of honesty. Bowling would need to have a similar level of trust on its rating systems, especially in regards to the oil pattern. However, i think the natural breakdown of the pattern would be a part of the lane condition equation.
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Good luck & good bowling

Constantine · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:47:52 PM »

quote:
Sounds good but then they would have to actually ....(get this...) Spend Money!

Any change is going to cost money.

Changing equipment costs the manufacturers and the pro shops. This hurts the people who make, sell and buy balls.

Changing lane conditions or pins will cost the houses. This costs eveybody who steps in a lane and would likely hinder growth in a sport that is already strapped for cash.

Rating the lanes would only cost the USBC. And as members, we are the owners of the USBC. I'd gladly pay an extra dollar in annual sanction fees to have lane ratings.
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Good luck & good bowling

janderson · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2005, 02:56:35 PM »

quote:
No matter how many golfers play the course one day, they do not alter the course for the next player.

I don't know if that's true 'Bones, I'm a pretty bad hack - I wouldn't want anyone falling into my divots.

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J.J. "Waterola Kid" Anderson, the bLowling King : Kill the back row

Author Topic: Why not implement lane ratings? (Read 563 times)

Constantine

Why not implement lane ratings?

DP3

Re: Why not implement lane ratings?

Constantine

Re: Why not implement lane ratings?

Constantine

Re: Why not implement lane ratings?

janderson

Re: Why not implement lane ratings?