At a local AMF house, I had brief talk with the mechanic and manager about putting something down other than a THS pattern for practice. The mechanic said it could be done on a sunday morning if nothing is going on that day. The lanes that would be used is the first 2 pairs, if not, then the first pair.

Then I thought about it, do I really need to do this?
1. Bowling on difficult patterns can (not always) create bad habits.
2. I don't bowl on sport patterns on a regular basis, tourney's or leagues.
3. I'm not sure guys I know are willing to bowl with me (especailly for $$$)
4. Those pairs are abused, approaches and lane surface have taken a beating from open play. It's not even used during leagues.

But for $8.10/2 hours on a sport pattern, it's hard to pass up. I just need to make sure there's at least 3 to 4 ppl to join me.......

I only see one flaw in your thinking; "1. Bowling on difficult patterns can (not always) create bad habbits." (<Not my spelling error!) 

It's not flat patterns that create bad habits, it's THS patterns that create bad habits.

lol nice the spell check should be used....

I only see one flaw in your thinking; "1. Bowling on difficult patterns can (not always) create bad habbits." (<Not my spelling error!) 

It's not flat patterns that create bad habits, it's THS patterns that create bad habits.

I think here the operative word is "CAN".
It depends on how the bowler chooses to adjust or adapt his nor normal THS game to the more demanding sport patterns. One example is myself. Back when they first started putting out PBA/sport patterns and I didn't understand how drillings could change the nature of a ball's reaction, I tried to force my delivery to make a big backend ball hook less and backend less. I wasn't as facile with different release then as I am now. Between those 2 things, I got into some bad habits. Until I realized what was happening and how I should have attacked the sport patterns, it took me a while to get back to where I was before.

So, saying it "can" is right. That doesn't mean it will always do that for everyone, but it can, depending on circumstances and education level. This is why unless you're already a well educated and well skilled bowler, bowers, bowling on sport patterns for the first time, need some education.

You can practice on anything and get better if you know how to practice.  Bowling on something hard isn't going to magically get you to hit what you are looking at. 

The opportunity to practice for 2 hours for 8 buck is hard to pass up.

I would not pass up that offer.  Years ago when I was bowling a lot more, I was cool with a couple of the local bowling center managers, and they would let a group of us come out and practice for practically nothing.  Believe me when I tell you that I took advantage of that opportunity and learned quite a bit.  No matter what the pattern, being able to hit my mark and being able to change hand positions and speed changed my game for the better.

If I had more of an opportunity to do that now, I know I could better my game by leaps and bounds.  If someone throws you a bone to get better, jump on it quick.

I say "can" cause I know two people who bowled on difficult patterns whom developed issues according to them. I know one of them had timing issues after bowling the shark.

knock on wood.....so far I've been okay switching from THS to non THS. 

The other house close to the one I bowl at, also has a day where league or PBA guys come in and bowl difficult patterns. The lane guy seems to be easy going and does this for them upon advance request. I've joined them before and it was $1.50 - $2.00 games.