If your goal is to practice and improve your game for leagues/tourneys, does it really make that much difference whether you practice on just one lane, or use a pair?

Just saw the comment come up on the thread griping about b-day parties and open play conditions (not being able to get 2 lanes) and wondered if it really matters - even if the lanes were both run fresh just before you got there.  Or, is it the fact that one lane might have 50 games on it and the other 10 that forces you to play 2 completely different lines that helps you get better?

IMO, it doesn't matter one way or the other.  The only thing I could see is when we used to have above ground ball returns, I liked practicing on the right lane (I'm a righty) to help myself become more comfortable making my approach with it there - especially when shooting 10 pins or playing deeper.

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9~

Why Does Everybody Wanna Kick My Ass?

Proud Member of Mr. Merkin's Sales Staff

I take what I can get. If I can get two lanes, I welcome it, but when it's busy (especially on the weekends), I only ask for one lane. I had just as much fun bowling with my wife, daughter and her friend on one lane this past weekend as I would bowling by myself on a pair of lanes.

Matt

just an FYI - "cuddling up to the ball return" is a strong form of practice for me. It's completely outside my comfort zone, so I practice it.

I do three things with bowling:
1. bowl competitively. This includes league and tournaments.
2. Bowl recreationally - this is with family, friends, etc. where score doesn't matter, but achievement can.
3. Practice. I'd turn the scorers off if I could - and just practice whatever I want to work on. If it's hitting 6th arrow out to 12, that's great. If it's playing the twig, that's great... But practice time (just me and the lanes) is work time. Period.
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Practice on a pair of lanes is always something different from single lane bowling. The ryhthm is different, and the lanes can be different or change at different speeds. That's the realistic challenge you will face in tournaments, so added realism is never wrong. It is also a good training for the different pace on 2 lanes. If you are not used to this, it might catch you when it becomes serious.

Personally, I rarely use a pair of lanes. To me this only makes sense when you are 4 or more players to do some training, because it creates realistic bowling pace and enough "traffic" on the lane to make it noticeably change over time. If you are only alone or a training couple, I do not think that training on a pair of lanes makes much sense. When you can get then, it's  O.K., but for full effect get some players together (it's also more fun).
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany
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"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

Many league bowlers think they deserve two lanes when they come in and practice. A lot of my serious  bowlers that bowled at the center I use to manage would only use one lane. That way they can practice just on the one lane on timing, spare shooting or whatever they need to work on. When ever I practice I use just one lane. No need to use two in practice.
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Brunswick