Since the house knew there was an issue with the lanes from many complaints from bowlers other then myself.....They put down an actual pattern and will keep it for the rest of the season. They are using the Kegel High Street pattern as the house shot now. So, for the morons that said I was just complaining..I guess this AMF house put out a real pattern just for me! WOW, I didnt know I had that kind of pull with AMF. I still cant believe that they did this just because I didnt like the bone dry condition.

Poor conditions may make you and better bowler as you and I know, but most league bowlers want to have fun and score. I put out a sign up sheet for a sport shot league and had three guys sign up and they didn't know what a sport shot was. We had 20 bowlers the year before and a lot complained and quit, but the bowler that wanted the challenge stayed and learned. Being in a small center in a small town, we don't have the luxury of pulling bowlers from a larger area. We have to cater to the bowlers we have and most don't want a tough shot, but area! Just my $.02, Bruce

Our Monday PBAX league has been around for a while now.  First time ever, a full 8 teams (32 bowlers).  We even have a waiting list.  Took some time, but a few of the bowlers said that they were tired of averaging huge on the house shot and wanted a bigger challenge.  Encouraging.

Build it and they will come.  The ones that can't check their egos at the door are the ones that will never join your PBAX league, they'll bowl on a Kegel Recreation pattern (THS) week after week and think they're "bowling".

Yes!

Over the summer I averaged just shy of 193 (good for second high in that PBAX!) on some flat and VERY tough shots and after 5 weeks and a good start of a dry THS I'm at 233. 

I challenge someone to explain why my 233 THS avg is more of an accomplishment (HINT: it isn't) OR "more real" bowling.

A LOT more work and shot / spare making went into that 193 sport avg.  High average was 200 and that was by a regional player who has been on a national telecast.  Difficult flat patterns = real bowling.

He claims he did, yet he walks around with 5 hook monsters and says things like "I was standing where I stand for my 10 pin shot for strike ball". Something doesn't add up.

Great post and discussion when we talk about what can make us and others better at the sport we love! I bowl with a guy that doesn't practice and didn't bowl all summer, but complains after every shot. Did I mention that this is going to be a long season? lol Just my $.02, Bruce
Plus, I hate all the handicap everybody thinks they need when they're bowling on china!

Sorry, late to the party here, but here are my thoughts:
 
12X - so the lanes were dry, you have to learn to adjust. If you want to be a competitive bowler, you need equipment for all conditions. For almost a whole season, in my scratch league in Texas, I threw a Urethane Sumo because the lanes were drier. Did my average suffer, yes. But I thought I threw the ball better that year than the year before when I averaged quite a bit higher. The Urethane made me become more accurate to try and carry better. You could have done the same or even go to polyester if needed. You can give your opinions/complaints to the center, as long as it was done in a courteous manner, but take the opportunity while it is there to become a better bowler.
 
For those that have full PBAX leagues, who do you do it? We have a Sports/PBAX league here and we struggle to find bowlers. I haven't bowled a Winter league on anything but a Sports shot since I have had the chance to bowl in this league. I have seen my average go up from 197 two years ago, to 203 last year. I am hoping for another increase this year as well. I love the challenge and know I am becoming a better bowler, but we can't seem to get that across to others. They want their higher scores from THS (even though the THS in this house isn't super easy). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I love the challenge and know I am becoming a better bowler, but we can't seem to get that across to others. They want their higher scores from THS (even though the THS in this house isn't super easy). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Move. 


I live in the Los Angeles area, and even with one of the largest concentrations of people in the US, there are only a handful of good regular season scratch and PBAX leagues. It's hard attracting bowlers to our 650 Scratch Trio league. It's 10 times harder recruiting for the PBAX league I'm in. Most THS bowlers are simply too intimidated and can't be convinced of the benefits. I know I sound pessimistic, but if you don't have a large mass of bowlers to market to, it's next to impossible to get anything new going. 


As far as bowling on brickyard dry and "adjusting", I don't see the benefits most here are pushing. There is dry, and then there is dry where you are reduced to huck-and-chuck to keep plastic to the right of the headpin. Not to mention dealing with damage in the ball's track area due to too much friction. Sorry, I don't agree that this makes one a better bowler. I think this was the condition 12XSECH described before the testosterone crowd started jumping down his throat.


Anyway, good luck in trying to start up a PBAX league in your area.