Just recently moved to the Washington DC area, and decided to take advantage of the fairly cheap practice at a few of the local Bowl America centers. Unfortunately, I have not been impressed at all, and was wondering if most/all BA centers are similar to this.
First outing, I headed to BA Chantilly. I go to slide on the approaches for the first time, and end up sliding forever. So, this continues the entire practice session (most likely due to the amount of dust/debris on the approaches). The lanes themselves seemed alright, but all of my bowling balls were covered in belt marks/dirt when I was done (much more so than most centers).
The following weekend, I head over to BA Sterling (Dranesville) and practice on their USBC Open Championships pattern. Pattern played moderately tough, but what made it even more difficult were the approaches. This time, instead of sliding forever, I don't slide at all. I decide to try and change soles a few times, still coming to a dead stop. I may as well just bowled in my tennis shoes, because I wasn't going anywhere anyways when I slid. Had to stop after 4 games as I was afraid of incurring an injury to my back, leg, and/or hip (as I already have a bad hip and was in rehab for a few months this past summer).
Finally, I decided to try yet another BA center out this past Sunday at BA Gaithersburg. I think I may have put myself out of commission for about a week cause of this place. It was anyone's guess as to what the hell I was going to do at the line. One time I would stick, the next wouldnt stop at all. Once again, tried all different slide sole combinations, none could tame these god awful approaches. My blood really started to boil after I got done bowling and I began having back spasms, which have continued into this past week (I am 22 yrs old, and prolly too young for those to start happening). And, once again, my ball was basically grey in color by the end of the 3 games due to belt marks and dirt. I understand bowling alleys are dirty, but these places took that to a whole new level. Oil is one thing, but a ball covered in belt marks and a film of dirt after 3 games is ridiculous.
On a more positive note, I did go practice at Fort Meade Lanes, and this place was near immaculate. I am glad that I will be bowling league there, as the center seemed very well run and very clean. I am not a fan of synthetic approaches, but they seemed fairly consistent there.
Overall, BA centers have seem to have offered the cheapest practice rates around, but I think I would rather pay a little more to stay injury free. Sorry for the rant, just wondering if any other locals have had similar issues.
