Now that the Masters is back bowling at the tournament site, do those that bowl the Masters have an advantage in the Open?
I realize that they will use two different oil patterns on the lanes. So for discussions sake, we will say that is a given. But because you bowl on the actual tournament lanes do you have the advantage:
1. Which lanes tend to be tighter?
2. What the approaches are like?
3. How the lanes break down.  
Now I also know that the shot will break down differently because of several hundred different factors. (Heat vs AC, Lights Blah blah blah)
Just looking for different opinions.

I notice the low end scores better already, I was talking about this earlier with my buddy who is bowling it.

Advantage, if any, is minor. Different lane pattern is biggest factor. But also the breakdowns of the pattern are way different moving pairs with Masters bowlers vs. staying on 3 pairs with your teammates.
The one possible advantage would be seeing something real out of whack about a pair and then drawing it for the USBC.
Thing is, it also could work against you if you get a thought in your head about something and it turns out to be wrong.

I see no advantage bowling the Masters. There are 3 main reasons why:

1) Oil Pattern is totally different - while the USBC pattern, whatever it will be, is tougher then a THS, it is no where near the Masters' pattern.

2)Breakdown will be different - especially if you have a team working together at Nationals to break down the pattern.

3)Atmosphere is totally different - While some may feel some pressure bowling at Nationals, it is usually more for fun. While the Masters is for $60,000, and if you are a PBA member, a 2 year exemption. That will make a difference as well.

You may have a tiny advantage of knowing the approaches and their tackiness/sliding but it is not enough to give any kind of advantage in scoring at Nationals.
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Jorge300

THe only real advantage you would gain from bowling such a big tournament is the experience of pacing, moving massives sets of lanes, and other nuances.
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Ken

These are the best approaches (textured synthetic) I have ever bowled on...every center should be forced to use these. It didn't help me bowl any better as I had 1 of my worst tournaments in a long while, but I couldn't say one negative thing about the approaches.

As for having an advantage, I would say none, other than the simple fact that you are already acquainted with the place, sights, sounds, long walks to the bathroom, $8 bowls of chili and little stuff like that . Bowling in a convention center is always a bit different.

Thanks Bowling nut. Carry was very hard to come by for me both days. I don't think it was so much of me getting bad luck as it was caused by me using the wrong bowling balls. I learn something new every time I lace em up!

The 1st day disaster was caused by me throwing it all over the building (sorry to anybody I may have grazed with any of my errant shots).

LMAO! I was too sick to even think about getting mad. Funny thing is, my "look" was far better the 1st block and I scored 120 pins worse...go figure.