In addition to Riggs' good information, if you compare last year to this year, the 2012 pattern is 2 feet shorter, too, with less volume (25.2ml).
My house shot this year is 9:1 so that means there is a huge amount of oil (comparatively) in the middle portion of the lane compared to the outside (1st arrow area). The THS patterns give you hold area if you miss inside, and bump area when you miss outside.
The flat ratios make accuracy and repeating shots extremely important or you'll pay the price. If you have a chance to watch any of the live streams of bowlers at Baton Rouge you will notice how "touchy" the shot acts when the bowler misses inside, due to lack of hold area. The "fluffed" shots that swing too far wide tend to come up light or miss the head pin entirely. Hope this helps.
Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Allstar Lanes
Brunswick Regional Staff
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
Edited by notclay on 3/13/2012 at 8:56 AM