What they are also trying to do is drive out leagues (which is a horrible decision). The shot is based on what they are willing to put out to keep people somewhat happy.

Though the general consensus is AMF/Bowlmor is "driving leagues out," that isn't necessarily true in all cases.  And if you believe the CEO, it definitely isn't the case.

I am willing to bet the shot at any AMF/Bowlmor house isn't much different than what that center has typically put out in the past.  Weather conditions, bad machine maintenance, traffic on that pair are what usually affects the lane condition. 

All that said, I do feel there are policy changes that will eventually affect the shot.  At our 40-lane house, the center only oils the lanes the league is bowling on.  The shot they put out is just fine.  Bowlers can throw a multitude of equipment.  This leads me to believe it isn't AMF/Bowlmor telling centers to put zero oil out as a cost savings.  But since every league doesn't use all 40 lanes, there will be lanes that will not be oiled as often as others.

Our house starts at lane 1.  Some nights leagues get to 34 or 36 (I don't think they get to 40) and some nights the leagues only get to 24 or so.  This means the lanes on the big end are not getting oiled enough to even protect the lanes from open play.  This is where I feel the big difference will be felt.  Maybe not now, but in the near future it will be apparent.

My center is also closed on Monday

I was told by an ex AMF mechanic that they were told to use less oil. My very 1st practice shot and it was noticeable. I went right to the pro shop had him shine up the ball and it was still to strong. This will be my last year of a league in an AMF house.

There are arrows left of 10 & dots left of the "Big Dot".

Righty,
after the oil ends isnt it supposed to be "buffed"? Or a "top hat" shape? This pattern ended straight across...oil to no oil. as soon as the ball hit that, it was gone left. Even throwing the ball across the lane for a 10 pin the ball came back dry. Last year didnt have a lot of volume either but it was way more then this.

no, not normally. On THS, the shot starts being buffed earlier. A pattern like the US open isnt buffed just a flat cut off. The backend's in you house sound extremely clean and with a low volume of oil can get the ball going sideways off the end of the pattern. I would go with an entry level symmetrical ball, using big angles and a short pin to get the ball to bleed off some energy before hitting the back. This will tame the reaction on the back.

You won't be able to see where the lane machine transitions from oil application to just buff.  You will only see where the buff stops.  The buff creates the front to back taper to the oil pattern.

The term top hat comes from the look of an easy pattern on the graph.  This is the crosswise look, not front to back.

northface, dont come off as an idiot. Like someone else mentioned..this isnt about making an adjustment, its about the lane condition. I moved left, so far left it was like shooting 10 pins. Unless you got the ball to 18 mph or higher you were not hitting the pocket. I dont have that kind of ball speed. PLUS AMF started this last year...the first 18 inches do not get oiled. This is a "safety" issue so people dont fall if they cross the foul line. Another stupid idea.

northface, dont come off as an idiot. Like someone else mentioned..this isnt about making an adjustment, its about the lane condition. I moved left, so far left it was like shooting 10 pins. Unless you got the ball to 18 mph or higher you were not hitting the pocket. I dont have that kind of ball speed. PLUS AMF started this last year...the first 18 inches do not get oiled. This is a "safety" issue so people dont fall if they cross the foul line. Another stupid idea.

Ok, buddy. Just keep forcing your ball up the dirt and come here and act butthurt about it. But I'm the idiot.