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Author Topic: Pattern length, this is fun . .  (Read 916 times)

HamPster

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Pattern length, this is fun . .
« on: September 11, 2003, 10:50:05 PM »
I've always wondered why so many people have trouble at this house, including myself.  I'd already identified the pattern to be short, and the backends fairly bland and soft, but I finally saw the oil pattern specs.  Oiled 23 feet, buffed to 37.  I don't know the amount of oil, but I found out last night that we use offense.  I don't know what's causing the backends to be so soft, but carry is a big issue, especially with the 10.  It's hard enough getting any ball to pull up into the pocket to carry the 10, but keep it from nose diving at the same time.  Hitting the pocket isn't that hard though.  Could the short length of the oil be causing the ball to slowly roll out and lose energy in the buffed area and then early backends?  I don't claim to be a mechanic, but I KNOW 23 feet of oil is SHORT, and that a buffed area usually isn't that long.  I have the best shot playing at 3rd arrow and just launching my Raging Red, so I've been able to score, but I'm not getting any better, I'm just finding ways to score.  Suggestions or an analysis on the pattern?
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Forget Ron Bahr, I know his hot wife . . and her hot daughter . . . .

Being in adult leagues teaches you many things.  

1.  You're not on top anymore, but there are a lot more people that suck worse than you do now.  

2.  The myth about the youths having an easier shot is NOT TRUE.  I'd have an entire ring collection if it was.  

3.  Drunk adults are a lot funnier than drunk youths.

 

CoachJim

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Re: Pattern length, this is fun . .
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2003, 10:10:54 PM »
From my limited knowledge it sounds like you have hit the nail on the head. It seems to me that a typical pattern is oiled to around 30 to 35 ft and buffed to around 40 by them only oiling to 23ft the ball will start losing it's rotation earlier, but over a prolonged period of time making it roll straighter on the backend and reacting like a non reactive type ball. The house I bowl in uses a similar pattern, but I'm not sure what type of oil they use, and the back ends are fairly weak. I found that using a shined aggressive solid reactive ball with at least a 5" pin to pap distance gives a strong back end, and when the lane dries out past that point get ready with a low flaring pearl.

One other thing might work is if you can throw the ball with a low amount of side rotation,(forward roll), you can use a stronger ball. This will allow the ball to drive through the pins harder, and usually carry better because of not having the ball come in from behind the headpin so much. I have a hard time throwing this shot consistantly being a long time cranker, but when I do it properly it works and the adjustments are smaller.

HamPster

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Re: Pattern length, this is fun . .
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2003, 11:29:28 PM »
There's a wall, that's the only problem.  Can't even play straight up with a White Dot.  And the hit and carry is too weak to even swing it a bit.  Forward roll does seem to work the best, but the ball just takes off too quickly.  Like I say, I've been able to score, and I guess that's good as far as being versatile and learning how to score on any pattern, but it's just the lack of challenge and the ease of it I guess.  Move a little tighter and throw hard, that's about it.  The backends aren't super weak, they're just way too early, and a little soft.  It looks like the PBA World Championship from last year, remember how the ball started early on the backend, and then just kinda sat there?  There are ways to overcome it, obviously, but I guess I'm just wanting too much.  I want to be a BOWLER, not a house scorer.
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HAH!  I don't know ANYBODY now!

Being in adult leagues teaches you many things.  

1.  You're not on top anymore, but there are a lot more people that suck worse than you do now.  

2.  The myth about the youths having an easier shot is NOT TRUE.  I'd have an entire ring collection if it was.  

3.  Drunk adults are a lot funnier than drunk youths.