I know its probably not good for TV, but I would prefer to see tougher scoring conditions.  I want to the see the pro's really showcasing whey they are out there bowling on the Pro Tour...the ability to make good shots, play the lanes the right way and repeat shots.  I want to see them get punished if they throw a bad shot....not get away with having so much bump room.
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University at Albany 2007
    -Let's Go Danes-

I don't think DerHornen was talking about TV.  I think he was talking about league bowling.  This is an everlasting battle but I think the one thing that hasn't been looked at is why people bowl league.
League offers 2 things:
1) Community
2) A place to compete.
Now even though I'll be smitten for saying this here on BR the vast majority of people who bowl league are not competitive.  They are there to socialize, drink beer and have fun with their friends.  Let them bowl on house shots and feel good.  It results in more revenue for the bowling alley and keeps people happy.

For those who are serious about their league and want to improve and take bowling seriously (90% of the people posting here on this forum) should be bowling on PBA patterns.  This would provide challenge, credibility and a standard as far as the conditions put out and scoring pace.  

We just need to make that distinction.  Proprietors should also make that distinction when they set up their leagues.  Define that this is a scratch league with tougher pba patterns.  And if you ave 200 then thats good and very credible because people all over the world are bowling on the same patterns as you and its fair.  If you ave 160, then you see how much you need to improve to become good.  And those people who are happy averaging 230 on a wall can continue doing that on their easy pattern while drinking beer and having fun.  Its about catering to everybody by having different options.  Its the only way to make people happy.

League scores are way too high.

One of the problems in a score fest is where one bad break on carry makes the difference between losing and winning.  

Second easy conditions do not punish bad shots enough. Balls thrown 2 or 3 boards either side of your target should not hit the pocket.

Easy conditions make converting spares easier as well. I would much rather be shooting at single pin spares than clusters of pins. Most bad shots still find the pocket they just don’t carry.

While the cream still rises to the top it is easier for a skilled bowler to distance themselves and win consistently on tougher but fair conditions.

It would be interesting to know the statistics but in a higher scoring environment scoring becomes volatile.

Lets take 220 versus 210 on a high scoring environment the 220 will probably win 65% of the time.

But I would think on a tougher scoring environment they would win 75% of the time.  


 

 

It's hard for me to relate to those who argue they are too high because my house is tough to carry in. The next house over here, however, I enjoy the scoring pace in practice(never bowled league there), and always see new 800/300 scores on the wall. I can't remember the last time I saw a 300 shot. I've banged 299 twice and the house's high average shot 297 a couple weeks ago, so I know it's possible, just not probable ;p
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Cobalt Bomb Solid
Cobalt Bomb Pearl
Tsunami H2O
F.O.S.

It is not the scores themselves that is the issue but rather the fact that conditions have meant that shot-making plays no real meaningful role in getting those scores.  

Once that is recognized, people would grasp a little easier why it has been easy for me to go more than seven months without having thrown a ball and not miss league in the least...