Knowing the oil pattern in advance

[jason_doust]

Practice poor technique so they can hit cheating conditions?

What a fine vision for our "sport".

 

[strop]

I don't know.

No-ones seem to complain about the cheating balls (reactive) since they were bought in.

Tony

 

[jason_doust]

There's guys who throw it well that often confide in me that they'd love to see them at least tamed down.

I'm happy to state it for the record: Reactive resin balls have been a major part of the decline in bowling, as they significantly reduce the athletic/strength and repetition components in throwing strikes, require easier lane conditions to control, allow players to manipulate the lane condition and provide so much friction that they destroy not only an oil pattern, but also the very playing surface underneath it.

That's off the top of my head. I could probably extend the noxious, even rapacious effects of this awful technology, but you get the idea. If you've ever seen footage of Chris Barnes throwing urethane, you can see what an amzing thing it was. Truly beautiful to watch. Now he has to kill it off constantly to control the balls of today. It's like watching an eagle in a cage. Superb, but sad when you think of what it could be doing.

 

[androooo]

Nothing should have been allowed to be stronger than the original FaBall Blue Hammer...

With most of the balls these days, less is more... Instead of learning how to hit a ball properly, or lift and turn to create "midroll" (who even remembers that stuff..), lets just release the ball like holding a suitcase.

 

[amagill]

It makes me sad. Why do people want to be so blind..?

Ignorance is bliss Jason, so they say!

 

[Michael Little]

Hey Jase,




Would you say the same about the TBA Seniors Cup at Rooty hill....?

I mean I average over 220 in matchplay to win, would you class that as a ditch?

George seem to struggle on it, and it was the same pattern through out.

Cheers

Tony


P.S. I am still surprised these days as to how many bowlers cannot score on a ditch!!

Strange post, but I agree with Jason to a degree, lanes and easy patterns are out of control, it allows those with a self improved image of their own skills to continue their high scoring most of the time, none the wiser.

I tend to believe it is the other way around in that a lot of bowlers now can hit the ditch but fall apart when the ratios get tighter and their targets get narrower. Only have to witness the leagues I currently bowl in with dry ditches a plenty, it might suit 95% of the bowlers bowling (that is part of the problem), but it certainly isnt improving their game. Every week in league I bowl against other bowlers with 180,190, low 200 averages that shoot 30-50 per game above their average one week, usually against us (handicap sucks), next week back to average or below, I think the ditches and the high performance gear allows them this ability, but their overall skill level prevents them from doing it consistantly from week to week. Most of the centres are introducing PBA pattern leagues here, will be interesting to see how people go on these.

And in regards to the Nationals pattern last year, that pattern was continually laid down an incredible amount of times during each day, the pattern will never play the same from one day to the next over 3 weeks, so it is hard to say that because you yourself bowled well and scored a 220 average one day that it should be repeated two weeks later etc. There were many other factors with the way the lanes played and broke down (here I disagree with Jasons 2 board assessment and politely nodded when he told me about it lol ). I have no idea how many left handers were in your masters field but this pattern worked well in this centre when the lanes started transitioning and breaking down to create area, it just so happened that there were bugger all left handers to help George break it down like we could on the right, for once being a right hander helped you. You just had to survive 2-3 games and hey presto there was a whole new world on the lanes ready to go.

Also averaging 220 to win sounds like you bowled well and repeated the shots you needed, but how did it compare to others in the field, again other factors apply here, if others bowled similar or above, do you look at the quality of the field and say they averaged higher than what they realistically should be able to and then class it as a ditch (lets be honest we as bowlers know other bowlers skill levels) or if you out averaged the field, would it be then classed as an anomaly and you had a birthday on the day and everything went right for you and therefore wouldnt be classed as a ditch but just you bowling great?

In regards to this topic, knowing the pattern in advance helps to a degree, but knowing the lane surface and how the lanes may break down help just as much, can use the recent Kegel Open as an example, I know the centre well, I did some research on the pattern and consulted one of the Storm tech guys for some advice on ball setup, drilled a ball in particular to hopefully suit, luckily enough it worked well during the qualifying, however with the amount of wash n oils over the weekend the lanes started screaming more and more, the midlane trashed out, the women chewed up the normal track area and most right handers had no choice but to move inside if they had any revolutions, which just presented huge over under reaction and in this centre regardless of pattern laid moving inside decreases scoring potential by 15-20 pins per game as it decrease the angle required to carry especially the off hits needed to roll on and build strings in games. Point being, a knowledge of the lane pattern can be useful prior but you still have to play on what you have in front of you and you cant expect lanes to be the same each squad, segment or day.

 

[strop]

Interesting story Michael, not sure on this comment..

You just had to survive 2-3 games and hey presto there was a whole new world on the lanes ready to go.

perhaps you can see the format we bowled in the seniors cup and expand on your theory in relation to this.

Try not to make excuses that over 3 weeks the conditions are going to vary too much, perhaps they might, but not to that extent, especially with the superior oiling machine they used....

I had just as many left handers in my field as George did, and also don't get me wrong I'm not in Georges league as far as ability. I put up with years of Rubber, urethane and plastic equipment on lacquer lanes and lots of variety of conditions, you remember the 70's and 80' Michael ?, you had to bowl.

I agree with today's technology, bowlers have never had it so easy, and look at most of the super breed of today with millions of rev's, they need the oil and lots of it to survive.

I am a senior, and probably proud of it, the game doesn't owe me anything, unlike some of the bowlers around today!.

I'm part of a organization that is the strongest in the nation, maybe the Adult arena might one day get back to that!!

Every-one seems so involved about lane conditions these days except just getting out there and bowling. And by the way League bowlers, I will bet you that 95 % of them around the country Don't care what condition they have.

Cheers

Tony

 

[Brenton_Davy]

Interesting story Michael, not sure on this comment..



perhaps you can see the format we bowled in the seniors cup and expand on your theory in relation to this.

Try not to make excuses that over 3 weeks the conditions are going to vary too much, perhaps they might, but not to that extent, especially with the superior oiling machine they used....

I had just as many left handers in my field as George did, and also don't get me wrong I'm not in Georges league as far as ability. I put up with years of Rubber, urethane and plastic equipment on lacquer lanes and lots of variety of conditions, you remember the 70's and 80' Michael ?, you had to bowl.

I agree with today's technology, bowlers have never had it so easy, and look at most of the super breed of today with millions of rev's, they need the oil and lots of it to survive.

I am a senior, and probably proud of it, the game doesn't owe me anything, unlike some of the bowlers around today!.

I'm part of a organization that is the strongest in the nation, maybe the Adult arena might one day get back to that!!

Every-one seems so involved about lane conditions these days except just getting out there and bowling. And by the way League bowlers, I will bet you that 95 % of them around the country Don't care what condition they have.

Cheers

Tony

Try bowling at Village at the moment Tony!

Kegel Middle Road is giving the majority of bowlers absolute conniptions! And it isnt one of the tougher patterns in the Kegel library. Threats of walkouts everywhere. From my point of view, I don't mind it because it lets you know when you throw a good shot and when you don't.

Thought that was what the game was about.

Frightening thing is, 25 years ago, Middle Road would have been considered a block! Now it is considered as a semi tough condition.

Go figure

 

[Michael Little]

Interesting story Michael, not sure on this comment..



perhaps you can see the format we bowled in the seniors cup and expand on your theory in relation to this.

I have no idea on the format used for the Seniors cup, however our qualifying consisted of best 6 game series over 2 x 3 game blocks, I can guarantee you, I didnt shoot my higher scores on the fresh lane condition if that helps you make sense of the above and the same occurred during the actual tournament for each knockout segment in the masters, survive 2 games or so and bingo the lanes open up, area is there and the scores increased.

Try not to make excuses that over 3 weeks the conditions are going to vary too much, perhaps they might, but not to that extent, especially with the superior oiling machine they used....

Not making any excuses, but there is no way that lanes stayed the same over 3 weeks of continual wash and oils, no matter how good the lane machine is, in the entire 3 days I bowled including qualifying and masters the lane condition changed numerous times from squad to squad and each knock out segment, the region on the lane where people should have played might not have changed much for the whole 3 weeks, but in that short space of time, I know I changed equipment at least 4-5 times, release points, angles, lines, you name it, you still had to keep working on it

I had just as many left handers in my field as George did, and also don't get me wrong I'm not in Georges league as far as ability. I put up with years of Rubber, urethane and plastic equipment on lacquer lanes and lots of variety of conditions, you remember the 70's and 80' Michael ?, you had to bowl.

Again I cant see the field for your seniors cup, but there were two left handers in ours, George and Andrew, Andrew bowls the ball from a deeper position on the lane compared to George, so possibly were counteracting each other for this type of pattern, if anything Andrew had a better look on the lane, something where you may have fared better are you tend to create more angle than George does, but in relation to my point, only having two lefthanders doesnt assist them to break the lanes down where needed and create an area like we could on the right, as I said, for once to their detriment. I grew up on the tail end of all that, rubber balls, plastic and higher hooking urethane, I had only just gone fingertip and got my first Wine U Dot when the black and blue hammers came out. The Wine U Dot and my Earl Anthony Magnum 5 hooked enough for me, I didnt need anything else but still got the latest gear from time to time just to keep up with other bowlers.

I agree with today's technology, bowlers have never had it so easy, and look at most of the super breed of today with millions of rev's, they need the oil and lots of it to survive.

Agree with you here, however what is needed is for these guys to be taught something that I think is important to bowling in this country and the long formats, and that is how to play the lanes and use appropriate equipment so that the lanes dont break down too much and us right handers shoot ourselves in the foot too early, case in point K n K at Strathpine last year where the new young guns on a wood surface decided to use the highest hooking, most reactive dull balls they could because it looked good hooking it, yes they scored for 5-6 games, but had nothing come game 12 and screwed the lanes for everyone else.

I am a senior, and probably proud of it, the game doesn't owe me anything, unlike some of the bowlers around today!.

I think this could be attributed to the current generation in some areas if this is what you are pertaining too, working in the unemployment industry, most of these people want instant gratification and that 100k straight out of uni job without working for it, perhaps some of the bowlers you are talking about have this attitude as well?I know I grew up bowling as a junior putting up with sh*t from other bowlers parents, and bowling adult tournaments in my later junior years, copping crap from the current crop of players at the time, especially now elder bastards like Lovey (love you mate! lol), but it was normal and why should they have been easy on me or anyone else, money was on the line and I learnt from it quickly, I knew results werent easy to obtain in any way shape or form without working for them and if I didnt work for things, then I could hardly be disappointed.

I'm part of a organization that is the strongest in the nation, maybe the Adult arena might one day get back to that!!

Hopefully bowling across the board gains strength, I honestly don't care that one organization is stronger than the other, except to know why? ANd how it could be replicated, improved or adapted to provide success in all areas.

Every-one seems so involved about lane conditions these days except just getting out there and bowling. And by the way League bowlers, I will bet you that 95 % of them around the country Don't care what condition they have.

This is because lane conditions are important, but the knowledge on how to play them, not just for a few games but an entire tournament stretch is important especially with our ridiculous long formats (case in point above). This comes down to education, experience and knowing what you are playing on when you actually play on it, noone gets it right all the time, but with more experience you gain a firmer idea of what is needed. I always take a pre release lane condition with a grain of salt, but they still give you an idea of at least a part of the lane that should predominantly be the best scoring section and if you google or you tube it well enough, can gain some actual ideas where you can take 1-2 balls that theoretically work on that pattern mixed with your regular gear.

And with League bowlers, maybe I should refine my comments to the league that I bowl in or other leagues that are similar with similar skilled bowlers in them. Some may not care, but some dont know any different and with a bit of education, will be able to make massive improvements in their game, only have to see how well supported the sports tournaments are, bowlers certainly dont bowl them for the prize money etc, but I would say the experience on bowling on challenging patterns outside of their 10 board area house shots.

Cheers

Tony

Hope this clears up my previous post a bit.

 

[jimcross]

I'll start the honesy stakes. I just voted NO, on the grounds that I bowled in the times when oil was sprayed on the lane by hand sprayer - you bowled balls down and observed what they did and adjusted accordingly. Lane surface? - Yes, there was one!. Definately!
Now for the real honest bit. When I look at oil pattern charts, they mean absolutely NOTHING to me. Nothing - I don't know what they're trying to tell me. So, if they're not disclosed, everyone is in the same boat as I am.
Anybody else want to admit they don't know what they're looking at, or what to do about it?

About 6 weeks ago, when this topic started, the above is what I said.
When I read some of these recent encyclopedic articles, I feel so privileged that I understand none of it.

 

[John_Velo]

G’Day,

I am a fence sitter.

I have only been back bowling for a short while. I am still trying to learn how to throw a good shot. Working hard on a good roll and a fairly straight shot. As preached to me as a kid, straighten it out and play the percentage shot and pick up the easy spares you will leave more of the time.

One it is easier to repeat. Repeating shots is the other thing I am working hard on.

So for me knowing the pattern only helps me learn for the next time I play on it.

Nothing pleases me more than turning up to league and hearing the oiling machine broke during the week and the lanes are hard. Everybody is on the same playing ground then, unknown. Bowling 660 is less satisfying for me on an easier pattern than bowling 550 on a tough unknown pattern and coming away with all the points for league that night.

It means I got is right and played the best I could with what was in my bag and in my head.

Heck I would even bowl in the car park if asked, just so long as the mechanic brings the ball back.

 

[jimcross]

John, keep all that up. You may get to surprise yourself on just how good you are likely to get.
Jim

 

[Michael Little]

About 6 weeks ago, when this topic started, the above is what I said.
When I read some of these recent encyclopedic articles, I feel so privileged that I understand none of it.

Jim, first sorry about the rants, seem to save my posts up for a spree once every couple of months.

In relation to your original post, when lanes were hand sprayed, run over with towels and buffers to create the pattern, did you ever watch the mechanic spray/oil the lanes? How many sprays in the middle compared to outside? From where did he start buffing, how far down etc? Moving on to oiling machine with tanks, did you ever just talk to the mechanic to see how much oil they were using, how far and how the tanks were positioned?

With the new oiling machines, you just have to think of it as an advancement in technology that naturally happens over time, and now the above information is delivered via lane pattern print outs, you just need to learn to read them so you can combine this with previous knowledge of lane surface, prior experiences etc, why wouldn't you try to understand how the pattern reads so you have indication of a rough way to play the lanes? It certainly isn't the only thing to consider but it certainly doesn't hurt to know either.

 

[Phluff]

Knowledge of the "playing field" is something that has become a valuable tool in all sports as players strive to improve their game.

In Golf, players read over the course layout prior to a game. Learn where the hazards are and add that knowledge to weather conditions prior to a round to get the "advantage".

In motorsport, drivers practice on simulations of new tracks to learn where braking points are and other markers so that on arrival they have an idea of what to expect.

In cricket, players look at the type of wicket and previous results to see what sort of bowling lineup should work.

In soccer, teams practice with new ball types and on different surfaces (short/long grass, artificial turf etc.) to get used to how they play differently.

All these things give you an idea of what to expect when you get there. Sure it's not as good as the real thing, but the more you can prepare, the better you can concentrate on getting the right result.

So in bowling, the best you can do is get an idea of what type of pattern you are playing on, what sort of surface the centre has and if relevant, how previous events have gone. This wont mean you walk in 100% prepared, but it's alot better than paying $1000 (entry/travel/accom etc.) and going in blind.

 

[dishman]

Mick
Why is it that most of the best right handed bowlers (they tend to be ones with a high rev rate) all seem to want to bowl in the same squad? Surely, this would be a disadvantage in the later games in searching for oil in the heads.
Cheers
Dinesh

 

[Michael Little]

Mick
Why is it that most of the best right handed bowlers (they tend to be ones with a high rev rate) all seem to want to bowl in the same squad? Surely, this would be a disadvantage in the later games in searching for oil in the heads.
Cheers
Dinesh

Usually, and I do mean usually, it helps us to break down the lanes, something similar to what I mentioned above in my reply to Tony about how the nationals pattern broke down in our favour after a couple of games.

Usually, there is enough oil to last 8 or 10 games or even 12 at a stretch and with more of us bowling in the one area on the lanes, it allows that area to open up. Usually we get through it ok as long as we don't have to start too far left to begin with.

However where we sometimes struggle is the 15 to 17 games of matchplay etc the next day, usually the lanes have had 4-5 washes and they tend to break down quicker etc which then doesn't help us if we are playing all the same part of the lane over the longer format.

There is where sometimes the strong guys on the left have the advantage as their area isn't trashed out as much and sometimes they take advantage of it.

 

[jason_doust]

Jim, first sorry about the rants, seem to save my posts up for a spree once every couple of months.

In relation to your original post, when lanes were hand sprayed, run over with towels and buffers to create the pattern, did you ever watch the mechanic spray/oil the lanes? How many sprays in the middle compared to outside? From where did he start buffing, how far down etc? Moving on to oiling machine with tanks, did you ever just talk to the mechanic to see how much oil they were using, how far and how the tanks were positioned?

I used to watch the oiling light and listen for the click of the buffer solenoid on a Century 100 and even ask the tech to open the lid as he was packing up so I could see the shim colours! Back in the days where you might move 6 boards all day! Now you move that far in a game or two it's never been more important to have an idea of what you're in for!

Dinesh, Michael is on the money with regard to your informed question. Also consider that a lot of these guys fly in and that afternoon squad sits nicely with their schedule. They get to sleep until a reasonable time, jump on a plane, check in to their room (saving the previous night's accommodation bill), freshen up a bit and go bowl. Then be out in time for dinner with friends. As everyone knows, there's more to a tournament than the tournament.

And Jim, I wouldn't go to an event that didn't post a pattern. For one thing my rev rate makes variances in ball reaction larger, but just like "Stairway to Heaven", no pattern would make me wonder. At the very least, I want to know length, volume, surface, condition and age of installation before I decide to go. Had some really terrible experiences over the years from not knowing these things. Even went to a tournament recently where knowing them, I shouldn't have bowled, but wanted to support the event. So I did and missed the cut for the first time ever there. My concerns were confirmed and the RHS was unplayable if you covered more than a few boards.

Cheers,
Jason

 

[resurgence_amf]

i think you should just be able to get your eye in on the pattern during the practice that you get before the games you will be playing

 

[CHIN]

With the few tournaments I do go to these days. I find it funny the amount of times you hear "thats not the way the lanes should be according to the pattern posted" or "thats not the pattern they posted" or "they must have changed the pattern"

 

[jason_doust]

i think you should just be able to get your eye in on the pattern during the practice that you get before the games you will be playing

I think you should too. Trouble is, you could discover that you've packed the wrong gear in that few minutes. Especially if you throw more ball and see a larger differential in reaction than most. Those days are over. No pattern, no entry from me!

With the few tournaments I do go to these days. I find it funny the amount of times you hear "thats not the way the lanes should be according to the pattern posted" or "thats not the pattern they posted" or "they must have changed the pattern"

So true Rob. A good example would be MTC in 2010. The panels at Narre Warren were the victim of 10:1 lane blocking for decades and the outside 9 boards did a very good approximation of the "frictionless surface" my Physics Teacher referred to so often. The texture coat was simply worn off, as it had been left unprotected by decades of poor management. Once you lay a 3:1 on that, it plays like 1:3, as the outside 9 boards may as well slope toward the gutter.

The lane surface is not a blank canvas. It has a texture of it's own and is the single biggest factor in how a house will play, all other things being in moderation. Anyone on the RHS at Tuggeranong in December would have experienced a similar joy. 12 years of super-easy league lanes has all but destroyed the RHS. It's no good for anything else now. Just wall 'em up, they're stuffed.