tonx
New Member
We have been bowling on the PBA shark pattern at Oztenpin EPPING PBA super singles league for the last 3 weeks, with next week to be the last week on the pattern. The PBA Shark Pattern is the highest quantity of oil, and is the longest regularly used pattern of the Dennys PBA tour.
The key to this pattern, as with all of the PBA patterns is to play the correct part of the lane, the correct way. Depending on the types of bowlers you are paired with on the day, the surface attributes of the lane, and the condition of the lane machine, the PBA shark pattern will play 1 of 2 typical lines.
The first line is as it is designed to play on tour. Very low ball speed, strong rotation and roll, and a deep inside line are the typical attributes of the longer, oilier pattern. Most bowlers like to use HIGH response to friction bowling balls with a little surface, and medium to long Pin to pap placements from these angles, as having enough backend to carry the corners is crutial.
A bowler should have alot of tilt if they want to play this line with the best success.
As there are alot of bowlers out there with no where near the hand of the Worlds best (PBA) bowlers, some straighter type bowlers (or higher rev bowlers who can adjust their roll
) have had good success with playing a tight line down 10 board, varying loft and ball surface to stay in play. This gives these bowlers the ability to completely blow past the headpin, yet leave something they are able to spare on a regular basis. These bowlers use a lower grit surface than the higher rev bowlers playing inside.Bowlers who can reduce the amount of tilt from this angle, and produce a small hook set ball motion will score the best from this angle.
Asymmetrical bowling balls with the right layouts will score very well if the bowler matches up the ball to the lane correctly.
The other factor to take into account, is if a bowler who is playing the down 10 line does so for a full game or so, and is reasonably consistent, the scoring pace for those playing the first line will sky rocket. The straighter bowlers playing down 10 will open up a hole in the pattern, giving the bowler the ability to string lots of strikes. Being patient on this pattern and making every spare is a key to throwing great scores.
Typical bowling balls from various brands that will generally score ok on this pattern on a consistent basis. Other balls will work well, but this should give a good guideline as to the type of ball you should be looking to use on these patterns
Ebonite:
Total NV
Overtime
Sr300
Gamebreaker
Visionary:
AMB Particle
Ogre Solid
Frankie May Gryphon
Immortal Solid
Lanemasters Legends:
World Class Particle
Columbia:
Big Shot
EPX T1
Wrath XP
Storm:
T-Road Solid
Secret Agent
Special Agent
Shift
Hammer:
Black Widow Solid
Raw Hammer Anger
No Mercy Beatn
Brunswick:
Scorchin Inferno
Fury
Strike Zone (or dulled Red Zone)
There is only 1 bowler averaging over 210 on the pattern so far, and are only 2 bowlers in the entire league that are averaging over 200, with one other almost there. There is also one bowler (sorry Graham) that seemed to have paid the price for not being on top of their game for 1 week who started with a 208 average, and last week just managed to shoot 600 for 4 games!
I know Chris Mesagno is running a sports bowling clinic on this pattern the day before the next sports series, so if you are looking at maximising your scoring potential, or taking your game to the next level, I would suggest you get in contact with him on here (username - Steriod) or feel free to contact me, and ill pass on your details!
Experiencing these patterns really shows you where your game is at, and truely does give a stronger appreciation on how good the Professionals are!
See you on the 26th of August!
