PBA Patterns vs. League Conditions: What’s the Difference?

Written By: Keith Spear and Christine Neff | Written On: Friday, May 23, 2008 | Updated On: Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Differences Between Bowling on a League House Condition and a PBA Pattern

Bowling on a league house condition and bowling on a Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) pattern offer vastly different experiences, largely due to the oil pattern applied on the lane. These oil patterns directly affect how the bowling ball moves and how players must adjust their strategies. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

1. Oil Pattern Length and Distribution

House Pattern: The typical house oil pattern, also known as a "house shot," is designed to be more forgiving. The oil is applied heavily in the middle of the lane and lighter on the outside. This creates a "dry" area near the gutters, which helps the ball hook back toward the pins if it drifts wide, giving casual and league bowlers a larger margin for error. The length of a house pattern is usually around 38-42 feet.

PBA Pattern: PBA patterns, on the other hand, are much more challenging. The oil is often applied more evenly across the lane, making it harder to find a consistent hook. The oil can be applied shorter (as little as 32 feet) or longer (up to 52 feet), which requires bowlers to adapt their speed, angle, and release to handle varying conditions. The PBA also has multiple specific patterns (like the Shark, Cheetah, or Chameleon), each with its own characteristics that challenge different skills.

2. Hook Potential and Forgiveness

House Pattern: Due to the heavy oil in the center and dry areas on the outside, house patterns allow for more hook and greater forgiveness. If a bowler misses their mark to the right, the ball will often hook back toward the pocket thanks to the dry areas outside the oil. This creates a larger target area and rewards even slight inaccuracies.

PBA Pattern: PBA patterns are much less forgiving. With more uniform oil distribution, bowlers must hit precise spots to achieve a consistent ball reaction. Missing a board or two can result in the ball either sliding too far or hooking too early, leading to splits or missed pins. The need for accuracy is significantly higher, and poor shots are more likely to be penalized.

3. Shot Strategy and Adjustments

House Pattern: Bowlers on a house shot often use strategies that rely on the natural hook provided by the dry area outside the oil. A strong release combined with a medium or reactive bowling ball will usually give good results. Adjustments during league play are typically minor, as the pattern doesn’t break down as quickly or drastically.

PBA Pattern: On PBA patterns, bowlers must be ready to make constant adjustments. As the oil breaks down and moves, bowlers may need to change balls, move their feet, or adjust their release to maintain a consistent line to the pocket. More advanced skills, such as controlling rev rates and manipulating ball speed, are essential to succeed.

4. Experience Level and Skill Requirement

House Pattern: A house pattern is designed to cater to a wide range of skill levels. It is easier for casual and league bowlers to score well because of the larger margin for error. Bowlers with less experience can often find success due to the predictable hook provided by the lane conditions.

PBA Pattern: PBA patterns require a higher level of skill. These patterns are designed to challenge professional bowlers, who must use their knowledge of lane play, ball selection, and technical adjustments to navigate the varying oil conditions. Consistency and precision are key to performing well on a PBA pattern.

In summary, bowling on a house condition is more forgiving and designed for recreational and league players, while bowling on a PBA pattern demands more accuracy, adaptability, and skill. The challenges of PBA patterns push bowlers to think strategically and constantly adjust to changing lane conditions.

  

Here is an article written by Christine Neff about the Dorin-Ballards concerning lane conditions.

The terms Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion, and Shark may seem more at home at an exotic pet store than a bowling alley. But to professional bowlers, those words can make a world of difference in how they approach their game.

The terms refer to lane conditions used by the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). They describe, in increasing order of difficulty, the length and pattern of oils used to condition the wooden lanes.

Last week, two stars of the PBA stopped by Brunswick Blue Hen Lanes in Newark to teach local bowlers about these different conditions and offer pointers on how to improve their skills.

"We're trying to educate and give back to league bowlers," said Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, a top female bowler from Texas, who was recently elected to the U.S. Bowling Congress Hall of Fame.

Those involved with the sport, she said, have been trying to change stereotypes about it, emphasizing its family nature and the athleticism it demands.

On that mission, she and her husband, Del Ballard, have visited bowling centers around the country to share their knowledge and passion about bowling with amateur players.

Del, who entered the PBA Tour as a teenager and won numerous titles since then, said he has no problem with what he calls the "Al Bundy leagues" of bowling - people who play for recreation and camaraderie.

But he wants to show average bowlers the difference between their game and what the pros face. Only in bowling, he pointed out, can an amateur athlete achieve the same score as a professional (300 is a perfect game).

"People bowl 300 all the time in leagues, but you never hear that in other sports," he said. "You never see golfers saying they're as good as Tiger Woods."

The difference in bowling comes down to lane conditions. A league player bowling in the high 200s on the "house pattern" may lose between 35 and 50 pins when shooting on PBA patterns, he said.

"The reason why we're here is to make this as enjoyable as possible, so players can learn the game of bowling the way it's supposed to be played," he said.

At the workshop, Del and Carolyn demonstrated how they approach different lane conditions and adjust their timing and equipment to get better results. Then, they gave local players a chance to try their hand at it, offering tips along the way.

At one point, Carolyn held up a kitchen scrub pad - a favorite tool of hers. "We're going to put some teeth on your bowling ball," she said.