LANE CONDITIONING

Testing continues in several areas regarding the measurement and application of lane conditioner (commonly referred to as “oil”), which is the liquid applied to wood and synthetic lanes. Lane oil has two purposes: to protect the bowling surface and affect the difficulty level of the game, depending on how it is applied.

USBC is studying different technologies to measure lane dressing. Currently the amount and placement of oil on a lane is measured with tape that absorbs the oil and which is read by a computer analyzer. USBC continues to work with ENSCO, Inc. to develop a tapeless lane oil analyzer and reader system. In addition, USBC is working with another company to develop a device that measures the amount and location of friction on a lane. The amount of friction between a bowling ball and the lane surface dictates how much the ball will hook. The more oil there is on a lane, the less friction. This causes a bowling ball to skid, much like a car tire on an icy road.

USBC also is considering changing the description of oil application from “units” to ratios and establishing a ratio-based lane dressing specification for USBC standard level competition by the end of the 2007-08 season. Currently, USBC rules require that at least three units of oil be applied to each board of a bowling lane to constitute certified competition. The amount of oil on a lane typically is expressed as a ratio comparing how much oil is applied to the inside boards (approximately between the second arrows on each side of the lane) to the amount of oil laid down on the outside boards (the channel to around board No. 10 on each side of the lane). For example, a lane condition with a 10:1 ratio means that there is 10 times as much oil in the middle of the lane than on the outside. The way in which oil is applied to a lane changes the difficulty level in bowling and is typically called an “oil pattern.”

“Changing our terminology system to incorporate ratios to describe oil measurement and patterns may be more accurate and understandable,” Stremmel said.

Multiple levels of play

Regarding lane conditions in a general sense, USBC endorses the concept of multiple levels of play in bowling. The sport can take place as a recreation and on lane conditions in USBC-certified competition that allow for high and low scoring paces.

For example, standard USBC leagues often have lane conditions with as much as a 20:1 oil ratio which can result in a high scoring pace as the extreme differences in friction on the lane act to artificially steer bowling balls to the pocket. Lane conditions in USBC Sport Bowling events – which include most of today’s premier bowling tournaments, including all four of the Professional Bowlers Association majors – are at most a 3:1 ratio. This can result in a more challenging scoring environment because the absence of extreme differences in friction areas on the lane virtually negates the steering effect on the ball. 

“Multiple levels of the sport don't diminish credibility,” said USBC Chief Executive Officer Roger Dalkin. “They only define the type of competition. It is okay to have different levels such as Sport, standard and bumper bowling.”