Ringin' in the New Year with Synthetic Lanes!

[hammeredinkansas]

After 700 years of wood, we're finally getting up to speed with synth. Bad thing is, they're doing it this month! We just started the 2nd half of the league, and BOOM, new lanes. Should be a challenge. My question for my Hammerhead friends is, what do I have to look forward to? I've heard synthetic lanes are slicker, yet more consistent than wood. For those who have gone through a similar change, or those who bowl two houses, one with wood, one with synth, what will be my major adjustment? Thanks in advance!

[jedi47]

The most noticeable difference I've observed is,,,,,,, on synthetic the oil moves around more without drying out so much and on wood the oil tends to dry out more and move around less.
I've also noticed that the migrating oil affects the players who play the inside out lines more during the course of a league session than those of us who play a down & in line.

[jman69]

I will not have to experience the change. The house I bowl league in was just built in the summer of 06 so I will have the same lanes for a long time to come.

[grayfin68]

After 700 years of wood, we're finally getting up to speed with synth. Bad thing is, they're doing it this month! We just started the 2nd half of the league, and BOOM, new lanes. Should be a challenge. My question for my Hammerhead friends is, what do I have to look forward to? I've heard synthetic lanes are slicker, yet more consistent than wood. For those who have gone through a similar change, or those who bowl two houses, one with wood, one with synth, what will be my major adjustment? Thanks in advance!

I think it depends on your style. I think a cranker may have more problems adjusting than a stroker or a tweener.

Personally, it is not a huge difference to me either way. My line doesn't change much from wood to synthetic and the only differences IMO are in between league nights when the lanes don't get oiled. Synthetic doesn't absorb oil, so it tends to get pushed down the lanes, where wood absorbs the oil and dries out.

[hammeredinkansas]

Sounds like, as a stroker, it'll be easier for me to adjust than my cranker friends. Can't wait to give it a shot. We're not only getting new lanes, but new seating and scoring system as well (the old scoring system was terrible...the touchscreens never worked right).

[jman69]

I am a cranker as you may know but I can also throw a stroker style as well. When I decide to throw with the stroker style it is much easier to adjust to lane conditions. It does not make too much of a difference if there is a little oil or a fair amount of oil, I can play the line fairly easy. I should be easy for you to transition between the wood to the synthetic. Sounds like it will be a good renovation though with the new seating and everything.

GOOD LUCK:cool:

[Longrodder]

I bowl on both each week. The single biggest difference to me also is the fact that on synthetic...the oil will get thrown around. I can adjust better on wood. I seem to take two full frames to adjust to changes on synthetic...but that may just be me. Steve