BubbaRay
09-08-2007, 03:12 PM
I thought I would put this Thread up because I see more and more of you trying PBA Experience Leagues and patterns. Some of this info comes from DENNIS BERGENDORF: So Here we go . ENJOY and I hope this helps you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first thing to remember is that, while a first cousin to Sport Bowling, the PBA Experience won’t be Sport Bowling as we’ve come to expect. The oil ratio will be a (slightly) more forgiving 3:1, meaning you’ll probably be able to “chase” the hold inward, if that’s your game.
Another key is to pay attention to what the guys around you are doing, and play accordingly. If several bowlers are tracking within a board or two of one another (with similar break points), that area will quickly burn in, giving you a reaction spot. The advice from the big boys: use it. By the same token, you’ll all be burning oil from the heads. That means a straighter player who has to lay the ball down to the right of the twisters will be in what’s called the “wedge” (the triangle of drier boards). You’ll probably need a ball that’s very clean through the heads — one that still has some pop on the backend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patterns, and how right-handed pros play them:
CHEETHA At 35’, the shortest, and the only one that forces virtually everyone outside. Ebonite Tour rep says his staff tends to use medium to strong-reacting balls, with strong layouts (pins and mass biases right of the holes), which causes the ball to burn up and stop. But the strong outside angle makes up for any roll-out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIPER] : It’s considered the most versatile pattern on Tour. Those extra 2' allow some down-lane hold, with enough dry to give the straighter balls plenty of reaction. They suggest
you have to have equipment that comes off the pattern cleanly. They
recommend medium to strong balls drilled pin-down medium to weak layouts (5-6” pin), to get the ball rolling early for a controlled break.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMELEON They
call this the “magical pattern,” because its 39-foot length is the point where most balls start their break point. The length can help by providing some down-lane hold... or hurt, by causing the ball to squirt just enough to cause weak 10s and 2-8s. How Chameleon plays depends a lot on lane surface. Some of the newer synthetics are tighter by nature (forcing the bowler to stay outside 10-board) while overlays like Lane Shield tend to hook more (allowing the bowler to chase the oil inside).
Ball selection is critical. Too strong a combination will get the ball around the oil, but will burn up. A lot of pros use polished covers and medium layouts (with strong mass biases).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCORPION This has been
the toughest pattern for the pros. It’s because its carry-down can “fake you out.” Almost everyone starts outside, burns a hole, then moves deeper. But the carry-down causes an inconsistent break. When moving left, bowlers should be a little softer to get the ball around the oil. Stronger layouts are recommended, but with less surface.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARK
With 44 feet of oil between them and the break point, the pros have learned that they have to burn in a shot before they can score. The suggestion is to
scuff the daylights out of their equipment. Then youcan move left, play the oil line, and get the ball to make the turn. The straighties are in trouble on this pattern. Even Duke and Deadeye will be inside, coming around the ball. players liketo be a bit slower on this shot, giving the ball plenty of time to hook.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR LEFTIES: This guide assumes that a given pair will have the normal ratio of right to left-handed bowlers. With more lefties, the transitions on the right will be less-pronounced. It also means that some of what was written for the righties will apply on the left.
However, with only one or two lefties on a pair, that side won’t transition as much. The recommendation isthe left-hander play the lane in his/her normal way, watching the reaction coming out of the pattern, and changing equipment accordingly. And have patience. Burn in a shot, and have a few boards of area late in the session.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first thing to remember is that, while a first cousin to Sport Bowling, the PBA Experience won’t be Sport Bowling as we’ve come to expect. The oil ratio will be a (slightly) more forgiving 3:1, meaning you’ll probably be able to “chase” the hold inward, if that’s your game.
Another key is to pay attention to what the guys around you are doing, and play accordingly. If several bowlers are tracking within a board or two of one another (with similar break points), that area will quickly burn in, giving you a reaction spot. The advice from the big boys: use it. By the same token, you’ll all be burning oil from the heads. That means a straighter player who has to lay the ball down to the right of the twisters will be in what’s called the “wedge” (the triangle of drier boards). You’ll probably need a ball that’s very clean through the heads — one that still has some pop on the backend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patterns, and how right-handed pros play them:
CHEETHA At 35’, the shortest, and the only one that forces virtually everyone outside. Ebonite Tour rep says his staff tends to use medium to strong-reacting balls, with strong layouts (pins and mass biases right of the holes), which causes the ball to burn up and stop. But the strong outside angle makes up for any roll-out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIPER] : It’s considered the most versatile pattern on Tour. Those extra 2' allow some down-lane hold, with enough dry to give the straighter balls plenty of reaction. They suggest
you have to have equipment that comes off the pattern cleanly. They
recommend medium to strong balls drilled pin-down medium to weak layouts (5-6” pin), to get the ball rolling early for a controlled break.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAMELEON They
call this the “magical pattern,” because its 39-foot length is the point where most balls start their break point. The length can help by providing some down-lane hold... or hurt, by causing the ball to squirt just enough to cause weak 10s and 2-8s. How Chameleon plays depends a lot on lane surface. Some of the newer synthetics are tighter by nature (forcing the bowler to stay outside 10-board) while overlays like Lane Shield tend to hook more (allowing the bowler to chase the oil inside).
Ball selection is critical. Too strong a combination will get the ball around the oil, but will burn up. A lot of pros use polished covers and medium layouts (with strong mass biases).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCORPION This has been
the toughest pattern for the pros. It’s because its carry-down can “fake you out.” Almost everyone starts outside, burns a hole, then moves deeper. But the carry-down causes an inconsistent break. When moving left, bowlers should be a little softer to get the ball around the oil. Stronger layouts are recommended, but with less surface.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARK
With 44 feet of oil between them and the break point, the pros have learned that they have to burn in a shot before they can score. The suggestion is to
scuff the daylights out of their equipment. Then youcan move left, play the oil line, and get the ball to make the turn. The straighties are in trouble on this pattern. Even Duke and Deadeye will be inside, coming around the ball. players liketo be a bit slower on this shot, giving the ball plenty of time to hook.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR LEFTIES: This guide assumes that a given pair will have the normal ratio of right to left-handed bowlers. With more lefties, the transitions on the right will be less-pronounced. It also means that some of what was written for the righties will apply on the left.
However, with only one or two lefties on a pair, that side won’t transition as much. The recommendation isthe left-hander play the lane in his/her normal way, watching the reaction coming out of the pattern, and changing equipment accordingly. And have patience. Burn in a shot, and have a few boards of area late in the session.