What has more impact: oil or lane material?

[30 Clean]

At our league kick-off meeting last night we were told the house is switching from wood to synthetic lanes before the league starts in 2 weeks. This got a discussion going. Many of the members believe the new lanes will cause league averages to go up significantly. I disagreed. My reasoning: the house is very inconsistent with oiling the lanes. Sometimes light oil. Sometimes heavier oil. Inside shot one week; outside the next. So, my argument is the oil pattern has much more impact than lane material.

It actually was funny at how many people said they would have to get new balls before the league started because they either wanted more hook or less hook. I'm thinking, why don't you wait and see how the lanes are before dropping money on a new ball. Roll for a few weeks; see how you do; and then if you think you need a new ball, ask for one for Christmas. That's my plan. :D

So, I was just wondering what others think. What has more impact: oil or lane material.

[Sabotage]

no ths every week? nice

[Lonewolf300800]

once thing you'll notice with the synthetic lanes is the oil will move less than on the wood lanes and the shot will hold up longer, typically. now are they installing a synthetic overlay over the entire lane or just a portion of the lane? an older center here where i live had wooden lanes and just had a Guardian synthetic overlay put down on the first 22' of the lane several years ago, leaving the rest the original wood surface. very perlexing to bowl on at times. and i agree with your thinking that the bowlers in your center should roll on the new surface for a few weeks to see how their equipment works before dropping money down on new equipment. one other advantage to synthetic lane surfaces, at least for me, is that it makes cleaning your bowling balls easier after each league session; and also, there's extremely less wear and tear on your bowling balls than on wooden lanes, thus extending their lifespan...if cleaned appropriately, of course.

[BubbaRay]

Synthetic lanes have continued to grow in popularity and new bowling centers select synthetic over wood lanes. Synthetic lanes are known for having a consistent shot from lane to lane over wood lanes. Wood lanes are more susceptible to the wear and tear . They are known for having unequal wear across lanes and thereby resulting in different results, even when the same shot is used.

[bluerrpilot]

Tell them that they ought to be thankfull. Synthetics dont tear up your equipment as much as wood does.

[30 Clean]

Sabotage: Nope, no THS. But then again, maybe there will be now that they're going synthetic.

Lonewolf: Wasn't told whether it's the whole lane or part. Interesting question tho. I'm going to see about that.

[Lonewolf300800]

let us know what you find out about the full or partial synthetic overlay on the lanes as each will play differently