Bowling Lane Adjusting From Pair To Pair

By: bowlingball.com, 6/28/16

If you are a tournament bowler, you are challenged with bowling lane adjusting from pair to pair of lanes. Quick decisions and proper adjustments are keys to success when competing in tournaments and rotating to a new pair of lanes after each game.

Any experienced tournament player knows that typically end pairs of lanes can cause a very different ball reaction than do middle pairs in the bowling center.

End pairs can be matched more evenly in some cases than are pairs near the middle portion of the bowling center.

Fewer games per lane bed will create less wear on the topography of the lane surface and generally result in a longer bowling ball skid distance compared to lanes where the front ends are worn from excessive surface friction created by high linage.

When changing pairs during a tournament, it is important to make a good shot each of the first two frames so you can read the lanes and make sensible adjustments, if needed, in following frames.

When moving to a new pair of lanes, try and observe how other bowlers are playing the pair of lanes if they have yet to finish their games prior to you getting started on the same pair.

Watch where they may be aligned on the approach and where their ball crosses at the bowling arrows in comparison to where you played the previous pair.

After a couple of games, you will easily notice how these players adjust which can tip you off to what you might expect when you start the next game.

This is not a foolproof method of getting advanced information but keeping a keen eye open can make a difference in your final scores if you can avoid open frames.

It can be quite evident an adjustment is required if a lane hooks a good deal more than your previous pair or is much tighter in the heads just by watching other bowlers deliver a strike shot.

When beginning a new game on a new pair of lanes, pay attention closely to your ball reaction in the mid-lane and watch your ball carefully travel down each lane.

Making a good adjustment is a matter of basing your trust in your ability to deliver a good shot and then make the specific type of adjustment needed to hit the pocket the next shot you make on the given lane.

You will observe a noticeable variation in how the lanes react as you cross pairs in competition.

There are various reasons why each lane can react differently than other lanes, than other pairs of lanes.

Although the lane machines are set to apply the same oil pattern on each lane using the same volume of oil for the same distances of application, there could be variations in the surface topography of each lane causing skid distance variations.

Temperature and humidity can cause pairs of lanes to vary between the center portion of lanes compared to end pairs.

In many cases, there are not double entry doors at the side entrances to given bowling centers. The lanes, therefore, can be directly exposed to dirt, sand, or moisture from the doors opening and closing frequently by center patrons entering or exiting the building during your competitive sessions.

Typically, high humidity causes a greater amount of lane surface friction than does low humidity. High friction produces less skid distance than does low surface friction.

Since the game largely has become one of friction match-ups between the lane surface and your bowling ball surfaces, it is critical you watch your ball react in the mid-lane when moving to new pairs during competition.



Trust your judgement if you made acceptable shots the first frames of a new pair of lanes. Try to avoid adjusting to poor shots but rather make an adjustment based off of good shots whenever possible.

Trusting what you see and making decisions when and how to adjust is critical to any tournament player’s success.

Adjusting successfully to each pair where you bowl requires concentration, full focus on making good shots, and watching your ball roll the entire distance of the lane.

You must assess the overall ball motion and implement an adjustment from your “bag of tricks” with an objective of hitting the pocket as often as possible.

Make good shots, adjust bowling from pair to pair as needed, and enjoy the benefit of a successful competition.