| The average person may know what a bowling | | | | ball at a different speed or angle. |
| lane looks like, but chances are that they | | | | |
| don't know much about how bowling lanes | | | | One reason one bowling lane will react |
| actually work. Bowling lanes all react | | | | differently from another is that a proprietor |
| differently depending on a number of factors. | | | | of one bowling alley may choose to use a |
| | | | different amount or brand of oil than a |
| Let us begin by examining some of the | | | | proprietor of another bowling alley. |
| regulations for average bowling lanes. Each | | | | Therefore, a lane at one alley will react |
| lane must be about 63 feet and 11 inches long | | | | differently than a lane at another alley. |
| from the foul lane to the "pit", which is the | | | | |
| area just behind the pins. Also, the distance | | | | Another reason for the varied effect of oil |
| from the foul line to the first, or "head", | | | | on a bowling lane is simply the amount of use |
| pin has to be 60 feet. Additionally, all | | | | between oiling. Depending on what time of day |
| lanes have to have a smooth surface. Aside | | | | the lanes are oiled, as well as how many |
| from these and a few other standard facts, | | | | players have used a lane on a particular day, |
| bowling lanes are completely individual. | | | | there can be major changes in how the ball |
| | | | reacts to the state of the lane. |
| Due to the fact that bowling balls can hit | | | | |
| the bowling lane with an incredible amount of | | | | Also, a single bowler may notice a distinct |
| force, a lot of oil is used to try to protect | | | | difference in the way the lane works as his |
| the lanes from damage. Oil is a big factor in | | | | game progresses. This is due, in large part, |
| making each lane as individual as a pebble on | | | | to most bowlers preferring to bowl in a |
| a beach. There are several reasons for that. | | | | certain area. Some throw the ball on the |
| | | | right, some the left and some down the |
| One reason is that a good bowling alley | | | | middle. As these bowlers bowl, they wear oil |
| proprietor will keep an eye on the use of | | | | off of the lane entirely, or move it around. |
| each individual bowling lane. They will then | | | | The result is a change in the direction and |
| oil that lane appropriately. Based on wear | | | | speed that the ball rolls. |
| and tear, each individual lane receives oil | | | | |
| in different areas. Some lanes have more oil | | | | A good bowler is one who uses his first few |
| in the middle, while others may have more oil | | | | shots to size up his particular bowling lane |
| to one side. This is a major reason why your | | | | and then adjusts his stance and swing |
| ball may seem to have a mind of its own | | | | accordingly throughout the game. Do not allow |
| during certain games. If you know and | | | | yourself to get stuck in an endless string of |
| understand this fact, sometimes you can | | | | gutter balls. Know your bowling lane! |
| compensate for it by releasing your bowling | | | | |