Lane Statistics

The Pindeck

This diagram of the pindeck is pretty much self explanatory. There are 12 inches from spot to spot, and 20.75 inches between a sleeper (1 & 5 pins, 2 & 8 pins or 3 & 9 pins). There are 36 inches between the headpin and the tenpin spots. From the centre of the headpin spot to the back of the pindeck measures 34.1875 inches. These are the basic measurements of a pindeck.

Angle of Entry

If a right handed hook bowler makes the perfect shot into the 1-3 pocket, their ball should only contact four pins being the 1,3,5 and 9 pins (shown opposite), we call this the angle of entry. If this happens, it should create the perfect strike where all the pins are swept off the pindeck leaving no pins visible. For a left handed bowler, their ball should contact the 1,2,5 and 8 pins.

The Lane

A bowling lane consists of 39 boards and measures 42 inches wide. It is 60 feet from the foul line to the head pin, with another 15 feet making up the approach area.

On the lane there are 7 arrows, these are locate 15 feet down the lane from the foul line. The arrows are situated on boards 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 and are referred to as 1st, 2nd, 3rd arrow etc, 4th arrow being in the centre. You can count these arrows from left to right if you're left handed and right to left if you're right handed.

On the approach, you will notice that there are 7 dots at the foul line, and two other sets of 5 or 7 dots. The two other sets of dots (usually 5 each set), are located 12 and 15 feet from the foul line. These dots correspond with the arrows on the lane, being located on boards 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. These dots are there to help bowlers line up for their shot.

Generally, when a bowler releases the ball the point at which the ball contacts the lane is 7 boards from the inside of the shoe (this is a general rule and does not apply to everyone). If a bowler walks in a straight line up the lane without drifting, and wants to play the ball straight up 2nd arrow or board 10, standing on board 17 should help them accomplish this.

Oiling patterns and Lane Conditions

Did you know that a 16lb bowling ball can hit the lane with a force of over 2000lb per square inch? Just think of the amount of friction there would be between the ball and the lane. That is the main reason oil is placed on the lanes, to protect them from all the wear and tear that would be caused. This oil can be placed on the lanes in different ways, which are known as "oiling patterns".

Oil is usually only placed on the first two thirds of the lane nearest the bowler. This prevents the ball carrying significant quantities of oil into the pinsetting machinery and causing breakdowns. For example, if the machinery gets too wet it may be impossible for it to return balls to the bowlers.

Generally, you will find that bowling centres place more oil in the middle of the lane as the majority of bowlers play straight down the middle. This compensates both for the fact that oil moves when balls are rolled through it and because oil is picked up by the balls themselves. Over a period of a few hours therefore, the quantity of oil reduces.

As there is no oil at the back end of the lane (and usually less oil at the sides of the lane too) there is increased friction between the ball and the lane. This friction allows a hooked ball to grab hold of the lane and turn into the pins as opposed to skidding past. In effect hook bowling has adapted to take advantage of lane preservation techniques.

There are many different possible oiling patterns. Each centre and mechanic have their own ways of dressing the lanes and in many ways this is what makes bowling in different centres interesting. One of the greatest challenges for a good bowler is to learn to adapt to the different conditions.

For example you can have flat oil, blocks, reverse blocks, top hats and Christmas trees.

Flat Oil

Flat oil is simple, it is an equal amount of oil across the entire width of the lane.

Blocks and reverse blocks (top hats)

A block pattern is very simple. It is where there is more oil in the middle of the lane, with less on the outside boards. This can also be known as a "wall", where a wall of friction is created on the outside boards. For a hook bowler this is usually a very high scoring pattern. The hook bowler will place their ball on the lane where there is oil, angling it out to the edge boards where the friction increases and allows the ball to "turn over" and hook into the pins (hopefully into the pocket).

A block can also be known as a top hat. The reason being that if you were to take a cross section of the lane, the oil would look like a top hat.

A reverse block is exactly how it sounds, it is where there is more oil on the outside boards and less in the middle part of the lane.

A reverse block is usually created by straight bowlers playing down the middle of the lane and "stripping" or "drying" out the oil. It is a very hard condition to play on and every hook bowler's nightmare.

Christmas Trees

The Christmas tree condition is thought to be the fairest possible condition. The oil starts at each side of the lane and goes into a point further down the lane, creating a triangle resembling a Christmas tree. This condition caters for all styles. It allows the big hook bowler or cranker to move deep into the middle of the lane and swing the ball out to the edge of the lane where there will be more friction. At the same time, this condition allows a lesser hook bowler or stroker to play up the edge of the lane.

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