When you go bowling, the tiniest characteristics of your bowling lane can affect your performance and scoring rate. Every lane is coated in oil, which dramatically affects the movement of your ball. Understanding how the oil on bowling lanes work can help you account for the way it’ll affect your throw and give you a way to work around it. Here is everything you need to know about oiled lanes.

Why Oil Is Used on Bowling Alley Lanes

Oil was originally applied to bowling lanes to protect the wood from scuffs and scratches from thrown balls. Surface imperfections can slow or change a ball’s direction, so oil created an even coat to both prevent damage and help balls roll more smoothly.

It quickly became apparent that balls moved differently on oiled surfaces, which reduced friction and ball spinning for an easier roll. In many alleys, oil started being applied more heavily at the center than the sides of the lanes to create more dramatic spins when the ball is at the fringe of the lane, also known as a "house pattern."

Bowling competitions tend to use a "sport pattern," which adds more oil to the outer sides of the lane, reducing the permitted margin of error and making it easier for the ball to slide into the gutter.

How to Use This to Your Advantage

To decide exactly where to aim, find the length of the oil pattern at your alley, which is usually around 40 feet. Then subtract 31. The resulting number, which in this example is 9, is the board your ball should be on when it exits the oil pattern and hooks toward the center.

When you're ready to put your knowledge of oil patterns to the test on a bowling lane, visit South Lanes Pizza in La Crosse, WI. As the area’s most popular spot for bowling and pizza, they're happy to help you improve your game, whether it’d be just for fun or to participate in their bowling league. View their daily deals online or call (608) 788-0830 to speak to a team member.