The PBA Oil Patterns

The "PBA Experience League" is giving amateurs a chance to test and measure their skills against the same oil patterns as the touring pros. You will probably hear more and more bowlers talking about them as time goes on. Here's a quick review of the five PBA oil patterns. Even if you never bowl on them, at least you'll know their names.

In my research, I haven't found any explanation as to why the patterns are named the way they are. Let's just say that they are named appropriately and leave it at that. Their names are, "Chameleon," "Cheetah," "Scorpion," "Shark," and "Viper." I guess once you've bowled on them, you can make your own comparisons to the name that is given to each one.

First, the "chameleon" oil is laid for 39 feet down the lane and is "layered" onto the surface similar to the commonly known, "Christmas Tree" pattern. It is one of the two heaviest oil conditions. The pros rate the scoring potential of this pattern as being low to medium. Us regular folk would probably rate this as, "tough."

Second is the "cheetah." Oil is down for 35 feet with the outside part of the lane being dry. Comparably speaking, the typical, regular "house shot" tends to be driest on the outside part of the lane just as this pattern is. This is the highest scoring condition for the pros.

Third, with oil down to 41 feet, the "scorpion" is sort of like the chameleon but not as layered. The heavier volume of oil for this pattern demands a more direct line to the pocket with the scoring rating being low to medium. A bowler will have to make sure that their ball will get through the heavier oil and still be able to hit the pins with force enough to carry the pins. This shot will sting you.

Fourth, the "shark" is the longest and deepest pattern just like the sea predator that can get to very deep parts of the ocean. It is the longest oil at 44 feet down the lane. The oil, however, is lighter in the middle part of the lane and then from about 10 feet down, begins to get heavier application of oil on the outside part of the lane. It is the reverse of the chameleon or the scorpion and is said to be medium to high scoring.

Fifth, and for now, the last of the shots is the "viper." This pattern has heavy oil from the left 7-board to the right 7-board for 10 feet down the lane; light oil from the left gutter to the left 7-board and right gutter to the right 7-board from 10 feet to 30 feet down the lane; the heavier oil again from 30 to 37 feet. This is rated as a medium scoring pace.

As our sport of bowling begins to have more people who want tighter scoring conditions, you will begin to see these conditions more often. Every bowler, if they are even the least bit serious about improving their game, should join some form of "modified shot" bowling league. I highly recommend it from the standpoint of learning to bowl under different conditions and making them a higher average bowler when going back to bowling under normal conditions. While your average will definitely be lower than what you're used to, the benefits of this learning experience will far outweigh the temporary low scores.

A Hui Hou!