Oil Pattern Meaning in Bowling

An oil pattern is the specific way that lubricant is distributed across the surface of the bowling lane. Some patterns have heavy oil in the middle and less on the edges to help the ball stay on the path. Different patterns can make the game much harder or easier depending on how they affect the ball’s hook. Therefore professional bowlers must learn to read the oil pattern to decide where to aim their throw. For example the difficult oil pattern caused his ball to slide much further than he originally expected. An oil pattern is the invisible layout of lubricant on a lane that dictates ball movement. The difficult oil pattern caused his ball to slide much further than he originally expected.