“Are bowling lanes flat?” is a question that popped up very recently in one of the bowling forums we are members of. Despite years of experience in bowling, we never actually stopped to take a good, long look at whether bowling lanes are actually flat.
Here, we’ll take a look at whether or not bowling lanes are flat. We will also be sharing a handful of interesting information regarding the design and layout decisions behind the modern-day bowling lane.
If you would like to learn more, continue reading!
A Detailed Explanation
Under a perfect set of circumstances, all bowling lanes should be perfectly flat from the starting point to the end point. However, reality dictates that nothing can be absolutely perfect.
USBC actually has guidelines that have established the legal specifications for the construction and design of bowling ball lanes. Among the guidelines established, the most relevant specification is for bowling lanes to not have 40/100” cross tilt or lengthwise tilt for every 3 feet and 6 inches. In other words, this specification simply establishes the legally allowable range within which a bowling lane could be certified for use in tournaments or official competitions.
To determine whether or not a bowling lane meets the minimum specifications in accordance with USBC guidelines, a device similar to an engineering level is utilized, which is essentially a tool that determines the angle of tilt of a particular surface or area.
In a study conducted a few years ago, it was discovered that there were a lot of bowling alleys (or bowling centers) that had bowling lanes that did not meet the criteria to be USBC certified. This is a major factor that contributed to what some people now know to be bowling lane topography.
According to the research conducted, the bowling lane topography is a hidden or unpublicized factor of the entire bowling scene that can significantly dictate a bowler’s performance, especially with regard to how consistent a shot can yield a strike.
How exactly could seemingly benign imperfections in a bowling lane affect the performance of a heavy circular object rolling through at immense speeds? Well, it matters a lot. Depending on what kind of imperfection the bowling lane contains, the bowling ball can travel in any random direction or pathway, which makes it extra difficult for users of bowling balls that react to the surface (think of reactive resin bowling balls that are generally used for hook shots).
There are different types of measurements to consider when it comes to bowling lane topography, namely:
The presence of crosswise tilt indicates that there is a particular region of the bowling lane wherein one side (right or left) is slightly more elevated than the other.
The presence of lengthwise tilt indicates that there is a particular region of the bowling lane that is lower or higher at the front compared to the back.
The presence of depression or crown indicates that there is a “bump” or a “pothole” at a certain point along the bowling lane.
Studies have shown that all three of these types of topographical imperfections are present in most bowling lanes, and it is extremely difficult to find a quick fix or remedy for these areas of concern without creating even more imperfections on the lane. This is one of the reasons why bowling lanes are left as is.
Why Are Bowling Lanes Not Flat?
There are several reasons that can account for why bowling lanes are not flat. Let's explore the most common factors below.
Construction and Installation
First off, we must say that most installers of bowling lanes and bowling alleys are experts in their craft and we have nothing but respect for the time and effort they take to build the area in which bowlers like us take a lot of joy being in.
With that being said, the human element in the construction and assembly of bowling lanes is one of the top factors that could explain why there is no bowling lane that is absolutely flat.
Unless robots or mechanical devices are created to precisely install bowling lanes, we feel that the perfect bowling lane will not be coming any time soon.
Surface Material
Bowling lanes can be constructed with different types of material that possess different attributes of hardness and integrity. The most common bowling lane surfaces are made of wood, wood with overlays, and synthetic material.
Each type of bowling lane surface can provide for consistent play, but it cannot be avoided that a few blemishes or topographical imperfections may exist right from the start.
Temperature and Humidity
Two additional factors to consider are temperature and humidity. Like all kinds of wood, bowling lane surfaces are vulnerable as a result of absorbing moisture from the air, the oil applied, and even from the bowling balls that pass through.
Once moisture is absorbed and stored, the wood panels that comprise the bowling lane may dry over time, leading to deformation or topographical imperfections. As a result, bowling lanes may develop nasty bumps or depressions, especially in areas where humidity is high and the temperature constantly fluctuates.
Wear and Tear
Another obvious culprit is something that applies universally - wear and tear. Whether it be a pair of shoes, the bowling ball, our knees and other joints, wear and tear will most likely cripple the good state of a bowling lane in due time.
Interesting Bowling Lane Information
Here's some more interesting things to note:
Purpose of Gutters
The bane of many bowlers is the gutter. However, much like any other sport, the out-of-bounds region is a perfectly reasonable and practical segment of the playing area.
Without the gutter area, then bowling balls would quite literally end up in other lanes, potentially harming other bowlers or, at the very least, disrupting the experience of those playing nearby.
Think of basketball, football, or soccer with no limit as to where the ball could go. That would be ridiculous!
Length
The standard length of a bowling lane is 60 feet from the center of the head pin all the way to the foul line, where the bowler should stand behind.
Conclusion
So, are bowling lanes flat? The truth of the matter is they are not. In fact, none are and none will ever be any time soon. So, consider lane topography as an additional exciting challenge to overcome and keep coming back to the game because, despite its imperfections, the sport of bowling is one of the best to ever exist!