Most beginners are unaware of this, but for the savvy bowling player, knowing how to bowl on dry lanes is a completely distinct experience compared to heavily oiled lane conditions.
In this guide, we will walk you through the key characteristics of dry lanes, how you can make subtle adjustments to your game to be effective, and a bonus bowling ball recommendation for dry lane conditions. Continue reading to learn more!
The Difference Between Wet Lanes and Dry Lanes
There is one key difference between wet bowling lanes and dry bowling lanes, and that is the amount of friction generated between the lane itself and a bowling ball.
Under medium-oil or heavy-oil lane conditions, friction between a bowling ball and the bowling lane is noticeably reduced, which means the hook potential of a bowling ball, particularly a reactive resin coverstock ball, will be both controllable and predictable.
In dry lane conditions, however, the friction between a bowling ball and the bowling lane is relatively high and may cause erratic or spontaneous bowling ball trajectories and overshooting on hook shots, potentially leading to gutter balls.
Simply put, in dry lane conditions, expect any bowling ball to react more aggressively to lane topography and lane oil patterns (if at all). In wet lane conditions, you can expect a certain degree of precision and consistency in the bowling shots thrown.
What Causes Bowling Lanes to Be Dry?
There are several reasons that can cause a dry bowling lane. Let us talk about each of the leading causes below.
Intentional Lane Condition
Sometimes, certain bowling alleys simply prefer to have minimal to no oil applied on their bowling lanes. This can be a result of the style of play they want to develop in the bowlers who play in their lanes or perhaps a tradition that has been passed on from generation to generation.
Take note that ancient bowling did not have the traditional bowling lane design and set-up that we are all accustomed to today.
Bowling Lane Surface Material
Bowling lanes are generally made of either wood or synthetic materials.
In the case of wood panels on lanes, oil can easily be absorbed through the vacant pores of the wood.
As for synthetic materials, depending on the combination or mixture of synthetic components utilized, oil may also seep through the cracks and holes.
Frequent Use and Time of Day
One of the most common reasons why a bowling lane is dry is because the bowling lane has been frequently used throughout the day without setting aside time for re-treatment or re-application of oil.
This scenario typically happens at the end of the day, late in the afternoon or early in the evening, when bowling alleys are packed and there is no downtime to apply the needed oil for the bowling lanes.
Temperature
Much like any other form of liquid, oil may turn into vapor or a gaseous substance in certain temperature conditions.
In areas that constantly experience hot and humid weather conditions, oiled-up lanes may turn into dried-up lanes fairly quickly.
Right-Handed Bowling Ball Trajectory
Another interesting and well-known reason why right-handed bowlers experience dry lane conditions more often is simply because there are more right-handed bowlers.
The more right-handed bowlers use a bowling lane, the more bowling balls pass through the right side of the bowling lane, with each bowling ball gradually but surely absorbing bits of oil as it passes through.
Obviously, we are not suggesting that right-handed bowlers switch to left-handed bowling. We are simply stating the fact that left-handed bowlers may experience more consistent lane conditions because their balls take on a different region of the lane, one which is less travelled upon.
Reducing Expenses
Aside from the intent to not apply oil (or to apply minimal oil) to bowling lanes, some bowling alley owners may simply want to reduce expenses wherever possible.
Purchasing oil and the actual application of oil on every bowling lane can consume quite a lot of financial resources, and it is understandable for some small-time bowling alleys to save up on costs by reducing the frequency of the application of oil to bowling lanes. However, we do not necessarily support having no oil at all on bowling lanes.
Bowling Ball Recommendation for Dry Lanes
The Hammer Blue Vibe bowling ball is one of the latest entries that belongs to the esteemed Vibe line of Hammer.
Hammer Blue Vibe Bowling Ball
The Hammer Blue Vibe bowling ball is one of the latest entries that belongs to the esteemed Vibe line of Hammer.
The bowling ball uses a carbon fiber outer core, a CT Reactive Plus coverstock, and a 500/200 Abralon Polish.
It is marketed as a great bowling ball option for medium to light oil conditions and we can see why.
Aside from what was mentioned earlier, the Blue Vibe possesses a symmetric bowling ball core and low to medium RG and differential.
All in all, these specifications mean that the ball will not react too soon and will hook toward the backend of the lane, giving the bowler more length and control before the angular entry.
Check out: the 5 best dry lane bowling balls
Important Things to Consider When Bowling on Dry Lanes
Foot Positioning
If you know that the bowling lane used to have quite a dense amount of oil but turned dry because of continued use, then it may serve you well to move a bit closer to the center and adjust your trajectory, as there is typically more oil applied in the center of the bowling lane.
Alternatively, if you want to compensate for the bigger and more unpredictable hook potential of your bowling ball, then it may be more beneficial to move farther outward (to the right if you are a right-handed bowler, to the left if you are a left-handed bowler) so the ball will not end up in the gutter.
Ball Speed and Power
It may seem counterintuitive, but applying more speed and power to your bowling ball will generate enough force to counteract the potential aggressive reaction with the dry surface of the bowling lane.
This varies from person to person, so experiment with this tip and find out for yourself if this works for you.
Conclusion
Knowing how to bowl on dry lanes is a key asset as different bowling lanes come in different types of oil patterns and oil lane conditions. Keep everything we have shared in mind and you will surely perform just as well as you do in normal lane conditions.