Brunswick MAX - Pattern Characteristics

MAX Operation & Service Manual 195MAX Operation & Service Manual Section8:LaneMaintenanceandPatternDesignTheory195
Pattern Lengths
Distance from the foul line to the area of the lane oil is applied to. There are 3 categories of oil pattern
length. Short, Medium and Long.
a. Short length patterns are good for recreational centers. They are also used in centers that have
low friction surfaces and for challenging sport patterns. Pattern length: Less than 38 feet.
b. Medium length patterns are most commonly used in hybrid centers focused on both sport and
recreational customers. This length matches well for most bowler types and offers exibility or
a variety of bowling ball cover stocks. Pattern length: 38 to 42 feet.
c. Long patterns are used in centers which are hybrid or sport focused. This is dependent on lane
surface type, age, and bowler types. Pattern length: Greater than 42 feet.
Pattern Crosswise Ratios
The crosswise ratio of an oil pattern dictates the difculty level that affects scoring. Patterns are
classied in 3 categories, Recreational, Competitive, and Sport. Sport patterns are the most difcult for
your average bowler to play on. They are typically used for the elite level of bowling athletes including
the Professional Bowlers Association. Refer to Figure8-1.
Ratio calculations are made by dividing the average of boards 3 to 7 into the average of boards 18 left
to 18 right. This calculation is done separately for the left and right as a pattern my not be symmetric on
both sides of the lane.
a. Sport patterns have the highest level of difculty. This makes it difcult for most bowler types
to throw more strikes and have higher scores. These types or patterns are commonly used at
the elite level of competition such as the Professional Bowlers Association and USBC. Pattern
ratio: 3 to 1 or lower.
b. Recreational patterns commonly have the lowest level of difculty that offers a large variety of
bowler types to have higher scores and more strikes. Pattern ratio: Greater than 6 to 1.
c. Competitive patterns t between Sport and Recreational patterns and are used for tournaments
that are for a medium level of difculty. Pattern ratio: Above 3 to 1 and up to 6 to 1.