Do you need a lot of balls for THS patterns?

**RobLV1** · 05-09-2022, 06:56 PM

Some centers change how or how often they oil for their summer schedule. This combined with humidity and temperature changes can cause the lanes to play totally differently than they do during the winter league months. Depending on the part of the country, winds may also kick up during the spring and summer months. This year in Vegas, we've had what seems like two months of wind advisories which, with the desert terrain, results in lot of blowing dust that settles on the lanes and really adds to an over/under ball reaction.

**J Anderson** · 05-10-2022, 07:32 AM

Last summer I subbed two weeks in a row in a senior league and averaged about 20 pins less than I had the previous season. The summer before I did a doubles league with my friend Tom. Overall we were both about 10 pins less than the previous season and it seemed like we took turns being lousy, maybe one week where we both bowled decent.

**boatman37** · 05-10-2022, 09:59 AM

in tracking my scores i have always been about the same in summer league but haven't bowled a full summer in 2 years, only subbing now

**RobLV1** · 05-10-2022, 03:42 PM

Funny how this thread has shifted from "Do you need a lot of balls on a THS" to how the shot changes during the summer.

Please allow me to relate a story about what happened in my league this morning. One of my teammates, a very good bowler when he doesn't trip over his own brain, had a somewhat typical morning. His first game was 249, then he got totally lost on one lane, and finished with a 178. During the third game, he lost his carry on one lane, found it again and finished with a 240. I asked him after we were done why it was that it took him so long to "find" a lane that had changed for him. He replied honestly (there is hope for him yet), that as much as he reminds himself that you have to follow what the lane tells you, it takes him too long to remember that, when you are playing the right line, you don't have to be perfect. Instead he beats himself up for throwing less than perfect shots.

By the way, I shared this story because this bowler used to show up for league on a THS with nine bowling balls. Now he brings three. There is hope for him yet!

**boatman37** · 05-10-2022, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by classygranny

So back to the topography issue.

What would be the answer to shooting on that pair of lanes?

I see the finals will be on the same lanes (9-10). Could prove to be an interesting match.

Also, what does "race to three points" format really mean? If one bowler wins the first two matches, it's over? If so, what happens to the other hour of airtime? I absolutely can't listen to RP fill an hour.

To answer the first question I'd say avoid that area of the lane. TJ seemed to do that pretty well by staying straighter up near the 15 board.

As for the 2nd question if the same bowler wins the first 2 then it's over. If they split then they only bowl the 9th and 10th frame rolloff until there is a winner so they aren't bowling a whole 3rd game

**boatman37** · 05-10-2022, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by RobLV1

Funny how this thread has shifted from "Do you need a lot of balls on a THS" to how the shot changes during the summer.

Please allow me to relate a story about what happened in my league this morning. One of my teammates, a very good bowler when he doesn't trip over his own brain, had a somewhat typical morning. His first game was 249, then he got totally lost on one lane, and finished with a 178. During the third game, he lost his carry on one lane, found it again and finished with a 240. I asked him after we were done why it was that it took him so long to "find" a lane that had changed for him. He replied honestly (there is hope for him yet), that as much as he reminds himself that you have to follow what the lane tells you, it takes him too long to remember that, when you are playing the right line, you don't have to be perfect. Instead he beats himself up for throwing less than perfect shots.

By the way, I shared this story because this bowler used to show up for league on a THS with nine bowling balls. Now he brings three. There is hope for him yet!

It takes me too long because I wonder if maybe I missed my mark or something so then I lose another frame to be sure it wasn't me. Then I wonder if I should change balls or move. In the past it was usually a ball change but since I have been more comfortable in the oil I have no problems moving in now