Are THS patterns really that easy?

[Hampe]

It's hard to make the statement that THS has made the game "too" easy, since even "THS" (what I also call high-score or "autobahn" patterns) can vary enough while still being considered "typical". One of the leagues I play in (that I would consider high-score THS pattern) if you look at the 300 signs on the lanes in that center most of them were from the first half of the 00's decade when a different guy was dressing the lanes (one guy even had two in one evening!). Now there is a different guy dressing the lanes and we get maybe 1-2 300s a season, even though it's still mostly all the same guys still playing in the same center they've played in for 10+ years.

I think THS has only made the game easier, but not TOO easy. Besides hitting the 2-3 (or more) board window, you also have to be very consistent with your speed and release (among other things). Throwing 12 strikes in a row is still an accomplishment, and isn't something that everybody can do.

[MICHAEL]

It's hard to make the statement that THS has made the game "too" easy, since even "THS" (what I also call high-score or "autobahn" patterns) can vary enough while still being considered "typical". One of the leagues I play in (that I would consider high-score THS pattern) if you look at the 300 signs on the lanes in that center most of them were from the first half of the 00's decade when a different guy was dressing the lanes (one guy even had two in one evening!). Now there is a different guy dressing the lanes and we get maybe 1-2 300s a season, even though it's still mostly all the same guys still playing in the same center they've played in for 10+ years.

I think THS has only made the game easier, but not TOO easy. Besides hitting the 2-3 (or more) board window, you also have to be very consistent with your speed and release (among other things). Throwing 12 strikes in a row is still an accomplishment, and isn't something that everybody can do.

I agree with your thoughts 100 percent! A month ago when I bowled that solid in the pocket all 12 strike 300 game, The lanes must have been blocked perfect for me! I almost did two in one night,,, my third game (the 264) started out with 8 strikes, and that's with 10 people bowling the lanes, and a lot of oil movement! I really thought that was going to be my night for the 800, and then thoughts of two 300's, and a 816!! LOL..... 300, 216,,,, 300! That second game looks bad, but in reality I had a huge carry problem that game, (what looked like in pocket good hits, that just didn't carry)!

I moved back about a foot toward the end of the second game, and it started to carry again.

Thus the better angle into the pocket!

If the THS was too easy, we all would be spiting out 300's/800s left and right! Your absolutely right on in regards to many other factors are involved with a 300 on THS patterns!

1. The right ball

2. speed

3. amount of loft, or no loft

4. balance,

5. lift, or lack of lift with fingers

6. FOCUS,,, focus!!

7. The slide, or (lack of slide In my case lol)

8. Knowing for that NIGHT THE BEST way to attack that unique for those two lanes, oil pattern!
even side by side lanes can be very different! Thus nothing really typical about THS! Just similarities to a point!

Yes you are right on, and yes I kid a lot about how easy it is, ( and might rough up some feathers on the site lol), but its not Easy, but I stand by the statements about Sports Patterns!

I am really going to pursue the sports patterns now! Why,,, Hey I am 65 years old, and don't know how much time I have left!! LOL

I love the sport of bowling, almost as much as my wife, but in a different way!! It's a new challenge, and I have always welcomed that in my life! Working Towers, skyscrapers, building bridges,,, all were an hormonal rush for Ironman,,, (here in Kansas City they all call me Iron Man/ Iron Mike lol, at the bowling lanes).

Nothing easy about bowling that 300 on THS, and the main reason why there are not a hell of a lot more has to do with CARRY!! How many bowlers out there have had the ONE frame, or maybe even two, that prevented the 300 game!! Many times that one, or two frames LOOK LIKE A POCKET hit!

I think that's were the BAD LUCK comes to play,,, Maybe the pin sitter had a pin moving as it settled a fraction of an inch off, a pin that maybe has its weight distribution off, (like a tire out of balance)!

All of us,,, have had that carry problem,,, hell when I first started bowling a few years back, I had a 298 in the seniors league.... Last shot was pocket, maybe a little high but good enough many times,,, NO 300,,,, but I did get a trophy for that 298.... lol

A 300 ON THS IS SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF! IT TAKES SKILL, AND SOME LUCK! That's Icemans thoughts!

[MICHAEL]

I dunno... Time to bowl in 4 leagues a week but not to drive 15 minutes to a sport shot league when you're apparently so passionate about the subject and so discounting of those that bowl on a 41' house shot....

Sorry man but at this point you're all talk and balk, and no walk.

Ouch!! LOL,,, Your telling me I am all talk??? Wow,,,, I have news for you my friend, I do walk the walk, not just talk the talk!! How many years have you been bowing dnohoffman? I just got started a few years ago,,, Step, by Step,,, that's how you put up a building, or tower in construction!

Sports Patterns will be my next step,,, too bad you don't live closer, we could do it together! I thrive on competition....! Yes my friend, I will be waling the walk, soon!

Its a matter of accessibility at this point! As others have mentioned, its not like there are that many options, if any around at this point in time.

Iron Mike will be bowling soon on a sports league! And I only bowl 3 leagues at the present time, not 4. I do sub on Saturday nights when Jason's team gives me a call!

[Hammer]

One of the troubles with talking about the Typical House Shot is that you would think from some of the posts about it, that there is a single THS pattern. Every center has its own THS and can vary a lot between the ones where there's barely enough oil to protect the lanes to ones that are one step away from leaving the bumpers up all the time.

Even if the shot really is an easy one, it doesn't help bowlers who don't throw a hook. It also doesn't help if you don't play it right. Don't ask me what that way is, because when you compare my Sport average with my THS average, I'm either 8 pins better than I should be on the sport or 8 pins worse than I should be on the THS.

Going by the USBC conversion table, any one who averages 225 or better on the THS will average about the same on sport patterns.

I agree with your reply. THS pattern is easy only if you know how to bowl on it. You still need the correct technique and skill to bowl good on it. There are folks on my league that have bowled for years on our THS pattern and still have 110 to 120 and 130 averages. So
easy for some and not for others. Some folks just don't have the skill for bowling to get better.