Professional Bowling Association Oil Patterns

The Professional Bowling Association(PBA) used 5 different oil patterns for their tournaments. The Chameleon, Cheetah, Scorpion, Shark, and Viper. Each different in length and how bowlers bowl on them. This is what makes professional bowling difficult. It is having to adjust to changing lane conditions. I will explain a little about each oil pattern.

CHAMELEON OIL PATTERN

This oil patterns length is 40 feet. When oiled, the oil is placed in strips which makes the bowler have to play on a certain part of the lane. Bowlers who wish to do well on this oil pattern must be able to bowl in many styles of play. Scores for this oil pattern range from low to high. The surface condition is a factor to what the scores will be.

Chameleon Champions (Just a couple champions)

Rhino Page
Patrick Allen
Norm Duke

CHEETAH OIL PATTERN

This oil pattern is 36 feet in length. It is the shortest of the oil patterns. This oil pattern forces bowlers to play near the gutter. This leaves no room for error. Scores on this oil pattern range from medium to high.

Cheetah Champions (Just a couple champions)

Tommy Jones
Wes Malott
Walter Ray Williams III
Sean Rash

SCORPION OIL PATTERN

This oil pattern is 42 feet in length. This pattern places a lot more oil further down the lane. With this in mind most bowlers will use a direct line to the pocket. This pattern is unpredictable and finding the right groove is important for high scores. Scores on this oil pattern range from medium to low.

Scorpion Champions (Just a couple of champions)

Patrick Allen
Mika Koivuniemi
Wes Malott
Jason Couch
Sean Rash

SHARK OIL PATTERN

This oil pattern is 44 feet in length. It is the longest pattern of the 5. This pattern forces bowlers to move in towards the middle of the lane. The oil on the outside of the lane makes balls that would normally hook back, not hook back. The scores for this pattern are normally high.

Shark Champions (Just a couple champions)

Chris Barnes
Norm Duke
Pete Webber
Ritchie Allen

VIPER OIL PATTERN