Lane Patterns

LIGBT Lane Patterns

The LIGBT is very fortunate to have as one of its sponsors the leading lane conditioning company in the world; Kegel. As part of our partnership Kegel works with the host manager and the LIGBT promoters to design a specific shot for each LIGBT event.

As most bowlers know there are many factors that determine the scoring environment at a bowling tournament. Many of these factors (lane surface, lane machine maintenance, lane machine operator, temperature and humidity) plus human contact cannot be controlled by the LIGBT. This is why we caution everyone the lane patterns we announce should be used as a guideline and may play very differently than was expected.

The LIGBT uses either one of the Kegel Challenge Patterns, PBA Patterns or a WTBA for its event. The LIGBT patterns will help you become a better bowler and with the lower scoring environment we are able to avoid bowlers constantly winning multiple events.

Listed below are the patterns we generally use for LIGBT events. Reading the description of the "pattern of the tournament" will help you decide what equipment to bring and how to mentally prepare for each event. There is a link attached to each lane pattern which will allow you to learn more about each one.

HERE ARE THE DIFFERENT KEGEL PATTERNS WE USE AT LIGBT EVENTS

WINDING ROAD - 2839 | This oil pattern uses a distance of 39 feet with very little downlane help to guide the ball into the pocket. Because of the lower ratios towards the end of pattern, the greatest factor on how the WINDING ROAD will play is the lane surface and how the bowlers breakdown the pattern. The WINDING ROAD could play more inside or it could play more outside but the player who figures it out will straighten out the WINDING ROAD! Click here to learn about “Winding Road”

HIGHWAY TO HELL - 2340 | This 40 foot pattern is the flattest of the group and therefore can be the most difficult. With an increased amount of conditioner outside, the HIGHWAY TO HELL is a low latitude ratio pattern with very little left to right shape to help guide the bowling ball towards the pocket. Each player will have to decide and make sense of their ball reaction to decide what's best for them to find their way down the HIGHWAY TO HELL! Click here to learn about “Highway to Hell”

DEAD MAN'S CURVE - 3043 | This 43 foot pattern has more out of bounds than most patterns because of the increased application of conditioner on the forward pass. With a slight increase slope of oil from the tenth board to the fourteenth board on the return pass, the goal of the player is to target along those boards of extra conditioner without swinging the ball too much towards the outside part of the lane. Players who try to excessively curve the ball with too much speed will find DEAD MAN'S CURVE hazardous to their score. Click here to learn more about “Dead Man’s Cruve”

BOARDWALK - 2435 | Based upon the 2000 PBA Indianapolis Open pattern which was created by Kegel, this pattern is designed to play towards the edge board. Because of the relatively short 35 foot length of the BOARDWALK, players will need to control the excessive change of direction of the bowling ball as it enters the 25 feet of dry backend. Since lanes do have many topographical differences, on some lanes the BOARDWALK will require a more direct route to the pocket while other lane characteristics may allow players to swing the ball to the edge board. Like all wooden walkways, this pattern can provide great excitement but stray too far off the BOARDWALK and you'll find yourself in the moat! Click here to learn more about “Boardwalk”

SUNSET STRIP – 3240 | This 40 foot pattern uses Kegel’s reverse drop brush function and places oil on the lane in four board strips. Some lanes may allow certain styles to play the outside strip while others may find the middle or inside strip the best. With a great performance and a little luck, you too can be a star on the Sunset Strip. Click here to learn more about “Sunset Strip”

MIDDLE ROAD – 4239 | In political terms, this pattern is centrism in nature because the characteristics lie between the extremes of having to play too far to the right or too far to the left. The MIDDLE ROAD is a 39 foot pattern that is moderately challenging; it’s not too easy nor is it not too tough. The best mindset and line for this pattern is usually somewhere near the middle of the road. Click here to learn more about “Middle Road”

BEATEN PATH - 4541 | This 41 foot pattern is much like the MIDDLE ROAD but two feet longer. Because of this added length, the options of attack will be a little more limited and the pattern will usually play where the most worn or highest friction part of the lane surface is. The players who excel in reading the lanes will easily find the BEATEN PATH and make this pattern look relatively easy. If you veer too far off the BEATEN PATH, it will play more difficult. Click here to learn more about “Beaten Path”

ROUTE 66 - 4345 | As one the longest roads in America, so is this pattern in the series. At 45 feet in length, and as with most long oil patterns, the optimum line is usually one that is closer to the pocket or more towards the inside portion of the lane. The greatest slope of conditioner on the ROUTE 66 is from the 11th board to the 16th board so players should target along this route. Outside of that slope, the pattern is flat so there will be very little room for error. If you get hip to this tip, take that bowling center trip to get your kicks on ROUTE 66! Click here to learn about “Route 66”

TURNPIKE – 2441 | This oil pattern uses a distance of 41 feet. With the conditioner applied in a flat manner on the forward travel, and with a little shape created on the journey back towards the foul line, this makes the last third of this pattern very flat. So when bowling on the Turnpike you better pay strict attention to your direction or you will pay a hefty toll. Click here to learn about “Turnpike”

AUTOBAHN – 2542 | This 42 foot pattern uses Kegels’ reverse drop brush function, the amount of applied conditioner increased in the middle of the lane but less at the end of the pattern. This makes the Autobahn more about speed control and keeping your path straighter through the front part of the ‘drive’; a term used for bowling lanes in the early 1,900’s. On some ‘drives’ faster speeds may be best while other ‘drives’ may require a little less speed to navigate the corner without crashing through the breakpoint. Click here to learn more about “Autobahn”