PBA Lane Conditions

When watching the PBA pros, you may think, "Hey, I bowled a 210 before, I can be a pro too."

It's not as easy as it looks. There's something that significantly changes the playing surface. Something you can't see: Oil.

HISTORY

  • In the early days of bowling, oil conditioner was applied to the lane as a barrier to protect the surface from damage over years of use.
  • As lacquer, polyurethane and synthetic surfaces became more popular, oil became part of the sport.
  • Today, PBA members must continuously adjust their strategies and methods of attacking the challenging conditions of the Lumber Liquidator’s PBA Tour.

    ON TOUR

  • The PBA has a lane maintenance staff that travels to all tournaments (including PBA Regional and Senior Tours) and determines the appropriate oil pattern to apply, given the condition of the lane surface.
  • The PBA Lane Maintenance Program (PBALMP) balances many complicated variables associated with the cleaning, conditioning and verifying of lanes for a PBA event.
  • Once a pattern is set during any given PBA event, it remains the official playing condition for the entire tournament and may not be altered.

  • Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Patterns
    Major's Patterns
    Regional/Senior Tour Patterns
    League Patterns