March 10, 2009


My insight on how to play the lanes correctly at the Open Championships.....


I made a trip down to Vegas last week to check out the venue and lane conditions at this years Open Championships. Also more importantly to go hang out and watch some friends bowl too. I have to say it is a big advantage to make an earlier trip to get some insight on how the condition will play.......because it is different than past years......


First of all it is my opinion that there is way too much oil on the lane period (this is the most oil ever at Nationals).......so many people are going to think that aggressive balls and bowling balls with strong layouts may be the way to go............but that's not the case........it might be ok for about a game in Team event....... but after that it won't be good......and this is why.......


10% More oil on the lane than last year with all that extra oil between 10 and 38 feet ....... heads will break down as fast as last year but down the lane will play much tighter......... the pattern is two feet shorter but it won't act like it ......here's a clue............. having some shine on the surface of your ball might be key this year to create some backend reaction and more overall hook.


Last year they had the extra reverse loads at 10 and the 12 board while this year they have them at 6 and 9. You have only have three ways to attack a pattern when you are on the fresh (Team event)......Outside, Inside or right on top of where those extra loads are......... People got fooled last year when Mike Jasnau hinted to people to play outside of it when in fact the right place to play to start was on top of it.... Another thing to remember .....about every legitimate condition you bowl on you will very seldom be able to play directly outside the extra shim unless the pattern is short or the overall amount of oil is lower.........


The lefties will be playing on top of the shim this year there is no doubt......unless there is enough of them to break it down......if that happens they too will have to use weaker stuff and move in............especially in doubles and singles. Many of them might be throwing shiny stuff right off the bat.....


The righties I'm afraid will be better off to start inside the extra loads.....reason being more oil down the lane will result a ball reaction with more hang to the right especially with those extra loads at 6 and 9. You are going to be better staying away from that in the long run.


For years and years it was so important for a team to break down the lanes correctly but with the increased oil it isn't the case anymore......your better off playing a little further in on the fresh because there is so much oil.....your better off playing the puddle for hold then wasting time trying to create more dry to the right......If the volume was lighter like it was a few years ago......I could see it........


The higher rev players again will have the advantage.......the bowlers who slow hooked the lane with great success won't have the nut like they did the past 2 years.......but they will be given a big bone again........The tweeners and strokers should have a little more this year if they take my advice with equipment issues........ The straighter players are again ........since it is almost March Madness time should we say........air ball...... unless they take a chance on my equipment selection advice.......then maybe they can make a few buckets or at least hit the rim........


Wanted to put a little note here that it is worth every penny to get some coaching from Mike Jasnau at the Gold Coast while you are there.......(Same site as the Bowlers Journal Tournament) but remember don't get sucked in by playing the conditions the same as the Open.........that is what happened to people last year.......and again that's the case this year too............ P.S. Another note.........im my opinion.......the lane installation was pretty poor this year so from lane to lane on the fresh there will be a dramatic difference on some pairs so if one lane is playing almost an arrow tighter right off the bat...chances are the lane isn't really level and you will need to make an adjustment.... Good luck all....