Gary,
The ABC sanctions most bowling centers and those centers must comply with the guide lines that the ABC sets forth on lane conditions. Unfortunatly those rules regarding lane conditions make it easy for bowling proprietors to wall up their lanes, ie the three unit rule. There is no rule regarding how much oil can be applied to the center of the lane. As it stands now bowling centers are certified once a year and anything that happens to the lanes after they are inspected is ok. There is no post inspection for honor scores! If bowling center propietors had to comply to more demanding lane patterns they would be more likely to comply if they risked losing their sanctioning. This is the way it used to be admittedly there were some problems then but if you bowled an honor score chances were that you earned it!
Later,Richard

Inspections are still required if there is not one on file within a 30 day period prior to the honor score being shot. The inspector has another 30 days to do the inspection which is different from the old days when it had to be done that night or the next day prior to any bowling on the lane. The big problem with lane inspections and certifications in general is the lack of trained personnel to perform the job. Most associations dont have anyone who has been actually trained and certified to do these. Just doing inspections doesnt solve the problem and I still go back to my other point that there is nothing preventing proprietors from putting MORE than 3 units on the outside boards now. Just because ABC says that's the "minimum" doesnt mean a center that wants to use more outside for a more challenging condition cant do so.

Just a little FYI here about the rule on oiling. The rule states:

a. If dressing is used, it shall meet WIBC/ABC specifications and must comply with the following:

Dressing must be distributed from edgeboard to edgeboard for the entire predetermined distance down the lane (for example, and without limiting the distance 35-40 feet from the foul line). Following any application of dressing, in the dressed portion of the lane there shall be a minimum of three (3) units of dressing at all points on the lane surface.

So, a legal shot of less then 3 units is possible (and would be unfortunate, too). In addition, a legal shot could also be 3 units across for 10 feet down the lane. Notice how the ABC uses the words "if" and "predetermined".

[ 02-28-2001: Message edited by: Skipper - The Rocket ]