pending where its dry, if it's dryer mid lane and back, I'd move over towards the center by 2-4 boards and throw to the same mark and add a touch of ball speed to help get through middle so I can get to the breakpoint.

If the lanes are dry up front and you see the ball start to work as soon as it hits the arrows, I'd do the same as above but try to push the ball more with less revs so it rolls though the dry spot to the break area and the core of the ball will flip it at the break point. This way has alot of do with speed either up or down and controlling NOT putting any side rotation on it.

Good stuff in here, guys. I'm currently the owner of one ball (Hammer Toxic), so it may be a good idea for me to have something less aggressive for these occasional dry/spotty conditions. I'm hoping lane conditions become a bit more oiled throughout the week, as fall leagues begin. As CoachJim pointed out, there's a severe lack of pattern juice during the dog days, besides one or two small league nights.

I will say however, my league house does a great job of putting down some nice oil for us before Sunday nights. I've been able to make great use of the THS to nail the pocket and pick up spares/splits the past few weeks.

Your toxic is probably too strong for those lanes. Another ball would match better. In the mean time, a little more speed could help too. This should be done by holding your ball higher at presentation. Please, don't start to muscle the ball or get faster feet. Those are the wrong ways to gain speed.

I also don't know what the length of your first step is. If it is short or a slide, lengthen it to increase speed while you hold your ball higher.

I have found just what Jim says about summertime bowling. Houses skimp on oil. Up until last summer, I haven't bowled a summer league in a while. I'm lucky that I found a sport league otherwise I wouldn't be bowling this summer. I never have to worry about there being enough oil out there. I feel like I need a moist towelette for my hands every time I pick up my ball.

Thanks for the tips, Dennis I did tend to muscle it the other night, which I should not have been doing. In the end, I reverted to the correct form I've been winning with lately. It's much more natural, and flowing. Aaah, I love the feel of a crisp strike when I know I threw it with proper technique. More rewarding...

Touche, CoachJim! Summer bowling means increased usage. If management had any common sense, rather than worrying about dollars and cents, then we wouldn't have to deal with such "dry and spotty lanes."