Ever heard of the Easy Street oil pattern? Most beginners probably haven't. But knowing the ins and outs of this oil pattern can give you a real edge on the lanes. If you want to know all there is to know about the Easy Street oil pattern, you're in the right place!
We're going to teach you what the Easy Street oil pattern in bowing looks like, how it can affect your game, and how to use it to your advantage. Let's get right into it!
Contents
- 1 What is the Easy Street Oil Pattern In Bowling ?
- 2 How Can Beginners Use the Easy Street Oil Pattern to Their Advantage?
- 3 Pros and Cons of the Easy Street Oil Pattern
- 4 Do Pros Prefer the Easy Street Pattern?
- 5 Where To Play on the Easy Street Oil Pattern
- 6 Should You Be Concerned About Oil Patterns as a Beginner?
- 7 Tips to Bowling Your Best as a Beginner
What is the Easy Street Oil Pattern In Bowling ?
The Easy Street pattern is a 38-foot recreation oil pattern. It's one of the most popular oil patterns used in leagues and tournaments.
It features quite a bit of oil down the middle of the lane up to the 38-foot mark, with a drier area on either side. The result is a lane that is forgiving and gives both straight and hook bowlers a good chance to bring in some strikes.
Wondering why it's called "easy street?" It's an easy oil pattern to play on - it's as simple as that.
How Does the Easy Street Oil Pattern Affect Your Game?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you're bowling on an easy street pattern.
Because the lane is forgiving – which means it doesn’t have any obstacles that increase your chances of getting gutter balls - you don't have to be super accurate with your shots. You can afford to throw caution to the wind a bit and try various shots, and still knock down some pins.
Additionally, Easy Street is a good pattern for bowlers who like to use the whole lane. You can play around with different angles, play inside or out, and still get your ball into the pocket.
How Can Beginners Use the Easy Street Oil Pattern to Their Advantage?
Now that you know the main aspects of the Easy Street oil pattern, let's get into what it means for your bowling strategy as a beginner. To get the most out of the oil pattern, play straight. Chances are you haven't yet mastered your hook, so perfect your straight shot.
Simply roll the ball straight down the lane. You'd be surprised at how well you can do by playing straight on this oil pattern. You don't have to do any special ball curving or hooking.
Whether you prefer to bowl straight or experiment with hooking, try to get the ball into the pocket (that spot between pins 1 and 3 for right-handed bowlers or pins 1 and 2 for left-handed bowlers). The Easy Street oil pattern is the best oil pattern to try getting into the pocket on.
Pros and Cons of the Easy Street Oil Pattern
Just like with anything, there are pros and cons to bowling on the Easy Street oil pattern.
Let’s Start With the Pros:
- It's an easy pattern to play on, hence the name. Even if you're a complete beginner, you have a chance to knock down pins consistently and maybe score some strikes on this oil pattern.
- You get to try various shot angles. There are multiple ways to get your ball down the lane - the oil doesn't really act as much of a barrier to hitting the pins. More challenging oil patterns, like the Highway to Hell and the Statue of Liberty make it much harder for your ball to get down the lane.
- It’s geared toward both straight and hook bowlers. The oil is heavier in the middle of the lane, so hooking on this pattern is easy. But straight bowlers can still do well.
Now, Onto the Cons:
- Because the lane condition is not challenging, it can be easy to get complacent and not focus on your shots. This could delay your advancement in the sport.
- It's a popular oil pattern, so you might not have much of an advantage over your opponents, who are probably familiar with it as well.
- The oil can build up on your ball quickly, so you might have to clean your ball pretty often.
All in all, the Easy Street oil pattern is an excellent lane option for beginners. So, if you're just getting into the sport, you can’t go wrong on Easy Street.
Do Pros Prefer the Easy Street Pattern?
We’ve driven the point home that the Easy Street pattern is ideal for beginners – but you might wonder, “do pros ever prefer this pattern?”
The answer is yes – some do!
Some pros do enjoy bowling on the Easy Street pattern because it's easy to rack up strikes. And if you're good at reading the oil and predicting how your ball will react, that could translate to a hefty advantage over newer bowlers.
Others get bored with the pattern, being that it’s not much of a challenge for them. The truth is there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether or not pros should bowl on Easy Street.
It really depends on your preference as a bowler.
Where To Play on the Easy Street Oil Pattern
If you want to play on the Easy Street oil pattern, you're in luck. Since this oil pattern is considered to be standard across bowling alleys, chances are your local bowling alley already has lanes oiled in this pattern.
So, all you need to do is call up the bowling alley and ask if their lanes are oiled using the Easy Street pattern. If you're traveling, you might have to do a little more research to find out which bowling alleys have the Easy Street oil patterns.
But, generally speaking, most bowling alleys will have Easy Street lanes available.
Should You Be Concerned About Oil Patterns as a Beginner?
You should definitely be concerned about oil patterns as a beginner; as you get more and more acclimated to the sport, you'll want to have this information in your back pocket.
Some oil patterns don't lend themselves well to certain bowling styles, and when that happens, you'll need to switch up your bowling tactics. So, you're not wasting your time learning about oil patterns.
At the same time, oil patterns shouldn’t be your main focus. Put the majority of your energy towards perfecting your technique and getting a feel for the game.
Tips to Bowling Your Best as a Beginner
If you're just getting started in bowling, you've got a lot to learn if you want to rack up points consistently. Here are a few tips to help you bowl your best:
- Start by picking up a good beginner's bowling ball. You can grab a house ball at your local bowling alley or buy one. You'll have to spend anywhere from $50 to $100 for a standard plastic ball (a starter ball).
Bowling for Beginners may receive compensation if you make a purchase using this link, at no additional cost to you. - Get fitted for proper bowling shoes. This will ensure that you have the right amount of grip and slide when you're bowling. The fit of the bowling shoes should be snug but not tight.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. If you're having trouble with your form, ask a friend or watch some online tutorials for pointers.
- Practice as often as possible. If you don't, you'll feel brand new to the sport indefinitely.
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By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to bowling like a pro.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, the Easy Street oil pattern is a great option. It's easy to play on and makes for a fun bowling experience. We hope that this article was helpful to you and that you found all the answers you were looking for!
Kira Byrd, a Certified Fraud Examiner, holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. With a passion for bowling from her childhood, Kira has poured her expertise and personal experiences into creating and nurturing Bowling For Beginners. Kira's mission is to meet new bowlers where they are and guide them toward consistently achieving higher scores. With a focus on skill development and strategic techniques, she empowers readers to take control of their game and unlock their true potential.
Bowling For Beginners embodies strict editorial integrity, ensuring reliable and unbiased information. Kira's commitment to delivering valuable insights and practical strategies is reflected in every article. Here's an explanation of our editorial policy and how we get money.
