Let me lay down the facts. Kegel groups and separates their oil patterns into three categories. Based on the level of difficulty, you get Sports, Challenge, and Recreation patterns. While the Sports patterns are considered the most difficult and the Recreation ones are comparatively the easiest, Challenge patterns fall right in between. This gives new bowlers new adventures and amateur or intermediate bowlers the ultimate “Challenge” they need. So if you have some questions about Challenge oil patterns in particular, read on! You might find the answers you are searching for. So let’s get started, shall we?
What is Challenge Pattern in Bowling?
So what can you guess about Kegel Challenge patterns besides being easier than Sports patterns? The mid-level of difficulty is a true blessing for many bowlers. Although THS patterns are more accessible in local bowling alleys, some centers host Challenge patterns on league games or on weekends when more bowlers visit.
Indeed, these challenge patterns throw some challenges at you, but average bowlers do appreciate playing on them. New bowlers get to develop their skills by bowling these patterns. On the other hand, skilled bowlers enjoy facing challenges and applying different techniques to these patterns.
Most challenge patterns have a high oil volume in the middle of the lane and a bit less oil toward the gutters. Of course, it will have more oil than the THS patterns. Since the level of difficulty is medium, the challenge oil patterns are somewhat flat. The oil ratio is not that high and that makes these patterns a bit more playable.
Now, how can you detect a recreation pattern? Simply, just by looking at the Kegel pattern sheet. As you might have noticed every Kegel pattern has its own distinctive icon. The background color of the icon of the Kegel Challenge pattern has dark orange and yellow colors indicating the mid-level difficulty. Optionally, you can check this out in the Kegel Pattern Library App and see the difference in colors of the icons for yourself.
The Kegel Kode System is a fantastic way to understand your Challenge oil pattern. Think of the numerical code as a reference guide for technical details. Each pattern has a 4-digit code number of which the first two digits indicate the oil ratio according to USBC Sport Bowling Parameters. Let me explain with an example. The code of the Kegel Beaten Path, which is a Challenge pattern, is 4541. The first two numbers, 45, denote the pattern’s oil ratio as 4.5:1 and the last two numbers indicate the length of the pattern.
Do you know the bigger advantage of this Kegel Kode System? Well, the last two numbers tell you the distance of the pattern, and with that, you can figure out in a second where to start on that specific pattern. Just perform a quick calculation, and voila you will have your answer. Using the “rule of 31” and the last two digits of the code, you can start bowling on a completely unknown oil pattern. How amazing is that!
Challenge Pattern Specifications
The Kegel challenge patterns can be short, long, or medium. Kegel has not set any specifications for the distance of the oil pattern. However, there are certain rules for the ratio of the oil. The ratio can’t be less than 4.9:1 or more than 3.1:1. So doesn’t matter what’s the length of your bowling oil pattern, the ratio will always be between 3.1:1 to 4.9:1. Yeah, they are not gonna be super flat, but just enough to add some challenges for new bowlers and grow as a better player.
As usual, the lane’s center will have more oil than the area close to the gutters. But the volume of oil between the outer part and inner part of the lane is going to be a lot more notable for challenge patterns. Compared to recreational patterns, it is going to be a bit critical to break down a challenge oil pattern. But don’t worry. You will still have to follow the rules when it comes to longer patterns which are bowling straight, and for shorter patterns, you will have to add some curved motion to your ball.
Notable Kegel Challenge Patterns—
Kegel has Challenge patterns in almost all of their series. Let me talk about a few of the most popular ones.
Kegel Landmark Patterns
Tower of Pisa (3541)
Taj Mahal (3438)
Statue of Liberty (3447)
Chichen Itza (3640)
Kegel Navigation Patterns
Sunset Strip (4537)
Route 66 (4345)
Middle Road (4239)
Broadway (4537)
Beaten Path (4541)
Abbey Road (4541)
Kegel Element Patterns
Chromium (6742)
Mercury (4940)
Titanium (4244)
Tungsten (6239)
The Beaten Path and Abbey Road are by far the most demanding oil pattern that offers mid-level difficulty. The Kegel Challenge Patterns are quite popular among amateurs and intermediate bowlers. The Tungsten and Titanium patterns from the Element Series have also gained a great reputation among average bowlers.
I have bowled many league games and tournaments where I encountered Kegel Challenge patterns. You really gotta put in all the hard work, but with adequate practice, you can do great. You can up your basic bowling skills by bowling on any of the Challenge patterns. Not only do these patterns help you boost your skill but also prepare you for bigger and greater challenges for the Kegel Sports oil patterns.
Conclusion
There you go, my friends! That’s everything I had to say about Kegel Challenge oil patterns. Do you want to know more about them? Do you have any specific patterns that you are interested in? Just hit me up. I will give you some tips and tricks to get started. Till then, good luck and see you soon!
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
