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How to Play on Boardwalk Oil Pattern-Guideline for You

It’s pretty hard to find information on some of the Kegel Navigation Series Patterns. It’s not because they are not popular, but because bowlers don’t discuss how to play them as much as they should. The Kegel Boardwalk oil pattern is one of the patterns on which you will only find the pattern sheet, but there isn’t enough guidance on where and how you navigate this particular pattern and what strategies to apply to see your desired score. So here I am to make your life easier with the things you want to know about boardwalk oil pattern. Let’s hit the Boardwalk, shall we?

Oil Pattern Specifications

TitleKegel Navigation Series— Boardwalk (2435)
Distance35 feet
Total Oil Volume23.9 mL
Forward Oil10.55 mL
Reverse Oil13.35 mL
Oil Ratio2.11:1

How to bowl on the Boardwalk oil pattern?

So how do you hit this pattern with brilliance? First, let’s gather some ideas on how to start. The ‘Rule of 31’ says Pattern Length – 31 = 4, meaning, your ball’s possible exit point is going to be on board 4. Considering this is a flat-short pattern, there’s no exception other than playing from outside.

I know how annoying short-oily patterns can be. Most short length and flat patterns push bowlers to change the direction of their bowling ball route. Interestingly, the Boardwalk oil pattern isn’t like that. Rather, it’s versatile  so you don’t have to worry about your playing tactics too much.

The key factor to consider when you are bowling on this pattern is sliding far enough to the right when you are bowling outside of board 5. Most bowlers keep a difference of 7 boards between where they lay down the ball and where they slide. So to play Boardwalk straight, you have to slide somewhere around Board 11 or 12 and lay down the ball on Board 4.

To bowl with perfection, you have to learn bowling with precision and consistency. If you can manage to get your hands on the Boardwalk oil pattern, then look carefully. The pattern has a high concentration of oil at the fronts and a less amount of oil in the midlane, and lastly 25 feet of buffed and dry backends. So a strong blending oil on the Boardwalk lane is laid down to let bowlers bowl from various angles and more options on ball delivery techniques.

This Kegel oil pattern requires direct entry to the pocket. However, based on Boardwalk’s characteristics, you can ever roll your bowling ball to the edge board. Therefore, if you can play this pattern right, the Boardwalk pattern will deliver some strong entry angles to the desired pocket, get the highest scores, and of course, have great fun and excitement. Be careful though. Do not stray too far off the lane or you will see your ball in the moat!

What are the challenges you will face while playing on this pattern?

Shorter patterns are many bowlers’ nightmares. This is because they are hard to navigate. However, this shouldn’t be your problem if you are consistent with your shots. One way to achieve consistency is by throwing a little straighter and harder, as it is difficult to bowl on the outside for too long.

Another thing to check when you are bowling on the Boardwalk oil pattern is the first two boards. Is there any desertion friction? If you cannot get your ball back after getting it on the edge, that’s a problem. To solve that issue, keep moving your focal point a bit to your right with every shot. Make sure it doesn’t become a gutter shot. When the lane toughens, I promise it will then move your focal point on the inside and make sure your angles are tighter. A ball that doesn’t make a dramatically big move should be good and you can stay consistent with the playing angle and hit the targeted pocket.

Which bowling ball is best for this pattern?

Okay, fellas. Time for the real deal. You are gonna bowl with enough differential because your bowling ball needs to read the front part of the lane. If a shiny bowling ball is your first choice, make sure the surface finish is not more than 1500 Grit. The Radical Double Cross and the Radical Yeti Unleashed come to my mind.

And for those who want moderately strong bowling balls, the good news is that you are less likely to get weak backends. Any of these bowling balls would be perfect in that case— Hammer Blue Hammer, Storm IQ Tour Solid, Roto Grip Rubicon UC3, Motiv Purple Tank, Columbia 300 Burst, Columbia 300 Full Throttle, Brunswick U-Motion, etc.

And what do you do when the lane transitions? As soon as you see the lane break down, go ahead and change your ball to the Storm Tropical Breeze, Radical Payback, Roto Grip Hyper Cell, Storm Axiom, or Radical Grease Monkey.

Conclusion

Before I wrap up this article, remember the basics: you must start from the outside and once the lane starts to transition, gradually move inside— this should be your best shot to win the Kegel Boardwalk oil pattern. Be fearless and confident using a mid-level strong bowling ball. Just make sure you have great control over your ball. Stay stress-free. You got it! Now, get ready for some quality practice for the big day! Good luck and see you later, my fellow bowlers!