Do you ever play a video game in “Hard” mode? Do you want to do the same when bowling? Then it’s not the ball you need to change, you need to try a different bowling oil pattern. I am talking about the Kegel Sports Patterns. In terms of the level of difficulty, Sports patterns are at the top. Then come the mid-level Challenge patterns and easy-going Recreation patterns. But hey! Don’t get worried knowing sports patterns are hard to bowl on. Of course, nothing is impossible. You can struggle with an easy oil pattern too. Because sports patterns are a bit more serious, stay tuned to know more about them.
What is Sports Pattern in Bowling?
So what exactly is a sports oil pattern? Kegel has developed many in that category to give bowlers the challenges they seek on the lane. Bowling on an easy pattern doesn’t really tell a lot about a bowler’s true skill. So for a more competitive tournament and league game expert bowlers need patterns that truly justify their bowling skills.
Besides being the most difficult among other groups of Kegel patterns, what can you tell about the sports oil patterns? Most Sports patterns have an even distribution of oil. You will see the highest concentration of oil at the front part of the lane and the oil is gradually light at the end of the lane. So as soon as you throw the ball on a sports oil pattern, you will know this is not gonna be an easy-peasy match.
Not all bowlers can enjoy bowling on this pattern. Not only do you have a hard time getting a good score, but also you need to learn proper tactics to handle each highly difficult bowling oil pattern. As I said, every sports pattern is conditioned evenly across the lane. So when you throw your ball down the lane, get ready to see your ball veering off to the left or right side.
If you miss your left as a right-handed bowler, don’t worry as your ball will hook just enough to get by. Compared to the center, the outer part has more oil. Hence, a faulty shot might throw your ball into the gutter.
Now, here’s an easy truck to tell if your pattern is a sports-shot pattern. Just look at the pattern sheet they provide designed by Kegel. If the pattern’s unique icon has dark orange and bright red colors, yes, that’s a sports pattern for sure. You can also check this out in the Kegel Pattern Library App or their Online Library to see the icon color.
Heard of the Kegel Kode System? It is an amazing way to take a deeper look into hardcore Sports oil patterns. These numerical codes are considered reference guides for technical details. Each Kegel Sports pattern has a 4-digit code number. The first two digits denote the ratio of the oil as per USBC Sport Bowling Parameters. For instance, the code of the Kegel Boardwalk Sports pattern is 2435. The first two numbers, 24, is indicating the pattern’s oil ratio which is 2.4:1. And, the last two numbers are specifying the pattern length.
So why is this Kegel Kode System so special? Well, not only it tells you the distance, but also you can tell where to start on that certain pattern. Just do a quick mathematical calculation, and voila! Now, you know where to expect your breakpoint. With the formula of “rule of 31” the last two digits of the code will give you an initial idea of where to start. How thoughtful is that!
Sports Pattern Specifications
The Kegel Sports patterns can be short, long, or medium in length. No specification on that! Although when it comes to the ratio of the oil, sports patterns are very flat. The oil ratio can’t be more than 3.0:1. Anything more will fall under the Challenge patterns category. So don’t worry too much if your pattern is too short or too long, just make sure you are aware of your oil ratio. For sports patterns, it should always be 3.0:1 or lower. Yeah, we all know how hard it is to bowl on a flat pattern.
Sports patterns mean they are always flat. No option to that. The front lane is very concentrated with oil, so you have to deliver your ball without making any mistakes. You have to constantly adapt to lane transitions. Try to bowl very straight when you play on a longer pattern, and for a shorter pattern, curve your ball very carefully so that it doesn’t get off the track and fall into the gutter.
Notable Kegel Sports Patterns—
Kegel has a few sports patterns in almost all of their pattern series. Let’s learn their names, shall we?
Kegel Landmark Patterns
Sphinx (1940)
Red Square (1040)
Eiffel Tower (2948)
Alcatraz (2038)
Kegel Navigation Patterns
Winding Road (2839)
Turnpike (2141)
Highway to Hell (2340)
Dead Man’s Curve (3043)
Boardwalk (2435)
Autobahn (2942)
Kegel Element Patterns
Arsenic (1341)
Krypton (2943)
Plutonium (2239)
Radium (1837)
So do any of these patterns ring the bell? Out of all the Kegel Sports Patterns, Red Square, Dead Man’s Curve, and Alcatraz, these are by far the most popular among professional bowlers. Skilled bowlers also love bowling on Eiffel Tower, Highway To Hell, Autobahn, and Boardwalk. Not gonna lie, these patterns really make you sweat. But that’s the fun of these high-level difficulty patterns. The Arsenic pattern from the Element Series also has a great reputation among expert bowlers.
I have bowled a few tournaments that featured Kegel Sports patterns. After years of experience, I really do enjoy these patterns. I have developed my skills to a greater level, and all thanks to these Kegel Sports patterns. With enough experience, you can start bowling on these patterns too. If you have already had fun with Kegel Challenge and Kegel Sports oil patterns, it’s time to move on to the Sports patterns.
Conclusion
That’s all for today, my friends! Do you want to flourish as a bowler? Then a sport-shot bowling oil pattern is a great way to polish and refine your bowling skills. Because these patterns force you to adjust to changes in your ball delivery technique and approach, you get to learn bowling in detail. This will definitely improve your skills as a bowler. So if you really want to work on your skills, give them a shot. Good luck and see you later!
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.
