So here’s the fact. Kegel categorizes their oil patterns into three difficulty levels. Sports, Challenge, and Recreation. While the level of difficulty for the Kegel Recreation patterns is the highest, the level of difficulty for the Recreation patterns is the lowest. But hey! Don’t get too happy knowing recreation patterns are easy-going. Bowlers deal with a fair share of troubles for these so-called easy patterns. Clearly, we have got a lot to talk about this hot topic. So without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?
What is Recreation Pattern in Bowling?
Besides being the easiest among other groups of Kegel patterns, what else do you know about the recreation patterns? Well, let me give you a hint. The regular THS you bowl on is a recreation pattern. Almost every bowling center lay down recreational patterns, aka the “house patterns” because they are great for average bowlers. Bowlers from all ranks can enjoy these patterns.
Most recreation patterns have a higher volume of oil in the middle of the lane and comparatively less oil toward the gutters. Since the level of difficulty is quite low, the recreational patterns are never flat. The oil ratio is high and so bowling on these patterns is easier.
One way to detect a recreation pattern is by looking at the pattern sheet designed by Kegel. Every Kegel pattern has its individual and unique icon. The icon of the recreation patterns has yellow and slightly orange colors which indicate the least difficulty, whereas the red, yellow, and orange color combo indicates the highest difficulty. You can also check this out in the Kegel Pattern Library App and see the ions for yourself.
Is there any other way to tell if your assigned pattern is a recreation pattern? You can always check the Kegel Kode System. Think of it as a reference guide to understand the technical details of a Kegel recreation pattern. Every pattern has a 4-digit code number of which the first two digit denotes the oil ratio as per USBC Sport Bowling Parameters. For example, The code of Kegel Wall Street is 7240. The first two numbers, 72, indicate that the pattern’s oil ratio is 7.2:1 and the last two numbers are pointing out the pattern distance.
And what do we love about these codes? Because the last two numbers is telling you how long they run, with a quick calculation, you can even find out where you are gonna have a breakpoint on the lane. Yes, I’m talking about the “rule of 31”. So thanks to this Kegel Kode System, you can even tell where to begin for a completely unknown oil pattern. How cool is that!
Recreation Pattern Specifications
The recreation patterns can be long, short, or medium, there is no specification for that. However, the oil ratio can never be less than 5:1. So clearly, the Kegel Recreation patterns are not flat. Controlling the ball motion is easier and so is the pin action. So doesn’t matter what length you are bowling on, the oil ratio will always be of 5:1 or greater.
The center of the lane will have more oil than the outer part of the lane. Breaking down a recreation pattern is easier than sports and challenge patterns. Most of the time bowlers start at the slight oily side and gradually move to the outer dry side of the pattern. And when it comes to longer recreation patterns, bowling straight is no fuss.
Notable Kegel Recreation Patterns—
Kegel comes up with their recreation patterns in almost all of their series. Let me talk about a few of the most popular ones.
Kegel Landmark Patterns
Stonehenge (5840)
Great Wall of China (5448)
Gateway Arch (8442)
Big Ben (6544)
Kegel Navigation Patterns
Wall Street (7240)
Stone Street (9642)
Main Street (7241)
High Street (8144)
Easy Street (7938)
Bourbon Street (6240)
Kegel Element Patterns
Carbon (10342)
Helium (11441)
Lithium (9144)
Neon (12943)
Other Recreation Patterns
2022 Starting House Pattern
2022 USBC Survivor Tournament
2022 USBC USA Bowling Champions
2022 USBC Senior Champions Sweeper #1
2021 USBC Junior Gold Survivor
2006 Ebonite Junior Gold Survivors
2000 PWBA Foundation Game
Open Play Pattern
Amateur Bowling Tour (ABT) #2
Out of all the Kegel Recreation Patterns, the 2022 Starting House Pattern is the most popular one, as of today. If you have 5 bowling centers nearby, at least 3 centers will have this pattern laid down. That’s how accessible they are.
In terms of popularity and serious bowling, bowlers of all ranks absolutely love the OG Stone Street oil pattern. The Main Street V2 and the High Street V2 are also many bowlers’ favorites. The Carbon and Neon patterns from the Element Series also have a great reputation among bowlers.
I have bowled many tournaments that had Kegel recreation patterns and even as an amateur bowler, I did great. If you are a seasonal bowler or a newbie, you may have bowled at least one of these patterns knowingly or unknowingly. With the basics of bowling, these patterns can help boost your skill and then you can gradually move on to the Kegel Challenge and Kegel Sports oil patterns.
Conclusion
That’s all for today, my friends! I have gathered the knowledge I had on Kegel bowling oil patterns. If you want to know more about their recreation patterns and are interested to know how you can play a particular pattern, you are welcome to reach out to me. I believe I can definitely help you out. With that being said, good luck, and see you later, my fellow bowlers!
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.
