The Del Ballard is a 36-foot pattern from the PBA Legend series, named after a PBA Hall of Famer. The Legend patterns are part of the official PBA playing conditions, and like all of them, this one plays at a sport level that is tougher than a house shot.
At 36 feet, the Del Ballard pattern rewards a controlled, repeatable shot. Read the lane early, pick the part of it that gives you a clean look, and make small moves as it transitions.
| Length | 36 feet |
|---|---|
| Pattern type | PBA Legend (Sport) |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Best played | More angle to the outside |
| Official sheet | PBA (link below) |
A shorter pattern lets the ball hook earlier, which suits a straight game. Play a touch more angle to the friction, keep your speed up so the ball does not turn too soon, and stay accurate to the pocket.
You can use some angle on a shorter pattern. Send the ball to the dry and let it come back, but control your speed so it does not over-hook. Move in as the fronts wear down.
A short pattern plus a big hook can over-react. Smooth your surface, add speed, and play straighter than your instinct so the ball finishes instead of jumping.
A shorter sport pattern plays tricky. The ball hooks early and can over-react, so control your speed and surface and lean on accuracy.
Bowling Addicts links to the official source so you always get the real sheet. The file opens on the PBA site in a new tab.
Official pattern courtesy of the PBA.
The Del Ballard pattern is 36 feet long.
It is a PBA Legend sport pattern, so it plays tougher than a house shot. At 36 feet it rewards accuracy and a controlled ball motion.
Use a bit more angle to the friction outside, but control your speed so the ball does not over-hook.
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