The Wolf is a 34-foot pattern, the shortest in the PBA Animal series. With the oil ending so early, the outside boards open up quickly and the ball hooks well before the back end. It is a pattern that rewards playing angle to the friction.
The short length is a trap for big hooks. Control your speed so the ball does not over-react, and use accuracy to the outside to find the pocket.
| Length | 34 feet |
|---|---|
| Pattern type | PBA Animal (Sport) |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Best played | More angle to the outside |
| Official sheet | PBA (link below) |
A short pattern hooks early, which can actually help a straight game. Play a bit more angle than usual, get the ball to the friction outside, and keep your speed up so it does not turn too soon. Stay accurate and the pocket is there.
You can open up some angle on a short pattern. Send the ball to the dry outside and let it come back, but control your speed so it does not over-hook. Move in as the fronts break down.
A short pattern plus a big hook is a recipe for over-reaction. Smooth your surface, get the ball down the lane with speed, and play straighter than your instinct so you do not burn it up early.
A short sport pattern plays tricky. The ball hooks early and the outside can over-react, so control your speed and surface. Accuracy still beats power.
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 Wolf pattern is 34 feet long.
It is a PBA sport pattern, so it plays tougher than a house shot. At 34 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.
Back to the full bowling oil pattern directory.
