PIN BUFFER LAYOUT SYSTEM
Bowling ball layouts are the specific hole arrangements drilled into a ball, optimized for a bowler's style, preferences, and lane conditions.
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BENEFITS OF A PROPER LAYOUT
Maximized Flare Potential
Adaptation to Lane Conditions
Improved Performance
Personalized Bowling Experience
POPULAR LAYOUTS
The layout chosen may not resemble the same hole placment on your ball
2 x 6 x 1
Low RG control layout. Best when the lanes are flat and difficult. Best on the fresh. Very smooth off the end of the pattern. Good for all styles of player when looking for predictability off the end of the pattern.
6 x 5 x 3
Weakest overall layout. Minimal amount of flare. Straightest path through the front of the lane. Best on the burn. Very responsive to friction downlane.
5 x 5 x 4
Good weaker layout for multiple styles. Better playing more up the lane. Best on the burn or on higher friction surfaces. Clean through the front, but still doesn’t change direction too abruptly downlane.
4 ½ x 3 x 2
Slightly stronger benchmark layout suited more for speed dominant players. More hook in the midlane and slightly more forward downlane. Better on the fresh and as they begin to transition.
5 x 4 x 2
Benchmark layout good on all different conditions and lane surfaces. Good place to start for the fresh, transition, or burn. Combination of power and control.
4 x 4 x 1
Good strong layout for multiple styles. Strong in the midlane with more control in the back.
3 x 4 ½ x 2
Very strong layout. Buffer needs to be at least 2 because high rev players can hit the thumb. Can shorten the Buffer distance if the player doesn’t have a high rev rate to make it stronger.
LAYOUT COMPARISONS
9:38
How Layouts Affect a Bowling Ball | X-Cell Layout Comparison
3:52
Absolute Power Layout Comparison with Cortez Schenk
5:39
Roto Grip | TNT Layout Comparison
ALEX HOSKINS EXPLAINS THE PIN BUFFER LAYOUT SYSTEM
8:38
Pin Buffer Layout System Part 1: PIN to PAP Distance
8:12
Pin Buffer Layout System Part 2: PSA to PAP Distance
6:42
