Surf starting using a ""new"" lane conditioning machine about 2 months ago, which has resulted in a disastrous shot on the lanes - very oily, spotty, inconsistent - you name it, it's everything wrong you can thing of. Scores are dropping like lead balloons, and league bowlers, especially the scratch bowlers, are not happy. Unless they can figure how to fix the shot to what it was previously, my teams (I bowl league there more than once a week) will be moving to another bowling center beginning next summer. Bummer that Surf management does ""get"" that it's a business, and the goal of a business is to delight the customers so they'll talk about it and come back for more. I can't do that anymore; even worse, all I can say about Surf is they're not tuned in to their league bowlers and are seriously doing what they can to drive them away. I have bowled in several leagues in another city and to be honest, I'm just more accustomed to the desire of those centers to be known for their high scores (in fact, most of those centers reward their 300 score bowlers with cash awards and/or gift certificates). I'm not suggesting that Surf lay down a candy shot that everyone can get a 300 on, but at least lay down a shot that rewards good bowlers with high scores. The way the shot is now is that the odd of getting a strike are the same for the average 140-average bowler who throws a straight ball and the hooker or cranker who used to average 220. Very disheartening. Anyway, I don't expect Surf to express any more interest in remedying this problem any time soon - as I said, they're aware of the bowler displeasure now and still haven't corrected the problem - so you expect to see at least 2 fewer teams bowling there after this season ends. UPDATE (3/2/2012) Looks like someone at Surf Bowl got the message about lane conditions and customer satisfaction. Over the last 2-3 weeks, the shot has returned to its pre-disaster days, and league scores are back up. Good thing this someone woke up, or else Surf would have been about 100 league bowlers lighter next season. Remember, Surf, the owners won't be happy if the bowlers aren't happy. Keep the bowlers happy, will ya?
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