Is the speed of a bowling ball rolling along a smooth alley affected by gravity?

Your knowledge of friction would allow you to read the oil pattern. Since oil makes the ball slide further, you can attempt to find an area based on the ball reaction that will maximize your room for error. Bowlers generally use gravityto gain momentum. Using a "pendulum"-like swing, bowlers will drop the ball into the swing and rely on gravity in the downswing to pick up speed.