Having a hard time looking for a good bowling ball that will give you the perfect play just like a real pro? Well newbies, worry no more! I have here some very important tips on how to choose the perfect Brunswick bowling ball for you!
When looking for the best Brunswick bowling balls that will perfectly suit your type of play, you need to look after the bowling ball size, weight, and the coverstock materials used. The Brunswick brand is trustworthy, so their products are suitable for your bowling experience.
Important Things to Know About Brunswick Bowling Balls
Size
There are two sizes of bowling balls, the 5 pin and the 10 pin Brunswick balls. The balls in five pin bowling are small enough to fit in the hand, it is 5 inches in diameter, and therefore has no finger holes. Ten-pin Brunswick products generally have a set of three holes drilled in them, one each for the ring and middle finger, and one for the thumb.
Weight
The weight of a bowling ball is an important factor. Some bowling enthusiasts believe that the heavier the ball, the better, since it can easily knocked down the pin at the end of the lane, others prefer the lighter ones because it is easier to handle. Whatever it is, the best thing to consider is, a perfect bowling ball should match on the ability of the bowler to carry the ball and of course his playing skills. There are different sizes of Brunswick balls ranging from 6 lbs to 16 lbs and it is up to you to choose which of these you can comfortably handle.
Materials Used
Brunswick balls are made of different substances and each type delivers a different kind of performance. Plastic bowling balls are the most common ones because it does not cost much compared to other Brunswick balls available in the market. They are the ones you usually see in bowling alleys. Since it is made of polyester it does not wear out fast. Bowling balls made of urethane are much softer compared to others. This is the type of Brunswick balls commonly used by pro since it is perfect for hook shots.
Brunswick Jagged Edge Solid Blu/Blk 15lb
Brunswick Bowling Twist Reactive Ball, 14
Brunswick Bowling Twist Reactive Ball, Sky Blue/Pink/Snow, Size 10
Brunswick Tzone Ocean Reef Bowling Ball Tzone Ocean Reef Bowling Ball, Green/Blue/Silver, 9 lb
Brunswick Bowling Products Stars and Stripes Viz-A-Ball Bowling Ball 12lbs, Red/White/Blue
Short Brunswick Bowling Ball History
Brunswick is internationally acclaimed for its world-class bowling balls. It is a leading manufacturer that has been producing reliable bowling equipment for the last 100 years. It all began in 1959 when Brunswick started assembling bowling equipment in Dublin. In 1973, he started a joint manufacturing venture Fuji Kikai-Hiroshima and later opened the first bowling center in Moscow in 1976.
Brunswick directly contributed to the global growth of bowling by starting the production of bowling pins, bowling balls, and wooden lanes in the 1880s. His son, Moses Bensinger, later inaugurated a big manufacturing plant in Muskegon, Michigan, to flourish the dynasty. The business took flight during World War II when USO centers and military bases purchased bowling equipment with great enthusiasm. Brunswick became the sole owner of Ebonite International and all of its bowling product brands on 15 November 2019.
How to Drill a Brunswick Bowling Ball?
Brunswick provides various drilling layouts. However, these layouts apply to every bowler differently due to various factors, including ball speed, rev rate, tilt, axis rotation as well as lane conditions. These variables must be considered before choosing the layout for a flawless bowling experience.
The layouts are different for asymmetrical and symmetrical cores. Let’s go through them in detail.
Symmetric Layouts
Maximum Hook & Arc
- This layout is ideal for most House shots.
- The best pinout distance to use is between 0 and 3½ inches.
- Make sure to balance the ball around ¾ side before drilling for a fine-tune with X hole.
Mid-Lane Hook & Back-End
- A good option for fresh PBA and sports conditions.
- The recommended pinout distance to use is from two to four inches.
- The ball needs to be balanced between ¾ and 1½ thumb and positive side before drilling.
- Make sure both the thumb and side weigh approximately the same.
- The size of the X hole should be 1-1/8 x 2½ deep.
Length & Back-End
- It is suitable for broken down PBA and sports conditions.
- The ideal pinout distance ranges from three to six inches.
- The ball needs to be balanced between ¾ and 1½ thumb and positive side before drilling.
- X-hole should be 1-1/8 x 2½ deep.
Length
- This layout is recommended for most broken-down House shots.
- The pinout distance should be between three and six inches.
- It is better to balance the ball around ¾ side before drilling and read the drilling instructions for fine-tuning with X-hole.
Maximum Hook & Arc – Full Roller
- The suggested pinout distance for this layout is from one to four inches.
- It gives the bowler maximum hook along with a continuous back-end.
Mid-Lane Hook & Back-End – Full Roller
- The ideal pinout distance ranges from four to six inches.
- Make sure to balance the ball between 1½ and 2½ ounces of finger weight before drilling.
- The size of the X hole needs to be 1-1/8 x 2½ deep.
Length & Back-End – Full Roller
- The good pinout distance is from four to six inches.
- The ball must be balanced between 1 and 2 ounces of finger weight before drilling.
- The X-hole should be 31/32 x 2½ deep.
Asymmetric Layouts
Maximum Hook & Arc
- This layout is suitable for most House shots.
- The ideal pinout distance for this layout is 0 to 3½ inches.
- The locator pin should be set at 45 degrees
- Drill pin below the fingers with a VAL angle of 70 degrees.
Mid-Lane Hook & Back-End
- It is recommended for fresh PBA and sports conditions.
- The pin-out distance should be between 0 and 3½ inches.
- The locator pin needs to be 60 degrees.
- Drill pin below the fingers with a VAL angle of 70 degrees.
Length & Back-End
- It is good for broken down PBA and sports conditions.
- The best pinout distance ranges from three to six inches.
- During drilling, the locator pin is set at 45 degrees.
- The drilling pin is above the fingers with a VAL angle of 30 degrees.
Length
- The reliable choice for broken-down House Shots.
- The suggested pinout distance to use is between three and six inches.
- Make sure to set the locator pin at 70 degrees.
- Pin drilling above fingers with a VAL angle of 30 degrees.
Maximum Hook & Arc – Full Roller
- Recommended pinout distance ranges from three to six inches.
- This layout provides a maximum hook with a continuous back-end to the bowler.
Length & Back-End – Full Roller
- It is best for creating length with a strong back-end during the game.
- The suggested pinout distance is from zero to three inches.
Length – Full Roller
- This layout helps in creating length with a smooth arching back-end.
- The pinout distance should be between zero and three inches.
How to Maintain a New Brunswick Bowling Ball?
The maintenance of your New Brunswick ball is crucial to make the most of it on lanes. As you bowl, dirt and oil from the lanes tend to get absorbed into the cover stock, which ultimately reduces the performance of the ball over time. Here is something you can do to keep your equipment in good condition:
- Use a reliable ball cleaner to get rid of oil and dirt after each use.
- You can use micro-finishing pads to reduce the absorption and create a smooth surface finish.
- In case you notice a track on the ball, call for professional help to remove the track using a resurfacing system or machine. Make sure to restore the ball to its original factory finish at your earliest convenience.
- It is suggested to use absorbent materials for oil removal once your ball has more than 50 games on it.
- Store the ball in dry and clean conditions.
How Much is a Brunswick Bowling Ball Worth?
Brunswick bowling balls have a legacy of quality, durability, and reliability. This is the reason why some of the models come with an expensive price tag; however, they are worth the investment. They generally range from $69 to $150. The average price of a reliable Brunswick bowling ball lies around $83.
What Brands and Sub-brands Does Brunswick Own?
Brunswick has come a long way since its inception a century back. Today, it owns various brands and distributes its bowling equipment across the globe. Some major subsidiaries include:
- DV8
- Track
- Radical
- Ebonite International
- Columbia 300
- Hammer
Closing Thoughts
If you want a good bowling ball, then Brunswick bowling balls are perfect for you. They are one of the oldest bowling brands, and they provide quality bowling products for the players, not just bowling balls, but bags, shoes, shoe covers, and other useful accessories.
