Brunswick Brute Review
Tester: James Goulding III
PAP: 4 5/8†x 0â€
Speed: 17.5 – 18.0 mph
Rev Rate: 350
Drill Pattern: (55*) x 4 5/8†x 25*
Typical House Shot (41ft.)
This was the first pattern that I used the Brute on, and it was the perfect ball for the typical 41ft. house shot. I went with a shorter pin (4 5/8â€), but less VAL angle to keep the pin over the ring finger. I wanted a little bit of mid lane read, but also the quick, aggressive backend that a pin up layout would provide. This layout worked perfectly. I started playing 12-6 on the house shot, with a very sharp backend move, and I was amazed at the ability of the ball to pick up the mid lane but still yield a strong, powerful move to the pocket, shown by my 300 the second game with the ball (219, 300, 248). Deflection was not an issue as the Brute powered through the pins and kept coming back for more, leaving a few solid 8’s and 9’s. As the pattern broke down, I was able to get into 15, and then 18, with my break point out at 10-11, without sacrificing too much for pin carry (225, 232, 219). I noticed that the Brute didn’t seem to like going inside out as much as playing further out on the lane and increasing the entry angle. This was what I expected out a ball that I call a “Ringer on steroidsâ€. In comparison to balls in the current lineup, I had the Brute 3 boards further in with my feet and 3 further in with my eyes than the Fortera Exile, and 5 further out with my feet and 4 further out with my target than the Melee Cross.
Kegel Broadway (37ft.)
I was excited to play on this oil pattern with the Brute, as it performed well the house shot I used it on, but to me, the measure of a ball is how it handles harder oil patterns. The Brute performed quite admirably on Broadway. Like many players on Broadway, I tend to start further outside on this pattern, and migrate in as needed. I started with the Brute on 9, playing out to 5 with a really good look for a couple of games (220, 229). Then, I started to move in for the next two games, into 12, swinging to 8, and had my best success as the pattern broke down (235, 248). Lastly, I got further inside on games five and six, noticed a slip in pin carry, but was surprised how much further in I could go and still reach the pocket pretty consistently, finishing at 16 swinging out to 12 (205, 219). I was 4 further inside than my Fortera Exile and 5 with my feet (to finish), and was 4 further out (to finish) and 5 out with my feet than my Melee Cross. I actually liked the Fortera Exile on the broken down pattern a little better due to the fact that I could square up and carry better by crossing fewer boards. Part of this is the make-up of the ball, and the other part is the shorter pin distance I used to drill it. But, the Brute is an excellent choice to start on Broadway, and adjust to a Fortera Exile, and finally a Strike King, as the pattern really breaks down.
WTBA Paris Oil Pattern (47ft.)
The Paris oil pattern was the longest that I tested Brute on at 47ft. I feel this was the pattern that would test the ball the most. After throwing many games with this ball, a pattern has emerged as long as you can square up with this ball, it will recover and carry very nicely. I got deeper on this pattern than any other I tested, and while I could still consistently hit the pocket with decent pin carry, my best carry was when I was further outside creating a larger entry angle to the pocket. I started out playing 14 with my mark and only swinging to 11, but this yielded good results (230, 219). I migrated in to 18 and swung to 15, and the pin carry did slip a little (221, 215), which was not a surprise to me considering how tough this pattern can play with less aggressive equipment. So, I finally ended up on 20, getting out to 16 with a very cutoff angle of entry. As I stated earlier, the pin carry was decent considering how deep I was on the lane (205, 219). Overall, I averaged about 4 boards further in than with the Fortera Exile, and 5 boards further inside with my feet. I was 5 boards further out than my Melee Cross on the lane and 6 further out with my feet on Paris.
Overall Impressions
I really liked the ball reaction of the Brute, especially for price point. Many times these types of balls are relegated to special conditions and not as versatile, especially on heavier or longer patterns, but the Brute handled each lane condition well, and can handle most oil conditions you will encounter. I used it from 37-47ft. oil patterns, lower and higher ratios, with success on each pattern. The deeper you go on the lane, the lower the pin carry, but the further out you go, the carry increases significantly. I wouldn’t call the Brute a “benchmark ballâ€, but it is a vital piece in your arsenal, especially as the lanes break down and you need something to make a quick transition from oil to dry. This is a great bowling ball, and a much needed addition to the Brunswick lineup, fitting in perfectly between the Melee Cross and Fortera Exile. Go get your Brunswick Brute on the 24th of September; you’ll be glad you did!
James Goulding III
Brunswick Ball Tester
