You asked and they delivered (and then some)! Find out how Brunswick Bowling took your wish of performance #Urethane to the next level creating something that was #BetterThanUrethane as Lane Side Reviews takes the new #FanaticBTU to the lanes in our latest episode!
#TeamBrunswick #TeamLSR #TeamLogoInfusion #TurboGrips #bowling #burn #sportbowling #shortpattern #wetdry #fanatic

BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 16 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle Layout: 45 x 4" x 65

X Hole (if there is one): P3


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Higher, between 370 and 410 rpm, aka Cranker

Ball Speed: 16.50 mph

PAP/Track: 5 3/8" over and 7/8" up with a high track


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box - 500 Siaair, 1500 Siaair

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded


LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple


BALL REACTION

Length: 7 / 10

Back End: 6 / 10

Overall Hook: 6 / 10

Midlane Read: 6 / 10

Breakpoint Shape: Urethane like with continuation


COMMENTS

Likes: Great ball for shorter or lighter oil patterns

Dislikes: None

The Fanatic BTU has a lower differential I-Block core with a Urethane coverstock that actually absorbs a little oil and has a urethane like smooth reaction. The Fanatic BTU will not create the traditional carry down effect of most urethane coverstock bowling balls making you move right after every shot. This ball allows me to play straighter angles and farther right even with my higher rev rate. As I keep moving left on the lane, it doesn't lose reaction downlane and will keep driving through the pocket. It is great for shorter oil patterns or on a house shot to stay right of everyone and not create the carry down at the breakpoint. I really like how it doesn't read the lane early even with a first angle of 45 degrees. Also, it is great to go to when a reactive resin ball is hooking early. This ball was named correctly as BTU because it is Better Than Urethane!


Here is a video of me throwing the Fanatic BTU:

Original purpose of drilling this ball was strictly for short patterns and spares. however, after drilling, I quickly realized this ball is MORE than a normal urethane piece. The way the Fanatic BTU rolls in comparison to other urethanes is truly amazing. When first testing this ball, I was expecting this piece to roll and stand up like traditional urethane balls. When I expected this piece to start its roll, it continued to retain its energy. The BTU glides through the spot where I expected it to hook, and retain energy for another 3-4ft down lane before it started a gently arcing motion into the pocket. Once the ball reached the pocket, it definitely didn't hit like a traditional urethane ball. This ball hits like a reactive resin ball, and sounds like it too. No dull sound when going through the pins like I had in the past.

For anyone who is fighting shorter house shot patterns, or patterns with a lot of over/under conditions where you need to control the break point, this is definitely the ball of choice. 

Brunswick Fanatic BTU Review
James Goulding
Brunswick Staff
Speed: 17.0 – 17.5
Rev rate: 350
PAP: 4 5/8” x 0”
Drill Pattern: 60 x 4” x 30 (no x-hole)


Typical House Shot:

I drilled the Fanatic BTU to be in my tournament bag but have found that as the lanes transition on two different house shots that I bowl on, it performs quite well there too. I tried it at a few surfaces: box finish, which I found to be a little too early of a roll for my liking, though I may go back to that on a shorter and heavier sport pattern, 4000 polished, which was WAY too sensitive to any sort of wet/dry on the lane, and then I took it to a 3000 sanded finish and that is where it really shined on the house shot. I bowled a 36 frame clean set with it last week, going games of 217, 228, 236 for a nice 681 series. I only had to move 3-4 boards all night, playing a more direct line to the pocket, but the pin carry and hit in the pocket was incredible. If you are looking for a ball that hits like resin, but has that nice heavy roll of a urethane ball, the Brunswick Fanatic BTU is for you!

PBA Wolf:

I was excited to see how the Fanatic BTU would perform here, and I was NOT disappointed. I took the cover down to 2000 sanded for my best reaction, playing 7-8 at the arrows, going to 3-4 at my break point. The line held up very well over five games, my low game was only 192, and my average for the day was 210. I was very consistent all day and the ball kept me “in play” which is what I want out of ANY tournament ball in my bag. Leave makeable spares and stay clean, getting strikes when you can, and this ball keeps me around the pocket better than any ball in my bag on tough tournament conditions. This ball is a real winner from the R & D department at Brunswick bowling. DO NOT hesitate to get this ball, just put your favorite layout on it and enjoy!

WTBA Paris:

I tried the Fanatic BTU on the longer, 47 ft. Paris oil pattern, and found that the reaction wasn’t too bad at all. I had to take the cover down to 1000 sanded to get it to pick up the mid lane better, but once I did that, it rolled great through the pins. I had games of 189 and 193 before the surface change, and games of 211, 235, 221, 238 after the surface change. Anytime I can shoot games like that on a tough sport pattern I will take it! Once again, the hitting power of this ball is incredible, and do not be fooled by how smooth it is, it retains more than enough on the back end to carry the corner pins you may leave with other “urethane type” of balls. They don’t call it “better than urethane” for nothing, it’s legit.

In closing, I am really impressed with the Brunswick Fanatic BTU. I have never been a huge fan of the traditional urethane ball roll, but since this was “better than urethane” I decided to give it a try. I am SO glad I did! This ball does not leave my bag, especially for tournaments. If you have an oil pattern that is blotchy, or you just can’t match up with some of your regular stuff, just tighten up the line a little bit, pull out the Brunswick Fanatic BTU, and waste your competition. You will not be disappointed in this ball, make sure you get to your local pro shop and pick one up today, you’ll be glad you did! Thank you for reading my review, and thank you for considering Brunswick for your next purchase. Good luck and good bowling everyone!

Bowler Specs:

left handed
PAP 5 over 3/4 up
rev rate  425-450 rpm
ball speed  17-18mph

Ball specs:
Pin 3-4
top 2-3

drill pattern 45x4 1/2x65  dual angle

The Fanatic BTU is a ball that really only sees the lanes on tournament conditions that aren't a house shot.   The BTU loves the shorter patterns where there is a lot of friction.  The BTU truly is better than old school urethane, It gives you the consistency and reaction of urethane with the hitting power of a reactive bowling ball.

If the Fanatic BTU is used on the proper conditions, there wont be any dislikes about this ball....  On shorter sport shots or high friction patterns this ball will keep you in the pocket and strike a lot.   it will struggle on the longer  heavier patterns but it wasn't mean for those patterns.

If you're trying to find a ball for your arsenal that will excel on the higher friction stuff do not Hesitate to put a Brunswick Fanatic BTU in your Bag

The Fanatic BTU is one of the most unique balls Brunswick has ever launched. It creates a shape that is similar to Urethane but it is a lot more continuous through the pins. This ball is very good when you want to stay to the right and keep your target in front of you. It gives you a classic Urethane shape but transfers a lot more energy through the pins than the old Urethanes did. I use this ball when I’m on a wet dry condition as it blends out the lane very well due to its unique cover. If you looking for that classic Urethane shape with better pin carry you need to have one of these in your bag.

Greg

The BTU has been a polarizing ball for many people as it is not, nor does it react like traditional urethane and when drilled pin up has the potential to cover some backend boards.  My first BTU was drilled pin up and although I had no problem finding the pocket with it, my carry was often suspect.  I recently decided to drill my second Fanatic BTU 50x4x75 (pin below ring) and kept it at box surface.

I've had lot of success in the past with stronger pin down layouts on lower diff cores and since dropping to 15# don't have anything weak + low response other than my old Karma Urethane which fails to shape left of 7 board.  The pin down Fanatic BTU has been an absolute godsend when playing up the boards and has surprisingly carried well.  I've used it on 40' Bourbon Street playing up the track on fresh.  In that particular house the backends were snappy inside, so the BTU let me ride up the 8-9 board and on off hits would send the 5 into the 4-7 just like the seniors who were scoring.  My absolute best look with the pin down BTU has been on 36' Pegasus which is a short pattern in our Challenge league.  I started up 5 for 289 last week and continued to step left until I was crossing just inside 2 arrow swinging to the ditch.  What has impressed me the most about this ball was bowling a 20 game baker tournament this past weekend on a THS.  By the end of the tournament the right side was toast, yet there was a cliff at 5 arrow.  All of my pin ups and pearls would either instahook right or skid when missed left.  I ended up playing 5th arrow to a breakpoint of 12 tilting my hand with the BTU resulting in a very high pocket % (as expected) but with surprisingly good carry.  Urethane would not make the corner, yet all of my other reactives were either too much hook or too flippy.
The BTU is closest in reaction to the Blue Ringer or original Blue Karma but with a more predictable response to wet/dry.  If you own a BTU and can't figure it out, try redrilling it pin down and keep your speed up near the friction.  I highly recommend this ball with a pin down layout for drier house patterns or for anything short.