Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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Brunswick Mastermind Scholar Ball Specs:

- Color: Blue, Silver, & Gold Pearl All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Core: Mastermind Ultra Low RG (14#-16#)
- Coverstock: Honor Roll A+ Pearl Reactive
- Factory Finish: 500 Siaair Micro Pad; Royal Compound , Royal Shine
- Reaction: Flip
- Radius of Gyration (RG): 2.540**
- Differential (Diff): 0.052**
- ** RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
- Hook Potential: 220 (scale 10-250)
- Length: 135 (scale 25-235)
- Breakpoint Shape: Angular
- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy Oil
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal

LANE CONDITION

USBC Blue

Length:39'


COMMENTS

Drilled pin up using 45 x 5 x 30 layout.  First game out of the box 258 with this ball.  Really continues well through the pins.

I don't have a lot of ball speed and I was able to get this through the midlane to the breakpoint pretty easily.  I was very impressed with how it reads the spot and reacts.  Definitely a different shape than an Intellect and therefore complements it very well.

I would stick to using this ball on medium volume patterns unless you apply some surface. This first attempt at a pearl ball in the Mastermind line is definitely worth a look.

Jeff Poholsky
Brunswick Advisory Staff

The opinions above are mine and not those of Brunswick Corporation.

Likes: Easy to get the ball down lane.  Hitting power

Dislikes:  None yet

I laid out the Mastermind Scholar with a 60X5.5X40 layout.  This is usually my choice layout on asymetrical’s.  Again Brunswick leans towards length and strong backend with this ball, and those that like that shape won’t be disappointed.  On a THS fresh, this ball was very long at the center I manage which is a higher volume 42 foot pattern.  With a box surface it was too long going left to right.  I scratched it with 3000 and it looked much better.  I don’t think this ball will be the first ball out of my bag, but it will see plenty of time once the heads break down just a little bit.  I wouldn’t define this ball as angular off the spot, as I do see the weight block still stand up before it makes its move, but the ball is plenty strong from the breakpoint to the pins.  For me the ball is 2 ft cleaner than a Genius, and easily an arrow stronger off the break point.

Bobby Benton
Maryland

Brunswick Mastermind Scholar (http://www.bowlwithbrunswick.com/balls/detail/mastermind-scholar/)
40 x 5 x 70 (OOB Surface)

Personal Stats:
400-450 RPM
18-20 MPH
PAP - 5 5/8" over, 1" up
Axis Tilt - Estimated 8-12 Degrees
http://youtu.be/XywVojKDWR4#t=1h12m50s (example)
Current League Average: 237
Sport Average: 210

Intended Use:
I drilled up the Mastermind Scholar with the intent of drilling a stronger ball that was clean up front with the pearl cover, but strong and smooth off the spot with the big core in this ball.

Reaction:
This ball is about 2-3 boards less than my Mastermind Genius, but much cleaner up front. The smoother layout keeps the ball from overreacting off the dry, but with my speed, I may need the knock the OOB polish off the ball for heavier volumes.

Overall:
First off, this ball has shelf appeal. I've gotten to throw it twice and heard nothing but how awesome it looks going down the lane with the blue/silver/gold coverstock. This will be a great piece for me when I want to get left and store energy for downlane motion while still controlling the spot. When the midlanes start to go, I can wait longer before having to implement loft and this clean cover won't overreact off the dry.

LANE CONDITION

Length:35, 41, 43

Volume: Sport and House

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:Brunswick Mastermind Scholar

The Scholar has an Ultra low rg core combined with a high differential making this ball one of the most aggressive and angular pearl bowling balls ever produced.  The great thing about this ball is how easily it gets through the front part of the lane regardless of what happens to the heads.  When it clears the pattern it has complete stored energy making a strong angular shape to the pocket.  Do to its flipping power, this ball can recover from almost anywhere.  You can use this ball on almost any pattern, its incredibly versatile allowing you to play multiple angles.  With its an awesome color combination this ball looks awesome going down the lane.  It looks even better as it penetrates the pins.  This ball hits so hard which is a product of all the stored energy its able to sustain due to the cover and core combination. 

I’ve drilled one 75 x 4 1/2 x 70.  This is a pin down drilling.  I wanted to create some versatility in my ball motion.  If for some reason my pin above drilling (see below) is going to lane, I can easily switch to this ball to get the ball going sooner.  The characteristics of this drilling has made the ball pick up soon, but looks like it has a heavy roll.  When the ball clears the pattern it makes a hard aggressive arc to the pins.  Then it has a continuous monition through the pins allowing for optimal carry.  Since this ball stores so much energy you can still have a pin under drilling look very strong down lane.  The Honor Roll A+ cover gets this ball through the fronts with ease.  This can easily be the first ball out of the bag.

The second one I drilled 75 x 5 x 35 which is a pin above drilling.  I tend to use this drilling on my more competitive sport conditions.  By drilling the Scholar this way, I’m able to really get the ball down lane, when it clears the pattern, you can literally see the ball flip quickly and make an angular move to the pocket.  I really love the forgiveness of this ball as well as the versatility of the Scholar.  If you miss right, with its strong flipping characteristics this ball can recover from almost anywhere.  The other perk, is if you tug it a bit into the longer part of the oil pattern, where with most balls you’d leave a flat 10 or 7 (left handers), this ball will react very strongly and punch those corner pins out. 

Since the ball has so much stored energy, it hits the pins with strong continuous motion.  Also with this potential energy your carry with this ball is amazing.  It gives great versatility and forgiveness to every bowler.  It is the most incredible pearl bowl I’ve ever thrown.  My carry is amazing with this ball, this is a must for your bowling arsenal.
Please feel free to email me at troy_300_1999@yahoo.com with any questions.

Troy Schaefer
Brunswick Regional Staff Player
#bowlwithbruns #teamBrunswick

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Layout #1 35 x 5 x 40
Layout #2 75 x 2 1/4 x 55 X-Hole P3

Bowling on the Sunset strip 50uL pattern, I start with Layout #1 which gives me a firm backend reaction. This ball works well for the first two games. I didn't have many higher rev players with me and the majority of the bowlers were in the track area. I tried moving in deeper but ended up with an over under reaction.

I moved back right where I started with #1 and tried layout #2. This put me right back into the pocket and finished off the night strong. #2 gives me a smoother transition midlane and controls the wet dry very well. This layout would also be good on shorter patterns where you need to control the backend.

I left the coverstock OOB. I also used #1 on Route 66 with a 50 uL pump. The Intellect was the preferred ball for this pattern, but I tightened up my angles and the Scholar still gave me a good look without crossing too many boards.

The carry is amazing and I have noticed that I will go three games before I leave any ten pins! 9 pins are more common

BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 16 Lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle Layout: 75 x 5" x 35

X Hole (if there is one): none


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, royal compound, royal shine

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished


LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple


BALL REACTION

Length: 8 / 10

Back End: 8 / 10

Overall Hook: 8 / 10

Midlane Read: 7 / 10

Breakpoint Shape: Angular


COMMENTS

Likes: Compliments the Mastermind series with more of a skid / snap reaction

Dislikes: None


The Mastermind Scholar uses a pearl version of the Honor Roll A+ coverstock that was used in the Mastermind Intellect. This ball is a great compliment to the Mastermind Intellect because it will give you added length and that strong backend reaction. The Mastermind Scholar goes about 2 - 4 boards longer with a stronger snap downlane compared to the Mastermind Intellect. I can move in and throw it to the friction and it recovers every time. Even with my higher rev rate, the Mastermind series doesn't over hook and gives me a stronger ball motion for medium to heavier oil conditions. This ball looks great with the 3 bright colors of gold, silver, and blue. With my pin up drilling, it allows me to get that snap downlane when reaching the friction. If you are looking for a stronger ball with good length and strong snap downlane, the Mastermind Scholar won't disappoint.

Got a chance to throw the Mastermind Scholar and Gold Rhino Pro last night on the USBC Nationals Team pattern. The Scholar looked great on the fresh, the layout on this ball was 45/5.5/35.  It gave me traction in the mid-lane with a predictable continuous backend motion.  This ball is another home run in the Brunswick line.  In my opinion, this is the most angular high end ball we have ever come out with. 

The Gold Rhino Pro was what I threw later in the day.  The layout is 50/5/95.  It was definitely more overall hook than I anticipated. The Mastermind Scholar looked great on the fresh, Melee Jab looked good through the first transition and then the Gold Rhino Pro stole the show. When the front of the lane started to burn up and I had wiggle down lane this ball got through the front with ease and gave me all of the backend continuation I could ask for. I can see myself using this ball on everything.

What I am looking for when I compete Is an aggressive yet predictable shape as I migrate from bowling ball to bowling ball. Top to bottom, our line is fantastic, there are multiple balls for a variety of styles and our covers are as versatile as can be. Please trust me, go to your pro shop and give Brunswick a chance, you won't be disappointed. If there is anything I can do to help you decide which ball would suit you the best, just send me a message!

David O'Sullivan
Brunswick Pro Staff