Strategy is a crucial part of any sport and bowling is no different. The Brunswick Mastermind Strategy pairs the Relativity Solid Reactive coverstock with the Modified Mastermind Asymmetric core to offer a ball that has a strong and controllable hook motion when used on medium to heavy oiled lanes. The ball motion of the Mastermind Strategy is similar to the one produced by the original Mastermind.

Color: Blue/Violet/Orange All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
Core: Modified Mastermind Asymmetric
Coverstock: Relativity Solid
Finish: 500, 2000 Siaair
Reaction: Strong and controllable hook motion
RG: 2.504**
Differential: 0.048****
RG and Diff are based off of 15 lb. balls
Hook Potential: 240 (scale 10-250)
Length: 105 (scale 25-235)
Breakpoint Shape: Angular
Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Heavy Oil

Drilled my Mastermind Strategy 55x4.75x65 (pin below bridge) to compliment my Brainiac which has continued to grow on me as one of the staples of my tournament bag.  The Strategy gives me traction in the midlane with a heavy roll that sets up in front of the pins.  Our local house has been kind enough to lay down 43' Dead Man's Curve all summer and this ball has been an absolute killer on fresh.  Most of my other stronger balls are too responsive downlane on fresh sport patterns, causing mediocre shots to hook through the face.  The rollier shape of the Strategy gives me more forgiveness and predictability on fresh allowing my marginal shots to be 9 counts from around the pocket instead of 7-8 counts from hooking into the pins.
The only negative of using a pin down solid ball playing inside on long patterns is that the carry is just so so.  I personally am more comfortable moving in and circling the ball more than staying up the back to the right so this ball fits right into my wheel house.  As a player who typically struggles on fresh, this ball has been an absolute godsend by giving me a look that the "clean through the front/explosive on the backend" balls cannot offer.

To compare this ball to anything in my bag, it is a step more early/even than my Guru Supreme (the wall killer) and is a great option for fresh in my tournament bag.  It starts up a few feet sooner and is a couple stronger than my Brainiac, which is drilled very similarly and is the perfect step down once the Strategy either starts up too soon (forces me too far left) or begins to labor around the corner.  In terms of overall hook it is close to my Vandal Smash and Melee Hook, but with an earlier, lower response shape reminding me most of my Hell Raiser Revenge.
I recommend this ball for tournament bowlers looking for help on fresh sport patterns.  This ball will be a step stronger and flatter off the spot than your benchmark ball, giving it that perfect shape for keeping you out of trouble while tricky patterns settle in for those first couple of games.

Bowler Stats
Left Handed
pap 5 over 3/4 up
axis tilt 17degrees
rev rate 425-450
ball speed 17.5-18mph

Ball Specs
15lbs
pin 2-3
top 3oz

I drilled my Mastermind Strategy 65 x 5.5 x40  this put  the pin in my middle finger and the cg about 1/2in off my grip centerline..   no x hole was needed....   

The Mastermind Strategy is the ball I go to once the heavier oil patterns  I see in tournaments  starts to transition...  this is a ball I can throw when I need to move in and get around it but it still has enough teeth to cut through the oil and make it back.   The great thing about the Mastermind Strategy is that it continues through the pins better than any ball in its price point......

The Mastermind Strategy is a ball Every Bowler Should have in their bag

Likes: Another great Brunswick ball that has an even roll all the way down the lane.  I also like that it is smooth when it checks up to the pocket - NO skid/flip.  It has a rough cover stock and I was thinking that it was going to really hook but it was so tame and didn't overhook like I had thought - great control through the whole lane.  I am left handed - it is 15-lb and the pin is at 11:00 to the upper left of the ring finger about a half inch away from the finger hole.  I'm really liking the whole concept that Brunswick is bringing to the public.  You have control of the ball and not the ball having control over you.   

Dislikes: Is that I don't own more than one.

Left handed

Average: 230

Rev Rate: 390

Pattern Length:39'

Volume:22 ml

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS




The Mastermind strategy has a great ball motion, and tremendous hitting power! This ball seems to pick up the pattern much better than other balls with some type of surface to it. The Mastermind strategy has a much better response for getting into a roll much quicker, picking up the mid-lane and the ball still has plenty of energy for changing direction on the backends and driving through the pins.
I have drilled mine 4 1/2 inches off my axis point, with a small weight hole right on my axis point, to help keep the ball smooth throughout the motion on the lane.
So if your looking for a strong rolling ball for that heavy oil condition, this is the one!

BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 16 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle Layout: 40 x 5 x 70

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 – 2000

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded


LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple


BALL REACTION

Length: 7 / 10

Back End: 8 / 10

Overall Hook: 9 / 10

Midlane Read: 7 / 10

Breakpoint Shape: Great length with strong backend motion


COMMENTS

Likes: This ball is good in heavier oil conditions and has good length

Dislikes: None

The Mastermind Strategy is as good as the Original with more backend reaction. This ball matches up well on heavier oil conditions or where you need a stronger overall motion. Even with the box 2000 surface and a pin under drilling drilling with a strong 1st angle of 40 degrees, my Mastermind Strategy goes 40 - 45 feet before starting to hook and has great continuation through the pins. Plus, I can keep chasing left to stay in the oil on a house shot without losing downlane reaction. The changes to the coverstock formulation from the original Mastermind and the use of composite technology will help keep the ball hooking longer before having to have the oil extracted. Also, this ball doesn't lane shine as quickly which will allow the surface adjustments to last longer. This ball would make a great first ball out of the bag and when it starts to hook too much, you could go to the Mastermind Brainiac to get more length. I have been able to use this ball in league and on longer sport shots.

Here is a video of me throwing the Mastermind Strategy: