BRUNSWICK MEANSTREAK BEATDOWN REVIEW
Personal Specifications:
PAP: 4 3/8" x 0"
350 RPM (C.A.T.S.)
17* degree axis tilt
18.0-18.5 mph
Span: 4 7/8" x 4 7/8"
This is drill pattern I set up on the Brunswick Meanstreak Beatdown:
64* x 3 3/8” x 64*, no x-hole. Box finish: 500 / 4000.
I threw the Meanstreak Beatdown on a variety of lane conditions, and with the strong drill pattern I expected it to perform well on heavier, flatter patterns where weaker balls may struggle, and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Here are the results (so far) of what I have seen from the ball:
50 ft. oil pattern, 2:1 ratio (heavy blend)
This oil pattern was my favorite for the Meanstreak Beatdown. I was able to play 11-5 consistently with good carry percentage when hitting the pocket. I was able to stand 5 boards right, and target 3 boards right of where I could throw the Meanstreak Brawler. That was a surprising amount of extra area on the lane between the two balls, which was a very good thing. I did not have a lot of success with the original Meanstreak on this pattern. Normally on the heavier, flat patterns, the left side of the lane takes longer to develop a consistent scoring area due to less traffic, but the Meanstreak Beatdown really made up for that with its strong drill / cover combination. This will be the first ball out of my bag on this type of pattern going forward.
41 ft. oil pattern, 3:1 ratio (medium heavy blend)
The key to success with this oil pattern was to trust the Meanstreak Beatdown enough, knowing it would make a defined corner into the pocket. I am not used to seeing as much mid lane motion as I saw from the Meanstreak Beatdown, with the kind of backend continuation to carry corner pins. This ball really performed well on this pattern. I was able to play from 15-17 at the arrows, getting the ball to 7-8 at the break point, with immense pin action and superb carry percentage. I was 5 boards right with my feet and 4 boards inside of where I could play the Meanstreak Brawler, and I was 8 right with my feet and 7 boards right of where I could play with my original Meanstreak.
38 ft. oil pattern, 4:1 ratio (medium blend)
Creating swing area with the Meanstreak Beatdown was what this pattern was all about. I found that I could get the ball outside around the first arrow at the break point, laying it down at 13-15 at the arrows. Once again, the carry percentage was good, not quite as good as the heavier 41 ft. pattern, but I feel this was because of the lack of energy going into the pins, due to a little earlier hook and more energy being burned off going down lane with 3 ft. less oil. I was 4 boards inside with my feet and 4 boards inside on my target of where I played with the Meanstreak Brawler. I was 6 boards inside with my feet and 7 boards inside my target line than with the original Meanstreak. But, if shooting games of 228, 247, 221, 219, and 258 are considered struggling, I will take that all day long on this type of oil pattern with the Meanstreak Beatdown.
35 ft. oil pattern, 5:1 ratio (medium blend)
This oil pattern had good hold area inside for the Meanstreak Beatdown, so I decided to play around inside, laying the ball down around 18-20 at the arrows. I found that this part of the lane worked great for the Meanstreak Beatdown. I had tried playing closer to 10-12 at the arrows, but had way too much mid lane motion to hold line to the pocket on a consistent basis. So, by moving in to the 4th arrow, and swinging it out to 10-12, I was able to get great recovery and a much more consistent read to the pocket, with excellent pin carry. I was 5 boards right with my feet and 5 boards inside of where I used the Meanstreak Brawler, and about 9 boards right with my feet and 8 boards inside of the line I played with the original Meanstreak. The versatility of the Meanstreak Beatdown has been very impressive so far, and I would enjoy trying a few different layouts on this ball to really see how much of the reaction spectrum it will cover.
39 ft. typical house shot, 9:1 ratio (medium-heavy tapered)
Using the Meanstreak Beatdown on a typical house shot was pure joy. I was able to play multiple angles to the pocket and had great recovery and pin carry. I shot an 812 series at a local fundraiser this past weekend with the Meanstreak Beatdown, and was thoroughly impressed with how it holds up, even as the lanes broke down. All I had to do was keep moving 2 inside with my feet and about 1 board inside with my mark each time, and the ball just kept striking. On a THS, I was about 4-5 boards inside of the Meanstreak Brawler and about 7-8 inside of the original Meanstreak, both with my feet and target line. The Meanstreak Beatdown is a great benchmark piece of equipment for any league bowler out there looking for a versatile bowling ball that can handle medium to heavy volumes of oil, and for tournament bowlers looking for a ball that gives them a true, consistent read on any oil pattern.
Those are the patterns I have used the Meanstreak Beatdown on so far, and have put a significant amount of games on the ball. I have enjoyed testing this ball out, and certainly look forward to testing more Brunswick balls out in the near future. I will certainly keep using this ball, as it is a great piece of equipment, and a solid addition to the Meanstreak lineup. We already have bowlers asking to order them from our pro shop, and I can’t wait to drill some of these for bowlers, so they can experience just how good this ball is.
Sincerely,
James Goulding III
