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

BRUNSWICK MASTERMIND SCHOLAR REVIEW

James Goulding III
Brunswick Ball Tester
Left Handed
350 RPM
PAP: 4 3/8” x 0”
17* Tilt
18.0 – 18.5 MPH

Brunswick Mastermind Scholar
Layout: 45* x 4” x 20*, pin up and left of ring finger
X-hole: None

Review:

41ft. House Pattern, Medium-Heavy Blend

I drilled the Mastermind Scholar to be a longer, more violent version of the Mastermind Intellect, and that’s exactly what I got. Using this ball on fresh THS is almost like cheating; it creates that much area and down lane “miss room”. Being on the left side, I am able to play straighter with more aggressive equipment, which is why the Scholar was a perfect fit for my game. My first three game set was a 782 with games of 258, 259, 265. The ball reaction is very clean through the heads and mid lane, gives a strong heavy roll into the pocket, and something new to my Brunswick arsenal, a “hockey stick” look off the back of the oil pattern. I believe the combination of the strong motor of the Scholar core, as well as the pearl cover stock, both allow this ball to attain that “hockey stick” type of hook. As far as comparison to other equipment, I played 3 boards further left with my feet, and 2 boards further left with my eyes than with the Mastermind Intellect with a similar layout. I was also about 4 boards further right with my feet with the same target at the arrows as my Melee Jab, showing just how much stronger the Scholar really is than the Melee Jab.  If you’re looking for a long and strong ball in your lineup that will fill the hole perfectly, then pick up a Mastermind Scholar.

Team USA Mexico City Oil Pattern

I was curious how the Mastermind Scholar would handle the longer oil pattern (45ft.) that Mexico City lays down, and was actually pleasantly surprised with the results. With a 4” pin over and left layout, the Scholar starts its move early enough to give a true readable reaction on this oil pattern. Carry percentage was the only issue on this pattern when it was fresh, but after throwing a few games, and breaking down the pattern, the Scholar really shined. It’s a perfect compliment to the original Mastermind and Mastermind Intellect, which both worked great on Mexico City until they broke down, and then I could move right to the Scholar and pick up where the original Mastermind left off, playing a similar part of the lane. On this pattern, I played 3 boards further left with my feet and 2 boards further left with my target than the original Mastermind. Also, I was 4 boards further right and 1 board further right with my target than I was with the Melee Jab on Mexico City.

Team USA Los Angeles Oil Pattern

The Team USA Los Angeles oil pattern is a 36ft. pattern, which was a great test to see how the Mastermind Scholar would react to the shorter length, and it really shined on the fresh oil. I was able to start left, placing the ball down around 12, catching my break point at the 4 board down lane, and the ball reaction was incredible. Even as I had to move inside as the oil pattern wore down, I was still able to get tremendous pin carry, which is something that many balls struggle with as you increase the angle off of your hand. The shorter VAL angle really allows this ball to come off the back of the pattern with a tremendous amount of energy. I was able to play much straighter and further outside than I could with my Mastermind Intellect on this shorter oil pattern, and having that pearl cover stock really makes a huge difference, especially on these types of shorter oil patterns. I played 5 further left with my feet and 4 further left with my target than the Mastermind Intellect, and I was able to play 3 further right with my feet and the same target as the Melee Jab. Overall, I was very pleased with how the Scholar held up on this shorter pattern, and it will be the ball I start with going forward, and if they break down I can go to my Melee Jab and then the Strike King when they really break down.

Overall Impression

I would say that overall the Mastermind Scholar is a must own for any bowler looking to add a ball that can get down lane and have a very aggressive move to the pocket. The cover stock is very surface adjustment friendly, so don’t be afraid to sand or polish the cover stock to your liking. This ball fits perfectly between the Mastermind Intellect (very aggressive) and the Melee Jab (medium oil monster) in my arsenal, and it will be in my bag for a long time. If you’re a one day a week bowler, this ball will help get you the most bang for your buck, as the pearl cover will maximize the amount of length and backend reaction from one ball. Also, if you’re the serious, competitive bowler such as me, then this ball HAS to be in your bag at all times. I can’t wait to use it on an even wider variety of tournament conditions and see this ball shine. If you’re looking for your next long and strong ball, or looking to fill that gap between the early, super aggressive stuff and the milder reacting balls, check out the Brunswick Mastermind Scholar, you’ll be glad you did!

James Goulding III
Brunswick Ball Tester

PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Length: 41 ft

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle: 55x4x35
 and 60x5x70

X Hole: p1 on pin up p3 on pin down


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 350 - 375

Ball Speed: 16-17 mph

PAP/Track:  5.5 Right 1 up


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box Finish

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished

I drilled my first scholar pin up 55x4x35 the same as i drilled my genius. The scholar with its Honor Roll A+ Pearl cover glides through the heads with ease compared to my genius. I love my genius but it does tend to burn up a bit on me and the scholar was the perfect ball to combat that. Even with a 4 inch pin the ball still gets through the heads cleanly and makes nice hard turn in the back end of the lane. It never quits and the carry is tremendous from this ball. Its great for Ths shot because of its ability to store energy even with lighter volume outside and give guys with less hand more pop off the friction. I highly recommend this ball to anyone of any style.

I drilled my second Scholar pin down for sport shot conditions. I went 60x5x70 on it with a p3 hole. This ball is unbelievable. Its the first ball out of my bag every night or day of bowling. It gets through fronts easy and really controls the mids well for a pearl ball. I get a great arcing motion in the back even on heavier patterns and it has great continuation. With box surface and five inch pin it might be too flippy for flatter patterns so you might have to hit it lightly with surface. So far i haven't had that problem at all. If you don't have a Scholar yet your prob gonna lose to someone who does. Your bag is not complete without this piece.

BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 15 lbs

DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle: 40 x 5" x 35

X Hole (if there is one): Yes

BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Medium , between 250-275 rpm

Ball Speed: 17-18 mph

PAP/Track: 5 1/2" over and 1/2" down

SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box Finish

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished

COMMENTS

The Mastermind Scholar is a very strong polished version of the original Mastermind.  It provides great length through heads and picks up a strong roll in the midlane with a strong angular motion like the Mastermind.  I drilled mine with the same layout as my Mastermind to give me that 1-2 punch combo as a 2 ball transition set.  The Mastermind Scholar is a great ball added to the Mastermind line and a must have.

Charles Withers II
Brunswick Advisory Staff

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

  LANE CONDITION

Length:40

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:Drilled a second Scholar to complement my other, drilled this one with pin down
with a 55x3 3/4 x 35 layout and have surfaced at 3000, this has now been my go to ball, works very well for me in med to heavy oil situations and like my other Scholar, all three phases of the transition,skid,hook and roll complements my game. Carry % exceeds all my expectations. Nothing better on this planet for my game than Brunswick

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

LANE CONDITION

Length:

Volume:

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):


COMMENTS

Likes:

Dislikes:


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

I love my Einstein so much that I quickly ordered a Scholar.  Unfortunately, the ball that arrived had a 5"+ pin so I laid the ball out 55x5.5x35 (pin way up) and decided that it would be a gap filler for when I need angle.  This ball hits the corner like nothing else in my arsenal and as a result has been a love/hate ball in my bag.  The tremendous backend impresses my team mates who love seeing the ball hook on the backend and throw messengers, but is usually too much angle to maximize my score.  When it comes to balls that create this much angle, any pattern with strong backends makes it too sharp to ever make contact with the 9 pin, while wet/dry or flat patterns make it too touchy at the breakpoint.

Although I have thrown this ball at inopportune times, when I have had the right match up it has made strange conditions look easy.  I have liked what I have seen on burn from inside 5 arrow on 45' Route 66 in my challenge league, but by far the best look I have had was at an old house which covered their blackened wood lanes with a temporary piece of purple plastic coating called lane shield.  Even on their house shot, it is difficult to project the ball through the fronts, let alone corner enough to not flat 10.  The Scholar is the one ball which allows me to open up my angles and give me enough downlane shape to not move the pins.

As far as reaction, it is more sensitive to wet/dry than the Brainiac and in between the Vandal and Einstein in terms of overall hook.  With its very strong response to friction and aggressive down lane move, I would recommend this ball for bowlers looking for help creating angle down the lane.  The weaker cover (in comparison to Brunswick's other high end balls) makes it a better match for medium volumes of oil and allows the ball to hold line on patterns where some of the help has been burnt out.  Although the Scholar is a ball that due to my natural stylistic match up of higher revs/spin doesn't get much playtime in my hands, bowlers with heavier rolls on older surfaces and wood will love this ball!