Brunswick Slingshot (Black/Silver)
15#
2.5†pin
Bowler Stats:
Speed: 18ish
Rev Rate: 325ish
Tilt: medium
PAP: 4 7/8†right 0†up/down
Layout:
135 by 4 by 70
no hole
OOB surface
Purpose:
To serve as a medium to medium-dry lane ball that wouldn’t jump straight left after seeing friction, making it useful for shorter sport shots as well.
On the lanes:
The reaction that I saw on the lanes is exactly like what I was looking for. I did heed the advice of others and drilled it strong and I’m glad I did. At the OOB surface with this drilling, the ball glides through the heads, has a moderate amount of midlane read, and saves energy for a nice strong arc to the pocket. As Lane Carter already said, most dry lane balls want to go long and snap hard, this one wants to gently pick up the midlane and roll to the pocket, not flip. One thing that I haven’t seen mentioned is the versatility of the ball. The reaction shape allows me to play up the gutter or play 5th arrow and beyond and still have enough energy to get all 10 to fall. Also as Lane already stated, I was a little surprised at the carry by this ball. It doesn’t do anything fancy, it doesn’t hook out of the house, it just strikes. So far, I’ve thrown this ball on 3 different patterns.
39ft THS, 8:1 ratio, Brunswick Pro-Anvil(2 yo), 19mL:
On my medium to medium-dry THS, my best line of attack was laying the ball down around 17 out to about 8 at the breakpoint and letting the smooth yet strong arc guide the ball back to the pocket. I was pleasantly surprised how much room I had with this ball. Yes I know it’s a house shot but normally you can miss inside and still strike but if you push it out too far then it hooks too sharply and goes through the face. When I threw a bad one and sent it wider than what would normally hold for our THS is still had its same smooth arc and found the pocket with authority. On the same pattern, my Avalanche Black/Green Pearl at the OOB surface and a 45 by 5.5 by 45 layout required me to move two boards outside with my feet and move the breakpoint about one board outside to strike. The Avalanche Pearl did not have that same read of the midlane that the Slingshot gave me and didn’t give me the smooth yet strong move at the breakpoint. The Avalanche Pearl skidded longer and had a much more pronounced reaction at the back of the pattern
39ft Flat Earth, Brunswick Pro-Anvil(2 yo), 25mL:
Silly me for thinking that a weaker, entry-level pearly couldn’t perform well on a pattern like this. I was able to play straight up 10 with the most success. The ball would once again ignore the heads, pick up the very last bit of the pattern, and then tip to the pocket. The ball motion was very controllable, something that is absolutely ideal for a pattern like this. The only other ball I had a decent look with was my C-System 2.5 and that required a laydown of 14 out to 9 but this was touchier since the reaction shape of this ball is so strong off of the spot.
2009 USBC Masters, 40uL per board, Brunswick Pro-Anvil (7 yo):
Soooo glad I brought this ball with me for this pattern. I thought I’d only be able to use it after the pattern broke down a bit but I was happily mistaken. I originally tried playing with my Evil Siege from 12 out to 8 but this was really tough and the reaction was choppy on the inside part of the lane. This house does have some odd quirks to it that makes patterns play a little odd. Anyways I had to make a change so I hop out on the gutter and throw the Evil Siege up 3. It jumped left a little early and almost went brookland, but it did give me the idea that a shot is out there. I grab my Slingshot, move in to play straight up 4, and enjoy the show. The Slingshot ignored the early part of the friction that made the Evil Siege stand up too quickly and dive left too hard. The Slingshot read the perfect amount of midlane and its smooth arc was controllable but strong enough to get back to the pocket despite skidding through the first bit of friction.
I have noticed that the Slingshot does seem to be a tiny bit squeamish when it comes to carrydown but I feel like the strong pin down drilling minimized the effect that carrydown has on the overall ball motion and carry.
In general, I’d say this ball is one to have in your bag regardless of what type of bowler you are. It’s perfect for house shots while also being able to give you looks on sport patterns that no other ball can. I’ll echo what others have suggested and that is to drill it strong and I’d say to go pin down for most bowlers unless you’re looking for that more pronounced response at the end of the pattern. I’ve actually been a little excited just in the fact that I’ve been able to use this ball as much as I have. Its going to take a lot for this ball to not be in my tournament or even league bag, the ball is just that good and that versatile. What you have here is a boatload of performance at the entry level price…. How can you say no to that? Go get one and see for yourself. You and your wallet will be glad you did!
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Brunswick Advisory Staff
Jared Wolf
Jonesboro, AR
www.bowlingchat.netThe opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
