The Brands of Brunswick have just announced four brand-new bowling balls: the Brunswick Strategy, the Track Kinetic Sapphire Ice, and the Radical Revenge Solid and Pearl.
Starting with the Brunswick Strategy, this ball features the Dual Centric core, which has a 2.509 RG, a 0.047 Differential, and a 0.016 intermediate Differential. This core is fairly strong, and it offers more power than the Zone Asymmetric core found in the Vaporize and the Mezmerize, though it features a higher RG.
The coverstock on the Brunswick Strategy is HK22C2-EVO PEARL. HK22C2 is currently used in most Brands of Brunswick equipment, such as the Hammer Zero Mercy (Solid and Pearl), the Ebonite Spartan, and the Hammer Full Effect. However, this will be the first Brunswick-branded ball to utilize this specific coverstock. Recent consumer feedback suggests that this coverstock has approximately a 50-game break-in period, after which the hook begins to decrease. HK22C2-EVO PEARL is the strongest coverstock, and all the variations of the EVO coverstock were found on the Mezmerize, Vaporize, and Energize.
Where will this fit in the bag? The Brunswick Strategy will be a fairly strong and sharp bowling ball comparable to the One Ovation, with Brunswick stating that this is “Brunswick’s most advanced technology”. Brunswick further states that this ball has “the strongest core and cover combinations we offer,” so the ball being as weak as it is surprises me. It will be more angular in the backend of the lane, yet smoother than the Infinity Quest.
The Brunswick Strategy is coming in at about $195 before drilling, so it is placed at the top pricing group of bowling balls sold by the Brands of Brunswick.
Next will be the Track Kinetic Sapphire Ice, featuring the Shuttle Core. This core has a low RG at 2.480, a very low differential at 0.040, and an insanely low intermediate differential at 0.006. This core is barely asymmetrical, so it is very weak and makes the Sapphire Ice the least flaring asymmetrical ball you will probably see on the market right now. This ball is also super cheap for its performance, coming in at $145 before drilling, which is very close to the Crown Victory.
The coverstock on the Kinetic Sapphire Ice is fairly strong and angular, that being the Prime Response Pearl. This can be found on the Track Cypher Pearl and Theorem Pearl.
The Track Kinetic Sapphire Ice seems to be very similar to the original Crown Victory. This points to a sign that the original Crown Victory will be discontinued in the coming months, since the Kinetic Sapphire Ice does fit in the same area as the original Crown Victory, just slightly less angular. Track does specifically say that this ball is “designed to fill a critical gap in the lineup,” and this ball provides less overall hook than the Stealth Mode Hybrid while offering a quicker, more responsive motion downlane.
Moving on to Radical Bowling is the Revenge Pearl and Solid. Both balls feature the same exact core used in the Sneak Attack. The Sneak Attack core comes in with a 2.544 RG and a 0.036 Differential, so it is a weak core.
The Revenge Pearl and Solid come wrapped around with HK22 Pearl and Solid, respectively. Radical Bowling states that this will be in the “EZ-USE” category.
Both of these balls are going to be Radical’s entry-level bowling balls. Radical’s entry-level bowling balls have generally been really good, since they’re a lot smoother than most of the competition and handle more oil better. Price-wise, they are looking to be about $120 before drilling.
Radical Bowling has been known in the bowling market to be the company who retires and discontinues bowling balls faster than any other brand, so Radical Bowling stating, “The Revenge will be a staple in the lineup for at least a year, with no changes,” is a great sign that Radical Bowling will start to slow down on the discontinuation of bowling balls.
Where will the Revenge Pearl and Solid fit in the bag? The Revenge Pearl will be fairly angular, less than the Hammer Bubblegum Vibe and Brunswick Danger Zone Purple Ice. This will work well for beginner two-handers who are rev-dominant. The Revenge Solid will be a lot smoother than the Pearl, but still more angular than the Hammer Raw and Brunswick Rhino lines.
