Thoughts on the Brunswick Strike King?

[DLP]

When I was choosing my first ball (which ended up being a polyester because I need to learn how to crawl before I can walk), I was looking at the possibility of picking up a Brunswick Sling Shot. Found out from the local Pro that the Sling Shot may be on the way out, with the Strike King being it's replacement. I am wondering if I should jump on the band wagon and get one now so I can move up to an entry level performance ball as my game progresses or hold out and make the decision when I get to that point as to which way to go.

[billf]

As much as I like the Slingshot, I would wait.
1. You don't know if the ball will fit your style once you get to that point.
2. There will probably be balls that you like better when the time comes.

[Judy clemons]

sling shot is extremely reasonalbly priced and everyone needs to add to the arsenal if they have intentions of becoming pro
bowlers therefore i would suggest you go ahead on and get one in your favorite color i don't believe you will ever regret it.
while your at it you should go for brunswick versa max too as it replaced the twisted fury and you will love this balls reaction
ever so much long length with back end reaction beautiful hook!!! don't forget to pick up a t-bone while your at it this one is
perfect for those spare shots where you need to go straight.

[DLP]

I'm not even CLOSE to throwing anything with any type of reactive coating on it. The best I do is if I get upset enough at myself because I'm bowling poorly, I'll pick up my hubby's Ebonite Cyclone, throw it, and get a strike or a spare. While I don't have any exact reason why this works, my theory is that since it's 2 lbs heavier it causes me to slow down and really think about what I'm doing.

It calms me down because I know I have it in me, and I go back to my polyester and can throw another 5-6 frames decently prior to having to throw the Cyclone again :)

[classygranny]

I'm not even CLOSE to throwing anything with any type of reactive coating on it. The best I do is if I get upset enough at myself because I'm bowling poorly, I'll pick up my hubby's Ebonite Cyclone, throw it, and get a strike or a spare. While I don't have any exact reason why this works, my theory is that since it's 2 lbs heavier it causes me to slow down and really think about what I'm doing.

It calms me down because I know I have it in me, and I go back to my polyester and can throw another 5-6 frames decently prior to having to throw the Cyclone again :)

At first I thought Bill might be right in waiting, but I want to encourage you to think about the Strike King. While I understand the crawl before you walk, you still use the same legs to crawl with that you walk with. So why not start with an entry level ball rather than polyester. If you are able to throw the Cyclone for a strike or spare, seems you would be able to control the Strike King. And maybe think about the weight - maybe not go up the full 2 lbs, but maybe 1/2 to 1-1/2 lbs heavier. Go practice a game with the Cyclone and see what the weight feels like after a game.

I still say try the Strike King, learn how to throw the ball the way you want to - ie...walk, we don't crawl all of our lives, and if you think about it we only crawl one year or less out of a whole life time. So relating that to bowling...you probably have completed your crawl. Also, throwing a straight polyester ball for too long may create bad habits that will be harder to break.

Just my opinion, I'm sure others have theirs as well.

[bowlerRob2]

This past fall, I came back to the game after a long hiatus; had not picked up a ball in years so in many ways it was like starting over. I described how I "used to play" the lanes and the pro shop recommended I re-boot my game with the Sling Shot. I did and I could not be happier about that choice. It was a perfect ball for getting me back into the game and since then I have added a more advanced ball (Storm Reign of Power) which I am using more and more. But my Sling Shot still comes out to play quite a bit!

The Strike King is scheduled for release on 5/13/13 according to the site that runs this forum so that seems like pretty new territory. It also has a different core so I can't say much about that except that it's likely to react different. If it were me faced with your decision, I would at least wait until the Strike King has been out for a few months and has some reviews and ball reaction videos to help me make the choice.

[billf]

If you can use your hubby's Cyclone and control it just fine, why have you been waiting?
My earlier advice was based on the little info given which didn't include you using a reactive ball. A ball that you seem to be able to control just fine, even with the extra weight.

Try this weight test to find your optimal ball weight; hold the ball as you would to bowl BUT with your arm by your side and your wrist cupped slightly. If you can hold this positon for a solid ten seconds then it will be light enough. Don't try to be a champion, if it is painful at all, stop!

[Perrin]

Another thing to consider is per bowlingball.com the Strike king is a stronger ball than the Slingshot.

in order per the comparison would be Slingshot - Cyclone - Strike King

[GoodGravy]

Just a thought: Go Big....grab yourself a Aura or Brutal Nightmare and learn on that...Don't let the MAN KEEP YOU DOWN!!!

Plastic is for 10 pins and 6-10-7 splits!

Really though....keep practicing (on whatever you are comfortable with) and you will figure out which balls you are comfortable with and who knows....you might find that you like another brand better :-)

[Aslan]

sling shot is extremely reasonalbly priced and everyone needs to add to the arsenal if they have intentions of becoming pro
bowlers therefore i would suggest you go ahead on and get one in your favorite color i don't believe you will ever regret it.

The Slingshot is next on my list of balls I want to get. I'm more "anxious" to get it simply because it is technically retired and over time will be harder to find one undrilled. Last time I checked, I can get one for $56.99 shipped from bowlingball.com...16lb just like I'd want. I'm just "hesitant".

I mean, I have a new ball and I'm fast track learning how to throw it and get better. I bought ANOTHER new ball recently but don't plan on having it drilled till early 2014...when my Frantic should start dieing. So if I got a Slingshot...it'd sit in my closet for probably the majority of 2014. AND...I heard it's not really a "step up" kinda ball. I mean, by the time the end of 2014 rolls around...I should be thinking HyRoad or maybe even Aura Mystic...or maybe go off the reservation, get a Reaxx or Lane 1 ball. Slingshot, strictly in terms of category, is more of an entry-level ball than my Frantic.

Also torn...because the pro shop guy...well...I'll post that story elsewhere...

[e-tank]

The Slingshot is next on my list of balls I want to get. I'm more "anxious" to get it simply because it is technically retired and over time will be harder to find one undrilled. Last time I checked, I can get one for $56.99 shipped from bowlingball.com...16lb just like I'd want. I'm just "hesitant".

I mean, I have a new ball and I'm fast track learning how to throw it and get better. I bought ANOTHER new ball recently but don't plan on having it drilled till early 2014...when my Frantic should start dieing. So if I got a Slingshot...it'd sit in my closet for probably the majority of 2014. AND...I heard it's not really a "step up" kinda ball. I mean, by the time the end of 2014 rolls around...I should be thinking HyRoad or maybe even Aura Mystic...or maybe go off the reservation, get a Reaxx or Lane 1 ball. Slingshot, strictly in terms of category, is more of an entry-level ball than my Frantic.

Also torn...because the pro shop guy...well...I'll post that story elsewhere...

why would your frantic die?

And just because its an entry level, it doesnt mean it doesnt have a use.

If i were you though, id hold off on buying balls. I have the same problem but the more i bowl the more i realize that those expensive balls arent really needed on a ths. I still Use mine but if i wanted to, my crossroad would work just fine all night

[DLP]

I never need go with this. Hubby has a Strike King and loves it. I was deadest on trying to find a 13 lb Fringe to hold onto until I could move up in weight, but since the weight block is different than the 14 lb I will probably go with one of Storms other offerings.

With just switching to left hand, I am still in search of the elusive perfect fit, when that happens is when I'll probably invest in a new ball. :)

[Aslan]

why would your frantic die?

And just because its an entry level, it doesnt mean it doesnt have a use.

If i were you though, id hold off on buying balls. I have the same problem but the more i bowl the more i realize that those expensive balls arent really needed on a ths. I still Use mine but if i wanted to, my crossroad would work just fine all night

Don't get me wrong...I'm committed to the ball I have and I like it. I am definitely going to work on improving and using the ball I have before necessarily jumping into something else. And I'm not in the market for anything high end right now. My motivation to buy a slingshot is more because it's retired and will be harder to come by new and undrilled later. It's not too often that you find a ball < $60 that you kinda would like to have. Usually over time our wish lists get more, and more pricey.

[Aslan]

why would your frantic die?


I think all reactive resin balls "die". You can clean them, polish them, resurface them, bake them...but at some point...it's had enough. Plastic and urethane balls weren't like that. You could literally use them until they cracked in half. Reactive resin balls are made to be a higher performance but not last 3-5 years. I don't know what the consensus is on these boards (but now I have an idea for a new thread!) as to how long people use a ball before replacing it...but judging by the guys that have over 10 bowling balls in their house...I'd say it ain't 3-5 years.

[e-tank]

Im still new to bowling but i dont agree with that. Considering i myself still use a rhino steel from 1994 and i still see many rhinos and other older reactive balls used all the time. From what i recall, a ball dying was due to a person not taking care of it so oil clogged the pores and there was no surface on the ball cuz its never been re surfaced. A ball does have limited re surfaces, i believe rule of thumb was until the logo came off. Id say people just get tired of using the same ball all the time so they buy new ones hence the collection

[Aslan]

A ball does have limited re surfaces, i believe rule of thumb was until the logo came off.

Hmmm...that makes sense actually.