SWAG Black Dragon Bowling Ball

The ball rolled really good the first few throws and really carried into the pocket. After that kept leaving solid 8 and 9. Changed up my angles and did a little better. But the first 10 throws were solid and after that I couldn't find the right pocket shots. I'm going to resurface the ball for tonight league to see if I can have better outcome for more than one game.

PAP - 4 3/4” right, 1/2” up DAS - 50 x 5 x 30 I threw on a typical house shot, medium oil, about 42”. I’m more speed dominant, throwing about 15.5mph, with a medium rev rate. I typically play down-and-in, targeting between 5 and 15, depending on lane condition. The ball read earlier than I had expected given it was a fresh shot and the ball was drilled to go longer for me relative to my rev rate and speed. As long as I kept my speed in-check, threw over 10, the ball just walked into the pocket. It rolled in a smooth arc for me, not angular, although it finished with a nice bite right before it hit the pins. Given how early it read for me and the drilling pattern, it seems that for me, this ball would be best for heavier oil. If you had more revs, this ball should be very adaptable to playing deeper, and give you a smooth, controllable, predictable motion to the pins.

So I decided to wait to write this review until I've bowled with it in a fewdifferent houses, with different lane types (wood and synthetic). 2 Handed bowler, right around 15mph speed, have the ball drilled to with shorter pin so it blends a little better. This ball is a great asym benchmark, lets you play that "in" line and ball just continues to roll never jumps and drives the pocket, but if you miss right it still comes back. Ball has a ton of miss area, whether its in or out, its controllable and never hockey sticks. Even on drier conditions, am able to just move left play little deeper and ball still never over reacts. If you're looking for a go to asym that you can play on any shot anywhere this is the ball for you.

The Black Dragon is what bowlers are looking for out of a mid-high tier asym bowling ball. Mine is drilled 60 x 4-1/2 x 30 and shot a 754 in league on wood lanes where high average is 205 and previous high series was 707. On lanes where transition happens fast and usually requires ball changes, the Black Dragon allowed me to keep moving left all night. Started the night standing 27, 15 at arrows and 8-10 at the break point, and finished standing 38, hitting 20 at the arrows. I got a predictable motion off the spot on my good shots, while getting the hold and finish of misses inside. Shots outside picked up earlier, but didn't hockey stick left off the spot. If you want a versatile asym ball that gives you miss room, this should be a ball you consider.

Buckle up because this ball is an eye opener! As a HUGE fan of the SWAG Big Bro line, I was anxiously looking forward to the Black Dragon. I have loved how the Dominance core has rolled for me in the past and looked forward to what this new ball would do, with the core now being named the Dragon core. The new coverstock was the only real concern I had, seeing as how this was one of the first attempts from the new ownership to relaunch the brand in their identity. Would the coverstock match the core well? Too strong/weak? I was cautiously anxious to find out and the very first roll answered way more questions than I expected! First things first, I drilled the ball pin above my bridge, 60* x 5" x 30*, which is what I had previously used on almost all of my Big Bro balls, the Assemble being the only exception. My trios league has a challenge shot with medium conditions, so I started practice with the Dragon to see what it would do from my normal starting spot: feet on 24, crossing 16 at the arrows out to 7 at the break point. Now I've thrown a ton of new balls over the years. Some started out lazy at first until I got lined up and got them broken in and some I took to liking fairly quickly. I immediately fell IN LOVE with the Dragon! First pitch was a loud and powerful 10 in the pit! I wasn't even warmed up yet! What really caught my attention was how smooth and predictable this ball was. Just roll it off your hand and go sit down. Strong midlane read, doesn't burn up, no matter how far left I had to go. Noticeably left fewer corner pins, which are more than rampant in this house. Even so, when I did leave one, a minor adjustment got me back to the path of letting this ball roar! First impressions have me in a honeymoon phase I hope never ends. Time will tell of course but I am about 7 games in with it now and it keeps flexing its muscle. Had to bowl on senior league burn followed by open bowlers last night because the lane machine was broken. I finished the night striking out with my feet on 38, crossing the arrows around 27 out to the 7 board and just watching the ball destroy rack after rack. I was not ready for the night to end and kept replaying how easy it was to repeat shots in a part of the lane I typically don't play much on my drive home. I am absolutely in love with this ball and I cannot recommend it enough. If you want something with a strong midlane, consistent reaction and predictable shape from anywhere on the lane, you cannot go wrong with this ball. I SO want a hybrid and a pearl now.

I was absolutely amazed by the reaction I got out of the Black Dragon the first time it went down the lane. If your looking for a heavy oil control ball, this is the ball for you! When the oil is fresh, it works extremely well playing with tighter angles but the best thing about this ball is the coverstock and core come together to give you a ball that will allow you to move left as the oil begins to transition. The motion it creates on the lane is very predictable and the shape it creates at the breakpoing is very strong and continuous. On a medium volume house shot, I was immediately playing around 3rd arrow and I was easily able to follow the transition left. On a heavier volume house shot, I was able to play tighter angles to start and this ball had no issue churning through the soup. Moving left after the shot opened up was easy with how well this ball sees the mid-lane and reacts at the end of the pattern. What are you waiting for? Get your Black Dragon today and soar above the competition!

I was absolutely amazed by the reaction I got out of the Black Dragon the first time it went down the lane. If your looking for a heavy oil control ball, this is the ball for you! When the oil is fresh, it works extremely well playing with tighter angles but the best thing about this ball is the coverstock and core come together to give you a ball that will allow you to move left as the oil begins to transition. The motion it creates on the lane is very predictable and the shape it creates at the breakpoing is very strong and continuous. On a medium volume house shot, I was immediately playing around 3rd arrow and I was easily able to follow the transition left. On a heavier volume house shot, I was able to play tighter angles to start and this ball had no issue churning through the soup. Moving left after the shot opened up was easy with how well this ball sees the mid-lane and reacts at the end of the pattern. What are you waiting for? Get your Black Dragon today and soar above the competition!

The Dragon is a great choice for bowlers looking for a higher end ball for the heavier or longer oil patterns. This ball loves the fresh heavy oil. I have used this ball in transition as well when others were pushing oil in my line and I needed something a little more aggressive to finish. Do not be afraid to give this ball oil! The flare is unreal! This ball would be a good fit for any bowler, any style!

The SWAG Bowling Black Dragon is in the Superior Performance Line with a Scorch Solid cover and asymmetric core. It has a 2.53 RG / .050 Diff and is 1500 grit sanded out of box. I drilled this ball 55/4/35 with a PAP of 5 over 7/8 up. This ball was able to play smaller angles on the lane and did not over react in the backend. It read the mid lane well, and hit the pins hard. I was also able to play deeper on the lane (25-30) and swing the ball out and it recovered. A very predictable and versatile ball. The logo is fierce and colors fit the Dragon well.