900 Global Zen Review
While no longer in production, the 900 Global Zen remains a solid option on the used market for bowlers seeking a versatile, high-performance ball that handles medium to heavy oil with predictable control. The combination of the S77 Response Pearl coverstock and Meditate core creates an excellent benchmark piece.
what's up guys jr raymond back again coming to you from shot makers pro shop here in toledo ohio uh where i got stuck out here again not necessarily stuck because i love coming down here these guys take good care of me and they'll take good care of you too so if you need anything done in the pro shop make sure to call get an appointment here the center's closed right now but the pro shop is open so you could always call up here at shot makers i think you can see the phone number down there on the window so make sure to pay attention to that and call up whenever you need anything but today we're going to take it again out on that 45 foot pattern that we talked about the last couple of reviews the sloth pattern
and we're going to take a look at the new 900 global zen so we're going to see what she's got real shiny real pretty ball let's see what it's got here in a minute stay tuned [Music] [Music] so [Music]
all right here we go we got that zen by 900 global again it's a standard uh 45 by four and a half by 45 so it puts that pin up above my bridge again i'm trying to use some stronger layouts because i've got plenty for you know my tournament bag and all that so we're going to try and use some stronger stuff on different types of conditions more lead conditions but here's 45 feet sloth right around 9 10.
that really picks up so that read the middle lane and hook down lane so that was a good sign compared to that venom fatal venom you just saw before this thing this thing picked up the middle line quite a bit more than what the venom did let's see if the topography will take it over there oh it will look at that how good am i at shooting spares goodness all right i'm going to try and move a little right now
see how well it does in the flat part of the line to the right oh this thing really gets going i like it you know this actually reminds me of the honey badger the revival the revival was a little wiggly on me at times certain times i could get it to it didn't quite want to pick up the lane the right way this might be
a little bit better option for me who knows let's find out can i make that keep hooking to the right not backing up dang it all right so we saw him going straighter and it's picking up a little bit too much to the shiny cover seeing the friction too much and it might be from you know the venom going down the lane and that proton physics going down the lane gives you a little bit of overreaction possibly so we'll start going left get to that 14 15 range see what this thing does i'm
gonna try to keep a rolling hand position though oh boy yeah this ball is reading the middle lane really strong compared to uh that venom did it's reading it similar to what the proton physics did but it's now this one has the pop down light so you know what maybe it's even comparable to the volatility torque i would say
maybe that's going to be a nice combo you look at the two of those together you might see something similar what do you need to do is she on the video still for school no she's all done with our video okay and take a small break and then get back at your homework my daughter came with me to to the bowling center and she's got her computer for school work so she's doing her homework had a google class
with her teacher a little bit ago but all right so now let's go four left this should be good there should be a good spot now off of where that last one was bad balance yeah look at that thing really pick up so it read the middle lane and then you can see it still get down lane my what i think i mean the venom looked pretty good there too so the real question will be will it go further left and still get through the pins if it doesn't we're in trouble
i mean i like the ball reaction but again it would be real pattern specific if it doesn't get through the pins from further left because you can see it tries to read the middle lane and it's too strong playing straighter on these longer patterns might be a little bit better on a shorter pattern i'm not sure all right let's get to that 19 area hand around it just a little bit oh i missed right oh that was awful holy cow
daddy i don't even care that i flat 10 there like that was that was washout city any other time that thing found its way back that was impressive that was very impressive back it up in there topography take it left take it left come on hook oh dang it i ain't ordering one of those i can't even get that ball to hook good grief all right i think that was your ball it doesn't hook
all right we're gonna keep going left now i missed way right there and it still picked up the lane and got blocked so that is a great sign i'm gonna go like five and three left now so it should be about 22 23. that's a better shot yeah look at that thing there we go look at that thing pick up the middle line and then get going through the pins 900 global's making some strides man i really really like a lot of the stuff
that they've come out with lately this is cool and this ball is gorgeous too this is one of the best looking balls i've seen kind of reminds me again like uh what was it like the astrophysics was really cool looking the phase three was really good looking reminds me of those for sure so we're gonna get going left now let's get to that fifth arrow area see if it will go through the pins from here that's a really good shot oh
daddy daddy this ball is good oh yeah this ball is going tomorrow yeah this i think uh if it's like anything it's like that volatility torque but it might be just a pinch cleaner than the volatility torque so all right well i'm gonna keep going left just because i want to see what it does see if i can get even further left
oh that's right that's right oh come on oh if i can miss right like that and still get it to the pocket that's good news i got that one a little bit forward i'm gonna throw one more shot just because i like this ball i'm gonna throw one more shot in that similar area maybe i'll even move my feet a few more left but i'm gonna tuck my pinky and see if i can't really twirl it up okay so i'm gonna be in the gutter cap over here around 27 28
tuck the old pinky and give her a twirl see what happens [Laughter] all right let's chat all right there we go that's the zen by 900 global oh my goodness i cannot stress how good a lot of the 900 global stuff has been uh and i don't even know if i can say since they went to utah because i don't know if that last batch with the honey badger revival and all that
were poured in utah or not but i do know that those balls are really good and this zen is even better uh if i have to compare it to anything like you heard me say earlier it's probably close to like the volatility torque but a little bit cleaner and maybe a little bit more pop down lane so be a good combination when that volatility torque gets to be a little bit too strong too mid laney and a little bit pukey down lane go to the zen and give you just that little bit extra pop down line that you're looking for that's all i got for you today make sure to hit that like button subscribe comment below what you think you know
and uh until next time i'm out of here see you guys later take care [Music] you
Performance Analysis
Performance Analysis
Testing on the 45-foot Sloth pattern revealed the 900 Global Zen to be a strong mid-lane reader with impressive downlane motion. Independent reviewers observed that the ball picked up the oil in the middle of the lane noticeably more aggressively than comparable reactive pearl options like the Venom, generating considerable hook through the pins. The Zen demonstrated reliable motion from various starting positions—whether thrown from straighter angles or at steeper entry angles from further left—consistently reading the lane and recovering to the pocket. Reviewers noted the ball maintained its reaction even when thrown slightly off-target, showing good carry potential and pin action.
The reactive pearl coverstock proved responsive to lane conditions without being overly sensitive. Testing revealed that the symmetric core delivered predictable, continuous angular motion rather than erratic backend reaction. Reviewers compared the Zen’s overall motion profile to the Volatility Torque but characterized it as slightly cleaner through the midlane with marginally more defined downlane pop—essentially offering a more controlled option when medium-heavy oil conditions call for strong reads without excessive midlane aggression. Surface adjustments were minimal during testing, suggesting the as-drilled pearl finish is well-matched to the intended oil condition.
Who Is This Ball For?
The 900 Global Zen suits bowlers who need a dependable mid-lane reader for medium-heavy oil house shots and league play. It’s an excellent choice for players already carrying stronger ball selections who want a slightly cleaner, more controlled alternative when conditions are oily but not at their peak. Bowlers who find some reactive pearls either too aggressive midlane or too “pukey” downlane will appreciate the Zen’s balance—strong enough to handle oil volume, controlled enough to avoid over-reading the lane.
This ball also works well for bowlers seeking value in the 900 Global lineup. If you’re building or refining a tournament bag and want a solid medium-heavy option that performs consistently across different hand positions and speeds, the Zen delivers reliable performance without requiring constant surface adjustments or shot placement micromanagement.
The Pros
- • Excellent versatility across medium to heavy oil conditions
- • Smooth, predictable ball reaction with Meditate symmetric core
- • Strong backend motion despite moderate differential
The Cons
- • May struggle on extremely heavy oil patterns
- • Discontinued status limits availability to used market only
Who Is This Ball For?
While no longer in production, the 900 Global Zen remains a solid option on the used market for bowlers seeking a versatile, high-performance ball that handles medium to heavy oil with predictable control. The combination of the S77 Response Pearl coverstock and Meditate core creates an excellent benchmark piece.
Technical Specifications
How It Compares
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JR Pro ShopVerified Bowler Reviews (73 reviews, 5.0/5 avg)
Bowlers Say
Bowlers say the Zen is an exceptional pearl ball with impressive hitting power and versatility. The S77R Pearl coverstock provides smooth head clearance with strong backend snap, while the massive Meditate Symmetric core delivers consistent energy through the pins. Works well on house shots and heavier oil conditions.
AI summary of 73 verified purchase reviews
Bowlers frequently mention:
Zen - Ball Specs Cover Stock: S77 Response Pearl Finish: 1500 Polished Core: Meditate Symmetric Color: Magenta/Teal/Silver Layout: 65 x 5 x 45 RG: 2.49 Differential: 0.051 Intermediate Diff: N/A Review The Prime 800 Series All New Zen utilizes the pearl version of the S77 response cover combined with the Medtiate Symmetric core, which is the biggest core 900 Global has ever put into a bowling ball. This is the ball my bag has been missing, a big pearl that has bigger hitting power. I tested this ball on 44 feet typical house pattern. I had a great look in the track area, but as I open my angles up to right the ball reaction just kept getting better and better without losing striking power. My ball’s layout is 65 x 5 x 45. For a low to mid rev player this ball read the lane well, plus miss room to the right. This is a great ball for all levels of bowlers. Order one from your local pro shop today! My ball review videos are posted on YouTube channel Stanley Waite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-s1U4JaCDA&t=1s Stanley Waite 900 Global Staff Member Dover, DE
Zen • Prime • 800 Series Coverstock • S77 Response Pearl Finish •1500 Grit Polished Core• Meditate Symmetric RG •2.49 Differential• 0.051 Layout • 70 x 4 x 20 Tester PAP: 4 1/2 R, 1/2 D Lane Condition • Med-Heavy The all-new 900 Global Zen delivers absolute security to your game! The brilliant combination of Meditate Symmetric Core and S77R Pearl coverstock elevates the Zen to a powerful rolling force you can trust and depend on. Let’s break it down! The heart of the Zen is the new massive Meditate core. For a straighter, down and in type player like me, this new design brings a much welcomed confidence to symmetric cores. Being a high speed/low rev bowler, it’s not unusual for symmetric cores to “roll out” or “deflect” through the deck leaving those aggravating “flat tens.” With the Zen, however, I found the Meditate core rev’d consistently strong down lane, yet exploded its stored energy at the pins. I loved being able to play with the touch off my hand backed by a reliable crushing power through the pins. 900 Global has seriously met the challenge of symmetric cores with the “no weight hole” rule for players like me with the Meditate core. The S77 Response Pearl coverstock is an impressive mixture added to the Zen. Out of the box, on fresh oil, it cleared the heads smoothly and had a strong snap off the pattern - yet this was only the beginning. Tweaking the box surface with 3000 grit, the Zen simply came alive for me! On a THS, this cover eliminated guess work with its predictable and stable motion. On a medium challenge pattern, it created a well-defined front to back movement you could clearly read and easily adjust to. I enjoyed how the S77R Pearl coverstock allowed the flexibility to play right and tight or left and loose. In conclusion, the 900 Global Zen is simply awesome for players like me! I loved the freedom and confidence rolling the Zen brought to my game. It will have a place in my arsenal for a long time. I recommend adding the Zen to your arsenal too. Talk to your local pro-shop operator today! It’s worth it! Rick Klimowicz 900 Global Regional Staff Member Penndel, PA
Zen Coverstock: S77R Pearl Finish: 1500 Grit Polished Core: Meditate Symmetric RG: 2.49 Differential: 0.051 Layout: 50 x 2 1/4 x 35 Tester: PAP 5 1/2 R, 1 1/2 D Review: The Zen features a pearl version of the S77 Response cover combined with an all new symmetric core. The pearl version of this cover will provide the most skid/flip reaction we have in the 800 Series. For me, I went with a short pin to pap layout due to my high rev rate and slower ball speed as I personally prefer more control with bigger pearls in the arsenal. I was able to test the Zen on a 43 foot typical house pattern. The Zen for me was an easy read as I sent it down the lane. Along with several other testers most have been impressed with how easy the ball gets to the spot. Carry was exceptional with the Zen. For the video I demonstrated a few shots knocking off the OOB surface with a 4K pad which slightly increased my miss room both in and out with this ball. Grab the all new 900 Zen today! Also, be sure to visit my YouTube channel Michael Slatky for more ball videos and reviews. Michael Slatky 900 Global Staff Member York, PA
Having thrown this...it has a lot of back end snap for me. I might hit it with a 4000 dry pad, just to read the mid lane a little better for me. I seen some people love it out of the box, but I'm mid speed, mid revs. It rolls so very cool indeed. I think I have to try it on a little different conditions and a couple other bowling alleys. I get excited when I put it on the ball return!
900 Global Zen Pearl #15.3 3" pin 2.8oz top Rt. hand 14 mph PAP 4 9/16 1/4 over Drilling: 5 x 4 x 2 1/4 OOB finish & 3000 abralon Volume 38-41ft THS, Kegel Challenge patterns Drilled the new 900 Global Zen with one of my fav layouts, 5 x 4 x 2 1/4, putting the pin up over the middle finger. As the Zen has burst on the bowling scene pilling up scores after scores I was excited to see what it can do. It doesn't disappoint! A pearl with big time mid lane, no squirt and a hard arc flip on the backend. Super aggressive for me and my slower ball speed. OOB on a 39ft league pattern I literally had 20 to 6. It just doesn't want to stop. The mid lane is the most impressive. This ball shows no signs of skid in oil, revs up like a solid, flips like a pearl. Its a symmetrical beast. Did force me in, I needed to find some skid at my speed but entry angle was unbelievable. Did take to the spinner, hit it with an old 3000 pad. Smoothed out the reaction on the back. Still was a lot of ball for me. 747 1st night. The ball flat out performs. #Zen # 900Global #strikingwordwide
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