First Impressions
The Cove is pretty on the shelf and pretty on the lanes.
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 330 rpm
PAP: 5 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 5 x 45
Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 5 x 45
Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: med
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 5 x 45
“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”
Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: TBD
Specs
The 900 Global Cove uses the Magna AI symmetric core inside the new RB 85 Hybrid Reactive coverstock.
15 pound = RG of 2.49, diff of .044
14 pound = RG of 2.50, diff of .043
Coverstock finish: 4000 grit abralon
Power Player’s Persective
900 Global was lacking some equipment in their current lineup but what they have is fairly proficient. In come the Cove and Ember, 2 balls that share the same Magna AI core and Hybrid and pearl coverstock respectively. The idea is to have complimentary middle of the road balls. I’ll comment on that more but let’s look at the Cove. Starting with Tyler, you can see the pretty smooth and controllable nature of the Cove. The core has a balanced shape with a medium differential which easily puts the Cove smack dab in the mid control part of the bag. Very easy to read. Doesn’t jump off the friction. Just extremely predictable but reliable. That’s a function of a relatively clean cover without lots of teeth, a lower RG core to get the ball in a roll and a medium diff.
Tweener’s Take
For me, as a lefty I do enjoy that nice even roll. I will say that for both Tyler and I, we felt the pattern was a little slick for a mid control ball. I think a ball that handles a bit more oil would look a bit better. That is to say that the Cove was a pretty good ball in the sense that it didn’t look bad at all and a a mid level ball in that benchmark territory which is ultra readable, it telegraphed the lanes quite well. Told us exactly what was going on which is comforting, if not very informative. You’ll see that I more or less need to play the lefty track if there is such a thing which is just right of the 2nd arrow. The outside of 5 is out of bounds, a “feature” we’ve experienced frequently at Bowlero Limerick house shot. Misses out were pretty soft recovery. Misses in held very well which makes sense to the type of ball this is.
Stroker’s Stance
Bryan saw the same control motion. He had a look just right of the 2nd arrow, so a touch more direct than I was but had that nice walk to the pocket. This is not a ball that’s very fast off the dry. It’s nice and calm. So he had a nice look in the slot. Misses in that were piped held nicely. However, smaller misses in led to flat 10 pins which is probably a fairly typical house shot behavior. He also found that it wasn’t as forgiving on misses out which is also what Tyler and I saw. However, Bryan typically gets a bit more forgiveness given he bowls closer to the friction line. But the Cove is just ultra smooth.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, The 900 Global Cove brings us an extremely predicatable smooth mid control ball. It tells you exactly what’s going on with the lanes. Not jumpy so if you like to play a tight line the Cove is a nice option. If you have a bit lower volume, this maybe the ticket as well.
Thanks for watching.