Drilling pattern: 5 x 2.75
Pin position: Above middle finger
PAP: 4.5 over and 1 up.
Pattern: Modified low volume house pattern.

I got my first extended look at the SUBLIME this weekend at our local association Masters tournament. It was a 5-game qualifier on a low volume modified house pattern. I used the SUBLIME all 5 games and got to +150 which was just short of cashing (scores were VERY HIGH). However, speaking of ball reaction, I could not have been happier. Kept this ball at box finish (Reacta Gloss) and it did a great job of pushing through the puddle in the middle of the lane and making a strong, controlled move off the dry. This ball has continuation unlike anything I’ve seen in a long time. The pin action was outstanding to see with some of my only leaves being a couple solid 9’s, upper deck 7’s, and wrap 10’s. I put this drilling pattern on due to the lower RG of this ball as I wanted to insure I could get the ball down lane and it performed as expected. My only recommendation would be to make sure there is some dry to throw the ball too. The coverstock isn’t quite strong enough, in my opinion, to be able to play on massive amounts of oil. I had a couple shots that I badly pulled into the oil and it struggled to make it up the hill. Any shot that I projected correctly to the dry, the ball was outstanding.

Brent Ritchie
SPI Pro Shop Staff Member

Sam Cooper Roto Grip Amateur staffer. Layout 50x5.5x35. New Immersed AI core technology. Wrapped in the new 802 Reserve Blend Hybrid cover. To make up that cover you have two parts Wolverine DM and one part Reality. I first tried this ball out of box and I saw quickly that I needed to take the shine off the ball. I hit it with a beat up 2000 pad then we were in business. Not only do I really like the colors of this ball but the mid-lane and continuation of the ball is fun to watch.   

For me in my bag this ball fits right under a Storm Summit and right above a Zen Gold Label. The Sublime will come with me both to league and tournaments it is just that good of a bowling ball. Sublime has a big engine with a .056 diff and with the two parts pearl cover it gets through the fronts easier than a Summit but the mid-lane is strong from the Sublime. Then the reaction shape is a strong arc into the pins it is almost OG Zen like just not as forward. The power at the pins with the Sublime and the AI core is noticeable. I said this after throwing this ball a few times that it was a shame this came out so late in the year because it had a strong chance to be ball of the year!

The 900 Global Sublime, with the new 802 Reserve Blend hybrid coverstock and my 4.5 x 3 x 2.5 layout gives me a STRONG motion front to back on fresh THS. My RPM is about 470 and my speed averages around 16.4 MPH, and I have yet to find a situation where I am able to have closed angles with this ball. I can pretty much go as far left, and open my angles as wide as my imagination will allow me to, and I'm still in the pocket. It's truly one of the strongest pearls I've ever thrown. For me, it is stronger than the original Zen by about two arrows. It's just not in the same ballpark strength-wise. I see this ball being ideal for speed-dominant players who need something that will pick up, or anyone else who needs a little help from the core/cover, OR people who like to see lots of shape throughout the entire lane. I also compared this to the Zen Gold Label, and the Gold Label was cleaner than both the Sublime and the Zen, by a total of about 14-15 boards at the arrows. If you are looking for a pearl with a VERY large footprint, the Sublime is going to be your go-to.

Ball: 900 Global Sublime
Cover: Reserve Blend 802 Hybrid
Core: Immersed Symmetric A.I.
Finish: Reacta Gloss Polish
RG: 2.47
Differential: 0.056

Ball Layout: Pin Up 5 X 5 X 4 VLS
Rev Rate ~ 400-425
Ball Speed 17.5 MPH

The New Sublime from 900 Global is a powerhouse! The Immersed Symmetric core is the first Global ball to utilize Storm's A.I. Core technology. This powerful fast revving core is paired with a Polished Hybrid cover called Reserve Blend 802. The resulting combo creates alot of hook.

I just recently added this ball to my new arsenal and drilled in similar to the Absolute Power.  When comparing this ball against the absolute power, I found that it was longer, as the cover and finish would dictate, and with the low pin layout was still smooth motion to the pocket.  I would see this ball being really good on most house shots, and a great piece to transition to after the Absolute Power is no longer able to get through the pins effectively. 

On the house pattern, I was able to keep my angles in front of me and see good reaction but to me this ball really shines when you can open the angles up and throw it away from you.  I did not have any issues with the ball wanting to recover and retain energy going through the pins.

Sean Daniels – SPI 900 Global Staff Member – Hillsboro, Oregon

Sublime is the introduction of the 802 coverstock formula, and this ball falls in line with the Zen as far as hook potential. However, the cover of the Sublime is quite a bit stronger, and the core seems to rev up noticeably sooner than that of the Zen. Sublime features A.I. core technology, which for me creates a unique shape characterized by a strong, early revving look in the midlane and a relentlessly continous backend motion that is really smooth but also never stops driving. It's almost paradoxical for the core to engage so early and rev up so strongly, while still storing energy and not deflecting. The only thing this ball is not ideal for is excessive friction in the front part of the lane. When i need a big, cleaner cover symmetrical, the Zen has been my go-to because the core is uniquely early for a pearl symmetrical. The Sublime takes this idea one step further my applying technology resulting in an even more aggressive core, and a healthy step up in terms of coverstock strength as well. This is one of those smooth-but-clean-enough house shot killer-type balls that you do NOT want to miss out on!

Sublime
Cover: 802 Hybrid Reactive
Core: Immersed + AI
RG: 2.47 RG
Diff: 0.051

My layout: 4.5 x 2.5

The Sublime is a hybrid symmetrical ball that I see working best on medium to med-dry conditions. The 802 hybrid cover on the Sublime makes it feel more like a pearl than a hybrid, because it has not problem clearing the front part of the lane. The low rg, high diff core compliments the clean cover very well, because once it starts seeing some friction it creates a strong medium-quick response motion. I have found that the Sublime is best when the lanes transition past big solid balls like the Reality or Phase 2. It allows me to get more shape without overshooting the break point down lane.

Bowler stats:
Left handed
PAP: 5 x 1/4up
Rev rate: 400

900 Global Sublime
Coverstock: Reserve Blend 802 Hybrid Reactive
Box Finish: Reacta Gloss
Core: Immersed Symmetric A.I. Core
RG: 2.47, Diff: 0.056 (15 lbs)
VLS Layout: 4 1/2 x 4 7/8 x 3 1/8
Dual Angle Layout: 60 x 4 1/2 x 50
PAP: 5 3/16” right x 5/8” up
Rev rate: 400 rpm
Average speed: 16.5 mph
Location: Prairie Lanes, Sun Prairie, WI
Pattern: Medium volume THS

The all-new Sublime brings A.I. (Amplified Inertia) Core technology to the 900 Global line up.  This new core technology helps to lower the RG and increase the differential, thus making the ball rev quickly and creating more fresh-surface contact with the lane. Furthermore, this new core is paired with the Reserve Blend 802 Hybrid Cover, which features a mix of the solid cover from the Reality and the pearl cover from the Wolverine Dark Moss. All told, this creates a very versatile ball that can be used on a variety of lane conditions.

For the Sublime, I went with a layout that puts the pin in my ring finger after drilling; basically, it splits the difference between a pin-up and pin-down layout for me. I also took a little bit of shine off by lightly scuffing the surface with a 3000-grit Abralon pad as I’ve found the Reacta Gloss finish can be a bit too shiny for my liking. I have loved everything I’ve seen out of the Sublime thus far! The fast-revving action reminds me a lot of the original Zen, but the Sublime gets further down the lane and has much more shape on the backend, and continuation through the pins is awesome. Where the Zen struggled a bit when you moved too far left (for a righty), the Sublime has no issues coming around the corner. I can certainly see the Sublime being in play on all but the heaviest/longest of oil conditions.

The Sublime is a great compliment to the 900 Global Eternity Pi and Xponent – where those 2 balls can be used on the fresh, the Sublime is the perfect transition ball to go to after either of those balls start to lose their reaction. I really believe this is a ball that can, and should, have a spot in everyone’s bowling bag for tournament and league bowlers alike. The Sublime is a unique combination of midlane read, length, and backend reaction that will be a staple in my bag for the foreseeable future.

Chris Pollentier
Storm Products Pro Shop Staff
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