It helps that I've been throwing it better recently, but I really was expecting to hate this ball because this is the first Zen with the standard Meditate core that I've gotten along with.
@LukeRosdahl you definitely matched up well with it, love the shape this ball creates down lane. I loved the NightRoad what's your opinion I have them both with the same layout?
Looks like this is gonna be my winter league ball.Your channel is my go to for ball reviews as a lefty. Not to many of them putting out videos, good job on the review Luke. Also your forward roll tidbit just made me realize why my ball flat 7s all the time. Never thought of it as being too forward.
Lefties naturally tend to develop forward roll to combat the over/under and big friction response on our side. If you get around the ball, it never hooks early enough and then turns sideways, so coming more up the back of the ball blends the lane a little more. However of course, it also leads to more flat 7s, so yep.
Pumped for this one. I loved my OG Zen the first month or so I threw it, put up a few good scores (for me, anyway), and then it got super early on me without seeming to lose any strength. When you said "flat 7 or Big Four on everything," that spoke to me because I wound up in the same spot.
Just ordered the Gold Label Zen and am excited to get it. Shot 300 today with the OG Zen and last year shot 300 with the Zen Master. I liked the Zen Master better than the Zen, but then it died out. The Zen always hooked real early for me and with my slower ball speed it was hard to control. It seems to be very condition and speed sensitive. On the right condition it is a monster.
At about 9:50 I have the SAME issue with both the altered reality and the new eternity. It pisses me off to no end. I’m a lefty. If I try to go down and in it’s too strong and hooks off the lane. If I move into the oil it won’t make the corner. And it’s like I have to play the wet-dry line perfectly or else. Our house shot here in Austria is kegel titanium. Maybe I’ll add some surface and see. But this ball may be worth checking out.
Yeah I couldn't ever throw the Altered or Eternity for the same reasons. Zen was the same, Parallax Effect, etc. Any of the heavy forward rolling balls won't see time with me. Impossible to throw. I WILL be throwing this ball a ton I'm sure though, I'll have a report card in a couple months to check in.
He Luke it’s been a while since I’ve commented. You look well Luke, digging the GL and can not wait for the day to pick 1 up at my PSO, listening to you on this ball about night,RS2, and others’ definitely am excited about this ball. Another Lefty 😼
My teammate is one of those guys who is constantly buying new balls and selling his old ones. He asked if I wanted to buy his Zen Gold Label last night at league and I jumped on it. I'm excited to get it redrilled and to try it.
When I saw the "801" my first thought was disguised "S84". Not because I knew anything about it but was thinking it is a clever way to re-introduce the S84 pearl.
It's in that general zone of course, and I'm sure one of the other iterations will be that, but I've thrown this ball a LOT already, and it's definitely ReX, pretty unmistakably. This ball is just a Fate with more guts.
I'm intrigued. Might be a good 1-2 👊 with original zen. If ZGL picks up soon enough on the fresh. Looks possible to use all 3 games at most centers I see around here. Thank you again for the most detailed reviews.
Would like to see a Fate vs Gold Label comparison. I too did not get along with the original Zen, but I do have a Fate. Would they overlap? My Fate is pin under bridge which has been my favorite layout since the Idol Pearl. Was thinking of going pin up on a gold label since it looks so clean and has that huge core, but still undecided.
Yep, that one is in the works. Quite a bit of overlap, the Gold Label is a little earlier and a board or two stronger, but very similar ball reactions.
I get that Angel doesn’t like a purple bowling ball. Makes the two of you more human and relatable. Is this ball a must have even if you have a Fate or IQ Ruby? I love the Zen on the right side but never find the right condition on the left to use it.
I typically avoid giving layout advice, I think that's much better suited for a pro shop that knows your game and the typical conditions you bowl on better. If you don't have that kind of situation, then I can try to help
Foolishly threw mine at box on Wednesday and hated it, took it to 3000 and it was better Thursday… but still didn’t love it so I did the full resurface and set it to 1000-> step 2 for next week so I’m excited to try it again
Yeah the gloss nonsense has to go lol, it's awful stuff. You need a full resurface to get it off, just hitting it with a pad won't get much done, so I'd expect you to be in pretty good shape next time out. It'll take a game to break the surface in, but you should notice a difference right away.
And I thought I was the only one who hated the OG Zen…maybe i need to go to a demo day and throw this one and see if matches my game better than the OG Zen did. (plus i ❤ the purple color).
Oh no, it's miles stronger than the P5, that'll be one of my comparisons coming up. Cleaner and sharper doesn't also mean weaker. No overlap with the P5 whatsoever.
@@LukeRosdahlill you be able to include a Duo with that Phaze V comparison? Since there are a number of symmetric pearls in that range, having them all compared in the same video would be awesome.
After a game or two of league, my OG Zen tends to quit on me and starts to leave 2-8-10s. With this being a bit weaker than the Zen I may have to get it as a ball I can transition to from the Zen when it just can't make the corner.
I don't really think it's weaker, it's just cleaner and sharper. It gives me a few zones inside of what the Zen gives me too, so I'd almost say it's a little stronger, it's just not as early and forward.
Hi luke I was wondering if you could give me some advice on choosing a new benchmark bowling ball for the upcoming fall league season? I'm a stroker with 16* of tilt and 60* of rotation with about 290 revs. My speed is low, about 17mph off the hand, I classify myself as slightly rev dominant my current arsenal is jackal ghost, Brunswick knockout, Iq tour. The Iq get most all the action and honestly the other balls I don't use very much they just force me to far left to quickly into an area that I'm not comfortable playing, I really like playing up the boards at least to start the night. My Iq is really old and the label is completely worn off the ball and it's time for a new benchmark ball, I could just go get another Iq but not really shur if that is the nest option. I bowl in ohio and lane conditions here are medium to medium dry. I'm thinking I should go for balls that are on the weaker side of things like maybe hyped solid or electrify go. Would love to know your recommendations.
Yep, Hyped Solid is the one to look at, you might also consider an XPonent. The Hyped is a tiny step down from the IQ Tour and the XPonent is a tiny step up, but they're all in the same general zone/area.
Edit: ignore this message, I didn’t realize it was patreon exclusive. How do I join the discord? I don’t see a invite link. And I can’t find “stormnation” on any of the server finders
How does it differ from the P3? I see the shape diff from the og zen going forward. Curious your take on the P3 diffs. It works for me like the zen for you while my pin down zen is good on the left.
Yeah I had to bail out of the Zen to get it down the lane, it just wants to slow down so much and so fast. I could go ahead and get through the GL because it doesn't hit the lane and grind to a halt.
Thanks for the Review Luke, I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much on a ball Review.... I'll definitely be adding this to my bag.
It helps that I've been throwing it better recently, but I really was expecting to hate this ball because this is the first Zen with the standard Meditate core that I've gotten along with.
@LukeRosdahl you definitely matched up well with it, love the shape this ball creates down lane. I loved the NightRoad what's your opinion I have them both with the same layout?
@@Bambams11Rt The GL acts a lot like an earlier smoother Night, so those two with the same layout would go perfect together.
Looks like this is gonna be my winter league ball.Your channel is my go to for ball reviews as a lefty. Not to many of them putting out videos, good job on the review Luke. Also your forward roll tidbit just made me realize why my ball flat 7s all the time. Never thought of it as being too forward.
Lefties naturally tend to develop forward roll to combat the over/under and big friction response on our side. If you get around the ball, it never hooks early enough and then turns sideways, so coming more up the back of the ball blends the lane a little more. However of course, it also leads to more flat 7s, so yep.
Pumped for this one. I loved my OG Zen the first month or so I threw it, put up a few good scores (for me, anyway), and then it got super early on me without seeming to lose any strength. When you said "flat 7 or Big Four on everything," that spoke to me because I wound up in the same spot.
Just ordered the Gold Label Zen and am excited to get it. Shot 300 today with the OG Zen and last year shot 300 with the Zen Master. I liked the Zen Master better than the Zen, but then it died out. The Zen always hooked real early for me and with my slower ball speed it was hard to control. It seems to be very condition and speed sensitive. On the right condition it is a monster.
a Zen Luke might actually like
At about 9:50 I have the SAME issue with both the altered reality and the new eternity. It pisses me off to no end. I’m a lefty. If I try to go down and in it’s too strong and hooks off the lane. If I move into the oil it won’t make the corner. And it’s like I have to play the wet-dry line perfectly or else. Our house shot here in Austria is kegel titanium. Maybe I’ll add some surface and see. But this ball may be worth checking out.
Yeah I couldn't ever throw the Altered or Eternity for the same reasons. Zen was the same, Parallax Effect, etc. Any of the heavy forward rolling balls won't see time with me. Impossible to throw. I WILL be throwing this ball a ton I'm sure though, I'll have a report card in a couple months to check in.
He Luke it’s been a while since I’ve commented. You look well Luke, digging the GL and can not wait for the day to pick 1 up at my PSO, listening to you on this ball about night,RS2, and others’ definitely am excited about this ball. Another Lefty 😼
My teammate is one of those guys who is constantly buying new balls and selling his old ones. He asked if I wanted to buy his Zen Gold Label last night at league and I jumped on it. I'm excited to get it redrilled and to try it.
I like mine quite a bit. It's a little in no mans land at the moment, but it travels more often than not
The music is good too.
When I saw the "801" my first thought was disguised "S84". Not because I knew anything about it but was thinking it is a clever way to re-introduce the S84 pearl.
It's in that general zone of course, and I'm sure one of the other iterations will be that, but I've thrown this ball a LOT already, and it's definitely ReX, pretty unmistakably. This ball is just a Fate with more guts.
“I’m happier than a teenage girl with Taylor Swift tickets” I laughed so hard at this 😂
I'm intrigued. Might be a good 1-2 👊 with original zen. If ZGL picks up soon enough on the fresh. Looks possible to use all 3 games at most centers I see around here. Thank you again for the most detailed reviews.
Lane level shots 😍
Would like to see a Fate vs Gold Label comparison. I too did not get along with the original Zen, but I do have a Fate. Would they overlap? My Fate is pin under bridge which has been my favorite layout since the Idol Pearl. Was thinking of going pin up on a gold label since it looks so clean and has that huge core, but still undecided.
Yep, that one is in the works. Quite a bit of overlap, the Gold Label is a little earlier and a board or two stronger, but very similar ball reactions.
I get that Angel doesn’t like a purple bowling ball. Makes the two of you more human and relatable. Is this ball a must have even if you have a Fate or IQ Ruby? I love the Zen on the right side but never find the right condition on the left to use it.
Hi Luke, great review as always. I’ve been using your code on my purchases, thank you.
What layouts do you recommend for high track bowlers?
I typically avoid giving layout advice, I think that's much better suited for a pro shop that knows your game and the typical conditions you bowl on better. If you don't have that kind of situation, then I can try to help
Foolishly threw mine at box on Wednesday and hated it, took it to 3000 and it was better Thursday… but still didn’t love it so I did the full resurface and set it to 1000-> step 2 for next week so I’m excited to try it again
Yeah the gloss nonsense has to go lol, it's awful stuff. You need a full resurface to get it off, just hitting it with a pad won't get much done, so I'd expect you to be in pretty good shape next time out. It'll take a game to break the surface in, but you should notice a difference right away.
@@LukeRosdahl Luke, did you just do straight 1000, then step two, or does it have 500 underneath the 1000? Thanks👍
@@notonyourlife7939 I just do a straight 1000 then step 2.
@@LukeRosdahl Thank you, sir👍
And I thought I was the only one who hated the OG Zen…maybe i need to go to a demo day and throw this one and see if matches my game better than the OG Zen did. (plus i ❤ the purple color).
Please update sport collection for 2023!
The Gold Label being a cleaner and sharper Zen sounds like it's a lot of overlap with the Phaze 5. That scares me away from it because I hated my P5.
Oh no, it's miles stronger than the P5, that'll be one of my comparisons coming up. Cleaner and sharper doesn't also mean weaker. No overlap with the P5 whatsoever.
@@LukeRosdahlill you be able to include a Duo with that Phaze V comparison? Since there are a number of symmetric pearls in that range, having them all compared in the same video would be awesome.
How does this compare to the now discontinued Idol Cosmos
Same general shape, just the Cosmos is a little earlier and smoother, same really round shape though.
How would t his ball compare to the Night Road? My night road on a house shot can't be used until at least game 3.
They have the same cover, this one just has a stronger core, so it's earlier and stronger overall.
I found a fresh Halo Vision and Nuclear Cell not drilled. Would you call the ZGL a 3 or 4 ball?
Low 2 or high 3.
It is strange. I see some Fate and I see some Wolverine in this ball. Maybe that is where the "blend" comes from. LOL!
After a game or two of league, my OG Zen tends to quit on me and starts to leave 2-8-10s. With this being a bit weaker than the Zen I may have to get it as a ball I can transition to from the Zen when it just can't make the corner.
I don't really think it's weaker, it's just cleaner and sharper. It gives me a few zones inside of what the Zen gives me too, so I'd almost say it's a little stronger, it's just not as early and forward.
Hi Luke, what would be the best alternative for the resurface if Step 2 isn't available? Thanks
I'd go with Brunswick's Crown Compound. We're supposed to have a couple new compounds coming, but no idea when they'll be available
@@LukeRosdahl Thanks Luke!
I have an Electrify hybrid and am bouncing between getting the zen gold label or Dou. Im just not sure which one to get
I don't think you can miss with either one, I think the Gold Label is a little more user friendly though, I've been using mine a ton.
@@LukeRosdahl I ended up deciding on the Gold Label
Hi luke I was wondering if you could give me some advice on choosing a new benchmark bowling ball for the upcoming fall league season? I'm a stroker with 16* of tilt and 60* of rotation with about 290 revs. My speed is low, about 17mph off the hand, I classify myself as slightly rev dominant my current arsenal is jackal ghost, Brunswick knockout, Iq tour. The Iq get most all the action and honestly the other balls I don't use very much they just force me to far left to quickly into an area that I'm not comfortable playing, I really like playing up the boards at least to start the night. My Iq is really old and the label is completely worn off the ball and it's time for a new benchmark ball, I could just go get another Iq but not really shur if that is the nest option. I bowl in ohio and lane conditions here are medium to medium dry. I'm thinking I should go for balls that are on the weaker side of things like maybe hyped solid or electrify go. Would love to know your recommendations.
Yep, Hyped Solid is the one to look at, you might also consider an XPonent. The Hyped is a tiny step down from the IQ Tour and the XPonent is a tiny step up, but they're all in the same general zone/area.
Excellent thanks for the response.
Excellent thanks for the response. Now could you recommend a dual angle layout for the hyped solid 16* tilt 60* rotation.
Something simple like 65 x 4 1/2 x 35 should do just fine.
Thanks Luke I watch all the videos you and your wife do, you-r-theman
how do i contact you?? ...I'm interested in lessons...thanks
Send something to breakdownpair@gmail.com and we can talk!
Do you prefer the duo or the zgl?
The ZGL has been more usable for me. I still have the Duo and want to get it in the rotation more though.
Luke how does it compare to the Revenant?
Quite a bit stronger across the board. Revenant is cleaner and 3-4 boards weaker.
@@LukeRosdahl thank you I appreciate your feedback. I’m trying to decide between the Zen Gold Label or the Duo any help on that
@@EdisonZ06 Eh, not really, they're both great. Duo is a little longer and sharper, they're about the same strength, both really versatile, etc.
Edit: ignore this message, I didn’t realize it was patreon exclusive.
How do I join the discord? I don’t see a invite link. And I can’t find “stormnation” on any of the server finders
I do have a couple free channels though, I don't know why you couldn't find it. Here's a link: discord.gg/8akJg3yS
How does it differ from the P3? I see the shape diff from the og zen going forward. Curious your take on the P3 diffs. It works for me like the zen for you while my pin down zen is good on the left.
Mostly a shape diff from the P3, very similar hook potential, just rounder while the P3 is sharper.
I kinda felt like it looks a lot like the dark code to me. Motion wise anyways. Alot of people have said that its way different
Yeah definitely, very Dark Code kind of shape.
If I have the p2 and fate which ball would be the best the duo, gold label, or ruby?
Probably the Ruby, it's the most different from the other two.
Your rev rate looks higher with the gold label compared to the OG.
Yeah I had to bail out of the Zen to get it down the lane, it just wants to slow down so much and so fast. I could go ahead and get through the GL because it doesn't hit the lane and grind to a halt.
There's two labels on the ball so everyone rev rate will look higher. Love when the di that lol
I think I want to drink this ball. 😜
Pass
So... not R2S then. Nice.
Definitely not R2S, quite a bit stronger than that.
I about burned myself on the stove from laughing at your dumbass Zen Soul comment… 😂
Because gingers obviously dont have those anyway lmao