First Impressions
The 900 Global Dream Shift 77 is an exciting overseas release that revives the legendary Dream series. Visually, the ball comes in a classy combination of Silver, Navy and Purple, giving it a very modern, technical look on the lane. Inside works the famous Identity Asymmetric core, which already made the earlier Dream balls favorites. With a low 2.48 RG and a high 0.054 differential (at 15 lbs), this core produces very early and dynamic revving up. The cover is the newly developed S77M Pearl Reactive material. Out of the box the ball comes with a 1500-grit polish, which in combination with the strong core promises an aggressive reaction: it should get through the heads cleanly, but pick up in the midlane thanks to the low RG and turn hard at the breakpoint.
Comparison
Compared to the 900 Global Reality Check, which also uses a strong asymmetric design, the Dream Shift 77 is noticeably livelier and longer. Where the Reality Check often reads earlier and offers a heavier roll phase through the midlane, the Dream Shift 77 saves more of its energy for the backend thanks to the S77M Pearl cover and the polish. Compared to the symmetrical 900 Global Zen, the Shift 77 delivers considerably more torque from the Identity core and a sharper change of direction when it hits friction. It fills the gap for bowlers who need the core dynamics of a "big" ball but want a surface that doesn't burn up immediately in the oil in the heads, as would be the case with pure solid balls.
On the Lanes
The Dream Shift 77 is made for medium to heavier oil conditions where you still want to see a defined move in the backend. It's ideal when the lane shows transition: when the really big solid balls start losing energy too early, this ball offers enough length to get through the heads, but has enough core strength (asymmetry) not to float in the oil. It lets you open up the boards and play steeper angles, since the ball recovers reliably at the breakpoint and provides strong carry. It's less suited to extremely dry lanes, where the strong core could react too hectically.