- Badger

First Impressions
The 900 Global Badger was introduced in March 2018 as an addition to the Honey Badger series and differs fundamentally in its surface makeup and core characteristics. Visually, the ball comes in a deep violet color. Technically, this model is equipped with the symmetrical Lacerator Core, which in the 15-pound version shows an RG of 2.54 and a moderate differential of 0.043. For the coverstock, the Badger uses S71 Solid Reactive material, dulled at the factory with a 2000 grit Abralon finish. This combination of a relatively high-RG core and an aggressive solid cover was developed to fill a unique gap in the lineup: the ball should glide cleanly enough through the heads to conserve energy while at the same time providing enough traction in the midlane to ensure a controlled motion on medium oil volumes.
Comparison Compared to the 900 Global Honey Badger (Pearl), the Badger Solid offers a considerably earlier reaction and a rounder overall motion. While the pearl version is known for its extreme angularity off the backend, the Badger shows a more stable phase through the middle of the lane and reacts less sensitively to jumps in friction. Compared to the Storm Phaze II, the Badger stays in the skid phase a little longer thanks to the higher RG of the Lacerator Core before the solid cover grabs, which makes it easier to play on slightly drier heads than the Phaze II. Compared to the Roto Grip IDOL, the Badger is noticeably tamer and more controlled; the IDOL reads the lane considerably earlier and more aggressively. Against the 900 Global Truth Tour, the Badger offers a stronger change of direction at the breakpoint due to its higher differential, while the Truth Tour is designed more for absolute straightness and control. This positioning shows that the Badger is an ideal benchmark ball for bowlers looking for a solid reaction that doesn't immediately "jump" in the first few boards.
On the Lanes The ideal application for the 900 Global Badger is on medium oil conditions, where a polished pearl ball reacts too erratically but a heavy solid already loses too much energy in the heads. Thanks to the 2000 matte finish, the ball offers outstanding lane readability, which makes it an excellent tool for the transition once the first bit of oil volume has broken down. If you have a moderate rev rate, you'll appreciate the predictability of the symmetrical core, which allows for even energy transfer all the way into the pocket. For bowlers who like to play the outside boards, the Badger provides the necessary margin, since it doesn't break off abruptly but rolls into the pins in a controlled manner. On very heavy oil, however, the combination of higher RG and moderate differential could cause the ball to take too long to get into the roll phase, which is why it should be replaced in those scenarios by more aggressive models like the Truth. All in all, the Badger is a reliable all-arounder that stands out through its balance between length and controlled friction.