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View Full Version : What practice balls are these?

RobG
07-08-2009, 08:52 AM
Yesterday I did a tennis clinic at a local racquet club. I've done several, but today, they used some special practice balls to start us out. I hated them at first, but soon understood the point. I don't see them listed on the TW site, so I thought I'd ask.

The markings on the ball were ProPenn something. They were the yellow/orange two-tone, felt about the same weight as a normal ball, but felt spongey. They were the same size as a normal ball too. The big difference was the bounce, or lack thereof. If you dropped the ball from waist height, the bounce was maybe 1/2 to 1/3 that of a regular new tennis ball.

I'd love to get a couple cans of these. I called the racquet club and they don't know what they are either, and the instructor isn't available.

Rob
Sleepstream
07-08-2009, 09:25 AM
http://www.pennracquet.com/tennis.html

I'm thinking the balls on the far right.
RobG
07-08-2009, 12:43 PM
Yep that's them. Now if I could just find someplace to buy them. Nobody has 'em in stock, or they cost a bunch. I wish TW had 'em... would be much simpler.

Rob
Il Mostro
07-08-2009, 03:14 PM
Those are "Quick Start" balls. Several ball companies make them -- the Wilson's are the softest of all I've tried. In addition to being great for kids (the original intention), these work well in Vandermeer warm-ups. Also helpful because you can easily see the spin on the ball. Good tools for teaching beginner players to hit-out. On-Court, Off-Court has these if you cannot get them at TW.
rockbox
07-08-2009, 05:33 PM
I've seen the TIP 1 balls at Target so you might want to check there if you are looking for somewhere local. Otherwise, there are a lot of mail order places that care them for about 4 bucks for 3 balls.
Il Mostro
07-08-2009, 05:38 PM
The big-box stores (like SA if there one near you) also sell these in bags of 8-12 also. That's where I got the Wilsons, but I think i also saw Penn there too.
atennisrand
07-08-2009, 07:14 PM
They're simply low pressure (soft) tennis balls that are used to warm up or for younger children to play half court or something with.
tomas9848
07-11-2009, 11:55 AM
they are for little kids to learn.