One more time, if you are over 50 and at least a 4.5, what frame ?

atatu

Legend
Sorry, I know there are variations on this thread, but I just want to get more specific, please post your racket if you fit the criteria or know of players who do. Thanks.
 

sunof tennis

Professional
Over 50 (unfortunately), was rated 4.5 awhile ago. Currently play with BLXPS95 with leather grip and small amount of lead 12 o'clock.
 

USS Tang

Rookie
Here goes. I know I sound like a broken record with this racket recommendation. I am 67 and have been playing tennis for over 40 years. I have a USTA national ranking in the Mens 65s. I am small, but mobile and hit with a continental grip one-handed off both sides, with my goal being to get to the net in every rally, if possible. I am definitely not a top-spinning baseliner. My racket: the Prince Red 105 strung with 17-gauge Babolat natural gut at 57 lbs. Yes, I know: Prince is so passe these days with the bankruptcy and few player endorsements, but trust me, this is a very good racket for anyone over 50. It's easy to handle and packs plenty of power.
 

dje31

Professional
My wife turned 50 in January. For the past several years she's been using two Volkl C10 Pros. She just recently changed to a Head Graphene Instinct Rev with ~2oz of lead and blue stick in and around the handle. Will probably pick up a second as a backup.

The Revs are excellent platform sticks for customization.
 

dje31

Professional
FWIW, I'll be 48 in May. Will likely change to the Head Prestige S, but have been using her C10 Pros. They work well for me, but the Prestige S is ~1oz lighter, which would be welcomed.
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
I'm 54 and play Prince Graphite Longbodys and Donnay X-Platinums. Basically your old style solid core narrow beam sticks (the longbodys being 1" longer).

Avoid poly strings unless you string below 35lbs. I'm nursing a sore elbow and arm having disregarded that piece of advice this past week
 

Fuji

Legend
A good friend of mine who is just past 50 is using the Bio300T bone stock strung with RIP Control @ 60lbs. Pretty basic set up that hits really nice!

-Fuji
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
You should try gut-poly. Good power, phenomenal touch, and no arm issues whatsoever.

Thanks Smasher08!

Today my pkg arrived from TW with among other things a set of Klip X-plosiv gut/poly hybrid. I'll string it up and report back.

I have played with poly at low tension - 35lbs and below - with no issues at all. The problem was playing with the string that came with a racquet I bought last week - poly at 58lbs.

So it's back to the low tension ploy and trying teh new gut/poly Klip strings!

Cheers and thanks again!

nigel

PS noticed you're in the Toronto area as well!
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
IG Prestige MP. Friends my age that play well use the K95 and some other Wilson K-Factor 100 racquet with a bunch of lead tape.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
54, 4.5, Wilson 99S

Played a competitive match with my mates on our senior 4.5 team and I thought I played way above average considering I've been sidelined since October with a torn calf. I am currently using Lux 4G 1.3 49/47.

The 99S is a nice hit.
 

TennisCJC

Legend
56 yo. Rated 4.5 awhile back but no longer play USTA. Played a couple season of 5.0 decades ago.

I use a Volkl 010 295 customized to 12.1 oz, 6 HL, and 335 SW strung with TF NRG2 17G multi mains at 50 lbs and TF RuffCode co-poly cross at 46 lbs. I demo rackets for fun but I have not found anything I like better than this. I have been using this racket for just over 2 years now. I may buy 2 more when they go on sale.

Old guys should use Volkl so all the young guys can say "hey, look at that old guy using a Volkl" while they use those POSh*T Babolats and Princes.
 

atatu

Legend
Well it's interesting to see no Pure Drives so far. It seems like all the advanced 50+ guys here in TX are using the PD, and I can't figure it out as I have tried it out and it doesn't work for me. I'm using the Donnay P1 16x19 but definitely feeling like I should give the PD another look. I mean, these guys are nationally ranked, they must know something ?
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
If it works for them - great. I'd have arm problems though (I have a PDR in my closet). Maybe the warmer weather makes it more comfortable for the older set. There are some aspects of colder weather that bother me at times.
 

ArliHawk

Hall of Fame
If it works for them - great. I'd have arm problems though (I have a PDR in my closet). Maybe the warmer weather makes it more comfortable for the older set. There are some aspects of colder weather that bother me at times.

How about the Vokl Organix V1 MP?
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Well it's interesting to see no Pure Drives so far. It seems like all the advanced 50+ guys here in TX are using the PD, and I can't figure it out as I have tried it out and it doesn't work for me. I'm using the Donnay P1 16x19 but definitely feeling like I should give the PD another look. I mean, these guys are nationally ranked, they must know something ?

I tried the PD a bunch of years ago. It felt like crap....probably because I was using the C10 at the time. I just never had the desire to go try it again. That said, spec-wise, the 99S is pretty close to the PD. I think it's a nice compromise though because the string pattern plays a lot softer than the stiffness number.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Well it's interesting to see no Pure Drives so far. It seems like all the advanced 50+ guys here in TX are using the PD, and I can't figure it out as I have tried it out and it doesn't work for me. I'm using the Donnay P1 16x19 but definitely feeling like I should give the PD another look. I mean, these guys are nationally ranked, they must know something ?

I played a guy like that. Used a Pure Drive, 5.0 USTA. He hit really flat and drove the ball to the corners. It worked for that style real well since you can swing rather controlled and compact.
 

dje31

Professional
I tried the PD a bunch of years ago. It felt like crap....probably because I was using the C10 at the time.

My wife and I tried the early PD, with the swirly PJ, probably ~10 years ago by now. It felt horrible. For a short time, I used the swirly Pure Control, but the stiffness beat me down, but it generally felt much better than the PD.

While demoing recently, we tried the 2012 PD, and while it felt much more solid, neither of us thought our joints would take it for any length of time.

She's gone to the Head Graphene Instinct Rev with an RA of 59, which is much more benign, with extra weight in the handle. She was out of the game for multiple years, in part due to non-tennis related joint issues. Now that she can play again, we're avoiding the high RA racquets. I'm currently using her C10 Pros.
 

wmoore

Rookie
I'm 57 and a 4.5 . I have played with a POG strung with RPM Blast at 45# or occasionally a hybrid of VS 16g in the mains and RPM 16 in the crosses if I wanted to treat myself.

Just changed over to a Radical OS which is quite a bit lighter and put lead at 3,9 and 12. It's very nice as well, but sometimes I do miss the pure mass of the POG.....I also miss having the legs of a 25 year old, but that's a different story isn't it?
 

McLovin

Legend
I'm not there yet, but of the three 4.5s over 50 I know, they use:
  • Wilson Hyper ProStaff 6.1
  • Wilson KSix-One 95 X
  • Head Microgel Radical MP
 

PBODY99

Legend
Well it's interesting to see no Pure Drives so far. It seems like all the advanced 50+ guys here in TX are using the PD, and I can't figure it out as I have tried it out and it doesn't work for me. I'm using the Donnay P1 16x19 but definitely feeling like I should give the PD another look. I mean, these guys are nationally ranked, they must know something ?
Val Wilder is from TX, he switch to a Bab a few years ago. At the 45/50 grass courts, I saw a number of other players using them.
Brent Abel plays an oversize vintage Pure Control as I recall.
 
G

guitarplayer

Guest
I just turned 58 yesterday using a Wilson Pro Staff BLX Six One 100 Forten Thin blend at 50lbs. Babolat PD felt too stiff and unwieldy.
 

sovertennis

Professional
Am 56, play in a 4.5 league and use a Speed MP 16/19 strung with Tour Bite at 47#. Used a Bab PD then Extreme Pro for years, but got some shoulder pain so switched to the Speed MP and have no issues.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
My wife and I tried the early PD, with the swirly PJ, probably ~10 years ago by now. It felt horrible. For a short time, I used the swirly Pure Control, but the stiffness beat me down, but it generally felt much better than the PD.

While demoing recently, we tried the 2012 PD, and while it felt much more solid, neither of us thought our joints would take it for any length of time.

She's gone to the Head Graphene Instinct Rev with an RA of 59, which is much more benign, with extra weight in the handle. She was out of the game for multiple years, in part due to non-tennis related joint issues. Now that she can play again, we're avoiding the high RA racquets. I'm currently using her C10 Pros.

Yep, that was the one I tried.
 

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
53, 4.5, playing the Volkl PB 10 Mid. Love everything about this stick. I hit a pretty big topspin FH and 1hbh. It's a demanding racquet but when you hit it good, it's real good!
 

NLBwell

Legend
Microgel Prestige Pro - weighted to 13.5 oz. Gut/Poly and Poly/Multi string setups. Best playing setup is actually full Lux Spin, but I'm wary of full poly on my elbow.
I've been playing with my original Black Ace 98 (86 sq in head size) lately - the racket I played with in the early 1980's. Have it strung with NXT Max.

My brother uses Microgel Radical Mid+ strung with SynGut. I think he plays it stock.

EDITED: I'm really starting to serve exceptionally well with my Black Ace
 
Last edited:

makinao

Rookie
I'm 55, am a 4.5 on a good day. I'm using a Head Radical Limited Edition Agassi. My regular partner is a 4.5 all the time, using a Dunlop 4d 500.
 

Squidward

Rookie
56 here. I use either the Head YT Radical Pro (singles) or a Head LM Radical OS (doubles). Both are strung with Polylon Comfort.
 
Last edited:

TennisMD

Professional
Well it's interesting to see no Pure Drives so far. It seems like all the advanced 50+ guys here in TX are using the PD, and I can't figure it out as I have tried it out and it doesn't work for me. I'm using the Donnay P1 16x19 but definitely feeling like I should give the PD another look. I mean, these guys are nationally ranked, they must know something ?

Not 4.5 more like 4.0 but have used PDR 2012 and nowDonnay Pro one 16 x 19 and loving it, if you go to TWU has as much if not slightly more power than PDR, in fact suprising how many player rks equal or close to PDRin power the Wilson BLX, VOLKL C 10.
Again marketing is everything. PD much more visible with pros on TV matches, they Babalot have marketed well. FYI I am not a Bab hater had many good games with PDR
 

dje31

Professional
I'd be curious if the old guard using PDs and APDs are using classic, pressuring, hitting-through-the-ball strokes, or the more modern, brushing strokes, where you're less likely to feel the stiffness.
 

max

Legend
53, 4.5, playing the Volkl PB 10 Mid. Love everything about this stick. I hit a pretty big topspin FH and 1hbh. It's a demanding racquet but when you hit it good, it's real good!

50, nowadays a 4.25 not a 4.5! But I just bought a couple of Volkl PB 10 mids to replace C-9s; I'm looking forward to better weather.

The real thing is your physical fitness and not the frame. If you're overweight, it's got to be tougher getting to the ball. . . and it's easy to let an extra 5-10 pounds get on you. :)
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
I'd be curious if the old guard using PDs and APDs are using classic, pressuring, hitting-through-the-ball strokes, or the more modern, brushing strokes, where you're less likely to feel the stiffness.

The pro I work with told me I couldn't learn the new strokes because of my grips. I felt better after a former D1 player I play with who is 37 told me "my arm just doesn't move like the guys who hit the ball now (Nadal, etc)". He was referring to the forehands that stay on the same side of your body.

Using the 99S, I get more spin, although nowhere near as much as a younger player using extreme grips. I also find I can hit the ball harder.

50, nowadays a 4.25 not a 4.5! But I just bought a couple of Volkl PB 10 mids to replace C-9s; I'm looking forward to better weather.

The real thing is your physical fitness and not the frame. If you're overweight, it's got to be tougher getting to the ball. . . and it's easy to let an extra 5-10 pounds get on you. :)

5 to 10? That's still singles range!
 

atatu

Legend
50, nowadays a 4.25 not a 4.5! But I just bought a couple of Volkl PB 10 mids to replace C-9s; I'm looking forward to better weather.

The real thing is your physical fitness and not the frame. If you're overweight, it's got to be tougher getting to the ball. . . and it's easy to let an extra 5-10 pounds get on you. :)

Very true, all the top senior players are lean, something for me to work on....
 

dje31

Professional
^^^ Fatty
.
.
.
Sorry...just kidding...I'm not one to talk...Austin's a great food town, so that doesn't help...
 
G

guitarplayer

Guest
Been using western grip modern swing for a year now... It changed my fame. I I should have made the change sooner
 
I'm 52 and 4.0/4.5 depending on the day. I had a Wilson Six-One 95 and currently use Head Extreme Pro 2.0 with full poly - Tour Bite Soft @ 58 and WeissCannon Turbo Twist at 57. The former has more spin and the later has more power.
 
I am 53, female, former Division 1 college player. I am using the HEAD Graphene Speed 18x20 with Klip Blast @57 lbs. No arm problems at all. Prior to this I used a Dunlop Bio 200.
 

dje31

Professional
So, of all us old coots, who still hits classic strokes? Who has adopted modern strokes? Baseline, all-court, or S&V game?

I still hit classic strokes, all-court game.

Next?
 

Tim

Rookie
46yr old 4.5 player currently using an n blade and still swinging with classic stokes... my Jack Kramer pro staff is still lurking around strung with the blue and clear imperial gut :)
 
Last edited:

drummerdan

Semi-Pro
The real thing is your physical fitness and not the frame. If you're overweight, it's got to be tougher getting to the ball. . . and it's easy to let an extra 5-10 pounds get on you. :)

Agreed. I'm in pretty good shape as I work out along with my team every day. Luckily, I have pretty good genes as my weight isn't as issue. Not yet, anyway!
:)
 

NLBwell

Legend
So, of all us old coots, who still hits classic strokes? Who has adopted modern strokes? Baseline, all-court, or S&V game?

I still hit classic strokes, all-court game.

Next?

I still use my same old strokes with my MG Prestige Pros. Flat for hard courts (most of the time now), Muster-like big topspin strokes for clay. Use lots of slice and sidespin also.
 

dje31

Professional
Not trying to threadjack here, just wondering who among us use the classic style stroke vs. modern brushing strokes. Depending on the racquet in use, and racquet head speed, it's a valid question.

I see some of the swing motions these days and it hurts to watch them. My arm / shoulder / elbow / wrist would probably dislocate if I tried that.

Stinks getting older...when the drug of choice becomes Aleve.

Just curious...carry on.
 

dje31

Professional
I am baseliner, brushing up the ball with my classic racquet - Prince Spectrum Comp 90.

Wow, the original ceramic model? I remember demoing that and loving the feel. First Prince I remember liking, which led me to the CTS Graduate 90 not long afterewards.

Has the white color faded / yellowed over time?
 
Top