Need help finding a racquet to switch to from my vcore pro 97 310 2021

[ethankrafft]

I'm looking to switch from my vcore pro 97 310 2021. I originally used the 2021 radical pro and switched to a few different racquets. Lately, I've been using the Vcore pro. I've found that it takes a lot of the spin that I produce on my forehands away and it's been killing my game. I like everything about it except for the loss of spin I've been getting. I have the confidence to swing out on all of my shots, but all I end up getting is a much flatter ball than I would like. I've tried the vcore 98 and ezone 98 and found the ezone 98 to really hurt my wrist while the vcore 98 has a little too much of a launch angle. Is the new vcore 95 good? More spin than the vcore pro 97? Any help?

 

[Rally]

Try adding 1-2 grams of lead at 12 o clock and see if that brings back a little more spin.

 

[ethankrafft]

Try adding 1-2 grams of lead at 12 o clock and see if that brings back a little more spin.

I don't think that will do the trick sadly, it is significantly less than previous racquets I've hit with. There is hardly any shape to my ball anymore.

 

[bnjkn]

I never played with the vcore pro 97, but I have the new vcore 95 and it has good spin.

 

[ethankrafft]

I never played with the vcore pro 97, but I have the new vcore 95 and it has good spin.

How would you describe the racquet? What are some benefits and downsides?

 

[Tranqville]

Head Extreme Tour is the most logical choice. You already played with Head, so that should help the transition. Swingweight, twistweight, balance, headsize - all very similar to your Vcore Pro. Extreme Tour will give you a balance of control, feel, and spin.

Yonex Vcore 95 definitely worth considering if you want to stay in Yonex family, but it plays differently from Vcore Pro, in many ways.

Coming from Radical and Vcore Pro, you will find transition to Babolat challenging. Blade and TF40 are the closest to Vcore Pro 97, but they don't offer much spin.

 

[bnjkn]

How would you describe the racquet? What are some benefits and downsides?

I would describe it as very comfortable, perhaps the most comfortable racquet I've ever played with. Because of this I'm enjoying it a lot and having fun hitting with it. Currently I have it with hyper g at 45 lbs.

It definitely is not a power racquet, so if you're looking for easy power this is not it. It is easy to hit angled topspin shots that are hard for the opponent to reach though.

To me it has good maneuverability but it is not super maneuverable (8/10 in maneuverability). It is not very forgiving either, because of the smaller head size, but I wouldn't say it is too demanding as I've played with far more demanding racquets (6.1 95, pro staff 90, RF97).

Topspin shaped shots come easily from this racquet. I think right now I'm still not confident enough to use it in a match, but I'm enjoying a lot hitting with it and my arm loves it.

 

[ethankrafft]

Head Extreme Tour is the most logical choice. You already played with Head, so that should help the transition. Swingweight, twistweight, balance, headsize - all very similar to your Vcore Pro. Extreme Tour will give you a balance of control, feel, and spin.

Yonex Vcore 95 definitely worth considering if you want to stay in Yonex family, but it plays differently from Vcore Pro, in many ways.

Coming from Radical and Vcore Pro, you will find transition to Babolat challenging. Blade and TF40 are the closest to Vcore Pro 97, but they don't offer much spin.

Any other recommendations? I've demoed the babolat pure aero 2023 and enjoyed it quite a bit although I did find some wrist pain came along. I really wanted to like the pure aero 98, but couldn't mesh with the feel either.

 

[ethankrafft]

Any other recommendations? I've demoed the babolat pure aero 2023 and enjoyed it quite a bit although I did find some wrist pain came along. I really wanted to like the pure aero 98, but couldn't mesh with the feel either.

What babolat frames would you recommend?

 

[Tranqville]

What babolat frames would you recommend?

I'm only familiar with Pure Strike line, and it's not particularly spin-friendly. Pure Aero is an obvious demo, I guess. Pure Aero 98 will play closer to VCP and should be an easier transition.

 

[johnmccabe]

Any other recommendations? I've demoed the babolat pure aero 2023 and enjoyed it quite a bit although I did find some wrist pain came along. I really wanted to like the pure aero 98, but couldn't mesh with the feel either.

Maybe you like low RA of the vcp97. Try Prince textreme ats 98. Add some weight in the butt cap.

If you haven't tried sharp square shaped strings in vcp, that's also one more thing to test before giving it up.

 

[ZeroandOne]

It wouldn't hurt to try some lead first, the vcore pro 310 is kinda boring in stock form.

 

[AmericanTwist]

vcp 310 is yonex's spinniest frame. I suggest working on your technique, lowering tensions, perhaps a different string/gauge. If you do want to look at other frames I second john in recommending prince frames. The two TT 100L's I still have are 16x18 and nothing I've tried spins the balls more than this frame. I haven't even used poly in these frames! Syn gut works well. Other prince frames are also great at producing spin. Think 16x18 and lower stiffness generally.

 

[jimmy8]

I recommend Head Extreme Tour.

 

[Fintft]

Shift

 

[Artanis]

What babolat frames would you recommend?

Pure Strike VS. Low RA but a bit livelier.
I did this switch.

 

[eric42]

I like the new VC95 a lot. Played with both the new VC98 and 95. The 98 has a higher launch, more power and a less stable/crisp and less damped feel. 95 has more control and a really nice solid stable feel, just not quite as muted and vague as the VCP97 which I've also played a lot with. Spin between the 95 and 98 is probably the same. IMO the 95 isn't a ton different from the VCP97, but the 95 has a bit more of a crisp feel, is not the flexy noodle like the VCP97, and also doesn't have the power ceiling of the VCP97. The 95 is for sure a low power racquet, but gives a more proportional power response than the VCP97 IMO. VC95 goes through the air noticeably faster than the VCP97, so probably a little more spin.

I also like the Pure Strike VS. Nice soft feel, a little more power than the VC95, less muted, but not quite the thick solid/stable feel of the 95.

 

[krautfox]

I would recommend the Ultra Pro 16x19. It gives a great shape to your ball when using top spin, sublime feel and too notch consistency. Slices are also really nice and you can flatten out shots very effectively. It does lack a little oomph though, but consistensy wins matches The UP are wonderful frames, but Wilson QC is horrendous.
I also use the Blade V7 16x19, and I get reeeeaaal nice heavy spin with it.
I also recommend the Prince Tour 100P (ATS or TT). It's an 18x20 but with 6 mains in the throat, giving you good spin with awesome directional control.

Good luck in your search !

 

[JorisE]

I'm looking to switch from my vcore pro 97 310 2021. I originally used the 2021 radical pro and switched to a few different racquets. Lately, I've been using the Vcore pro. I've found that it takes a lot of the spin that I produce on my forehands away and it's been killing my game. I like everything about it except for the loss of spin I've been getting. I have the confidence to swing out on all of my shots, but all I end up getting is a much flatter ball than I would like. I've tried the vcore 98 and ezone 98 and found the ezone 98 to really hurt my wrist while the vcore 98 has a little too much of a launch angle. Is the new vcore 95 good? More spin than the vcore pro 97? Any help?

Did you try other strings, tensions and/or some additional weight? (that really transformed my VCP's, though I play mainly with the 100). I can recommend a grippy, shaped poly at low tensions (20kg or less) icm with some weight at 12 (1 or 2 grams can really make a difference). Concerning the VC95: also a great racket but a bit more demanding than the VCP97 imop.

 

[Pooschnikens]

The Head Extreme MP has a very generously spaced 16x19 pattern. If you’re technique is sound and get good acceleration up and over the ball, it’s near the top as far as spin-friendly frames. Obviously the VCore 100 or 98 are right in that mix for obvious reasons.

 

[badmice2]

I had and still have the VCP both 310/330 2019 (blue/orange), had liked it but didn’t love it. Racket played a bit flat and muted after a while. Eventually moved back to head with the gravity line and have not looked back. Here and there I toyed with PS v3 and the radical.

PS was under power for me, reminded me of a Prostaff with a bigger sweet spot. Radical is a more lively version of the PS.

Ultra Pro on paper would be an option that’s near VCP. Outside of what’s commonly recommended, Dunlop 300sx tour is worth a look. Gravity MP w/ lead could be an option.

 

[Pooschnikens]

The Vcore Pro series, in particular the 97’s are more in line with say a Blade 98 or PS 97 but def more flexible, a Gravity had they made a 97-98 but closer to say the Prestige tour? (95 sq in), the Extreme tour has a similar muted feel and comparable numbers. The Volkl V Cell 10, Dunlop 200 series, Tecnifibre TF-40 and maybe the Strike Tour. All have a more traditional straight beam, even flex, old school kind of control oriented playability. They’re all pretty linear in the sense of you get what you give it. No surprise free b’s.

I guess the question is would switching to something more dynamic like say a Pure Drive 98 or Aero 98, Head Speed or Boom, TF T-Fight, Wilson Shift or Clash 98, VCore 98 or Ezone 98 is more to your liking? More of that new school variable flex, moderate to firmer stiffness. Easier access to power and greater spin potential.

Simply comes down to what your priorities are. Also in terms of wants/needs in a frame and whether you’re willing to give up some directional control in the short term as you adjust.

 

[Trip]

@ethankrafft - We haven't heard from you in a bit... What became of your search here? Still looking? Any new discoveries or insights? I could suggest a litany of frames, but will hold off for now.

 

[Bal]

I'm looking to switch from my vcore pro 97 310 2021. I originally used the 2021 radical pro and switched to a few different racquets. Lately, I've been using the Vcore pro. I've found that it takes a lot of the spin that I produce on my forehands away and it's been killing my game. I like everything about it except for the loss of spin I've been getting. I have the confidence to swing out on all of my shots, but all I end up getting is a much flatter ball than I would like. I've tried the vcore 98 and ezone 98 and found the ezone 98 to really hurt my wrist while the vcore 98 has a little too much of a launch angle. Is the new vcore 95 good? More spin than the vcore pro 97? Any help?

Switched from the VCP97 2021 to the VC95 2021 in the last two months, having tried the VCP97 2021 for over a year, on the 97 310g and the 97D models. Seems counterintuitive that I’ve gone down in head size, but I’ve now got a frame I seem to be gelling with. I have modified my VC95 with a Head leather grip, Sampras power strip lead weights at 10&2. Static weight=348g, sw=330, BP=31.9. Currently using Head Lynx Tour 1.25mm, strung at 50lbs. I find I’m serving better and I’m more consistent on my ground strokes with the VC95. I haven’t tried the 2023 VC95, but hoping to next weekend on a Yonex play test session, where I’ll get to try the new Percept too

Different frames, suit different types of players and their style of play. On the VCP97 310g, I was missing the plow and accuracy I was craving, and when I hit a shot long, knowing why it went long. I did try various string and weight setups, and finished on Solinco Tour Bite 1.25mm at 52lbs, lead at 10&2 totalling 4g, counterweight in the handle. This was a great setup, but still felt I didn’t have consistency I required.

Different story with the VC95, I know where my shots are going and how much effort is required to get the ball to land in the lines. My 1HBH was missing with the VCP97, well for the 310g at least, is now back with accuracy and spin.

HTH

 

[Power Player]

Solinco Whiteout 18x20. Crazy spin for an 18x20 and much more power than the VCP 310. String with a soft round poly if you need to give your arm a break.

 

[KYHacker]

Shift

100%

 

[KYHacker]

Also look at Dunlop SX300 Tour and FX500 Tour.

 

[MR.bkebab]

I'm looking to switch from my vcore pro 97 310 2021. I originally used the 2021 radical pro and switched to a few different racquets. Lately, I've been using the Vcore pro. I've found that it takes a lot of the spin that I produce on my forehands away and it's been killing my game. I like everything about it except for the loss of spin I've been getting. I have the confidence to swing out on all of my shots, but all I end up getting is a much flatter ball than I would like. I've tried the vcore 98 and ezone 98 and found the ezone 98 to really hurt my wrist while the vcore 98 has a little too much of a launch angle. Is the new vcore 95 good? More spin than the vcore pro 97? Any help?

ezone 98 sounds good for you. Try a different string and/or go lower in tension