Switching to a Lighter Racquet for More Speed

[Scribbles]

I'm currently playing with the stock YTIG Prestige Pro (+overgrip, +dampener), making it over 12 oz. I picked up this stick after quickly outgrowing an oversized racquet. I'm starting to question if this stick is too demanding for me and if I should switch.

Background: I play about 8 hours of tennis a week (including lessons). I have a full swing and a semi-western grip. I play with topspin on both my forehand and backhand, but can flatten out the ball if needed. I probably stay at the baseline the majority of the time (~80), but will approach sometimes when the opportunity itself. I'm a male in my early 20's and I do a decent amount of weightlifting, so a 12 oz racquet isn't too heavy for me.

I'm contemplating switching because I recently demo'd the PC, PCT, and APD, and noticed how much more racquet head speed I can get with the these racquets, especially the APD. I think the racquet head speed is also giving me a lot more spin. I'm starting to think that the heavy Prestige Pro may be too demanding for someone of my skill level since I can't produce the same speed that I can with the APD. I also find myself hitting winners from the baseline that I normally wouldn't with the Prestige.

I know that some of this comes down to personal preference, but should I switch to the APD, PC, (or even the PCT) or stick with the Prestige Pro with the hope that the demanding racquet will push me to become better?

Maybe give me some pros and cons?

Thanks in advance! Really appreciate it.

 

[MTXR]

I'm looking to switch from my BLX Six One 95 to the APD. I have some APDs coming and it'll be a long term demo for me. Took me 4 months to switch from the PS 85 to the Six One 95.

The only way to tell unfortunately is to demo a lot of racquets. I'm hoping for extra pop and ease in generating power. I lost a match yesterday and couldn't believe how the guy simply blocked everything back with ease using his Pure Drive when i was crushing shots. I felt like i had to work to generate power compared to him. So i thought why not join the crowd and crush the ball with the APD if it works out. I realized there was no point in working needlessly hard if i don't have to.


Pros: More power if you can control it, lighter so less fatigue for yourself
Cons: Could be less control, APD could be stiff

 

[Smasher08]

Try stringing your prestige 3-4 lbs looser.

F=ma so a lighter racket will allow you to generate more RHS when you're able to set up completely. At full stretch it's a different story, so looser strings will help you get the best of both worlds.

 

[NLBwell]

I would say, no, the Prestige Pro is not too demanding for you. However, if you play better with another racket I don't see any reason not to play with that racket. Your game will adjust to whatever racket you use to some extent. (However, beware of Babolats hurting your arm.)

 

[Jonny S&V]

As someone who used a Dunlop 200 series racquet from age 14 until January of this year, it took a lot for me to admit to myself that I needed a more forgiving racquet. I was just screwing around with my player's Pure Drive, since he was switching to the new Pure Controls, and I fell in love with the feel. I'm borrowing his three Drives until the semester lets out, and then testing similar spec'd racquets in May before buying new racquets in June.

Long story short, never rule out that a lighter racquet might be the best thing for your game. My game has gotten a significant confidence boost from the switch, even if I'm not as physically fit as I was when I was playing collegiately.

 

[LeeD]

I like the power I get from 11oz, 320 SW, and soft 60 flex rackets, strung at 47 lbs.
My 6' 220 lbs bud, a gymnastic instructor, uses the same weight, but 325 SW, on a LMRadMid.
Both of us are solid 4.0, can play doubles up to 5.0's.

 

[v-verb]

I was in the heavy is better camp but have switched. Lighter is easier on the shoulder for serving and RHS

 

[ruud5]

I was in the heavy is better camp but have switched. Lighter is easier on the shoulder for serving and RHS

which one?

 

[eelhc]

How did you verify the weight of your stick? Did you weigh it? I've seen as much as ~1/2oz variation on new Head racquets out of the box.

 

[robbo1970]

To the OP. Whilst I understand your theory about the more demanding racket improving your skills long term, there is the big factor that you need to be able to go out and play and have fun now.

I presume youre talking about the 345g Pro as opposed to the new one. If you like the head size of the Prestige Pro and the beam width, perhaps consider trying to get something with similar core specs of 98, 22mm. Maybe consider trying to get a Dunlop Bio Max200G or even a Dunlop 300. Same headsize and string pattern, just a bit lighter.

 

[Scribbles]

Thanks everyone! I read everyone's advice and took it into consideration.

I think I will try demo-ing the APD some more while hitting it side-by-side with my YTIGPP. I recently put in 18G Black Widow and am really enjoying this string. To be honest, I haven't had much of a chance to use the APD against stronger players, so I haven't really seen if this stick will get pushed around by heavier balls. I demo'd the racquet with a ball machine and while playing some less experienced players. The RHS I can acquire with the APD is definitely addictive though, lol.

To the OP. Whilst I understand your theory about the more demanding racket improving your skills long term, there is the big factor that you need to be able to go out and play and have fun now.

I presume youre talking about the 345g Pro as opposed to the new one. If you like the head size of the Prestige Pro and the beam width, perhaps consider trying to get something with similar core specs of 98, 22mm. Maybe consider trying to get a Dunlop Bio Max200G or even a Dunlop 300. Same headsize and string pattern, just a bit lighter.

I really really enjoy tennis and I think I would have fun regardless of the racquet. This may be a stupid fear, but I'm just afraid that switching to a more forgiving/powerful/lighter racquet would let me get away with sloppy mechanics. I'm constantly trying to improve my game.

How did you verify the weight of your stick? Did you weigh it? I've seen as much as ~1/2oz variation on new Head racquets out of the box.

To be honest, I never actually actually weighed my stick. I used TW matching to make sure that both of the sticks that I ordered were similar, no heavier than a 345g strung weight, with a SW and Headlight balance as similar to the one posted on their product page as possible (321 and 6 pts. HL). I just assumed that the 345g + Overgrip +Dampener is going to weight well over 12 oz.