Diary of a Racketaholic

[Power Player]

The summers down here are so brutal. It makes me appreciate the lighter TGK I have. I was getting pretty worn out this weekend, and just could not pull the trigger on grabbing my retail prestige out of the bag since it is .4 ozs heavier than my others (definitely lost out on the QC there).

For some reason it weighs 12.5 oz with no mods, 18 gauge string, OG and Dampener. Not a huge problem when I have energy, but enough of a problem to where I am pretty sure in order to free up spot in the bag, the decision to sell it for now is a wise one.

I'm real close to buying a black ace, but I like the prestiges so much..it almost makes more sense to try the MP, since it is lighter and balanced with that awesome prestige serve that has really changed my game. I finally started getting in a groove with my serve again with the prestige..figured out timing and toss issues I was having and started hitting some nice bombs with no effort. Interesting thing is that it seems to all click consistently with the lighter TGK the easiest.

Only bummer about the MP is it's 21mm, which is not a huge deal, but the beamtard in me weeps slightly. I love the Prestiges..freaking awesome sticks. It really is a pleasure to hit with these things. I was hurting bad today..it just started to get super hot here, but even feeling like I was going to pass out, I managed to hit a lot of really sick winners that were right on the lines. I could not see myself doing that with any other racquet. It pretty much made me realize I am a prestige guy and need to stay with what works.

When it gets hot in FL, it makes you question your decision to even walk onto the court. It is that brutal sometimes. I do get used to it, but I remember going through this last year and switching to a little less demanding stick that swung a hair lighter. I am thinking that could happen again, so I am going to try out the MP and will probably be good to go. I have no desire to go to full tweener land or anything like that. I want feel, control, a great serving stick and the ability to go full poly at 50#s. The Prestiges fulfill all of those requirements maybe better than any other racquet out there.

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Power Player

The summers down here are so brutal. It makes me appreciate the lighter TGK I have. I was getting pretty worn out this weekend, and just could not pull the trigger on grabbing my retail prestige out of the bag since it is .4 ozs heavier than my others (definitely lost out on the QC there).

For some reason it weighs 12.5 oz with no mods, 18 gauge string, OG and Dampener. Not a huge problem when I have energy, but enough of a problem to where I am pretty sure in order to free up spot in the bag, the decision to sell it for now is a wise one.

I'm real close to buying a black ace, but I like the prestiges so much..it almost makes more sense to try the MP, since it is lighter and balanced with that awesome prestige serve that has really changed my game. I finally started getting in a groove with my serve again with the prestige..figured out timing and toss issues I was having and started hitting some nice bombs with no effort. Interesting thing is that it seems to all click consistently with the lighter TGK the easiest.

Only bummer about the MP is it's 21mm, which is not a huge deal, but the beamtard in me weeps slightly. I love the Prestiges..freaking awesome sticks. It really is a pleasure to hit with these things. I was hurting bad today..it just started to get super hot here, but even feeling like I was going to pass out, I managed to hit a lot of really sick winners that were right on the lines. I could not see myself doing that with any other racquet. It pretty much made me realize I am a prestige guy and need to stay with what works.

When it gets hot in FL, it makes you question your decision to even walk onto the court. It is that brutal sometimes. I do get used to it, but I remember going through this last year and switching to a little less demanding stick that swung a hair lighter. I am thinking that could happen again, so I am going to try out the MP and will probably be good to go. I have no desire to go to full tweener land or anything like that. I want feel, control, a great serving stick and the ability to go full poly at 50#s. The Prestiges fulfill all of those requirements maybe better than any other racquet out there.

Constantly switching sticks will affect the way you perceive a racquet. It’s always easier to swing a lighter racquet. If you keep switching sticks every practice you’re not going to develop the proper strength and muscle memory to play with a heavier stick. 12.5oz strung and gripped all in is NOT really a heavy stick. Sounds like a standard players frame that most pros would even add lead onto to make it heavier. If you like the way the prestige plays and the way it helps your game but in tough conditions it gets a little tough to use, why not work on your conditioning and strength instead of giving up on the racquet? Seems like you’re doing the opposite of what you should be doing and taking the easy way out :P

[Power Player]

The problem is that I am really strong (been lifting hard the past 6 months, plus am just a muscular guy who has lifted all his life) and have good conditioning ..I have been running and playing a ton of tennis in addition to the lifting.

I agree with you about the 12.5..its not a major deal, but over the weeks I have had these sticks, I have used the TGK by far the most. I could use any of the 3 prestige mids I have in a match, since I have, and they are fine. For whatever reason, the TGK hits a heavier ball (i think it is the layup) and is specced out almost exactly the same as the prestige MP, except the MP is a little more head heavy at 7pts (which is what I like the most).

I really don't want to be buying pro stock sticks just to have a prestige that is a little lighter.

I definitely agree that a pro would put lead on their prestige, but most d1 college guys are rocking these things at stock weight and are killing it. In addition, the TGK I have was used in challengers at this lighter weight and it makes sens to me as to why. The racquet head speed I can get basically is getting me some real nice topspin shots that drop in at the last second. I really can lengthen the court with this thing, and it drives people crazy guessing if my shot is going to drop in or not.

I also hate doing what you said, which constantly switching sticks. I really am not a fan of it because while they are all prestiges, they do not spec out or feel the same. I knew this was part of the deal of getting these frames though, so I don't really regret it at all.

To really be a whiner, I can take this to another level of nitpicking, which is that for some reason my love with the leather grip seems to be hurting my hand. I have had this happen before, and it sucks because I prefer leather all day long. I seem to develop grip pain in the base are of my thumb. It has happened before when I went to leather grips and I have tired to ignore it, but the synthetic does not cause this pain. Anyone heard of this before?...maybe the leather is just harsher or something.

Finally, I am not going super light or anything. I am just really into a static weight of 345 after OG and damp and a SW right around 315 to 320 or so. It allows me to get a lot of racquet head speed so that 12oz stick moving like that really puts some nice action on the ball.

I swear every winter I play tennis and feel like I could buy a kps88 and be a beast. Then the humid Florida summer hits and it just sucks you dry so fast. I get used to it over time, but almost always go a little lighter. Finally wised up to the fact that I personally don't need a 330ish SW to hit heavy balls. That only took 2 years to figure out.

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Power Player

stuff.

Its fine you’re trying all these sticks and we all do that but you think you’ll eventually find something and stick to it? If you like the TGK maybe it’s worth investing in 3 sticks that are the same, selling everything else and just stick to that. Even though it’s more expensive, a tennis racquet can be used for a long time and doesn’t have to be replaced. So the initial cost is marginal over the long haul. You say you’re strong and in shape so maybe it’s not the weight but the layup and the balance of the stick that you prefer. If you go to a Prestige MP and a wider beam etc. you might as well just go back to your PST heh. Also I agree with you about the leather grip. I hate em and it almost bruises my palm. One thing that stronger guys tend to do is squeeze the handle tighter than they need to. Loosen up your grip or just go to a synthetic. Even Sampras switched to a synthetic at one stage.

[Power Player]

Ok so I am not insane about the leather grip then..that is good.

I usually stick to myfavorite racquets for at least 6 months. I just had an insane urge to try a prestige..realized it was ideal for my strokes (I have a long swing) and now am just getting the right specced one.

You have to understand that my strokes are finally back to where they should be, and my serve is finally rounding into form. I am at the point where the 4.0 guys I used to lose to I can now beat and look good doing it. So with that happening, I learned what works for me. When I was hitting like this before I had a Prince 90 and then a Head Graphite Master (still have the Master BTW..it is a pretty sweet racquet, but I can't find grommets for it) and was a teenager player usta tournies.

So yeah, I think you will see me sticking with the prestiges, because they have made me a better, more consistent player. This is just some fine tuning, and no real big switching is going on anymore. Trust me, you have to feel this heat to understand what it can do to your will to play tennis sometimes.

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Ok so I am not insane about the leather grip then..that is good.

I usually stick to the racquets for at least 6 months. I just had an insane urge to try a prestige..realized it was ideal for my strokes (I have a long swing) and now am just getting the right specced one.

You have to understand that my strokes are finally back to where they should be, and my serve is finally rounding into form. I am at the point where the 4.0 guys I used to lose to I can now beat and look good doing it. So with that happening, I learned what works for me. When I was hitting like this before I had a Prince 90 and then a Head Graphite Master (still have the Master BTW..it is a pretty sweet racquet, but I can't find grommets for it) and was a teenager player usta tournies.

So yeah, I think you will see me sticking with the prestiges, because they have made me a better, more consistent player. This is just some fine tuning, and no real big switching is going on anymore. Trust me, you have to feel this heat to understand what it can do to your will to play tennis sometimes.

i've played tennis in over 110 degree temperatures before were after a few games the water in my bottle was like tea. They gave you extra time between sets due to the heat. Oh wait, i was 16 years old then, no wonder i could handle that. Now adays? find an indoor court hehe. So anyway, why not just sell everything and fund like 2 more TGKs?

[Power Player]

The bummer is that TGKs can be laid up multiple ways and there was only 1 available when I bought it. The layup makes the huge difference I think, it changes a lot. So while I could find another TGK 237.3 with some serious hunting, it would probably not have the same layup.

Regardless, I am selling sticks..having a little clearance going on because at the end of the day I only need 2 identical prestiges, because they are very good on strings. My worst case situation is I have a PC600 backing up my TGK. I can think of way worse problems to have in tennis .

[Devilito]

Originally Posted by Power Player

The bummer is that TGKs can be laid up multiple ways and there was only 1 available when I bought it. The layup makes the huge difference I think, it changes a lot. So while I could find another TGK 237.3 with some serious hunting, it would probably not have the same layup.

Regardless, I am selling sticks..having a little clearance going on because at the end of the day I only need 2 identical prestiges, because they are very good on strings. My worst case situation is I have a PC600 backing up my TGK. I can think of way worse problems to have in tennis .

lol yeah i remember needing like 5 sticks all done up before a tournament back in the day when Syn Gut would last a couple hours before popping. Now with my Black Code strung at 40lbs. You couldn't break that if you played tennis with a brick. You definitely don’t need as many racquets as before.

[Ross K]

JG,

Everyone: I'm definitely jumping on the Tour Bite train that's been going traveling around here lately, picking up more and more passengers. What a great, crisp feeling string. I wonder if a full bed of it will tweak the elbow over time, though?

Yes, it's an awesome, really special string IMO, and BTW, no probs with it and elbow thus far. I've had it strung @ 52s, 50, and 48 lbs in the APD and PC+, and it seems to play even better for me the lower I go. Am getting my TF 320 and TGK PP from stringers today/tomorrow and both are coming back with Tour Bite stringjobs. I then really look forward to APD>Tec V02 320>PP tests/comparisons... yes, I've been here before, but I don't think I was thorough or patient enough though; I didn't really go down the modding up route, which can make a huge difference (and is a big reason I think I so liked the APD on Friday), and I didn't have them all strung with the same string before of course.


Power Player,

RE Leather grips, I've tried these a fair few times over the years and always it's the same outcome: too rough and uncomfortable feeling.


R

[PED]

Originally Posted by Power Player

T

For some reason it weighs 12.5 oz with no mods, 18 gauge string, OG and Dampener.

With the dampener, that should be right on with the stock specs. We had 2 of them and in stock form, strung up, they were dead on 12.5 oz.

Regarding layup, not totally sure but all the 237.3's like yours should have the same layup. VS Bab of course would know the answer to that.

[PED]

Originally Posted by JGads

Everyone: I'm definitely jumping on the Tour Bite train that's been going traveling around here lately, picking up more and more passengers. What a great, crisp feeling string. I wonder if a full bed of it will tweak the elbow over time, though?

Tour bite is an excellent string and it really grabs the ball; I've used it since October.

I've never had any arm issues in my years of playing with PHT, Alu, etc but my shoulder has continually bothered me on and off since moving to TB last year.....

I'm going to retry PL2 since TW has a great deal on it now, only $6 a set. It's a bit softer so we'll see.

[Power Player]

I have some Solinco Outlast that I am going to try soon so I will keep you guys posted on that.

And yes, it's pretty wild how the youtek prestige is a fairly heavier than the classic. Threw me off a little, since I expected them to be the same.

[JGads]

PP,

Have you tried the Prestige MP before? In my experience it's a totally different animal than the Mid. I bought both, played with both for two months, had to sell the MP because it just didn't have the same balance magic, feel (even brassier than the Mid to me) and plow. Serves bombs, yes, but my groundies weren't in the same ballpark as the Mid. The Ace, to me, is by contrast very much in the Prestige Mid ballpark in terms of overall feel, sweet balance, control, plow, etc.

Don't mean to throw a wrench in your plan, just relaying my own experience. Just couldn't make the MP work for me.

[Power Player]

Interesting..no I have not tried it. I usually can grab one for a free ride for a few days so when I get a chance I will do it.

The TGK spoiled me with the fact that it is a little lighter and hits heavier than the retail. Specs out real close to the MP after OG and dampener. They all hit great so far. I just need 2 of the same of something and I will be good. The balance of the TGK is just a little too HL or it would be perfect, but I can fix that.

You are saying that even though the MP is 7 points HL like mid, it is different eh? I can see that. I actually do not mind the feel of the retail mid. there is something about it that works for me when I hit clean. All the prestiges have the best sweet spot of any stick.

The fine tuning is tougher to me then picking between say a babolat and a wilson or something like that. There are little specs I want tweaked and the MP's specs match very close to a pro stock (since you can add lead to it).

Ill be honest for me, the big thing for me is serves when I buy a racquet. Usually the groundies dial themselves in within a week as long as they are in my window of Spec. If a racquet is tough to serve with, and you can't make it better over time, usually you are going to have some trouble. With groundstrokes, I adjust tension on the strings and I am usually good to go as long as I like the feel and balance of the stick and it is not too powerful.

I am still interested in the Black Ace, but if I can stick with the prestige line as originally planned, I will be happy.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by PED

Tour bite is an excellent string and it really grabs the ball; I've used it since October.

I've never had any arm issues in my years of playing with PHT, Alu, etc but my shoulder has continually bothered me on and off since moving to TB last year.....

I'm going to retry PL2 since TW has a great deal on it now, only $6 a set. It's a bit softer so we'll see.

I never knew this was the case ... wo... not good me thinks... not good at all.


R

[PED]

Hopefully, it's just specific to me. String is so personal in what people like as well as how it effects their arms/shoulders.

I'm getting pl2 put in today so we'll be able to see.

I've never had any arm problems at all and I've used all the toxic high stiffness strings: I used to love BBO at 58 with no side effects so go figure.

[Fed Kennedy]

I thought TB was a really high performing string but it did lack a little in the comfort area. It's very crispy and tingy. I like it better in a larger more open stringbed that has a little more give.

Hyperion is still gc-poat (greatest co-poly) for me. Old reliable. No fuss, no dead feel, no edges wearing off, no overnight transformation into lifeless board. PL2 is superb at the beginning but the 6 hour falloff is there: it just gets hard and launchy.

I'm down to 2 sticks looking to sidegrade from my E-pro: PSTGT bone stock and lead fortified YTPP.

Gonna be a tough call on this one. Spent the weekend moving lead around the ytpp: The PED setup with 3g at 12 seemed to solidify the top of the string bed and give more shape and spin to my shots, however, it did not swing as classically as the 3 and 9 lead. Also, the 3 and 9 seemed to give more power and control on shots where I was really going for it. Really dug the lesser swingweight on the 3 and 9 when serving.

I found the rac exceedingly spinny in stock and adding lead at 12 seemed overkill in the spin department: I was finding crazy angles but I lost a little of that lazer feeling: could see the ball checking up.

I think macro said this thing was the GOHBHROAT, I gotta agree, I was whipping up and over shots that I would have to slice with my heavier SW sticks.

Stick should be hyperionized and freshcapped tomorrow, can't wait.

[Power Player]

Ooo..nice little battle here. the pstgt should give you a flatter trajectory. I also found the Prestige Pro too spinny, but in defense of that racquet, I never spent too much time with it. I am much more of tight pattern guy though.

When you put 3 and 9 on the prestige, what was the balance at? I am guessing 6 pts from 7?

I wonder if those Stanford guys even mod theirs..I am almost betting they don't..I think they use the MP version..possibly the Mid..did you get a close enough look to see?

I have been watching some D2 matches here. I don't think these guys lead up at all from the racquets I saw. They definitley care less than us. Lots of them are rocking the prestige MP and Mids now. I am thinking that Head has just taken advantage of the K95 players who did not like the BLX.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

PL2 is superb at the beginning but the 6 hour falloff is there: it just gets hard and launchy.

Spent the weekend moving lead around the ytpp: The PED setup with 3g at 12 seemed to solidify the top of the string bed and give more shape and spin to my shots, however, it did not swing as classically as the 3 and 9 lead. Also, the 3 and 9 seemed to give more power and control on shots where I was really going for it.

Great summary. I agree with you re pl2 but the $6 price is too tempting right now to not give it another try. I loved pl2 in the apd's but not so much in my ytpp's. Don't really know why. I've dropped my tension a bit to adjust for my less static weight(332g down from 341g).

Nice writeup on the lead placement too. I think my strokes are so grooved with the lead at 12 that its hard for me to adjust to 3/9, just feels sluggish to me.

On the PP, lead at 3/9 really helped on the slice and it also helped on half volley shots at the baseline, the stability really lets you put something on what would typically be a defensive shot.

On PST vs PP, I like the way the PP swings better. That was alway s the knock for my on the pst and the aeropro, I wish they swung a bit more freely but the end result is hard to argue with

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Interesting..no I have not tried it. I usually can grab one for a free ride for a few days so when I get a chance I will do it.

The TGK spoiled me with the fact that it is a little lighter and hits heavier than the retail. Specs out real close to the MP after OG and dampener. They all hit great so far. I just need 2 of the same of something and I will be good. The balance of the TGK is just a little too HL or it would be perfect, but I can fix that.

You are saying that even though the MP is 7 points HL like mid, it is different eh? I can see that. I actually do not mind the feel of the retail mid. there is something about it that works for me when I hit clean. All the prestiges have the best sweet spot of any stick.

The fine tuning is tougher to me then picking between say a babolat and a wilson or something like that. There are little specs I want tweaked and the MP's specs match very close to a pro stock (since you can add lead to it).

Ill be honest for me, the big thing for me is serves when I buy a racquet. Usually the groundies dial themselves in within a week as long as they are in my window of Spec. If a racquet is tough to serve with, and you can't make it better over time, usually you are going to have some trouble. With groundstrokes, I adjust tension on the strings and I am usually good to go as long as I like the feel and balance of the stick and it is not too powerful.

I am still interested in the Black Ace, but if I can stick with the prestige line as originally planned, I will be happy.

Yeah, you may find a perfect match with the Prestige MP - I'm just saying for me personally, it didn't match up with the Mid no matter the weight tweaks I tried. In stock form the swingweight was just too low, and with lead I never found anything as sweet as the Mid. Mid just had that 'it' factor, that magic, that the MP never could muster (plus I love the slightly longer handle of the Mid, which feels more natural for me, especially when I go to my two-hander; I hit both). Definitely retains the Prestige Service Bombs, though, so if that's the main thing you're looking for, you'll definitely find it with the MP, too. Good luck with the demo.