3.0 . . . Anyone?

[Muppet]

Originally Posted by volleygirl

Muppet,

You sound like a guy I know who wants to be good at golf but he thinks he can just buy high priced clubs to take away all his blunders. If youre a 3.0, thinking that you can use a poly string and that will instantly make you a quality player is kidding yourself.

Nope, I've still got my blunders. In fact with the poly hybrid I'm hitting with more spin than I need. It seems I have one gear for my forhand and that's all-out. I read about the unit turn here, releasing my off hand at the time the ball bounces and starting my stroke at that time. It works great, but I've got to learn to release my off hand sooner and take a bit slower stroke. Then I'll have to learn to vary the stroke for different situations. Plenty left to learn.

The poly stays. I wasn't expecting it to fix my game, or raise my level. I think you read alot into what I've written. I'm even having success with hitting pretty sharp slices, fh slices, and volleys.

[Muppet]

Originally Posted by Relinquis

Keep developing your better strokes, but work on your weaknesses as well.

it doesn't matter how pretty or strong your strokes are when you get a perfectly set up ball with pace*; unless you can hit-back the loopy pace-less backspin shots that your 3.0 comrades deliver to you consistently you will have no hope against the low biting slice or the high kicking topspin that you will see at the higher levels.

* it always feels good to hit a proper stroke off of a decently paced ball; but in tennis you have to be able to adjust to other shots.

I agree. While I've been hitting a forhand with a ton of spin and good pace, I realize that I will have to make it more versatile. I've got a driving ts forehand that lands just beyond the service line and makes a very low hop. I'm hoping to begin my stroke a little sooner, make a bit slower stroke, and relax a bit. I'll have to make adjustments as I go and hopefully wind up with a comfortable, versatile forhand that will serve me well in the future.

[Muppet]

I can see how reading something here can place a picture of a stereotype in someone's head. I think I'm still a 3.0 because I don't have a good variety of players at or around my level at my disposal. Around here, most people are satisfied to play once a week. I think it's just a matter of getting more playing hours in this year.

As for "arming the ball", while I agree that this could be problematic for a 3.0 starting on poly string, I don't suffer much from that technique flaw. I rotate my torso, but I haven't learned to open my hips, but I can visualize how it's done properly. This is something I'll have to pay attention to, as I do use my arm a little too much for the kind of stroke I'm trying to hit. Thanks for that tip Power Player.