Diary of a Racketaholic

[ryushen21]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Good points, I am pretty obsessed with hitting clean shots. It is part of the fun of the sport for me. I probably would have retried the prestige pro, but I prefer more closed patterns as well. It just keeps the ball low and you can still hit with tons of spin. The spin I get with the pstgt is huge and everyone said it was not a real spinny frame.

There is a feeling of control you can get with a mid that I am looking for. Not in terms of directional, because that is easy with the psgt, but power level. When I want to take a huge swing at the ball in matches, many times I am a little tentative because I am afraid of it sailing on me. That issue has plagued me with about every modern stick out there.

I understand that all too well. That was one of the things that turned me off of the larger head sizes and stiffer sticks. Too much easy power. And when someone puts a shot right in my wheelhouse, I wanna rip it with no fear. And the Prestige Mid gives me that ability.

I've had plenty of arguments with people who say you can't hit heavy spin with the Prestige Mid. It's an utter load of crap. Since switching to a SW grip, several of my regular hitting partners have asked me "Why are you hitting with so much topspin?" And these guys play with larger headed, open-pattern frames and hit SW or Western. It's all about string selection and technique which I know are not issues for you.

Have fun with your tests. I know you will love this stick once you really get a fair chance to hit with it.

[Power Player]

One other thing I noticed is that the Prestige Mid grip shape seems to encourage the semiwestern and keep my hand from sliding over towards western during racquets..could be in my mind though.

Originally Posted by PED

Since you like the pst so much, the natural move would be to go to the Limited. Similar weight (343g or so) but more HL, less power but more precision and a 95" hoop.

I owned one for a while. Great stick, it forces you to work on your footwork.....or else

Also the best feeling stick BY FAR i've ever used: like butter.

PED, I may be able to grab one of these while I wait for the Prestige to be restrung. My biggest fear with these was that they would be similar to the super low powered 300 tour by Dunlop..ever hit with that racquet? Awesome, but no weight at all behind it on shots. I had to swing out everytime..that's a little too extreme for me..the Prestiges are not like that.

[ryushen21]

^^Yes, the head grip shape does help you stay at SW. I also happen to believe that the head grip shape makes it easier to change grips quickly.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Power Player

One other thing I noticed is that the Prestige Mid grip shape seems to encourage the semiwestern and keep my hand from sliding over towards western during racquets..could be in my mind though.




PED, I may be able to grab one of these while I wait for the Prestige to be restrung. My biggest fear with these was that they would be similar to the super low powered 300 tour by Dunlop..ever hit with that racquet? Awesome, but no weight at all behind it on shots. I had to swing out everytime..that's a little too extreme for me..the Prestiges are not like that.

Spot on, you really have to swing out everytime to be effective I found so I'd stick with the YT mid if "stray."

Actually, now that I think about it, just wear the GHOAT when you use the PSL and you would be fine

[PED]

Originally Posted by ryushen21

^^Yes, the head grip shape does help you stay at SW. I also happen to believe that the head grip shape makes it easier to change grips quickly.

I always loved the head grip shape, but I use a 1/4 and I found that with the Head, I tend to move more western on my FH than I do with the Bab shape.

In fact, that's one of the reasons I moved to the Bab. I think it might have more to do with the thickness of the sizing as Bab runs slightly larger.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by PED

Spot on, you really have to swing out everytime to be effective I found so I'd stick with the YT mid if "stray."

Actually, now that I think about it, just wear the GHOAT when you use the PSL and you would be fine

You know it is funny. I did not think about trying out a mid until purchasing the GHOAT. Coincidence?

That is too bad you have to swing out every single time on the PSL..damn..I may still grab a demo if it is there, but there also may be a Volkl Pb10 I could try instead. did you try the GT or the older model? the GT could possible have more beef to it.

The short list is shorter and shorter for in terms of sticks I would even consider trying:

Black Ace
Prestige Mid
Volkl Pb10
Bab PSLGT

KPS88 - nah probably pointless the more I think about it.

[ryushen21]

Originally Posted by PED

I always loved the head grip shape, but I use a 1/4 and I found that with the Head, I tend to move more western on my FH than I do with the Bab shape.

In fact, that's one of the reasons I moved to the Bab. I think it might have more to do with the thickness of the sizing as Bab runs slightly larger.

Yeah, despite the more rectangular shape, the Head grips do seem to be a bit smaller. I've been using a 4 1/2 and have been contemplating buying some size 5 pallets.

I think the Bab grips run the largest.

Originally Posted by Power Player

You know it is funny. I did not think about trying out a mid until purchasing the GHOAT. Coincidence?

That is too bad you have to swing out every single time on the PSL..damn..I may still grab a demo if it is there, but there also may be a Volkl Pb10 I could try instead. did you try the GT or the older model? the GT could possible have more beef to it.

The short list is shorter and shorter for in terms of sticks I would even consider trying:

Black Ace
Prestige Mid
Volkl Pb10
Bab PSLGT

KPS88 - nah probably pointless the more I think about it.

I was curious about the Black Ace to but there were no opportunities to demo PK frames here as no one carries them. I still keep an eye out for good condition Redondo Mid just because I still want to try one out.

But that's a good list. Some nice variety on there. I'll be interested see a full report on the Black ace.

[Fed Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Power Player

You know it is funny. I did not think about trying out a mid until purchasing the GHOAT. Coincidence?

GHOAT induced GOATing. lol.

I love midsize too, for all the reasons you guys are putting forth.

I do wonder why more pros do not use them though...there must be a reason.

PP, have you ever tried the 88? It is definitely worth trying.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

I do wonder why more pros do not use them though...there must be a reason.

No flaming please, just my 2 cents:

I think the pros are about winning and making that process easier.

A mid feels great but shot in and shot out, most of them feel a 95 to 100" hoop makes it easier to win.

I watched a bit of the Sampras v Agassi match from 2001 at IW the other night on tennis channel. I was surprised at just how much the game had changed since then.

[Fed Kennedy]

Originally Posted by PED

No flaming please, just my 2 cents:

I think the pros are about winning and making that process easier.

A mid feels great but shot in and shot out, most of them feel a 95 to 100" hoop makes it easier to win.

I watched a bit of the Sampras v Agassi match from 2001 at IW the other night on tennis channel. I was surprised at just how much the game had changed since then.

I would never flame any of my bros on this thread. lol. My GHOAT has removed all negative energy from my brain.

But, seriously...were they hitting more spin or what? I think it may have to do with returns. I dunno. I want a sexy mid. I also want to win. I kind of hate my fat extreme, but I kind of love it.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

But, seriously...were they hitting more spin or what? I think it may have to do with returns. I dunno. I want a sexy mid. I also want to win. I kind of hate my fat extreme, but I kind of love it.

They were hitting ALOT less spin: Agassi was really driving the ball.

Pete's serve looked great but when I watch that backhand, all I could see in my mind was Rafa's relentless lefty FH going to that side time after time

I used a Prestige Mid for awhile last year and when hitting with my equal or less, it was fine but when playing much better players, I found myself stretched.

I love what a mid will do to the ball on a regulation fh or bh but the advantage to me of a 100 is the defense that it brings-the shots that keep you in a point (maybe slightly less than neutral) when you are just fighting and waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.

Going back to Nadal again, think about some of those crazy bh winners he hits while stretched out wide-a large part of it is ability but he's not likely to be hitting a winner from out there with a ps85

[ryushen21]

I think it's a valid point. All of the pros are certainly capable of playing with a midsize frame, but they can get results without having to use one. It's easier for them to use a larger frame so they do.

Roger is the only one using a mid any more. I think that Hewitt actually did switch to the larger Yonex.

[PED]

I always wish Head had taken the specs Prestige Mid and enlarged the hoop but kept the same balance and SW when making the Prestige MP. I always felt the MP felt like it lacked punch compared to the Mid or the Pro.

[ryushen21]

Originally Posted by PED

I always wish Head had taken the specs Prestige Mid and enlarged the hoop but kept the same balance and SW when making the Prestige MP. I always felt the MP felt like it lacked punch compared to the Mid or the Pro.

I think they kid of tried to do that. There is just something special about the mid though.


PP...do you have the chance to demo the Donnay X-Black 94. I would love to hear your input on that frame. I've been secretly salivating over getting to demo that frame but none of the local centers carry them.

[Power Player]

I wish I had read your post earlier because I just dropped off the racquet and saw the Donnays. I could have grabbed one. I'll be honest..in a way I am glad I did not. I looked for the Volkl PB10 and PS LTd..they do not carry them anymore..neither sold that well for them. I breathed a sigh of relief. No KPS88...oh but they have the k90!!! I resisted. I know the k90 is not what I need. I handed them the Prestige Mid to restring and walked out of there empty handed. It felt good.

Almost..almost grabbed a Prestige Pro..but I don't really see the need. If I am going to stay 95-98 I think the PSTGT is the way to go for me.I don't really have a complaint or want anything more from it. As cool as the Donnays are, the fact that they are not selling super well makes me a bit nervous..they could easily be discontinued and then we are addicted to these 17mm beam sticks with customizable grips that were $200..not good.

As for PED's post..lots of good points made. I am interested in seeing if my style of defensive play works with the mid. I have a feeling I may be able to serve better with it, which could win me more sets. I am not winnning a ton of sets right now with the PSTGT..I get a little tentative sometimes when I hit out for a winner and make mistakes. I think it is due to the power level of the thing..it can be rectified by playing more and more sets, but if I grab the mid and start winning with it, that would be very nice.

My style of defense is the running cc forehand, which I can hit with about any stick...with the pstgt it is devine..sharp angles..placed where I want it..nobody really sees it coming until they have played with me a lot, and then I just put it DTL.

As for backhand..on the run I hit off my outside foot, but I really like to slice. I feel like slicing is just going to win you a lot of free points against players under 5.0 who can't lift the ball consistently and also gets you back in a point as well.

I watched that IW match last night as well. Agassi did hit flatter than a lot of modern guys, but I still think he would be a beast in todays game..same with Sampras..if you notice the heavy spin guys are starting to have troubles again. I am seeing more flat hitters just sending heat at Nadal to beat him. Soderling. Berdych. Raonic. Del Potro. They are all hitting big time driving shots. What I think we will see is younger players being trained on how to handle the heavy spin to their backhand.

All that being said, since we are hacks and not juniors anymore, we can really play however we want. That is the beauty of it. A nice consistent game with some well placed topspin blasts can win you a lot of tournies if paired with a solid serve.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by PED

I think the pros are about winning and making that process easier.

A mid feels great but shot in and shot out, most of them feel a 95 to 100" hoop makes it easier to win.

I watched a bit of the Sampras v Agassi match from 2001 at IW the other night on tennis channel. I was surprised at just how much the game had changed since then.






They were hitting ALOT less spin: Agassi was really driving the ball.

Pete's serve looked great but when I watch that backhand, all I could see in my mind was Rafa's relentless lefty FH going to that side time after time

I used a Prestige Mid for awhile last year and when hitting with my equal or less, it was fine but when playing much better players, I found myself stretched.

I love what a mid will do to the ball on a regulation fh or bh but the advantage to me of a 100 is the defense that it brings-the shots that keep you in a point (maybe slightly less than neutral) when you are just fighting and waiting for your opponent to make a mistake.

Going back to Nadal again, think about some of those crazy bh winners he hits while stretched out wide-a large part of it is ability but he's not likely to be hitting a winner from out there with a ps85

Wise words H... most wise imo... kind of says it all for me on the subject.

Except... hmmm...

In terms of fun, the aesthetic pleasure, being a frame connoisseur, etc, well... everyone should just go and check out whatever!... mids are great! ... it's just, yep, I suppose, I, personally, am not good enough to wield one effectively


R.

[pyrokid]

Just an update from me here.
I haven't used anything but my rads for quite some time now, unless you count the occasional 5 minute hit with a friends stick when they wanna try mine.
God, I love these things. The more I'm using them and getting used to them, the faster I'm able to work out stroke failures mid-match, take shots more aggressively with less time, take surprisingly successful random stabs, and just generally have higher RHS because I feel more confident in literally everything.

It's feeling like I used to always imagine my 'Holy Grail' would be like. I will admit I do miss the feeling of a new racquet and taking in all it's qualities from a few hitting sessions, but I'm getting a really similar level of satisfaction now from just playing with my baby.

Plus, the kevlar strings make a big-@$$ noise every time I hit a ball and it makes me feel manly.

Anyway, just checking in. Looks like PP and Ross are settling down too, and a lovely new generation of racquetaholics is coming to fill in their place...

[Power Player]

Yep, a good racquet takes months to learn..that is the reward for sticking with one that you love.

[OldButGame]

Originally Posted by pyrokid

Just an update from me here.
I haven't used anything but my rads for quite some time now, unless you count the occasional 5 minute hit with a friends stick when they wanna try mine.
God, I love these things. The more I'm using them and getting used to them, the faster I'm able to work out stroke failures mid-match, take shots more aggressively with less time, take surprisingly successful random stabs, and just generally have higher RHS because I feel more confident in literally everything.

It's feeling like I used to always imagine my 'Holy Grail' would be like. I will admit I do miss the feeling of a new racquet and taking in all it's qualities from a few hitting sessions, but I'm getting a really similar level of satisfaction now from just playing with my baby.

Plus, the kevlar strings make a big-@$$ noise every time I hit a ball and it makes me feel manly.

Anyway, just checking in. Looks like PP and Ross are settling down too, and a lovely new generation of racquetaholics is coming to fill in their place...

I totaly get that about the radicals. I liked the MG and LM Rads so much,...(along with the rush of a 'new' racquet),..that i just got the YT Rad.,..can't wait to to try THAT out!!!!!! (that IS a really great line!!!)

[JGads]

Think the large head vs. mid argument is very valid. Definitely easier to play D on the run with the larger head, and in terms of the pros, I think at that level -- with that kind of speed and spin - an extra few square inches on the frame is almost a must. But I'm also very aware that my 4.0 and 4.5 leagues (I play each), it's a different story. I usually have more time to set up than the pros do, as my opponent isn't running me corner to corner on every shot, and when I have time to set up a smaller head just lasers the ball where I want it to go and, most importantly, I keep the darn thing in the court.

Certainly valid arguments for both, and probably more of an argument for larger and lighter, but personally I find it funny that the EX03 Tour playtest led me to my most recent string of demoing, thinking, "Hmm, maybe I should play with bigger and lighter..." and then at the end of the whole process, the frame I end up falling for the most is the Black Ace mid, another 90-sq. inch frame just like my Prestige, just a tad lighter... Feel, control. Seems like those are the overriding preferences for me, as my top frames are the Black Ace, Prestige, Pure Storm Ltd. and Donnay Dark Red. My other more recent faves are the Yonex RD TI 80 Lite and the Head IG Speed 16x19; the Speed was the most powerful of those frames and I LOVED that power initially, it was intoxicating, but then the more I played with it, the more I started to spray shots compared to the others and then I found myself losing confidence to 'let it rip' for fear of sailing the ball, so I found myself pulling back - and I HATE that; that's not what tennis is all about for me. I like ripping it, and the Mids along with control-oriented 95s like the Pure Storm Ltd. beg you to rip it, or you'll be punished.

Anyway, just got back from a light hitting session against the ball machine to further test the knee and to get ONE little hitting sample of my demos before having to send them back. Knee pain didn't come back, but my first match back this weekend - a league match that I have to get in - will be the real test.

From today's ball machine session:

Black Ace Mid: played very little with this since I have two used ones coming my way, plus this demo is in a 1/2 grip, too big for my taste. Can't wait to start playing around with this thing, string wise and such.

Black Ace 98: Interesting frame but the small head vs. large head thing reared its head here. I sprayed more balls with the 98. Also, noticed the flex more. The Mid feels like it stays pretty solid throughout the swing; the 98 I could feel it flex slightly in the throat. Cool frame, though. Good power. But the mid still felt like home.

Gamma 340X: Very cool frame. Really, hits exactly like the Prestige Mid but with a rounder handle. Actually quite saddened I didn't get to play a match with this one to really test it in the serve dept and under pressure, because it has major potential.

Anyway, off to UPS in a sec to send them back. Playtest unfulfilled, this round.