What role does stiffness play?

[Ztalin]

I'd like to know what role stiffness plays on a racquet. And what does a stiffness of '72' or '60' mean on specs?

Also, to my knowledge a more open string pattern (like the POG) is better for spin. What are the benefits of a more dense string pattern?

I want to know exactly what everything means before I consider a new racquet in the future.

Thanks.

[cakewalk]

As far as I know a more dense string pattern would mean more strings touching the ball on contact, so more feel and control but less power. Not sure about the flex though.

[Ztalin]

Whoops, there is a topic on this just below.

[Gaines Hillix]

A frame with a lower flex rating is more flexible and will bend more when it hits the ball than a stiffer frame with a higher flex rating. This means that more energy from the ball is used up in bending the frame and less energy will be left to transfer back to the ball. The frame absorbs more of the ball's energy in other words. These racquets are less powerful than stiffer racquets. With strings it's just the opposite. An 18X20 string bed is stiffer and causes the ball to deform more than a more open string pattern. More deformation of the ball causes more energy loss. So, a stiff frame with elastic strings will be more powerful. A more flexible frame with a more dense string pattern will be less powerful and more control oriented. Take a look on the TW home page under the learning center and on that page look at racquet and string facts.