Something is up with new tennis balls
- Thread starter t135
- Start date
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
I have had some issues; but these are balls I bought a while ago. At first I was writing it off as heavy conditions (early morning humidity) and dirty courts - but the last 3 weeks my Sunday hitting partner and I both realized at least 1 ball out of 3 seemed to be dying fast - after approx. 20 minutes.
@Meat - I've always had better luck with Penn's and longevity. In my experiences, Wilsons are light and fast out of the can but fluff up faster.
The Meat
Hall of Fame
My Penn's deflate around the hour mark, Wilson's felt is kind of terrible. Penn for some reason has the right felt and Wilson has the right core. I wish they could make a hybrid of the two balls....
bkpr
Rookie
I've had four or five cans out of my box of Dunlop Fort Elite balls produce soft balls. There was a reduced 'pop' when I opened them. Upon inspection of unopened cans I could tell which were the duds from how much I could/couldn't push the unopened lid down.
And many of the Penns we use at the club seem to have unevenly stuck felt; there's is typically a small crease/fold of about 6–7mm perpendicular to the rubber seam in one spot. Out of the six three-ball cans I've used in league games to date, at least four balls have had this imperfection.
So yeah, I think something's up.
And many of the Penns we use at the club seem to have unevenly stuck felt; there's is typically a small crease/fold of about 6–7mm perpendicular to the rubber seam in one spot. Out of the six three-ball cans I've used in league games to date, at least four balls have had this imperfection.
So yeah, I think something's up.
tennisnj
Professional
I unfortunately bought 4 cases of Penn Championships (worked out to be less than $1.50 a can) from a local big box retailer & 1 entire case was dead in the cans. I've noticed Penn's lately have been very erratic in their QC. A can barely lasts 3 1/2 sets of high level competitive doubles on the gritty, VERY slow hard courts I play on. Wilson on the other hand has been pretty consistent in their QC & playability. I can get about 4 sets out of a new can before they get put in the tennis camp bin with them. Dunlop on the other hand I can easily get 5 sets out of them w/o having to open a new can. Always amazes me though you can talk to 50 posters on here & they'll give you 50 different answers to the 'best ball' & why, but what very few on here discuss is: Court conditions (speed, cleanliness of court & height of bounce, etc.,) & level of play.
West Coast Ace
G.O.A.T.
Probably a good idea. At least until Congress forces the manufacturers to post a Use By date on the can.
The Meat
Hall of Fame
I do the same, buying cases doesn't save you enough money if you have to pay for shipping as well. I can pick out my balls by looking through the can.
Fearsome Forehand
Professional
Tennis balls have a shelf life. They will go flat even inside a pressurized can if given enough time. I have opened new cans from last season only to discover they are flat. If the box/can that you purchased has been in a warehouse for a while, they might well be dead. Take them back where you bought them and exchange them if possible. The flat ones become practice balls, good for hitting serves, but not for play.
hyperion99
Semi-Pro
I've noticed recently that a lot of the Us Open Extra Duty balls go dead extremely fast.
I now use Penn ATP Extra Duty tennis balls for the past 2 months and cannot be happier.
They last much longer (and have better quality)than the Us Open Extra Duty tennis balls and their $18 dollars cheaper(for purchasing the case)IMO.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Pen...nis_Balls_24_Can_Case/descpageHEAD-ATP24.html
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wil...is_Balls_24_Can_Case/descpageWILSON-USOC.html
I like the ATP balls a lot, but also really like the Prop Penn Marathon. They last even longer than the ATPs, so I might have to splurge for the Pro Penns next case I buy.
mikeler
Moderator
I only buy the regular duty Penn Marathon balls. They are easily my favorite soft court ball now.
Fearsome Forehand
Professional
IIRC I have had some Dunlops go flat. But, I have found Dunlops tend to hold their bounce longer than other balls so maybe it is less noticeable with Dunlops. No idea.
I agree completely, slazenger wimbledon ultra vis is awesome, I use USO now, they are good, but only because Slazenger is 6.99 a can here.
GlenK
Professional
Good deal. I figured they were. Love the extra duty version!!
mikeler
Moderator
The extra duty tend to fuzz up worse than the regular duty.
I've only used the extra duty version once but I was pleased with them as well.
mikeler
Moderator
Awful balls. Spend the extra dough and get the Marathons.
