Pro Staff 97: 2016-2017 Gut/poly

USPTARF97 · Jul 9, 2019

Gut/poly @ 55/52 in the PS97 plays awesome. Serious heat on the serve and off the ground. Much easier on the arm than full poly at 50. Hit kick serves better than with full poly. Full poly in the PS97 is great hitting ground strokes but when it come to serving, volleys, slice back hand, drop shots, and dictating play off of the ground you can’t beat Gut/poly.

SlvrDragon50 · Jul 9, 2019

Can't wait til I finish my OGSM so I can start stringing up with my gut. I know if I switch to gut, I won't go back to the OGSM.

USPTARF97 · Jul 10, 2019

Am sure I will still go back and forth with the two frames but the PS97 just makes everything easier.

KaiserW · Aug 2, 2019

USPTARF97 said:
Practiced with PS97 in stock form with synthetic grip and pro over grip. BHB7 1.25 @ 50lbs and it’s easier on the arm and hits well. This frame seems better in stock form for my game.
Will string one up with Gut/poly at 55/52 and see how it does. If it is anything like the RF97 the Gut/poly will last much longer than full poly in terms of playability.

So I played last night with my PS 97 still strung with full Alu Power, was too lazy to restring before playing. Played well but one thing I notice with full poly is I don't get as good of ball pocketing as with gut/poly. Going to string up gut/poly this week to try.

Curious have you decided which setup you like better?

USPTARF97 · Aug 2, 2019

KaiserW said:
So I played last night with my PS 97 still strung with full Alu Power, was too lazy to restring before playing. Played well but one thing I notice with full poly is I don't get as good of ball pocketing as with gut/poly. Going to string up gut/poly this week to try.

Curious have you decided which setup you like better?

Gut/poly @ 55/52
Have one strung with BHB7 at 49 for the early morning clay courts.

USPTARF97 · Feb 10, 2020

Update: Trying Gut/poly at 57/54 in the PS97. After the tension drop off at 55/52 I ended up with too much power and had some flyers. Much easier on the arm with Gut/poly so thinking 57/54 should be ok. Anyone gone this high or higher with Gut/poly and the PS97?

KaiserW · Feb 10, 2020

USPTARF97 said:
Update: Trying Gut/poly at 57/54 in the PS97. After the tension drop off at 55/52 I ended up with too much power and had some flyers. Much easier on the arm with Gut/poly so thinking 57/54 should be ok. Anyone gone this high or higher with Gut/poly and the PS97?

I have honestly a few lbs up in tension won’t make much difference. I feel it’s too powerful with gut mains. If you are going to try it I would try 60/57.

Also I would give RPM Blast 17 a try. I really like it in this racquet. I can swing out much more than with gut/poly.

USPTARF97 · Feb 10, 2020

KaiserW said:
I have honestly a few lbs up in tension won’t make much difference. I feel it’s too powerful with gut mains. If you are going to try it I would try 60/57.

Also I would give RPM Blast 17 a try. I really like it in this racquet. I can swing out much more than with gut/poly.

Maybe I should go up a couple of lbs with full poly. Using BHS7T at 52lbs. Will give RPM blast a try as well. Thanks man

USPTARF97 · Feb 11, 2020

Pro Staff 97 is tough to set up for sure.

FIRETennis · Feb 11, 2020

KaiserW · Feb 12, 2020

USPTARF97 said:
Pro Staff 97 is tough to set up for sure.

It is because of the power it has. Need to find a string that has the control/spin but not too harsh on the arm, that is the challenge I believe. So far RPM Blast has been fitting the bill but only 4 sets in, so I am interested to see how long the control lasts.

SlvrDragon50 · Feb 15, 2020

USPTARF97 said:
Update: Trying Gut/poly at 57/54 in the PS97. After the tension drop off at 55/52 I ended up with too much power and had some flyers. Much easier on the arm with Gut/poly so thinking 57/54 should be ok. Anyone gone this high or higher with Gut/poly and the PS97?

I strung mine at 56/52 in my RF97A. Wasn't too bad, but I definitely noticed a lot less control after 30-40 hours or so. Can't really complain with that longevity though. I think I will go up to 58/53.

patrick graves · Feb 16, 2020

I use the PS97 and am loving it. I had to spend time tweaking it. One important thing I learned - the value of lead at 12 o'clock. This made a big difference. I put about a 5 inch strip there and then a 2 inch strip at 3 and at 9. Full bed of Max Power at 52 lbs and it plays beautifully. I play singles at a 4.5 level and this setup feels pro level...I can generate plenty of pace and there's enough mass to block back hard serves and other shots. I have a one handed backhand and I can effectively hit on the rise and come over the ball....never was able to do that with other sticks.

FIRETennis · Apr 17, 2020

USPTARF97 said:
Pro Staff 97 is tough to set up for sure.

Did you end up sticking with guy/poly with the stock Pro Staff 97 or back to the RF97?

USPTARF97 · Apr 17, 2020

FIRETennis said:
Did you end up sticking with guy/poly with the stock Pro Staff 97 or back to the RF97?

When the club closed a couple of weeks ago was using BHS7T 1.25/ Sensation 1.30. 54/54. Plays well but only lasts about 5-6hrs. Controllable and plenty of spin and power. Easy on the arm.

FIRETennis · Apr 18, 2020

USPTARF97 said:
When the club closed a couple of weeks ago was using BHS7T 1.25/ Sensation 1.30. 54/54. Plays well but only lasts about 5-6hrs. Controllable and plenty of spin and power. Easy on the arm.

Was that setup on the PS97 or the RF97?
I've tried ALU Power mains, Isospeed Control crosses and it felt pretty sweet the first 3hrs but then the string bed sort of locked up as the mains didn't slide well over the crosses and spin went down ~50% shooting everything long. Tension maintenance was ok.

USPTARF97 · Apr 18, 2020

FIRETennis said:
Was that setup on the PS97 or the RF97?
I've tried ALU Power mains, Isospeed Control crosses and it felt pretty sweet the first 3hrs but then the string bed sort of locked up as the mains didn't slide well over the crosses and spin went down ~50% shooting everything long. Tension maintenance was ok.

PS97.

blai212 · May 8, 2020

@USPTARF97 have u tried VCT 16g? I think hybrid of VCT 16g/revolve17g plays and feels better than gut/poly. Simply amazing ball pocketing sensation from VCT that feels otherworldly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jmysun · May 9, 2020

USPTARF97 said:
Now back to hitting with the PS97 in stock form. I prefer heavier frames like the RF97 but by adding weight to the PS97 I am creating something that is tougher on the arm especially with full poly at 52lbs. Weighted up PS97 and leather grip with full poly seems to get the elbow aggravated after time. Going to put my go to set up that I use in the RF97 in the PS97. Klip Legend 1.30/Black Zone 1.25. Going to string 55/52 and see how it does.

@USPTARF97 are you using the klip in black or natural?

USPTARF97 · May 9, 2020

blai212 said:
@USPTARF97 have u tried VCT 16g? I think hybrid of VCT 16g/revolve17g plays and feels better than gut/poly. Simply amazing ball pocketing sensation from VCT that feels otherworldly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

haven’t tried it yet. Wish I had some VCT.

USPTARF97 · May 9, 2020

jmysun said:
@USPTARF97 are you using the klip in black or natural?

natural 16g coated

Pro Staff 97: 2016-2017 Gut/poly

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