3 weeks old Dunlop balls vs. brand new Penn balls

[CoconutGT]

So I decided to test my favorite tennis ball brand, Dunlop (Championship all court), against the Penn Championship balls (extra duty). The Dunlop balls were 3 weeks old and has always been kept in the original can when not playing. The Penn balls were brand new in the pressurized can. So, I opened up the sealed Penn balls and have bounce tests between the two brands. The result showed that the Dunlop balls bounces about half ball length higher than the Penn for every bounce. This also makes the Dunlop bounces about a second longer when the Penn came to a halt.

I also tested these new Penn balls with the old ~2 weeks old Penn balls of the same kind. Amazingly, these two have IDENTICAL bounces.

I then proceed to hit and compare the feel of these balls. The new Penn balls felt heavier than the Dunlop and the old Penn. The bounces were almost all the same, but the Dunlop definately have more "pop" factor to it. My hitting partner felt the same.

This, of course, is an unofficial review. Any comments are welcomed.

 

[Swissv2]

So I decided to test my favorite tennis ball brand, Dunlop (Championship all court), against the Penn Championship balls (extra duty). The Dunlop balls were 3 weeks old and has always been kept in the original can when not playing. The Penn balls were brand new in the pressurized can. So, I opened up the sealed Penn balls and have bounce tests between the two brands. The result showed that the Dunlop balls bounces about half ball length higher than the Penn for every bounce. This also makes the Dunlop bounces about a second longer when the Penn came to a halt.

I also tested these new Penn balls with the old ~2 weeks old Penn balls of the same kind. Amazingly, these two have IDENTICAL bounces.

I then proceed to hit and compare the feel of these balls. The new Penn balls felt heavier than the Dunlop and the old Penn. The bounces were almost all the same, but the Dunlop definately have more "pop" factor to it. My hitting partner felt the same.

This, of course, is an unofficial review. Any comments are welcomed.

I have enjoyed the bounce of the Dunlop balls. I am using 5-6 month old Dunlop Grand Prix balls - which I can't say the same for the Penn and Wilson balls I have used.

Good Penn balls were Pro-Penn ATP, and good wilson balls were the Wilson US Open. Those retained a good bounce.

 

[dewey2110]

Well, it depends on the surface as well. If you're playing on clay, certainly balls that have more pop like Dunlop ones should work great. But if you're playing on hard court like I do, softer balls like Penns work wonderful. It's all personal preferences.

 

[Ripper]

"3 weeks old Dunlop balls vs. brand new Penn balls"

People are getting creative. Good.

 

[movdqa]

We've been using the Dunlop Sport John McEnroe Championship All Court ball and it definitely has more pop than Wilsons and Penns. I posted a note in the racquet forum on the effect of the ball on light racquets.

 

[armand]

Yeah, those 4 can McEnroe Dunlops are ok. Not as good as Grand Prixs but still far better than Wilsons in my opinion.

 

[Faber]

Wow! I use Grand Prix's and Wilson US Opens and throw them all out after a 2-3hr session. I can't imagine using them for 3 weeks.

 

[aznspongehead]

Wow! I use Grand Prix's and Wilson US Opens and throw them all out after a 2-3hr session. I can't imagine using them for 3 weeks.

You throw those nearly new balls OUT?
They're still great for practice... I'm using balls that are like 3-4 months old.

 

[Faber]

Yep I played three 2 hour sessions this weekend and used 3 new cans of Wilson US Open.

 

[tennisnj]

Coconut GT, I went through a similar experiment. I played in a tournament outdoors on hardcourts using ProPenn balls. AWFUL for my arm, couldn't get any pace with them, & right out of the can they were very fluffy. Almost one month later, I decided to play a practice set w/that same can of used balls, racquet, courts & almost the same weather conditions & they had a better bounce, matted felt & no arm pain for the 4 of us playing. They actually played better 'used' than new.

 

[Deuce]

Wow! I use Grand Prix's and Wilson US Opens and throw them all out after a 2-3hr session. I can't imagine using them for 3 weeks.

Jeez... at least give them to kids or something.
Find a way for them to be 'recycled'/re-used. Be creative.
Throwing them in the garbage is just plain selfish and dumb.

 

[Richie Rich]

Jeez... at least give them to kids or something.
Find a way for them to be 'recycled'/re-used. Be creative.
Throwing them in the garbage is just plain selfish and dumb.

i use dunlop GP's too and usually use them for one match and them they all go in a box. when i get to 100 balls (usually in about 1 month or 6 weeks) i sell them - usually to people with dogs or people who want to use them in ball machines. they still have a few hours of life left.

 

[slice bh compliment]

Yeah, it just is not a fair fight. Dunlops really are good (especially the Grand Prix and the Abzorber).

Penns sell 'cause they are made in the US and A. That's all I can think of.
It's like American cars, I think.

Anyone tried the balls distributed by Prince? Feels like a Dunlop Champ ball to me. Maybe not as good, but really close.

Anyone tried Fischer or Babolat balls?

 

[Rafa's best friend]

For practice, dunlop and for match day penn balls.

 

[slice bh compliment]

For practice, dunlop and for match day penn balls.

Is that what the pros do?
I thought it might be smart to practice with whatever feels best and lasts longest. Then using the same brand that will be used in the upcoming tournament about a week or so ahead.

Tha's the way I would roll if I were still playing tournaments.

 

[Richie Rich]

Yeah, it just is not a fair fight. Dunlops really are good (especially the Grand Prix and the Abzorber).

Penns sell 'cause they are made in the US and A. That's all I can think of.
It's like American cars, I think.

Anyone tried the balls distributed by Prince? Feels like a Dunlop Champ ball to me. Maybe not as good, but really close.

Anyone tried Fischer or Babolat balls?

found prince balls very firm and bouncy. actaully liked them after about 1 hour of use - they soften up a little and fluff up slightly (not talking wilson us opn here) and they play nicer than when brand new out of the can. they last long time too.

 

[slice bh compliment]

That's how I would describe them as well. I seriously think they are Dunlops with a Prince paintjob . The question is, which Dunlops...Grand Prix or the cheaper Championship ball?

 

[Rafa's best friend]

Penn balls are 100X better than Dunlops, but dunlop lasts longer...

 

[tennisguy2121]

Penn balls are 100X better than Dunlops, but dunlop lasts longer...

that is a ridiculous statement.

 

[tennisguy2121]

I have enjoyed the bounce of the Dunlop balls. I am using 5-6 month old Dunlop Grand Prix balls - which I can't say the same for the Penn and Wilson balls I have used.

Good Penn balls were Pro-Penn ATP, and good wilson balls were the Wilson US Open. Those retained a good bounce.

best info on this thread so far. I like the Slazenger balls as well.

 

[Rafa's best friend]

Why do you think ATP tour will use nothing else than Penn balls????

 

[slice bh compliment]

Why do you think ATP tour will use nothing else than Penn balls????

I do not know. Something to do with commercial interests maybe? The almighty Euro? A contract?

In this thread, people have been discussing the Penn Championship ball....and the one used on the ATP is a much, much better ball.

///???!!!111

 

[Deuce]

I use Penn because they are made in the U.S.A. - and the U.S. labor laws are likely far more protective of the workers than are the labor laws in the Phillippines, where Dunlop balls are made.