60-65YO female wants poly

[Ryebread]

Hello Stringing Magicians!

This is the first time I'm stringing for a 60-65 yo player who is interested in poly.
She was told that it's the only way to keep her strings in place. She hates having to fix them.
I saw evidence of this, you could fit a ball through the mains, down the middle, of her Instinct.

She's been playing with Syn Gut 54lbs
I saw her play today. She's a 4.0. Hits with decent pace!

I have syn gut, multi, and tons of soft co-poly 15g to 18g
I really want to tackle her primary issue, and get her strings snapping back!
but I also don't want to ruin the arm of anyone, let alone someone I see at my club all the time.

WWYD?
Take a chance with poly at 45lbs in the mains, and syn gut or multi in crosses at 50?
Whatever I do with poly, I hope she can recalibrate after a hit.
I really want to get this right!
I trust her to let me cut it out after a month or so.

THX

 

[TimePlease]

Multifeel - great value multifilament that doesn't move. Best option for those circumstances

 

[esgee48]

Would she consider using ZX? If yes, you need to use the thickest diameter with a manual pre-stretch otw it will lose a lot of tension after stringing. It's a poly, just not polyester. It is very slick. Then you could use an SG cross that is one gauge thinner, eg 16 Ga ZX with 17 Ga SG cross. Use Bab SG which is very slippery.

If not, I would go with PPC or Velocity 16 Ga full bed or in the mains with the Bab SG cross.

With option 1, you could do both at 54#. With option 2, I would use 52#.

There is a 3rd option, which is go full copoly with something like 4G Rough at its thinnest diameter. Probably would need 40-42#. But the string is very muted and dampens vibrations very quickly. Or use 4G mains with the SG cross.

 

[Injured Again]

I also strung up a racquet for a 4.0 lady with previous arm problems who was using syngut and hated the strings moving around. I restrung it with Velocity at the same tension and used string savers, which kept the strings mostly in place enough to satisfy her. She appreciated the extra comfort and smoosh more power from the Velocity, and as far as I know, that string job has lasted the better part of nine months and is still very playable.

 

[dr. godmode]

I'd just give her what she wants at 50lbs. Just let her know that if she starts experiencing unusual pain out of nowhere to cut the strings right away. If she plays a lot she's probably got good forearm strength which will help protect her arm.

I've strung poly for plenty of seniors without issues. Honestly, the worst culprits when it comes to arm pain are those 45ish year old men who think maxing topspin will give them the best control and they just arm the s out of the ball, but these guys are tough macho men so they play through the pain indefinitely.

 

[happyandbob]

I would use the hybrid that I learned about reading @g4driver's Kobayashi thread Multifeel mains with Velocity crosses. I put 4 men (2 USTA 3.5 and 2 USTA 4.0) players in that setup and they love it. Decent control, decent spin, strings stay put.

 

[MinDango]

Cross any multi main with multifeel crosses and it won't move. Also will save her arm. In my experience, velocity as a cross works sometimes but depending on how the coatings interact, can lock up super quickly too. I feel like with the Multifeel mains, Velocity crosses setup mentioned previously, it's the technifibre technology doing all the work in keeping the string bed from locking up.

 

[PRS]

Hello Stringing Magicians!

This is the first time I'm stringing for a 60-65 yo player who is interested in poly.
She was told that it's the only way to keep her strings in place. She hates having to fix them.
I saw evidence of this, you could fit a ball through the mains, down the middle, of her Instinct.

She's been playing with Syn Gut 54lbs
I saw her play today. She's a 4.0. Hits with decent pace!

I have syn gut, multi, and tons of soft co-poly 15g to 18g
I really want to tackle her primary issue, and get her strings snapping back!
but I also don't want to ruin the arm of anyone, let alone someone I see at my club all the time.

WWYD?
Take a chance with poly at 45lbs in the mains, and syn gut or multi in crosses at 50?
Whatever I do with poly, I hope she can recalibrate after a hit.
I really want to get this right!
I trust her to let me cut it out after a month or so.

THX

I would start by explaining why poly isn't a good option for her. I would also explain that some string movement is normal and won't noticeably effect performance. But if it's as drastic as you're saying, it's probably just time to restring, whereas with poly, she won't know when it's time to restring unless she gets pain, which is a much worse way to know when to restring.

That being said, if she's insistent on using poly still, you gotta give it to her. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Just give her your softest poly at 45-ish pounds and call it a day.

 

[Dunlop300g]

Hello Stringing Magicians!

This is the first time I'm stringing for a 60-65 yo player who is interested in poly.
She was told that it's the only way to keep her strings in place. She hates having to fix them.
I saw evidence of this, you could fit a ball through the mains, down the middle, of her Instinct.

She's been playing with Syn Gut 54lbs
I saw her play today. She's a 4.0. Hits with decent pace!

I have syn gut, multi, and tons of soft co-poly 15g to 18g
I really want to tackle her primary issue, and get her strings snapping back!
but I also don't want to ruin the arm of anyone, let alone someone I see at my club all the time.

WWYD?
Take a chance with poly at 45lbs in the mains, and syn gut or multi in crosses at 50?
Whatever I do with poly, I hope she can recalibrate after a hit.
I really want to get this right!
I trust her to let me cut it out after a month or so.

THX

Try the new Babolat XALT; we're string testing it right now; so there's s whole live updated thread on how it's playing; it's appearing to be a great cross between a soft poly but in multifilament form; has crisper feel than an ordinary multi due to the two outer wraps in it's construction.

I loved it so much I went out and purchased a set of it. She won't be disappointed. String movement not much of an issue either. But read our reviews and see what you think if it would be a good fit for her. Here's a link to the string forum playtest for Babolat XALT https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/tennis-warehouse-playtest-babolat-xalt.759603/

 

[KungfuTennis]

I think she'd be fine with poly, regardless of age she's a 4.0 and has decent form, just use a slightly thinner poly and it won't be a problem IMO.

 

[jimmy8]

I use velocity 1.30 natural color in my crosses with a poly in the mains. My strings always stay in place. Velocity has a slick coating so the strings snap back into place. I guess a full bed would stay in place.

You could also try gamma tnt2 react pro, it has slick coating.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

She heard poly doesn’t move, terrible reason to switch to it.

Multifeel doesn’t move, great string. RPX is a slightly stiffer, underpowered version of multifeel, also good. NXT doesn’t move either. Several nylon based strings to pick from without having to go poly for the wrong reason.

 

[LOBALOT]

As a 60 year old I see no reason she can't hit with full poly or a poly cross with gut/multi mains.

I am not even sure why this is of debate.

There are all sorts of poly out there that would be appropriate and of course there are like 10 million threads on gut/poly and multi/poly setups with crosses appropriate in this scenario.

Are you saying if I brought my racquet to you that you would have the same debate?

 

[socallefty]

I trust her to let me cut it out after a month or so.

I think if a player is willing to cut out their poly within a reasonable time frame and they string below 50 lbs, anyone can play with soft polys without any issues. A ’reasonable’ time frame might mean only 3-7 hours for a hard-hitting 4.5+ player and can be 4-5 times longer for slow-swinging players at lower levels.

The problem is when players decide to play poly for many months because they don‘t break them - those players are likely more prone to injuries than someone who is older or physically weaker.

I’ll be 60 in 5 years - I hope my stringer won’t be posting on the internet and asking if he should let me still play with poly!

 

[LOBALOT]

I think if a player is willing to cut out their poly within a reasonable time frame and they strung below 50 lbs, anyone can play with poly without any issues. A ’reasonable’ time frame might mean only 3-7 hours for a hard-hitting 4.5+ player and can be 4-5 times longer for slow-swinging players at lower levels.

The problem is when players decide to play poly for many months because they don‘t break them - those players are likely more prone to injuries than someone who is older or physically weaker.

Exactly, there are so many poly strings out there with appropriate characterstics for most players.

Right now I am using up 4 reels of Diadem Solstice Black 16G that I had lying around. It is not my favorite string and I wouldn't use it in her case but I have no arm issues from it.
In my case I figured I might as well use it up so I string it up at 53/48 and cut it out after every time I play as I find it drops tension.

I would probably try to suggest to her a multi/poly hybrid but if she wanted full poly maybe she would like VCT and it has the added benefit that for me it tells me when it is ready to restring because it gets launchy.

 

[stapletonj]

60-65 yo player - I know I'm going to get some flak for this, but I would suggest you try to steer her away from this.

Yes, she probably will be fine with this, but the chances of arm/elbow/shoulder issues are significantly higher.

and those chances go up with every pound of tension you add. (Don't forget that she wants the strings to "not move" that usually means higher tension)

If she is in love with the notion of poly, put her in a good multi in the mains and poly in the crosses.

 

[SOY78]

Keep the syn gut in the mains and put some smooth poly in the crosses

 

[cks]

I’ll be 60 in 5 years - I hope my stringer won’t be posting on the internet and asking if he should let me still play with poly!

lol

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

the mainstreaming of poly is ridiculous. how is it economical for the performance it offers for most people?

 

[MaiTai]

- Educate her about the Attributes of Poly strings, their lifespan and what could happen if you don't restring frequently
- Choose a Poly, which in your opinion is Arm friendly compared to other polys and which fits her Gamestyle
- Choose a Tension and tell her why you chose that specific tension
- Let her decide to try a Poly and if the risks are worth it

It's her decision. Give her all the information she needs to decide.

 

[frank52]

I suggest Ashaway Monogut ZX in the crosses. That allows you to use anything in the mains and the strings will snap back into a straight position. Best of all the ZX won't go dead or require frequent restringing like poly.

 

[Ryebread]

As a 60 year old I see no reason she can't hit with full poly or a poly cross with gut/multi mains.

I am not even sure why this is of debate.

There are all sorts of poly out there that would be appropriate and of course there are like 10 million threads on gut/poly and multi/poly setups with crosses appropriate in this scenario.

Are you saying if I brought my racquet to you that you would have the same debate?

there is no debate. only an ask for suggestions.

I've never strung for anyone north of 60 who has asked for poly.
She prob isn't as muscular as you are
I asked for advice b/c I care.
this is a discussion based forum. so I don't see any issue with my post.

Cheers

 

[LOBALOT]

I didn't take any offense either other than referencing age and poly use. I think you will see as you string more that there are a lot of us North of 60 using poly and I think 60 or 50 or 40 or 30 or 20 for that matter the decisions that go into string use are age independent and have more to do with player ability and personal preference. If she is 4.0 she is 4.0 just as if she were a 20 year old.

 

[cks]

I hope my stringer won’t be posting on the internet and asking if he should let me still play with poly!

lol.

 

[LOBALOT]

lol.

Man, 10 to 15 years ago there so many threads out here about how only 4.5's should use poly blah blah blah. Between string technology changing, use of hybrids, trends in tension dropping, and better understanding of string duration I am glad those discussions are for the most part behind us.

 

[cks]

Man, 10 to 15 years ago there so many threads out here about how only 4.5's should use poly blah blah blah. Between string technology changing, use of hybrids, trends in tension dropping, and better understanding of string duration I am glad those discussions are for the most part behind us.

Yep. I missed most of that, since I picked up tennis late in life.

I've been playing with poly since 2019, when I started to get serious about learning to play better rather than just playing social matches. I've never had any arm issues. I even started stringing my own rackets last year, just because I wanted to learn more about tennis and experiment with different strings.

 

[Ronaldo]

Can she solve the problem with a String Thing?

 

[Ryebread]

I'm 49 myself.
For now, soft co polys from tier one or ytex @ 51/48 have been ok for me.

I appreciate all of the wonderful insights in this thread.
I have learned some new ideas about stringing.

Cheers, all

 

[tjanev]

18g poly at 50lbs. thinner string will feel softer, bite the ball better. durability will be lower though.

 

[artdeco]

Surely gut mains poly cross. It will last her ages and the strings will not get stuck out of place.

 

[ichaseballs]

just saw tennis spin talk about this on YT
hyper g 20 gauge

 

[Rabbit]

Surely gut mains poly cross. It will last her ages and the strings will not get stuck out of place.

If this is too expensive for her and she's adamant about poly, 16 gauge synthetic gut in the mains and poly in the crosses. Drop the poly tension 4 pounds from the main tension.

And warn her repeatedly.

 

[Ronaldo]

If this is too expensive for her and she's adamant about poly, 16 gauge synthetic gut in the mains and poly in the crosses. Drop the poly tension 4 pounds from the main tension.

And warn her repeatedly.

Then offer her,

 

[stapletonj]

Can she solve the problem with a String Thing?

Is that a misweave right in the middle of the crosses? Not terribly professional. (although I admit that that has little to do with the product)
Looks like a lot to do between points! Big fat "No thanks" from me.

 

[Ronaldo]

Is that a misweave right in the middle of the crosses? Not terribly professional. (although I admit that that has little to do with the product)
Looks like a lot to do between points! Big fat "No thanks" from me.

Only rolling string straightener I recall.

 

[TennisCJC]

Multifeel or NRG2 16G mains at 50lbs, Kirschbaum Max Power 17G poly cross at 46lbs. Yes, this poly is stiff but you are stringing it at 46lbs. By the way, I've used this setup for most of last 10 years. I increase or decrease the tension 2 lbs based on weather (summer or winter) and or racket I had at the time. These combinations are close in tension lost over time based on TWU string data so they work well together. Most soft polys lose tension much faster and might turn into rocket launchers after a few weeks. The strings don't move. I am male 67 year old senior 4.0 player who played higher when younger.

 

[aaron_h27]

just saw tennis spin talk about this on YT
hyper g 20 gauge

Hyper g 20 gauge weighs like 5-6 grams less than a regular 1.30 poly/multi string this can end up being a 12-15 difference in SW.

If someone is used to a 1.30 gauge string and then you switch them to a thinner one without compensating for the loss mass, most people will attribute the difference to the string, but the weight change is also playing a factor.

Most rec players players don't pay this much attention to detail but I would absolutely not enjoy thinner strings if I didn't know how to adjust my specs for the less mass a thinner string provides

 

[Ronaldo]

String notching is no longer an issue?