Adjusting to Pro Staff 97

[Insideout2]

I recently bought the Pro Staff 97 and have been using it for about a week or two. Before I was using the Pure Stike 100, but wanted something a bit more stable. With the Pro Staff 97, my serves are more powerful, my volleys penetrate through the court, my one handed backhand is a weapon, my slice has lots of bite, but my forehand has disappeared. I don't know if it's because of the increase in weight or what. My forehand has always been my weakest shot, but I feel like it's magnified with the new racket. Should I switch back to my old racket or stick with the Pro Staff 97?

 

[Cullin Kin]

Stick with it. Get out and hit with a ball machine if you can. Repetition, repetition, repetition... Everything improving but one shot shouldn't warrant a switch back.

 

[Lukhas]

Stick with it. And if your FH is that weak, get lessons, watch yourself on video, etc.

 

[neverstopplaying]

No tennis player should have a weak forehand. It is the most basic shot in tennis. Work on it. If it's that bad, even one lesson with a pro would help you uncover some weaknesses.

BTW, the PS97 is very popular in my area and a lot of players are hitting killer forehands with it.

 

[Nostradamus]

I recently bought the Pro Staff 97 and have been using it for about a week or two. Before I was using the Pure Stike 100, but wanted something a bit more stable. With the Pro Staff 97, my serves are more powerful, my volleys penetrate through the court, my one handed backhand is a weapon, my slice has lots of bite, but my forehand has disappeared. I don't know if it's because of the increase in weight or what. My forehand has always been my weakest shot, but I feel like it's magnified with the new racket. Should I switch back to my old racket or stick with the Pro Staff 97?

Switch to 97LS. that will give you everything you need and more...

 

[Bartelby]

Heavier racquet probably requires a longer swing and contact more out in front, so you need to hone your technique to a players' racquet.

If you are willing to invest time in that then do so, otherwise revert back to the Strike.

 

[JBH]

Bounce a ball in the center of the face, then progressively towards the far end. Note that it tends to go dead rather more quickly than most racquets.
As you may be aware, many players tend to hit more towards the tip, particularly on the forehand. Some racquets, such as several of the Babolat family, purposely move the center of power in that direction to compensate.
Keep playing it, you'll unconsciously adapt in time.

 

[smirker]

Just add 2g of lead at 12 to move the sweet spot up a little. I hit more towards the tip and this helped me on the PS97. Much preferred it with a little lead.

 

[Mockys2k]

I am making a similar change. Pure Strike 16x19 to PS97. Similar reasons as well.

I have felt an overall power drop but my slice and net play have increased significantly.

Are you using the same string setup with the two racquets? I'd say keep practicing with it?

 

[pfrischmann]

It's always a trade..off. My PS-97 has a leather grip and two overgrips. I hit with my old apd yesterday and was amazed at how much spin it generates. The PS-97 weights 12.4 oz strung with solinco tourbite (17g) and a round dampner. Surprisingly, the SW is 310 and the balance is 30.5. I used to use a an APD with 3gs of lead at 2 and 10. it was 11.7 oz and a 320 SW, balance 31.75.

I noticed more stability and overall better "all court" shots with the Wilson but my forehand didn't have the same action on it. Neither did my slice serve. Flat serve is a bomb compared to the APD. I think, it's just a give and take. The Ps-97 is billed as a good all around stick and I think it is Something like the APD is a baseliners dream "spin machine". For me..the APD is like tennis on easy but you make compromises in feel and stability at the net..IMHO.

If everything else is better, keep working on the FH and your whole game should be raised..