After 6 years, I'm lost again...

Chuonfood

Semi-Pro
Hey everyone, I haven't been on this forum for over 5 years because I thought I found my GOAT stick Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour customized by TW. I ended up buying three and called it an end of my search. I played great with it until I demoed some new racquets such as the Head Gravity Pro (was leaning towards a larger head size). I really liked it that I ended up buying one.

I realize that it doesn't swing fast enough through the air for my SHBH. Now I'm looking at trying the Prince 93p and red and blue Yonex Vcore 95. Can you recommend any other great frames for SHBH? My old Dunlops specs: 350g strung, 330 SW, 9pt HL, leather grip. 18x20. I feel like I can use something lighter, maybe 330g and 325 SW. Thanks.
 

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
What kind of frame is great for a 1HBH as opposed to a 2HBH in your opinion? Don’t you think that you see players of all styles and shot techniques playing with the whole variety of racquets available at different levels with no correlation between who is good at a level and what racquet they use? Just look at the list of racquets used by singles and doubles pro players on the ATP and WTA tours or sponsored college players - you’ll see all kinds of brands and specs.

The only constant I can think of is that in general the higher the level, the more stability a player needs from his racquet to handle his opponent‘s shots and so the swingweight typically goes up at 4.5+ levels. You know your game and you seem to know the specs you want to demo - just try the TW racquet finder tool to find racquets with that spec.

I’ve seen good players with 1HBHs at the 4.0 and 4.5 levels who play with thick-beam tweeners in the 11oz range and others who like thin-beam 12 oz racquets. Most players these days play with 97-100 sq inch heads, but some older players still like oversize racquets. Generally, it has become rare to find 93-95 sq inch racquets being used by anyone except pros over the age of 30 who grew up with them. I have a 1HBH, play at the 4.5 level and currently play with the Pure Strike Tour strung with VS17/HyperG 18 at 47/44 lbs - I love the combination, but I can pretty much play decently with any racquet weighing around 12 ozs, 330-340 SW and a thin beam <22mm in the 97-100 sq inch size - but, that is because this spec range is what I have played with most of my life and not because this suits a 1HBH. Everyone likes the racquet specs they grew up with typically especially if they spent a lot of time on court as a junior - rec players who learned tennis as adults are more likely to keep switching around racquets as they still don’t know what spec range they like.
 
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esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Check out the last dozen pages of the racquetholics thread. It's a hoot, but a lot of them have been convinced by a Senior Holic to trial or switch to Pro Kennex or the Prince Rip Stick. The PKs are right about what you seem to want. Figure out which of the players there may play like you. Or better yet, introduce yourself and ask.
 

TennisHound

Legend
Hey everyone, I haven't been on this forum for over 5 years because I thought I found my GOAT stick Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour customized by TW. I ended up buying three and called it an end of my search. I played great with it until I demoed some new racquets such as the Head Gravity Pro (was leaning towards a larger head size). I really liked it that I ended up buying one.

I realize that it doesn't swing fast enough through the air for my SHBH. Now I'm looking at trying the Prince 93p and red and blue Yonex Vcore 95. Can you recommend any other great frames for SHBH? My old Dunlops specs: 350g strung, 330 SW, 9pt HL, leather grip. 18x20. I feel like I can use something lighter, maybe 330g and 325 SW. Thanks.
Its not 18x20, but you might consider the Head 360+ Prestige Mid and/or the 360+ Prestige MP. Also, the Dunlop SX 300 (SW around 325).
 

Lorenn

Hall of Fame
Hey everyone, I haven't been on this forum for over 5 years because I thought I found my GOAT stick Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour customized by TW. I ended up buying three and called it an end of my search. I played great with it until I demoed some new racquets such as the Head Gravity Pro (was leaning towards a larger head size). I really liked it that I ended up buying one.

I realize that it doesn't swing fast enough through the air for my SHBH. Now I'm looking at trying the Prince 93p and red and blue Yonex Vcore 95. Can you recommend any other great frames for SHBH? My old Dunlops specs: 350g strung, 330 SW, 9pt HL, leather grip. 18x20. I feel like I can use something lighter, maybe 330g and 325 SW. Thanks.

Swings are complex on one hand your current racquet is 350g, on the other hand wind resistance might be higher with the new frame. Hard to figure if you are missing the mass, or if you are swing slowly...and if you are why is it the weight or the resistance. It is also possible your new racquet might be slightly off spec and therefore slightly head heavier then you expect...increasing the SW. I think you are overdoing it going down to a 93 or 95. I find the GRavity Pro has a great one handed backhand. I had to use a little extra energy to get it moving but then could relax and do my normal swing. Just a micro burst to get over inertia. The other option would be starting your swing slightly early. You could even increase the size of your stroke slightly if needed.

F=ma
SO hard to guess if lack of 20 grams is the issue, racquet head size or potentially swing weight differences. If you want a slightly faster racquet...Speed Pro, Speed MP/Radical Pro/Blade 98, Radical MP from slowest to fastest...though some might debate placement slightly that is close to my experience. I had to actually slow down my swing the Radical MP was so easy to swing. The rest I just removed my extra starting boost I use with the Gravity Pro.
 

Anton

Legend
Hey everyone, I haven't been on this forum for over 5 years because I thought I found my GOAT stick Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour customized by TW. I ended up buying three and called it an end of my search. I played great with it until I demoed some new racquets such as the Head Gravity Pro (was leaning towards a larger head size). I really liked it that I ended up buying one.

I realize that it doesn't swing fast enough through the air for my SHBH. Now I'm looking at trying the Prince 93p and red and blue Yonex Vcore 95. Can you recommend any other great frames for SHBH? My old Dunlops specs: 350g strung, 330 SW, 9pt HL, leather grip. 18x20. I feel like I can use something lighter, maybe 330g and 325 SW. Thanks.

New Yonex Pro 97 HD is really good out of these types of sticks. Balanced great for 1hbh. Option for 16x19 is nice to have too.

Head Pro Tour 2.0 is nice too, has amazing feel...but probably needs lead to hang with stability and plow of the heavier Pro 97. Love the price on this beauty too.
 
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Crashbaby

Semi-Pro
Forget 93p, too demanding. Niche racquet for feel/nostalgia junkies.
95 Yonex is child’s play in the ease of use stakes in comparison.
I’d run with that. Caveat being I’m a Yonex fan... :)
 

Blahovic

Professional
New Yonex Pro 97 HD is really good out of these types of sticks. Balanced great for 1hbh. Option for 16x19 is nice to have too.

Head Pro Tour 2.0 is nice too, has amazing feel...but probably needs lead to hang with stability and plow of the heavier Pro 97. Love the price on this beauty too.
Isn't ProTour 2.0 heavier than the Vcore Pro 97 HD? The HD is only 320.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Looks like you need to try all the heavier stuff to save you from having to customise them so in that case I would go:
1. Volkl PB 10 Mid and C 10Pro
2. Yonex V Core Pro 97
3. Head Prestige mp and pro tour 2.0
4. Wilson RF97
5. Angell TC 97
6. Prince CTS Synergy 97
7. PK Q Tour 325 and Redondo
Just a few ideas
 

JoaoN

Semi-Pro
Hey everyone, I haven't been on this forum for over 5 years because I thought I found my GOAT stick Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour customized by TW. I ended up buying three and called it an end of my search. I played great with it until I demoed some new racquets such as the Head Gravity Pro (was leaning towards a larger head size). I really liked it that I ended up buying one.

I realize that it doesn't swing fast enough through the air for my SHBH. Now I'm looking at trying the Prince 93p and red and blue Yonex Vcore 95. Can you recommend any other great frames for SHBH? My old Dunlops specs: 350g strung, 330 SW, 9pt HL, leather grip. 18x20. I feel like I can use something lighter, maybe 330g and 325 SW. Thanks.

If you liked the Gravity PRO but found hard to swing it fast, maybe get the gravity TOUR. I know a few players that had the same love with the PRO but couldn't swing it fast, so they got the TOUR and solved the problem.
 

phanamous

Rookie
1HBH player here moved from 345gm to 330gm a few years ago. I actually had a F3.0 Tour but moved on.
Liked the GPro but found it too demanding. Bought the GTour and added some weight to the butt to sorta mimic an easier swinging GPro basically.
Works decent but still too demanding over time. Head QC is to blame here somewhat. The polarized balance doesn't quite suit my 1HBH either. The weight is there but it still twist on me for some reason.

I've demoed a bunch lately and these 2 are similar to what you're looking for:
  • Technifibre TF40 315
    • Stable, very comfortable, great feel
    • Have to try the 305 version next
  • Head Extreme Tour
    • Easy swinging frame with good control
    • Ok stability given low SW
    • Can be more stable and comfy with some weight customization
  • Head Radical MP
    • String pattern too open for you perhaps
    • Stable, stiff with decent comfort
    • Too powerful. Needs a stiffer string to tame power with better control
    • Loved it on 1HBH and serves
 

antony

Hall of Fame
maybe a pro staff 6.1 95 18x20 would be what you're looking for.
12pt HL, 331g unstrung
very stable
extremely good feel
right amount of power, excellent control
 
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Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
Hey everyone, I haven't been on this forum for over 5 years because I thought I found my GOAT stick Dunlop Biomimetic F3.0 Tour customized by TW. I ended up buying three and called it an end of my search. I played great with it until I demoed some new racquets such as the Head Gravity Pro (was leaning towards a larger head size). I really liked it that I ended up buying one.

I realize that it doesn't swing fast enough through the air for my SHBH. Now I'm looking at trying the Prince 93p and red and blue Yonex Vcore 95. Can you recommend any other great frames for SHBH? My old Dunlops specs: 350g strung, 330 SW, 9pt HL, leather grip. 18x20. I feel like I can use something lighter, maybe 330g and 325 SW. Thanks.

I would never buy a racket to help the 1HBH. Buy one to help your serves and returns. The 1HBH is a glamour stroke not a match winning stroke. The next time I'm nervous attacking a rec players 1HBH will be the first time. But I get pretty nervous playing guys with solid serves or guys that can light up my serves.

I love my 93P but it is harder to play with especially against tough competition. I'm better off with my POG 107 or Phantom 107 redirecting pace with the extra forgiveness.
 

Lorenn

Hall of Fame
I would never buy a racket to help the 1HBH. Buy one to help your serves and returns. The 1HBH is a glamour stroke not a match winning stroke. The next time I'm nervous attacking a rec players 1HBH will be the first time. But I get pretty nervous playing guys with solid serves or guys that can light up my serves.

I love my 93P but it is harder to play with especially against tough competition. I'm better off with my POG 107 or Phantom 107 redirecting pace with the extra forgiveness.

Ouch! As a player who prefers one handed back hand a majority of the time.:) Two handed for emergency use maybe. Still I agree I wouldn't go down to a 93 for improvements to my backhand. Heck I currently use a 100 with a one handed backhand. A good 98 maybe...I do like the Radical Still. Even with POG I would still use one handed:) Compared to wooden everything is light:)
 

time_fly

Hall of Fame
If you liked the Gravity PRO but found hard to swing it fast, maybe get the gravity TOUR. I know a few players that had the same love with the PRO but couldn't swing it fast, so they got the TOUR and solved the problem.

I second this thought. In my case, I even added a leather grip to my Tour to make it a touch more head light, solid-feeling, and in line with the specs on my other racquets. But it's still a little lighter and thicker-beamed than the Pro, so it's easier to use.
 
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