Babolat Pure Control Tour
- Thread starter Nbp4ever
- Start date
What about the 95 then, is it a real 95?
I recently just switched to this racquet as well, though my story is a bit more complicated. I learned to play tennis with my off-hand about 15 years ago, but suffered an injury recently that left me unable to play tennis with my off-arm. Just got back into it recently, and have been relearning with my main hand. Only problem is, my old racquets (Microgel Extreme Midpluses) were giving me WAY too much power since my main hand is stronger than my off. All my balls were sailing beyond the baseline and I was so worried with hitting out, that I'd tighten too up too much and end up hitting into the net.
Ended up switching to the PCT to try to temper that strength while also forcing me to learn better mechanics. That, and the feel of the racquet is just sooo nice compared to that hollow feeling I got when hitting with the APD or Pure Drives. It has been great. I am now completely free to swing out on my racquet and it feels good. I don't really tighten up anymore because I don't fear overhitting each and every shot.
Right now, experimenting with strings. I tried a full bed of RPM Blast 16, but found that it was really hurting my elbow, wrist, and arm. Honestly, it's probably form, but the strings are not forgiving to my developing form. When I hit correctly (full swing, fast motion, ball in front, etc), however, the spin and control and pace are fantastic.
I also had one strung up with RPM Blast 16 main and TNT2 16 in the crosses. This one was a bit more forgiving, and allowed me a bit more wiggle room with power. I don't have to go full out all the time to place the ball deep, though the feel wasn't quite there.
Next, I'm going to try a hybrid of RPM Team 17 in the mains and TNT2 16 in the crosses. I'm hoping the Team is a bit more arm friendly, and the 17 allows me to get a bit more feel on the ball.
Although there are times where I definitely wish I was using something a bit lighter to let me cheat a bit more while I relearn, I really like this racquet.
I picked up the PCT a few months ago and have been "long term demo'ing" it along with the Ai98 that I've had for about 6 months. Really enjoy both for different reasons: the PCT has more control and feel to me, the Ai98 has more pop (maybe sometimes too much here and there) and plow; nice flex as well. I love ground strokes on both; serves have more oomph with the Ai, while I feel more comfortable at net with the PCT. Ahhh, the nuances of racquet selection! I have the PCT strung with a gut/poly hybrid, around 55/51; seems like a nice combo with that racquet.
By the way, there is another PCT thread at:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=520092&page=2
Maybe the two should be combined.
By the way, there is another PCT thread at:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=520092&page=2
Maybe the two should be combined.
El_Yotamo
Hall of Fame
Yes, it's a true 95. Most likely at least. If it were a perfect oval then it would measure at 96. But, there's the curve type things at around 10/2 so I'd think that's probably about 1 sq in. So 96-1=95.
t.o.tennis
New User
That's interesting. Is the Pure Control Tour a smaller head size than the 98 Pure Strikes or are the 98 head size Pure Strikes a true 98. I have both the PCT and Ai 98 and placed them on top of each other and from what I can tell, it seems like they are either the same size or the PCT has a slightly larger head size.
Thanks for any responses.
Npb4ever: I've not played with the apd, but am recently switching from an older Babolat Pure Control Team [aka PCT] frame. During selection process, demoed the Pure Control Tour, the Pure Strike, latest Pure Drive, and AeroPro Drive frames. The Pure Control Tour was closest to my older frames.
To your comment about less power, I do feel somewhat underpowered with the Pure Control Tour after playing for 7+ years with the Pure Control Team. I don't feel that I'm getting as much plow-through. That said, the control that everyone speaks about is extraordinary. My competitors regularly comment about my accuracy now, but share with me that I'm not hitting "as big" as before.
To your second question: my string setup [both in the old PCTs and new Pure Control Tour] is Babolat Hybrid VS Gut 16 in the crosses and Babolat Pro Hurricane 16 in the mains. Believe I have it strung @ 62 lbs. I've tried RPM and some of the other strings before, but had arm pain from RPM.
El_Yotamo
Hall of Fame
That's interesting. In that case you should just measure your own. I'm sorry, I never measured any of the strikes, but they did look slightly bigger!
I played a few sets of doubles on Sunday, first proper match practice with the racquet and I'm still liking the racquet. Again great control. My 1st serve was really working well. Second serve I had to adjust abut in a good way, the less power gave me more confidence to swing through on a second service. Power was lacking abit but when I did hit it flush it stayed hit so I'm not worried so much about the power. I need to restring though, still playing with the strings that came with it when I got the racquet off **** (Alu power rough), I normally play with signum pro tornado so hoping will get some added spin and power from my normal setup. Anyone using a leather grip? Wondering if it worth switching. I use over grips but if it's worth using leather I'll make the switch.
tennisadict
Semi-Pro
I have been using PCT almost 4-5 months and I love the feel... I did switch to Head Radical for few weeks, but I switched back btw I am using babolat leather grip.
t.o.tennis
New User
I have been trying this racquet out and have been using it with a leather grip (Babolat leather). I think it feels great with a leather grip and an overgrip. I haven't tried it with the regular replacement grip that the racquet comes with (I believe it's Skin Feel), but have no doubt that it would feel great with it too. As to whether, you should switch to a leather grip, it's hard to tell, but I would say that if you specifically like/prefer leather grips you should make the switch as I'm sure that you would enjoy it. As I'm sure you are aware, it would add a little weight to the racquet and am not sure if you would want that. If you are indifferent to the type of grip that you use, I would say stay with the current grip and keep enjoying the racquet.
MisterP
Hall of Fame
I am demoing this racquet now. I do like the extra spin I'm getting from it over my Pure Strike Tour. But it is extremely low powered for a 98 sq inch racquet, IMO. Some of it could be strings - syngut cross with RPM Team in the mains, which isn't bad for a demo. But I feel like I need more pop and spin.
Thanks for all the replies guys. Ive played twice more since my last post and still impressed. Volleys and serves are a dream once again, my serve is faster abd nuch more consistent vs the apd,
Not sure about groundstroke power yet as still some adjustment needed for my groundstrokes. Coming from the apd which is really whippy im having to adjust my contact point. Maybe the leather grip will help as itll make the raquet even more headlight. Plus still playing with alu power rough which i find really hard and hopefully can get the raquets in for a restring next week to my normal poly signun pro tornado which should make things abit softer.
Not sure about groundstroke power yet as still some adjustment needed for my groundstrokes. Coming from the apd which is really whippy im having to adjust my contact point. Maybe the leather grip will help as itll make the raquet even more headlight. Plus still playing with alu power rough which i find really hard and hopefully can get the raquets in for a restring next week to my normal poly signun pro tornado which should make things abit softer.
Anton
Legend
Been playing with PCT for a bit over a year now, here are my findings:
Awesome racket that blends control and smooth ride of classic rackets with solid loop needed for spin heavy modern game. You can hit hard and flat or put heavy topspin, this racket does it all if you have smooth technique.
In most cases PCT needs a bit of lead on top loop for top stability and comfort. I have 3 grams a bit above on 3+9 and 1.5g at 12 (though I've seen a PCT that had higher stock SW)
I also needed to add leather to counter balance that weight, otherwise frame felt a bit sluggish through the stroke.
I play with 16L full poly and add silicone spray to maximize longevity and spin. This racket is not too string sensitive though.
Here is my 12.68oz result:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pJvIq_VliE
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jaspert
Rookie
Anther former APD user who enjoys playing PCTour. I added a little bit of weight around the hoop and a lot more on the handle to make it more head light ( 10 point ) with a static weight of 355gram. And with natural gut main and poly cross , I get a good combination of power, spin and control for my game. Elbow friendly too.
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Been using the Pure Storm 98 mold (tour, plus, and regular) for 6 years. Switched to the Pure Control Tour this year. It's a nice frame, as were the previous iterations. A bit more raw-feeling that the Storm Tour GT. It's not as plush, and it's a bit lighter too. I like it because I can get the feel of adding extra weight at 12 without pushing a 340 swing weight. Really a nice, well-rounded players stick. It's got good control as its name suggests, and I find enough power to put balls away without having to try too hard. Accuracy is solid, and I haven't found it too stiff or uncomfortable. Really a great racquet. I almost switched to the Graphene Rad Pro, but the subtle updates to this line won out for me.
Yes. Previously I had 4 grams at 3 and 9, along with 3 grams on the handle. I was getting better plow thru, spin and depth on groundstrokes. But it was a little sluggish when I was backing up to hit balls right of the baseline.
I now have 1.5 grams at 12 and 6, along with 3 grams at 3 and 9. Seems to be just as stable and maneuverability might be a little better.
tennis_hand
Hall of Fame
after you guys adding such weight to the frame to make it 355grams, and the balance, why not just get the Prostaff 90?
stock form with everything you customized: weight, balance, etc.
stock form with everything you customized: weight, balance, etc.
Anton
Legend
Umm its a 90
tennis_hand
Hall of Fame
if u need to hit the sweet spot of a 98, you also need to hit a sweet spot of a 90. doesn't make much difference.
you hit a shot off center, it is not gonna help you much on a 98.
you hit a shot off center, it is not gonna help you much on a 98.
Anton
Legend
This reasoning can be shown faulty via reductio ad absurdum, after all same could be said of 85" racket in response to 90" racket and 80" in response to 85" and 75 and 70 and... well you get them picture.
Yes, 98" vs 90" gives bigger spin window and margin without getting too big. There is a guy in your Avatar that has come to agree.
Muppet
Legend
Lead at 6:00 is good for adding weight without shifting the balance, since it's close to the center of the racquet. But the additional weight at this location does depolarize the racquet somewhat, even with just a couple of grams. The racquet will feel more blunt, with less spin but that can be good if you're starting with a racquet that feels too wired or erratic.
Agree this is a great racquet. Am a 3.5-4.0, played mainly with the Prince Tour Diablo mid (also a 16x20) for several years and from demoing a handful of racquets (yonex, asics 100, graphene radical mp, new wilson prostaff & blade 98) this one came out on top. Very nice control, power and feel. Like someone else said, it does just about everything you want or need it to. As much as I want to switch back to my ol diablo, just can't as long as I have one of these.
Seems like a nice customization platform but imo feels fine stock. Also imo sometimes feels a bit underpowered strung with poly, so will probably string with multi next.
Seems like a nice customization platform but imo feels fine stock. Also imo sometimes feels a bit underpowered strung with poly, so will probably string with multi next.
rh310
Hall of Fame
Actually, I think that's a proof more by mathematical induction rather than reductio ad adsurdum.
I'm interested in this frame, though.
