Babolat Pure Storm Tour GT Advice

[Jopspin]

I have played with few frames for the past couple of years, but I have come to love the Babolat Pure Storm Tour GT. I bought two of off the TW threads and I am happy with how they play. I even found my string... the Isospeed Baseline Speed and I string it full bed at 42 lbs. I love how I get the power and plowthrough from the weight of the frame and the low tension of the poly string, the control and comfort from the flex of the frame and the low tension of the poly. On a side note, the Isospeed Baseline string is awesome! RPM blast has got nothing on it, spare for some slightly longer playability.

However, the last thing I am looking for out of my racket is more maneuverability. I feel like if the swingweight was 5-10g lower and the racket was more head light, it would suit me a whole lot better. Plus I could use more swing speed on my second serve to get more spin. I read on this forum that a few players complained of the sluggishness on the serve and the unwieldy feeling of the racket after using it for a couple of hours. I do tend to agree. There's been some suggestions by players who got the Pure Storm GT or Pure Storm GT team and customized them to get a racket that plays close to the swingweight of the Pure Storm Tour GT but more headlight and maneuverable.

Would anyone suggest I do that?
Would you start with a Pure Storm or a Pure Storm Team (the team has the same balance but is 0.3 oz lighter)?
Can anyone suggest a setup that they came up with?

Alternatively, I could just wait for the Pure Control Tour which will replace the Pure Storm Tour in January. Based on the initial sneak peak on the TW Facebook page, it plays a tad faster than the Pure Storm Tour.

 

[fuzzfactory]

I play with a PSGT leaded up w/ 6 g @ 11-1 and 4 g @ buttcap and it plays beautifully. Tried the PSTGT a few times but yea, it was very unwieldy. Never tried the team version but I can for sure vouch for modifying the PSGT!

 

[Jopspin]

I play with a PSGT leaded up w/ 6 g @ 11-1 and 4 g @ buttcap and it plays beautifully. Tried the PSTGT a few times but yea, it was very unwieldy. Never tried the team version but I can for sure vouch for modifying the PSGT!

So your PSGT is modified to be head heavy but I take it that it's still maneuverable and spin friendly due its manageable static weight?

 

[RetroSpin]

What you're really saying is you want an APD or PD.

 

[Jopspin]

What you're really saying is you want an APD or PD.

Not quite... Those rackets are really stiff and with a full bed of poly they would torch my arm after a couple of hours. And I am not sure they will give the same stability and plowthrough as the PST.

 

[Bartelby]

My tour has a fair bit of weight at the top of the hoop while being quite headlight, and I think that may be your problem.

I like it but it means handle weighting does not quite have the gains on this racquet as it would on one with a different weight distribution.

 

[fuzzfactory]

So your PSGT is modified to be head heavy but I take it that it's still maneuverable and spin friendly due its manageable static weight?

Forgot to say, I have a leather grip and overgrip installed.. its 6 pts HL

 

[TimothyO]

There's been some suggestions by players who got the Pure Storm GT or Pure Storm GT team and customized them to get a racket that plays close to the swingweight of the Pure Storm Tour GT but more headlight and maneuverable.

Would anyone suggest I do that?

Absolutely.

After having demo'd the PSGT and PSGT Tour in the spring of 2012 I settled on modified PSGTs exactly for that reason. I enjoyed the Tour's plow but felt it could be a little faster. It's extremely easy to mod the PSGT to achieve the same oopmh of the Tour version but also a more HL balance and/or at a lower static weight. The result is similar plow and stability but also more RHS for more spin. My PSGTs come in around 12 ounces and have about 7 grams of lead at 3/9. I also use a heavier Shock Shield replacement grip trimmed for my 1HBH and added silicone in the handle. Balance is around 7.5 HL and conventional SW is in the high 330s.

 

[RAFA no.1]

how do u lead up your psgt to the tour gt?

 

[RetroSpin]

Not quite... Those rackets are really stiff and with a full bed of poly they would torch my arm after a couple of hours. And I am not sure they will give the same stability and plowthrough as the PST.

Seriously? A PST is still a low powered racquet compared to an APD or particularly a PDR. I have played all three with full poly and wouldn't say the PST was obviously easier on the arm. I like hitting with a PST but it's not the weapon the other two are.

 

[Jopspin]

I like it but it means handle weighting does not quite have the gains on this racquet as it would on one with a different weight distribution.

I think that's a great way to put it...

 

[Jopspin]

Absolutely.
My PSGTs come in around 12 ounces and have about 7 grams of lead at 3/9. I also use a heavier Shock Shield replacement grip trimmed for my 1HBH and added silicone in the handle. Balance is around 7.5 HL and conventional SW is in the high 330s.

Thanks! I will try to find a Pure Storm on sale and modify it to something along those lines. 8 or 9 points HL would be perfect.

 

[Jopspin]

Seriously? A PST is still a low powered racquet compared to an APD or particularly a PDR. I have played all three with full poly and wouldn't say the PST was obviously easier on the arm. I like hitting with a PST but it's not the weapon the other two are.

Last time I played with an APD was two years ago (and I have never touched a PDR), so in retrospect, my technique may have improved enough that I may try it again and see if it fits my game. However, I really doubt that the PST isn't easier on the arm. First the stiffness is 64 compared to PDR's 72... I would guess that would very easily felt. Also, I think the extra ounce or so in the PST goes a long way in absorbing shock.
Yes the PDR and APD would give easier access to power, but the PST's power comes from it's weight not aerodynamic design or stiffness. I've been told that in building my tennis game, I might as well learn to get my power from keeping my swing compact, cleanly stroking the ball with a heavy racket, and letting its weight do the work for me. If this model no longer works for me and I feel like I'm lacking power at higher levels of play, I will reconsider playing with an APD again.