Ball Review: Gamma Pro Tour

[thejuice]

I've been wanting to try this new (relatively) ball out for a while now and I finally got to play a few sets with some.

Quick background info, I play to a 4.0 level and my playing partner plays 4.5 (and that's when he doesn't practice), so we both know what we're doing out there. I usually use Wilson Xtra Duty and Dunlop balls when just hitting and Prince Extra Duty, Wilson US Open and Dunlop Grand Prix when playing matches.

For me, this ball is a match ball. I'd rank it right up there with the best of them in all categories. I really enjoyed the hit and the cool thing is, they retained their felt and didn't lose a lose a lot of compression at all. I will be buying a case if I can find a good deal.

My rankings by category are as follows:
Feel
Wilson US Open
Penn ProPenn
Dunlop Grand Prix
Gamma Pro Tour
Prince Tour

Durability (felt/compression)
Gamma ProTour
Wilson US Open
Dunlop Grand Prix
Prince Tour
Penn ProPenn

Overall
Wilson US Open
Gamma ProTour
Dunlop Grand Prix
Prince Tour
Penn ProPenn

 

[dman72]

I bought a hopper from an online company, and I thought I was going to get 1 free can of these balls...they threw in 6. I was thinking they must suck for them to do this, but I guess not.

 

[MAX PLY]

Gamma Tennis Balls

Thanks for the recommendation. I pretty much agree with your rankings as well but I would add the Penn ATP ball and rank it just below the Wilson U.S. Open ball (and ahead of the ProPenn).

 

[dman72]

Update: I used these balls for 2 sets last night. They are very firm, almost like pressureless balls, a bit heavy, and bounce as high as any ball I've ever used. These characteristics did not change at all during the match. The other thing I noticed was that they give off a toxic glue smell that is a bit scary. You know that normal semi-toxic smell when you open a fresh can? Well, these smell like super-glue, and I checked them this morning in my bag, and they still smell like that. I wouldn't let your dog chew on these.

 

[Bud]

Update: I used these balls for 2 sets last night. They are very firm, almost like pressureless balls, a bit heavy, and bounce as high as any ball I've ever used. These characteristics did not change at all during the match. The other thing I noticed was that they give off a toxic glue smell that is a bit scary. You know that normal semi-toxic smell when you open a fresh can? Well, these smell like super-glue, and I checked them this morning in my bag, and they still smell like that. I wouldn't let your dog chew on these.

Unless you want to make him high... :lol:

 

[thejuice]

Update: I used these balls for 2 sets last night. They are very firm, almost like pressureless balls, a bit heavy, and bounce as high as any ball I've ever used. These characteristics did not change at all during the match. The other thing I noticed was that they give off a toxic glue smell that is a bit scary. You know that normal semi-toxic smell when you open a fresh can? Well, these smell like super-glue, and I checked them this morning in my bag, and they still smell like that. I wouldn't let your dog chew on these.

I didn't notice that smell at all. I've only opened a couple of cans so maybe it's possible to get a can with this smell. I agree with Bud, you can let your dog chew them but he'll be barking to a new tune.

 

[dman72]

I normally use dunlops, which are heavier than Penn's and Wilson. These gamma's feel even heavier.

I've only opened one can, so who knows, but the smell was overpowering.

 

[l1235]

Gamma Pro Tour Xtra Duty Ball

The Gamma Pro Tour Xtra Duty Ball is far and away the most lively (nitrogen filled with thin, dimpled inner core), durable (seam and knap don't leak, fluff, hardly wear), and quality (case of Dunlop Gran Prix's fluffed and humidity killed them instantly, were inconsistent in quality, two cans had a dead ball); all other balls I tried are 2 for a nickel Chinese crap; my hopper is full of Gamma Pro Tour Xtra Duty Balls ready for another cycle after 5 sets.

 

[Rjtennis]

This is an old thread but I have recently been playing with this ball and want to chime in. The Gamma Pro Tour is probably my favorite ball. They maintain their playing characteristic throughout a match like no other.

 

[gut wax]

Good call on reviving this thread - I've gotten lots of use out of these.