How to get more control from the Pure Drive

Pet_82

New User
Hi All,
After a couple of months with the Boom Pro, I am thinking of going back to the Pure Drive.
The problem with the Pure Drive was the loss of control. How can I have more control?
 

Soundbyte

Hall of Fame
Strings can help. Deader polys strung at higher tensions.

On the flip side, id actually recommend you give the Pro Drive an outing with it strung low like 40 lbs with full poly and see if that additional string movements helps with spin and control
 

Trip

Legend
How to get more control for a Pure Drive, or any racquet, in order of easiest to most difficult:

1) Adjust the string bed for more control by moving to a combo of: A) thicker gage, B) lower-powered material and C) higher tension.
2) Make sure you have a properly-sized grip and a base grip / over grip setup that gives you enough bevel feel.
3) Tune MGR/i and recoil weight to the optimal values appropriate for your height and swing mechanics, such that you're not having to fight the racquet as you swing it (and no, this stuff isn't just unicorn dust or placebo; those with requisite customization knowledge and tool access (ie. a swing weight machine) can create a much better performing racquet).

If you want help/guidance on any/all of the above, I'm happy to dive deeper with you.
 
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Pet_82

New User
How to get more control for a Pure Drive, or any racquet, in order of easiest to most difficult:

1) Adjust the string bed for more control by moving to a combo of: A) thicker gage, B) lower-powered material and C) higher tension.
2) Make sure you have a properly-sized grip and a base grip / over grip setup that gives you enough bevel feel.
3) Tune MGR/i and recoil weight to the optimal values appropriate for your height and swing mechanics, such that you're not having to fight the racquet as you swing it (and no, this stuff isn't just unicorn dust or placebo; for those with requisite customization knowledge and tool set access can create a much better performing racquet).

If you want help/guidance on any/all of the above, I'm happy to dive deeper with you.
Great! Thank you very much Trip!!
 

TheBoom

Hall of Fame
Hi All,
After a couple of months with the Boom Pro, I am thinking of going back to the Pure Drive.
The problem with the Pure Drive was the loss of control. How can I have more control?
The newest pure drive is the best version they have made for control IMO. I’d consider adding weight though. Any issue with control that I experienced was from a lack of stability from bigger hitters.
 

Pet_82

New User
The newest pure drive is the best version they have made for control IMO. I’d consider adding weight though. Any issue with control that I experienced was from a lack of stability from bigger hitters.
Do you think that rpm blast 1.25 (23/22 kg) could be a good setup?
 

Trip

Legend
@Pet_82 - RPM 1.25 is going to be medium-powered, high spin (at least until the silicone coating wears off after a couple hours) option that at 23/22 kg (51/48.5 lbs) should play fairly well controlled in the Pure Drive. If you wanted something even a little more consistent over its life span, you might consider the likes of Solinco Confidential 1.25 or Tru Pro (formerly Tier One) Black Knight 1.28.
 

J D

Semi-Pro
I added about 12 grams to the handle and a couple to the head (split between 3/9, 1:30/10:30) in my PD 2021. It increased control, stability, and feel.

I am using BK in the mains and TB in the crosses strung at 55 (yea, it’s tight and stiff). They balance each other’s playability well while still giving excellent control and spin. If it’s too stiff, you can put TBS in the crosses, but you will get more power/less control.

If you still want less power, try 4G at a low tension, like 40 lbs., or BHS7T at a little lower tension, in the 48-52 range. KMP will get less power and a more consistent launch angle, but less spin than the others.
 

TheBoom

Hall of Fame
Potentially. I haven’t hit with RPM in years, but going down a gauge would certainly help.

Whether or not it’ll be an issue for you I’m not sure, but I’m breaking strings after about 6-8 hrs of play with 1.30 confidential.The thing is a machine for breaking string so that’d be the only downside I see
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
Hi All,
After a couple of months with the Boom Pro, I am thinking of going back to the Pure Drive.
The problem with the Pure Drive was the loss of control. How can I have more control?
I'd say go instead for something with a layout similar to the Pure Drive, but with more flex. The Head Extreme has always been regarded as a softer alternative to the PD and I know that Dunlop has one or two models (including the CX 400 Tour) that can also work as softer versions of that Babolat. One other possibility in the racquet world could be something like a Yonex EZone.

Using stiffer string options - polys or co-polys in a full bed or hybrid - to get a Pure Drive under control might work, but that's also putting your arm at greater risk for injury compared with using a softer string like syn. gut or multifiber. If you're not hitting it huge like many college Div 1 hopefuls, I'd say stay away from a poly setup if you can. The right racquet for you should have decent control, even when it's strung with multi or syn. gut at moderate tension. Find the "right" racquet and then dial in the feel with your string choices.
 

Roland G

Hall of Fame
Hi All,
After a couple of months with the Boom Pro, I am thinking of going back to the Pure Drive.
The problem with the Pure Drive was the loss oyehdf control. How can I have more control?

Hi All,
After a couple of months with the Boom Pro, I am thinking of going back to the Pure Drive.
The problem with the Pure Drive was the loss of control. How can I have more control?
LUX 4G Soft would be worth trying as that should lower power levels while upping control and the softer feel will keep it comfortable at a lower tensions. I use it at 46lbs in a Speed MP and it's a great controlled set up
 

Trip

Legend
Does adding a few more grams help me with control?
In the right places, surely it can.

If you're adept enough at customization, especially in the ways that you know tend to help optimize your timing, and also provide more solidity on contact, you can significantly boost control, for sure.
 

Pet_82

New User
In the right places, surely it can.

If you're adept enough at customization, especially in the ways that you know tend to help optimize your timing, and also provide more solidity on contact, you can significantly boost control, for sure.
Many thanks Trip as always.

Where should I apply the tape? At 3 and 9 o'clock?
 

Trip

Legend
Very welcome. Without seeing you hit and/or knowing more about you and what the precise control "issues" are, it's tough to say if/where weight could help.

Let's start with this question: on your typical forehand ground stroke from the baseline, do you attribute the control issue more from lack of optimal contact (due to timing and/or mechanics) or due to lack of racquet stability, or both?
 

Pet_82

New User
Very welcome. Without seeing you hit and/or knowing more about you and what the precise control "issues" are, it's tough to say if/where weight could help.

Let's start with this question: on your typical forehand ground stroke from the baseline, do you attribute the control issue more from lack of optimal contact (due to timing and/or mechanics) or due to lack of racquet stability, or both?
I reckon more due to lack of stability. For example, with the same forehand technique, the ball escaped much less with the Head Boom Pro.
 

Play2win

Rookie
Here is my experience: i got the Team version, 285g. I put babolat balancer tape at 12, 2 strips one on each side so 6g total. Used rpm blast 20/19kg It feels very good. I gor another two and had them customized to longer, 69.2cm and silicone filled handles and lead 3 and 9 for a 33.1 strung balance. Still RPM Blast at 22/21kg.. after 6 months still killing my elbow and it just not right overall. Go back to off the shelf 285g team version with 6 grams balancer tape, 20/19kg and plays great! I have to go with what feela best. Excellent control, I do recommend this simple do it yourself setup. Even though it is "light", I can play some real tennis with it.
 

Play2win

Rookie
My next move is get the Lite version, silicone fill the handle and put 12, then 16, and 22g at 12. Keep the tension as is
 

morten

Hall of Fame
My next move is get the Lite version, silicone fill the handle and put 12, then 16, and 22g at 12. Keep the tension as is
Thats just too much lead and too much custumization in general, and 22g at 12 is insane, that is like 70 swingweight points increase.. ! You clearly don't know what you are doing, and these modifications will certainly not make more control, but a rocket launcher out of this world, and more sluggish that any pro racket ever. Unplayable imo. And it also gives an opposite advice to the OP about making the pure drive more controllable....
 

Play2win

Rookie
Not necesarily. I just demoed a strike for example and did not like it. And ai have used the pure control 25 years ago. Control comes from stability given by the mass behind the ball combined with the strings. Babolat was smart: drop the verall weight and polarize weight towarda the top. Take a Babolat Pure Drive Lite or at most Team and put 2 strips 3 grams each on each side on the inside of the top of the frame centered at 12 o'clock. String it with RPM blast 20kg mains and 19kg crosses or rpm mains at 20kg and natural gut at 20 kg crosses. You will feel good with this
 

morten

Hall of Fame
My next move is get the Lite version, silicone fill the handle and put 12, then 16, and 22g at 12. Keep the tension as is
Thats just too much lead and too much custumization in general, and 22g at 12 is insane, that is like 70 swingweight points increase.. ! You clearly don't know what you are doing, and these modifications will certainly not make more control, but a rocket launcher out of this world, and more sluggish that any pro racket ever. Unplayable imo. And it also gives an opposite advice to the OP about making the pure drive more controllable....
 

Internety

Rookie
Prepare early. Stay low. Don’t grip the racquet to tight. Keep your head still at contact point. And keep a nice racquet head acceleration
 

Pet_82

New User
I am thinking of swithcing to the Pure Aero 2023.
Do you think the Pure Aero 2023 is a more "agonistic" racquet compared to the Pure Drive and can give more control?
 

emhtennis

Hall of Fame
Best polys I have used so far that are low powered with good control and spin potential are:

Signum Firestorm 1.25 or 1.30
Kirschbaum Orange 1.23 or 1.28
Volkl Cyclone 1.25 or 1.30
Head Lynx Tour 1.25 or 1.30

Any of these should tone down the Pure Drive enough to be a "leashed weapon". If you're still having trouble your swing path is likely too linear.
 
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Play2win

Rookie
Based on your posts I do not think it matters what you will choose. They will all feel the same to you control comes from the player not the equipment up at so.e point. So just go by design and whateer you feel attracted to
 
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