Next Generation of Pro Staff is Here; Pro Staff RF 97 Review
- Thread starter drakulie
- Start date
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
I added a leather grip, 3.62 grams in buttcap, and 2 grams total at 3/9 to my Blade 93. It's now 12.5 ounces and approx 8 points headlight. RF97 is 12.6 ounces and 9 points headlight.
That's almost the exact specs of the RF97. I'll see how it hits tomorrow.
coolschreiber
Hall of Fame
Gotta stay away from TT ... I was firmly in the not buying another tennis racket camp but thinking I'll make an exception for this one. But think I'll resist till next year somehow :-(
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
what if you buy the lighter version of RF97 and pretend it is the 12 oz version and pummel Lefty with it instead ? would he call that cheating ?
realplayer
Semi-Pro
This question probably won't be answered because of few people who play with the angell or vantage rackets.
Maybe it's better to ask if the string spacing is comparable to the blx pro open?
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
I know that TW specs the swingweight of the Blade 93 at 333, but to me, it feels like it swings more like it's around 320.
I was going on the TW specs, but I do agree with you, feels so much lighter that 333 in the air. IMHO the K Blade Tour feels even lighter.
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
Any updates??? Curious to read your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
I've also hit with the xl pt57a, and the rf97 is much easier to get around the contact zone.
Reason they didn't go with a thin beam, is because Fed's frame is 22mm. Being this is an autograph version, it wouldn't make sense.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
I grabbed a demo today and swung it in the Air few times and it is very very heavy. Very heavy
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
So... in your mind, the Pro Staff Classic 6.1, and its successive line of "Six.One" aren't Pro Staffs?
I consider them in the pro staff family but when I think of pro staff I think more along the lines of the PS 85, the 90's, and the 95. All having very thin beams. PS 85 was my highschool racquet but moved onto the PSC for more pop. I would have loved to see the Fed frame at 17-18mm beam. Wish the PS 95 was not so light otherwise would have already demoed.
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
And what of the Pro Staff 6.0 95, is that too thick to be called a "Pro Staff".
Pro Staffs to me is a feeling, a sensation during impact that can't be broken down into numbers and specs. I'm sad that this new generation of "Pro Staff" is saying goodbye to the thin box beams, but if it still feels like a Pro Staff, then I can care less.
I don't remember exactly but I thought it had a 18mm beam, could be wrong. Yeah I hear you, I just love how manueverble the thin beam makes the racquet feel.
Say Chi Sin Lo
G.O.A.T.
It had a 20mm box.
Those resistance bands aren't gonna cut it for ya Fedace, better hit the free weights and eat your wheaties.
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
Hey Drakulie, I hit today with my modified Blade 93. It now swings even quicker, my shots are about 10mph faster and mishits have very little feedback on my arm. It's an even more solid stick. This is a huge plus. The added weight was negligible in terms of getting the racquet moving and I was able to hit an even harder ball with the same effort as stock.
Next i'm going to string my Blade with a full bed of NRG2 to see how that feels. I still want to get it a bit more softer. I've always been a 16 X 19 box beam guy so i'm still getting used to a tighter patterned flat beam in terms of feel.
I will say serving and overheads are sooooo easy with the Blade 93. I mean this stick is sooooo easy to swing. Even moreso with my mods. I'm just wondering if the RF97 could possibly be as easy to swing especially when serving. IDK if it's possible.
I do think the RF97 would feel more softer on my arm because of the 16 X 19 pattern in a larger head.
I can't wait to demo them side by side. If you were in CA I'd let you try out my modded Blade to get a comparison.
Thanks, i hope someone would do a review of it. I tried the steam 99s, and found the swing weight of too heavy, but i have no problems swinging the Wilson Pro Staff Tour 90 weird, maybe because its head light. thats why im very interested in the rf97 ls.
Reading the reviews for the steam 99ls it seemed to be a nice racket but customization is needed for it to be able to go against higher level players.
thanks
Candide
Hall of Fame
Here's the stats of the RF from an Australian tennis shop:
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Specifications
Strung Weight: 349g / 12.3oz
Length: 27in / 69cm
Head Size: 97 sq. in./ 625 sq. cm.
Balance: 9 pts head light
Swingweight: 329
Beam Width: Min: 22 mm Max: 22 mm
Composition: Graphite
Power Level: Low
Swing Speed: Fast
String Pattern: Mains = 16 crosses = 19
How to String: Head = 7, 9 Throat = 7, 9
String Tension: 50 lbs - 60 lbs
And then the non-autograph version:
Wilson Pro Staff 97 Specifications
Strung Weight: 331g / 11.7oz
Length: 27in / 69cm
Head Size: 97 sq. in./ 625 sq. cm.
Balance: 6 pts head light
Swingweight: 337
Beam Width: Min: 22 mm Max: 22 mm
Composition: Graphite
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Fast
String Pattern: Mains = 16 crosses = 19
How to String: Head = 8, 10 Throat = 8, 10
String Tension: 50 lbs - 60 lbs
This is interesting to me. Looks like both are quite close together according to these measurements. Just add a leather grip to the lighter one and she'd be good to go.
Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Specifications
Strung Weight: 349g / 12.3oz
Length: 27in / 69cm
Head Size: 97 sq. in./ 625 sq. cm.
Balance: 9 pts head light
Swingweight: 329
Beam Width: Min: 22 mm Max: 22 mm
Composition: Graphite
Power Level: Low
Swing Speed: Fast
String Pattern: Mains = 16 crosses = 19
How to String: Head = 7, 9 Throat = 7, 9
String Tension: 50 lbs - 60 lbs
And then the non-autograph version:
Wilson Pro Staff 97 Specifications
Strung Weight: 331g / 11.7oz
Length: 27in / 69cm
Head Size: 97 sq. in./ 625 sq. cm.
Balance: 6 pts head light
Swingweight: 337
Beam Width: Min: 22 mm Max: 22 mm
Composition: Graphite
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Fast
String Pattern: Mains = 16 crosses = 19
How to String: Head = 8, 10 Throat = 8, 10
String Tension: 50 lbs - 60 lbs
This is interesting to me. Looks like both are quite close together according to these measurements. Just add a leather grip to the lighter one and she'd be good to go.
Fed Kennedy
Legend
the stats on the autograph are wrong. 12.3?
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Wow, if those measured specs are indeed accurate then we can assume that Wilson's quality control hasn't improved much at all.
The swingweight on the Autograph version is 329 but it's 8 pts HIGHER at 337 on the lighter non-Autograph version? Really?
Candide
Hall of Fame
I thought the same thing when I saw them. I've seen similar things on other Oz sites but maybe they're just copying each other's figures. I'd love if the RF figures were right. I'd definitely have a crack at it at that weight and SW. Perhaps it's just sloppy measurement. Or it could be very sloppy QC which is also kind of interesting.
yangster007
Professional
Legendary Wilson quality control, the RF97 mass probably ranges from 11.9-12.9 strung, not even kidding. :evil:
Candide
Hall of Fame
Wow, if that's the case then it's definitely worth having a dig through the pile for one that suits. They're like whole bloody different racquets with that degree of variation. Amazing.
0d1n
Hall of Fame
WHAT ?? The stringing pattern is different in the lighter version (different skips) ??
yangster007
Professional
I bought 2 Pro Staff 95, one was 310g (10.9 oz) unstrung, the other was 325g (11.5 oz) strung. And even though both are 4 3/8, one felt more like 4 1/4, and other was true 4 3/8. I guess that says it all.
Strings usually raise the weight by about 15 grams (depending on the kind of strings) so the weight does not differ much if at all?
Geoff
Hall of Fame
Pre-ordered TWO!
Can't wait to read your review.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I don't think those stats are correct, or as suspected this is Wilson QC at its finest.
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
So the written TW review is up for the RF97. Just as I thought the ratings are very similar to my Blade 93. Blade 93 final rating: 87 RF97 final rating: 88
The RF97 got low scores for Maneuverability.
The RF97 got low scores for Maneuverability.
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
those published numbers can't be correct. Very interesting if they are.
as for all the over-exaggerating of the "Wilson Quality Control", lets keep things in perspective. For starters, every company has a tolerance that is acceptable to them. If it falls within thier tolerance, then there is no "quality control" issue. I have rarely, if ever picked up and diagnosed two racquets from any company, and come up with the same stats. It is extremely rare. Yes, including Yonex. For this reason, companies like TW, take the average of a few racquets before publishing their specs. This is done on all brands by TW, not just Wilson.
If we want to harp on "quality", we could definitely argue that wilson has historically had probems with paint chipping. But no racquet in the world has worse "quality" than babolat, who's frames break prematurely, grommets fall apart consistently, and butt cap come loose. They have a monopoly on all three of the aformentioned, and are the most sold racquet brand in the world. So again, lets keep things in perspective.
as for all the over-exaggerating of the "Wilson Quality Control", lets keep things in perspective. For starters, every company has a tolerance that is acceptable to them. If it falls within thier tolerance, then there is no "quality control" issue. I have rarely, if ever picked up and diagnosed two racquets from any company, and come up with the same stats. It is extremely rare. Yes, including Yonex. For this reason, companies like TW, take the average of a few racquets before publishing their specs. This is done on all brands by TW, not just Wilson.
If we want to harp on "quality", we could definitely argue that wilson has historically had probems with paint chipping. But no racquet in the world has worse "quality" than babolat, who's frames break prematurely, grommets fall apart consistently, and butt cap come loose. They have a monopoly on all three of the aformentioned, and are the most sold racquet brand in the world. So again, lets keep things in perspective.
Candide
Hall of Fame
I agree that these numbers look odd. But I'm going to head into that store soon and get them to put a few on a scale for me. If they have an RF that matches those stats I will definitely be buying it. I'm not sure why Wilson wouldn't have made the stick a couple of clicks more headlight for the regular players. If all four testers in this TW review (all of whom are way better than me) found it too much for them then there's no way I'm going to be able to use it efficiently in competition. Large margins of tolerance for weight might just make it good for me though. So maybe it's a good thing. Jack Spratt and all that...
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
agreed. But remember, the frame TW play-tested is 9 pts hl, as is the one I play-tested. We also came up with the exact sam RA rating at 68 (strung). (talking about the autograph version). I'm more questioning the non-autograph numbers. But in the end, just go to your local store or request form TW to find you a lighter one out of the batch.
A few days ago, I hit hit with the Yonex 330 to refresh my memory since people were asking me to do a comparison. After hitting with it, I remembered that I didn't like the swing weight on it (felt very hefty to get around). When I put it on the RDC, is got a 345 sw, which is way higher that TW rating. I got another one form our store, and it had a 331 sw. So, here you have an example of a company which is suppose to have great "quality control", and two frames that are miles apart in spec.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
Buy them at the USO and add $200.. what a joke
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
It's called "supply and demand market economics".
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Pre-ordered TWO!
Of course!
Are they doing matched pairs? Hope you are well my friend! BHBH
aimr75
Hall of Fame
its called being a fool if you buy those when they will be available en masse within a short period of time.. and lets not even talk about the rf97's that will flood the classifieds shortly after too
RF97 scores 88 in the power section. Unbelievable... Judging from the score the RF97 would be somewhat an enlarged KPS88
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Sander001
Hall of Fame
Put some 18 gauge string in it, you'll definitely feel it swing lighter.
yangster007
Professional
No, they were both strung w/o overgrip and has the original Pro Hybrid Grip.
yangster007
Professional
Never believe in TW review scores.
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