Official Pro Staff 97 Club!!

Ic, not underpowered for me, but i like low tension multis, like 45 lbs. I also use head guard tape, about 2grams at the hoop.
 
Has anyone made the swap from an aero pro drive? I borrowed one of my mate's PS97 on monday and I thought it was fantastic in every department. I specifically thought that volleys were more solid at the net and I could easily change the direction of the ball on both the forehand and backhand. Seriously debating whether to buy one. Currently possess an RF97A, however I, like most people, find it a tad too heavy
 
morten said:
do it. for me much better than the 98
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A fellow board member has the 95 on demo at the moment and also likes it a lot. More so than the new Textreme 100p that he thought he would like. Will order up a TT Europe demo. Not sure me and the PS97 have a future together.
 
ProStaff forever said:
I'm joining in the club! Just got my PS97 yesterday and immediately celebrated with a an open ceremony victory hehe. Transitioning from the PS90 was okay: much better control, reach and power, especially mental on the volleys. Guys commented on my immediate improvement of my game. However still finding it hard to dial in my first serve, I'm able to summon my first serves with the 90 at will. However second serves were noticeably more potent with extra spin, velocity and kick. Much more comfortable on the single backhand but not so sure with the forehand ESP on the approach shots which I consider it the best and most excelling shot of my game with the 90. Hopefully I can work something out with this stick.
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Still playing with this or have you moved on? If you're still with it, how's it working out for you?
smirker said:
You might find it needs lead. Have one with leather and 6g of lead spread from 10-2 across the upper hoop. Helps to promote a solid feel whilst keeping a hl balance. Also have 4g top of handle. 355g and 8 points hl. The other is pretty much stock except for 2g at 12. Need to decide which I prefer. Also enjoying the PS85 right now in stock form.
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Roland G said:
Still playing with this or have you moved on? If you're still with it, how's it working out for you?
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Thanks for asking. It's been a few months after using this stick now. I have a really bad habit of switching among my 3 prostaffs: will always habitually start off with the PS90 in warms ups playing mini-tennis: the question to myself will always be why can't I translate my mini-tennis hitting into my full-court game, which was such a shame.

But anyway, needless to say it became a whole different story when hitting at baseline. I will try to stick to the 90, but sooner or later it is apparent that I just don't have the Roger Federer game to excel with the 90 and will switch to my old faithful 95 classic, which I personally find is the perfect racquet custom made racquet for me. After 15 years the racquet still plays like and feels like yesterday, everything is intuitive, and I serve best with this racquet.

After I had enough fun i'll try to convince myself I will find the same fulfilment with the 97. I'd hit with it, spin and control just immediately bumps up 20%, backhand feels even more potent, and occasional perfectly hit sweetspots give the most orgasmic feel ever. BUT, sadly I just struggled to have fun and find a rewarding game with this racquet. The essence of tennis is lost with this racquet. You know some of the balls you obviously had bad or out of preparation but it will still land in and give a hard time to your opponents.

To summarise: if you need to win, use the 97. If you want to enjoy a good classic doubles game, use the 95. If you want to compare yourself to Roger Federer, use the 90.
 
ProStaff forever said:
Thanks for asking. It's been a few months after using this stick now. I have a really bad habit of switching among my 3 prostaffs: will always habitually start off with the PS90 in warms ups playing mini-tennis: the question to myself will always be why can't I translate my mini-tennis hitting into my full-court game, which was such a shame.

But anyway, needless to say it became a whole different story when hitting at baseline. I will try to stick to the 90, but sooner or later it is apparent that I just don't have the Roger Federer game to excel with the 90 and will switch to my old faithful 95 classic, which I personally find is the perfect racquet custom made racquet for me. After 15 years the racquet still plays like and feels like yesterday, everything is intuitive, and I serve best with this racquet.

After I had enough fun i'll try to convince myself I will find the same fulfilment with the 97. I'd hit with it, spin and control just immediately bumps up 20%, backhand feels even more potent, and occasional perfectly hit sweetspots give the most orgasmic feel ever. BUT, sadly I just struggled to have fun and find a rewarding game with this racquet. The essence of tennis is lost with this racquet. You know some of the balls you obviously had bad or out of preparation but it will still land in and give a hard time to your opponents.

To summarise: if you need to win, use the 97. If you want to enjoy a good classic doubles game, use the 95. If you want to compare yourself to Roger Federer, use the 90.
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Excellent! Many thanks for this. I especially like your summary at the end, so well put. After reading that, I want to go out and get pairs of 95's & 97's.

Ok, last questions - can you tell me what mods you have made to the 95? Is it as underpowered in stock form as I'm lead to believe?
 
Roland G said:
Excellent! Many thanks for this. I especially like your summary at the end, so well put. After reading that, I want to go out and get pairs of 95's & 97's.

Ok, last questions - can you tell me what mods you have made to the 95? Is it as underpowered in stock form as I'm lead to believe?
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Glad you find it informative lol. Honestly I don't really tinker my racquets, they're all in stock form. Not too sure if the latest 95s plays the same as the classic. I've tried the blx version, feels like a toy compared to the kevlar build of the classic.

I'm so tempted to replace the synthetic grip with leather, but scared I'll regret it. Personally nothing wraps perfectly than the original replacement grips that come with your racquet. You can try demo the 97 first before you get it who knows your not at picky as me and can enjoy it as it is.
 
I've never used a racquet that wasn't improved by the addition of a leather grip. If you wrap it carefully it should be nice and smooth and you'll really notice the bevels when playing. For me, it's an essential upgrade that really improves the feel of a frame.
 
Roland G said:
Still playing with this or have you moved on? If you're still with it, how's it working out for you?
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Yes, I still have one PS97 but I traded the other for a Babolat Pure Control Tour which I like more to be honest. More feel and plays a bit softer than the PS97.
 
nickellwood said:
Has anyone made the swap from an aero pro drive? I borrowed one of my mate's PS97 on monday and I thought it was fantastic in every department. I specifically thought that volleys were more solid at the net and I could easily change the direction of the ball on both the forehand and backhand. Seriously debating whether to buy one. Currently possess an RF97A, however I, like most people, find it a tad too heavy
Click to expand...
smirker said:
Yes, I still have one PS97 but I traded the other for a Babolat Pure Control Tour which I like more to be honest. More feel and plays a bit softer than the PS97.
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I go back and forth so I might be able to answer this or confuse the heck out of you. I played for years with the APD and as I started progressing to an all court game, I wanted a more stable and versatile racquet. I went with the RF-97 and loved it but found it too demanding for long matches and lost a little something on my kick serve due to weight. The Ps-97 was a natural choice. I find it better than the APD at 1/2 volleys, volleys and 1st serves. I do not like the grip or my forehand with it. It's a little too flat. The feel of the ball is much better. However with racquets, you can't get something without giving something up. The APD is a better ground stroke machine and I get much more jump off of my 2nd serve. Returns are much better with the APD as well, but only if I swing at them. The PS-97 is way better at chip returns.

I think it depends on where you spend most of your time. If you are a finesse player and spend the majority of your time inside the baseline, the PS-97 might be a better choice. If you spend more time on the baseline, depend on spin and are not the soft-hands, super drop shot type the APD might be better.
 
Roland G said:
I've never used a racquet that wasn't improved by the addition of a leather grip. If you wrap it carefully it should be nice and smooth and you'll really notice the bevels when playing. For me, it's an essential upgrade that really improves the feel of a frame.
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Really? First thing I did when I got my 97S in was get rid of the leather grip.
 
Ok, so I've got my PS97 and joined the club (if there any members left!) Will get it strung up next week and get it out on court.
 
Anyone ever try modding the 97LS, I like it at net and serves but after trying the 97, I needed more on ground strokes. Though net and serves are not as nice with the 97 in comparison.
 
ECchamp said:
Anyone ever try modding the 97LS, I like it at net and serves but after trying the 97, I needed more on ground strokes. Though net and serves are not as nice with the 97 in comparison.
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I have both and have settled on the PS97. Initially I liked the 97LS better, then tweaked it with 10g of silicone in the handle, plus an overgrip and about 6g of lead at 3 & 9. It played well for me, but the more I played with the PS97 the more I appreciated it. Shots were more penetrating with the PS97 and didn't sit up as much. The PS97 also felt more solid even though the spec were almost identical. I probably don't have a fast enough swing speed to take full advantage of the Spin Effect string pattern.

Interestingly I moved onto the Ai98 and while I played well with it and preferred the feel, flex and larger sweetspot, my results weren't as good. In my doubles league matches the past two weeks I have switched between the Ai98 and the PS97 and there is no doubt I get more free points on my serve (which isn't a strong point for me), as well as forced errors from my opponents. The big change for me with the PS97 was changing out the stock grip to a shock shield grip, which gave me that slight more headlight balance through the additional weight plus some added comfort, which has benefited my effectiveness with it.
 
Can any Pro Staff 97 users (if there are any left. I understand this thread is more than six months old and most contributors will have switched frames several times by now [emoji1] )comment on what string set-ups have worked best for them? Thanks
 
Pacific tough gut mains @57 & lux 16ga @52 works great; also your fav poly mains with multi x. I use genesis hex & thunderblast. 52/57 also.
 
Similar to others, hybrid vs gut in mains and pro hurricane in crosses, 54/52 tension. I only had full bed 4g in it prior and liked the results but it started bothering my arm quickly
 
I tried Silverstring (full bed) in my PS97. Nice feel, power and comfort just not as spin-friendly as I'd like. Volkl Cyclone was much better and Ultra Cable better again.
 
It's been 5 months now after using the PS97, God knows how long the ripspin strings have been strung as I got it used. Balls tend to fly now not sure if the tension has dropped dramatically or the string is now officially dead. But one thing I can assure you is if you're looking for an indestructible string, Ripspin is the solution: no notching up to this point, just that it's lost its elasticity in order to snap back, which requires me to manually adjust the strings. I think it's probably time for a string job.

Just to put things into perspective, I noticed I can swing freely with my PS90 without having to worry it flying out and service is definitely more natural, as if I'm swatting a squash or a badminton racquet. I couldn't have the same freedom as the PS97. Hopefully it's just the strings.
 
Wow can't believe I finally found PS 97 fans club.

Well I have tried so many different frames in last few months.

- wilson pro staff 100
- wilson pro staff 95s
- wilson blade 98
- wilson juice 100
- yonex vcore 100
- babolat aeropro drive
- prince 03 100


I must say the pro staff 97 is the best of the lot. It plays absolutely fantastic.

The only issue is I have got little elbow problem and after 2 hours of play it starts to hurt .

Can anyone recommend what can be done to eliminate elbow pain and still be able to play with my pro staff 97[emoji3]
 
mohsinyahya said:
Wow can't believe I finally found PS 97 fans club.

Well I have tried so many different frames in last few months.

- wilson pro staff 100
- wilson pro staff 95s
- wilson blade 98
- wilson juice 100
- yonex vcore 100
- babolat aeropro drive
- prince 03 100


I must say the pro staff 97 is the best of the lot. It plays absolutely fantastic.

The only issue is I have got little elbow problem and after 2 hours of play it starts to hurt .

Can anyone recommend what can be done to eliminate elbow pain and still be able to play with my pro staff 97[emoji3]
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I've just left my pair of PS97's in for stringing with Sonic Pro Edge/Mantis Comfort Synthetic. I'm hoping that will be an extremely arm-friendly set-up. Will report back.
 
Last edited:
mohsinyahya said:
Wow can't believe I finally found PS 97 fans club.

The only issue is I have got little elbow problem and after 2 hours of play it starts to hurt .

Can anyone recommend what can be done to eliminate elbow pain and still be able to play with my pro staff 97[emoji3]
Click to expand...

What are you stringing with currently?
 
ProStaff forever said:
It's been 5 months now after using the PS97, God knows how long the ripspin strings have been strung as I got it used. Balls tend to fly now not sure if the tension has dropped dramatically or the string is now officially dead. But one thing I can assure you is if you're looking for an indestructible string, Ripspin is the solution: no notching up to this point, just that it's lost its elasticity in order to snap back, which requires me to manually adjust the strings. I think it's probably time for a string job.

Just to put things into perspective, I noticed I can swing freely with my PS90 without having to worry it flying out and service is definitely more natural, as if I'm swatting a squash or a badminton racquet. I couldn't have the same freedom as the PS97. Hopefully it's just the strings.
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If the Ripspin hasn't notched but it's staying out of place, it's definitely lost too much tension/elasticity. Definitely get it restrung. Ripspin and its successor, Revolve, are indeed pretty durable for a modern soft co-poly in my experience. However, even if you restring the PS97, it's still going to be more powerful than the PS90 because of the larger head and thicker beam. You will need to string tighter than what you normally string for the PS90, assuming the same strings.
 
mohsinyahya said:
I had it strung with wilson sensation @55lb.

Then I tried with rpm team at 54lb.

Both have causing pain but nonetheless, I'm winning away my matches [emoji3]
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The PS97 can be a bit jarring out of the sweet area. The power zone can be enlarged and comfort increased with a softer multi(ish) cross, such as Prince Premier Control or Bab Spiraltec at around 54.
One of newer poly mains such as Lynx or Revolve makes a fine main string. Tailor power with the mains tension.
 
Thanks for your insight. I will definitely give this combination a try. I was also thinking of using head velocity mlt full bed @ 54lbs. What's your suggestion ?
 
mohsinyahya said:
Thanks for your insight. I will definitely give this combination a try. I was also thinking of using head velocity mlt full bed @ 54lbs. What's your suggestion ?
Click to expand...

Each player and racquet will need a different string setup to provide the best combination of power and spin. Generally for me, a full multi solution is too high powered.
Several of the new polys, like Lynx and Hyper-G, are soft enough to use with impunity in a hybrid setup for almost anyone.
 
I found the PS 97 to be have a smaller sweet spot than then Blade 98 and ball trajectory was flatter compared to the Blade 98. However, it definitely had zip when you hit groundstrokes with it.
 
I keep on going back to blade 104 (2015). It's just so easy on my arm to hit back big returns, volley is beautiful at net but definitely not much plow through on serves. I am thinking to add 3 grams at 9 and 3 I clock, to have little more mass behind on serve and back hand. Do you guys think that would be beneficial considering, I have tennis elbow issues ?
 
mohsinyahya said:
Wow can't believe I finally found PS 97 fans club.

Well I have tried so many different frames in last few months.

- wilson pro staff 100
- wilson pro staff 95s
- wilson blade 98
- wilson juice 100
- yonex vcore 100
- babolat aeropro drive
- prince 03 100


I must say the pro staff 97 is the best of the lot. It plays absolutely fantastic.

The only issue is I have got little elbow problem and after 2 hours of play it starts to hurt .

Can anyone recommend what can be done to eliminate elbow pain and still be able to play with my pro staff 97[emoji3]
Click to expand...
You could definitely try Sonic Pro Edge crossed with a multi such as Mantis Comfort Synthetic. I've had my PS97's strung with that at 47/51 and they are extremely nice feeling and comfortable. I would probably up the tension though as it's quite a powerful set-up
 
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