I'm testing the RF97A 2016 and the 1hbh has been one of the high points, heavy penetrating balls, angles, you name it, I can do everything with it.Wilson PS 85
Yonex 95D
Recently tried the RF97 and so far it feels not bad. Still need to get used to it more to get a better sense of whether I like it or not overall.
What strings & tension are you using.I'm testing the RF97A 2016 and the 1hbh has been one of the high points, heavy penetrating balls, angles, you name it, I can do everything with it.
Synthetic gut at 52 lbs, it has been easy on my arm.What strings & tension are you using.
I have RPM 17g at 55 lbs but it feels slightly too harsh on my arm. Will probably restring with volkl at lower tension or use 18g string
I do not use synth gut anymore bc it breaks too quickly. I string my own racquets but am lazy.Synthetic gut at 52 lbs, it has been easy on my arm.
I think the best racquet for 1hbh is the one that fits you spec-wise. Having said that I’ve been playing tennis for over 30 years and my backhand has never been better than after switching to the tc95.
What weight/balance/SW are your TC95?
I think the best racquet for 1hbh is the one that fits you spec-wise. Having said that I’ve been playing tennis for over 30 years and my backhand has never been better than after switching to the tc95.
I agree on the TC95. I'm currently torn between my TC95s and Volkl V-Sense 10 325s, but the best 1hbh frames I've ever hit were the Dunlop 300G and 4D 300 Tour (both modified).
310gr/315mm and I've got both 63 and 70ra (299 and 293 swingweight respectively). 16x19
Also rely on my 1hbh topspin a lot and i find that i hit two very different backhands depending on the racket weight distibution.
If the weight is more in the throat like the vcore pro 330 i get a much more controlled shot that is easy to do on the defense but have difficulty getting enough whip to slay the ball when i want to hit a winner. With something more polarized, like the 93p or my customized pure strike i get much more of a whip which can let me hit bh winners easier, but i find it much harder to hit on the defense.
My choice basically came down to which is better for my forehand (polarized) since i can live with either.
Tragically I serve better with a nonpolarized racquet so there is no justice in this world.
IMO any thin beamed players frame with 11.5 oz plus wt, sw 320ish or more.
you described my favourite ype of racket. within those there are miriads little variants, but generally I can play well with any as long as it has the generic characteristics you mentioned.Interesting discussion. Long-time one-hander, 4.0-4.5 all courter here. In reading through this, and acknowledging that everyone is different and much depends on playing style and ability (and some racquets just work better than others for certain folks, despite specs that most others may prefer for one-handers), it seems like there is somewhat of a "pattern" in the specs of a racquet that might be best suited for intermediate/advanced players with a OHBH. I.e., and in general and without assigning any hardline numbers, seems to look something like this: smallish headsize (<98?), higher SW (320+), higher static weight (11.5+), thinner beam, fairly headlight, and control-oriented/tighter string patterns; and, or course, it has to look good! Thoughts?
Interesting discussion. Long-time one-hander, 4.0-4.5 all courter here. In reading through this, and acknowledging that everyone is different and much depends on playing style and ability (and some racquets just work better than others for certain folks, despite specs that most others may prefer for one-handers), it seems like there is somewhat of a "pattern" in the specs of a racquet that might be best suited for intermediate/advanced players with a OHBH. I.e., and in general and without assigning any hardline numbers, seems to look something like this: smallish headsize (<98?), higher SW (320+), higher static weight (11.5+), thinner beam, fairly headlight, and control-oriented/tighter string patterns; and, or course, it has to look good! Thoughts?
Volkl power bridge 10 midHi 1handers, fellow average 4.5 rated 1 hander here, probably my best groundstroke is my backhand as sad/strange as that sounds, any favorite sticks you all like to play with?
I've gone through some racket schizophrenia lately.
Right now I am experimenting with Yonex VC98 plus, great for serves, hit some decent backhands but not as dialed in yet with it. I also had some strange stiffness in the middle of my hitting hand perhaps getting used to the torque the plus racket put on my hand?
Tried Yonex VC95 and had some issues with feeling good about it, might need weight as others have mentioned, but I would prefer not to add another thing to tinker with and settle in on a stock racket, I think I can play ok without leading things up and I am very inexperienced with that.
Also played with Vcore pro, but would prefer a more closed string pattern, RF97 loved the backhand with that, and Pure Strike Tour which also had a great backhand response.
Wanted to brainstorm, maybe something 1handers can add some brainstorming too, any comments welcome.
Interesting discussion. Long-time one-hander, 4.0-4.5 all courter here. In reading through this, and acknowledging that everyone is different and much depends on playing style and ability (and some racquets just work better than others for certain folks, despite specs that most others may prefer for one-handers), it seems like there is somewhat of a "pattern" in the specs of a racquet that might be best suited for intermediate/advanced players with a OHBH. I.e., and in general and without assigning any hardline numbers, seems to look something like this: smallish headsize (<98?), higher SW (320+), higher static weight (11.5+), thinner beam, fairly headlight, and control-oriented/tighter string patterns; and, or course, it has to look good! Thoughts?
For my 1hbh I have determined having a too polarized set up is detrimental to consistency/control (too wristy-flickly), I have found in the new Blade that adding 9 grams or so from the 3.5-4 inch spot (above the bottom of frame) up to the 7 inch mark has made a big difference in my backhand stroke, now much smoother (less flick) and stroke seems much more "in sync" with my arms and body when I swing. Sorta hard to believe how much difference that has made for me, but I had been overswinging/over rotating with weight too much at the extreme ends of the frame, the weight up the handle has really helped "sync" my swing and now an easy smooth stroke results in a crushed backhandMy one handed backhand is better now that I switched to a weighted SW104. My problem was that I tended to get a bit too wristy leading up to contact and the extra length and a bit more swingweight have cut that down so I'm more consistent getting to the contact point. I may have lost a bit of top as a result, but I miss probably one-fourth less.
For my 1hbh I have determined having a too polarized set up is detrimental to consistency/control (too wristy-flickly), I have found in the new Blade that adding 9 grams or so from the 3.5-4 inch spot (above the bottom of frame) up to the 7 inch mark has made a big difference in my backhand stroke, now much smoother (less flick) and stroke seems much more "in sync" with my arms and body when I swing. Sorta hard to believe how much difference that has made for me, but I had been overswinging/over rotating with weight too much at the extreme ends of the frame, the weight up the handle has really helped "sync" my swing and now an easy smooth stroke results in a crushed backhand
Its very subjective as everyones strokes are different, I am using a 98s so I get the extra spin/launch angle built in - so reducing the polarization somewhat is actually a benefit as I still get plenty of spin/clearance but can really drive thru the ball as well with an easy smooth swing, FH "for me" works very well with this set up as wellI use a polarized setup and yes, there's a loss of control, but it's easier to hit topspin. Those flat shots down the line that land just inside the baseline - you don't have the control. But you can hit nice topspin with a loose wrist and maybe that topspin is as effective as the flat shots down the line. I find that the benefit to polarized is more on the forehand side and it's a detriment if you have an old-school classic 1HBH. The question is whether or not the tradeoff is worth it to you.
I don't want to start using lead, but I admire you all that have tried it out and found what really works for your games.
Its very subjective as everyones strokes are different, I am using a 98s so I get the extra spin/launch angle built in - so reducing the polarization somewhat is actually a benefit as I still get plenty of spin/clearance but can really drive thru the ball as well with an easy smooth swing, FH "for me" works very well with this set up as well
As I said we are all different, I am hitting my BH the best I have in yrs with the new Blade v 7 98s, just adding that weight from 3.5-7 inches and a bit in the throat really made a big difference, sorta has shocked me actually after 40 yrs of tennis (still a 4.5). Before I felt like my hand/arm was out of sync with racket tip/head which lead to some significant swing inconsistencies and being very erratic, I am still "adjusting" but an easy/smooth swing is now producing much better resultsI agree but I struggled quite a bit going from 90s to 95s on the backhand side and it took quite some time to figure out why. The accuracy just was not there are hard shots and the fix was changing my backhand stroke.
I already switch rackets too much, what if i added 1,000 more variables to mess with, I am afraid.Why so adverse to tinkering with your racket's swingweight/twistweight/balance?
One other thought, I am now 63, as I age timing and strength wane even though I work out constantly to stay fit and strong, but Father time does have his way. I think its getting harder as I age to have success/consistency with more "whippy/wristy strokes" and smoother and easier but still with good racket head speed are producing better results.I agree but I struggled quite a bit going from 90s to 95s on the backhand side and it took quite some time to figure out why. The accuracy just was not there are hard shots and the fix was changing my backhand stroke.
Phantom 93p 18x20.