Pro Staff 95 vs new Pro Staff 97

[Serve&Bash]

How do these two rackets compare feel-wise? They are both a light 11.6 oz strung. The construction of the frame seems drastically different, given the 97's thicker beam, higher swingweight, and stiffness. I just started using the Pro Staff 95 a month ago. I like the frame enough to consider buying a second one to make it my permanent racquet. But with that money, I am tempted to jump up and get the 97 instead. Would you folks out there who have used both frames recommend this or should I not even try because the 97 is a radically different stick than the 95?

 

[oble]

I have used the PS95BLX for quite long, but I did demo the PS97 and I found the PS97 to be a slightly stiffer feeling and slightly more forgiving PS95. The PS97 has a bit more power and more stable on slightly off-center shots. The 95 feels a little better for net play and touch shots.

 

[Serve&Bash]

I have used the PS95BLX for quite long, but I did demo the PS97 and I found the PS97 to be a slightly stiffer feeling and slightly more forgiving PS95. The PS97 has a bit more power and more stable on slightly off-center shots. The 95 feels a little better for net play and touch shots.

Hello! Thanks for your reply. Interesting. What did you think about the serving with the PS97? I played with 90 for years and I had learned how to serve effectively with it. Ever since I have switched to the PS95, which is significantly lighter, I just have a very inconsistent 1st serve. I can seldom hit flat serves accurately.

 

[elga]

What did you think about the serving with the PS97? I played with 90 for years and I had learned how to serve effectively with it. Ever since I have switched to the PS95, which is significantly lighter, I just have a very inconsistent 1st serve. I can seldom hit flat serves accurately.

Serves with the PS97 are spot on for me. Flat serves have lots of power and accuracy and can really hit some bombs with it if you want to. Spin on the serves is also very accessible. I hit with my buddy's PS95 a few times and the PS97 blows it away for me. I'm kind of comparing apples and oranges since his PS95 was stock and I threw some weight on the PS97 (it's now 12.1 oz)

 

[Sardines]

I think your issue is that the PS95 is a lighter, lower swing weight and lower powered racquet compared to the PS90. Flat serves benefit from a heavier racquet. I use the RF97, which is sort of like the bigger head version of the PS90 in specs but doesn't feel as good. The RF97 allows me a bit more bite and power on serves, but the primary benefits are more consistently powerful(bigger) serves at the end of 3 long sets than with the PS90, where I still have to generate racquet speed.

Btw, the PS95 are going for $99 a piece on sale. That's 2 PS95 for 1 PS97.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Pro_Staff_95/descpageRCWILSON-PS95.html

 

[oble]

Hello! Thanks for your reply. Interesting. What did you think about the serving with the PS97? I played with 90 for years and I had learned how to serve effectively with it. Ever since I have switched to the PS95, which is significantly lighter, I just have a very inconsistent 1st serve. I can seldom hit flat serves accurately.

I'd say the PS97 is a little easier to serve with. The 95 has a deader upper hoop (due to flex, thickness and lack of mass) so if you tend to hit the ball higher up on the string bed when you serve, you'll find that the 95 will struggle a little. Nothing a gram or two of lead at either 12 o'clock or 2/10 o'clock can't fix though.

 

[Dominic]

I have played with the PS95 and PS97 (quite a bit). To me these are both great rackets, but quite different. The 97 has a lot of power and much more plow thru. The 95 has a lot lower swingweight and you really notice it when trading groundstrokes with a heavy hitter. The 95 is however just lovely for control and touch, where the 97 is more of a bully with lots of power. I have years with the sixone95 (16x18) and the 97 feels similar to the SixOne Series. Hope this helps.

 

[Serve&Bash]

I have played with the PS95 and PS97 (quite a bit). To me these are both great rackets, but quite different. The 97 has a lot of power and much more plow thru. The 95 has a lot lower swingweight and you really notice it when trading groundstrokes with a heavy hitter. The 95 is however just lovely for control and touch, where the 97 is more of a bully with lots of power. I have years with the sixone95 (16x18) and the 97 feels similar to the SixOne Series. Hope this helps.

Thanks, that is perfect. Now I am extra confident I made the right choice by ordering another 95 yesterday. I had a six-one 95 earlier this year when I was looking to replace my 90, but i really did not enjoy using that racket. If the 97 was more of that, then I am happy I steered clear. Also, the 95 is only for 99 bucks now like someone mentioned earlier in this thread.