Hey all. I’m demo’ing a pro staff 97 v13 (not the RF) and 3 different hitting partners commented that it was a stiff racquet. Maybe they see it and assume it’s the RF model which is slightly stiffer? I don’t consider the racquet stiff and curious if others hear this comment from other Rec players as well?
Pro staff 97 - reputation as a stiff racquet??
- Thread starter shadow01
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Dragy
Hall of Fame
I've tried original red-black PS97, with rather old and loose poly in it though. It felt solid and moderately comfy switchinf from leaded up Ultra Tour (with fresher and stiffer strhgjob though). Didn't feel particularly stiff or harsh.
However, it was like a 5-6 yo frame which was through lots of ball striking, so could've been softened up?
However, it was like a 5-6 yo frame which was through lots of ball striking, so could've been softened up?
ariwibowo
New User
Agree with Djinn, stiffness is in between. But can be stiff for some (tennisnerd review), plus the idea of adding countervail was to reduce the stiffness but not successful because it reduces the feel. With v13, the pattern is tighter to answer some reviews that said it can be unpredictable outside sweetspot and turns out it reduce the power, not sure if it adds to stiffness. I guess the braid 45 is to keep the stiffness same as previous versions.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-the pro staff lines on recent past 6 years is stiff, for a wilson
-not as stiff as a BURN or ULTRA, but def. crisper-feel than a BLADE
-the impact can be mitigated with lowering string tensions, softer strings, and or hybrid setups!!
-not as stiff as a BURN or ULTRA, but def. crisper-feel than a BLADE
-the impact can be mitigated with lowering string tensions, softer strings, and or hybrid setups!!
Wilson has a deep lineup of racquets. Historically I thought of Wilson racquets as stiff. Kinda like how most players see Babolat today. Now I mainly think of Wilson as a marketing firm lacking quality control... or simply a mass producer of racquets.
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fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
I have two generations of this frame - the 2015/2016(?) version with a lot of red on the hoop and also last year's version with the red patches at 3/9 o'clock. I agree that these are moderately stiff, but not crazy rigid. I picked up a couple of 2nd hand Blade 98 16x19's from the 2015 generation that seemed to have an extra degree of softness compared with the PS 97's.
I also have a couple of Babolats in a loaner bag, including a Pure Drive and Pure Aero. Those are definitely a step up on the stiffness scale compared with my ProStaff 97's.
I typically play with Volkl C10's that have a little weight added to their handles. I get a supremely comfortable ride with my Volkls, both because of their extra heft and stability through the ball and also because they have a stiffness rating down around 63. C10's are known for having a bit of "hoop flex" that isn't typical with many other frames and this design aspect seems to give these particular Volkls an even softer personality than their stiffness ratings would indicate.
I only mention this because I'm sure that if my C10's were the only frames I used for a year of two and then I were to sample the PS 97, the Wilson would feel pretty stiff for me. Because the PS 97 has less inherent stability through the ball compared with the heavier RF 97, I'd bet that any comparison of those two frames would give the impression that the PS 97 is pretty stiff. Strung with a full bed of syn. gut at maybe 55 or 56 lbs. felt okay for me, but I tried one set up with a poly hybrid and that felt like a rock.
I mean, the Pro Staff Classic 6.1 had an RA of 72, so not really added stiffness.
Roland G
Hall of Fame
I wouldn't describe it as stiff. It's medium stiffness and has a bit of crispness to it but not one of the stiffer options i've tried. It's also got a fairly open pattern so with a softer string it's a reasonably comfortable frame
Thanks all. I did end up trying the blade again - I want to like this racquet but every time I try it - I just can’t like how flexible it is. Too soft for me.
I’m liking the PS 97 v13 so far. The 97 sqinch frame is taking a bit of getting used to coming from 100. A few more frames shots here and there.
I like the stiffness and blend of power and control that I get with it. My BH on the PS >> Blade.
I’m liking the PS 97 v13 so far. The 97 sqinch frame is taking a bit of getting used to coming from 100. A few more frames shots here and there.
I like the stiffness and blend of power and control that I get with it. My BH on the PS >> Blade.
Likely just a timing difference in swing speed. It will go away with time. Most non Wilson users will find the racquet a little stiff. Only thing that maters is do you like it and can you play with it.
AmericanTwist
New User
I really like my original PS 97's (Mostly red/bit of black). I don't have any problems with the string bed. Every racquet has a sweet spot. It's actually great for hitting flat shots in addition to spin shots. Very solid. Much of racquet performance depends on string selection and tension. PS 97 is no different. Using Gosen Sheep Micro 18 at 51. Racquet is medium stiff. You dial down the stiffness with softer string at lower tensions.
shamaho
Professional
Also using the original ones. What do you do for grommets ? how are your knot tying grommets ? on one of them, they are torn so without tubing the string would make contact with the frame... and inserting that last string to tie the knot on a hole with with tubing is a royal PITA that takes forever....
AmericanTwist
New User
My grommets are still pretty good as low mileage on my frames. I don't use poly so they don't get super squashed. There have got to be grommets out there for replacements? I haven't checked...