Pro Staff v14 X vs Shift 99 Pro

[time_fly]

If you read my review of the Pro Staff v14 97, you know that I’m currently playing the Shift 99 300g prototype. But I liked a lot of things about the PS 97: the plow through, comfort, and stability. I find the 300g Shift a little hard on my arm, whereas I had no trouble with the PS 97. However, it’s undeniable that the PS 97 is more work and less forgiving without necessarily hitting a better ball, at least in my hands.

I’m sort of wondering if the next step on my racquet journey would be to try the new PS v14 X or the 315g Shift Pro as a compromise between the two. I am resisting the Shift Pro a bit because I usually don’t like 18x20, but I suspect it will still have more free spin and power than the PS X. Anyone played both and have any comments on how they compare?

 

[colan5934]

If you read my review of the Pro Staff v14 97, you know that I’m currently playing the Shift 99 300g prototype. But I liked a lot of things about the PS 97: the plow through, comfort, and stability. I find the 300g Shift a little hard on my arm, whereas I had no trouble with the PS 97. However, it’s undeniable that the PS 97 is more work and less forgiving without necessarily hitting a better ball, at least in my hands.

I’m sort of wondering if the next step on my racquet journey would be to try the new PS v14 X or the 315g Shift Pro as a compromise between the two. I am resisting the Shift Pro a bit because I usually don’t like 18x20, but I suspect it will still have more free spin and power than the PS X. Anyone played both and have any comments on how they compare?

To me the X was a clunkier pro staff 97. Sure there’s a little more pop, but the frame is made for control. Some might love it. The shift pro has power - more than either pro staff - and was built for spin and achieves its control through that.

I do not find 18x20 lacking in spin at all and prefer the more responsive stringbed. It feels like the ball goes exactly where I want whereas the 16x20 sends it where I told it to but sometimes I had to be extra careful to not send it long. I’m enjoying the shift pro with a leather much more than the pro staff 97 or X and usually love racquets in the pro staff 97 spec range (controlled, thin beam, heavy, headlight).

Of course this is my subjective experience. Take it for what it’s worth. YMMV and the best way to know is to demo. I don’t think you’ll find the shift pro lacking in what makes the shift 99 so nice for you though.

 

[Deleted member 775108]

If you read my review of the Pro Staff v14 97, you know that I’m currently playing the Shift 99 300g prototype. But I liked a lot of things about the PS 97: the plow through, comfort, and stability. I find the 300g Shift a little hard on my arm, whereas I had no trouble with the PS 97. However, it’s undeniable that the PS 97 is more work and less forgiving without necessarily hitting a better ball, at least in my hands.

I’m sort of wondering if the next step on my racquet journey would be to try the new PS v14 X or the 315g Shift Pro as a compromise between the two. I am resisting the Shift Pro a bit because I usually don’t like 18x20, but I suspect it will still have more free spin and power than the PS X. Anyone played both and have any comments on how they compare?

Shift 99 Pro all the way! I bought the Pro Staff 97 v14 but the Shift 99 Pro is what I should have gotten instead.

This video might help a little - Surina is a level above most racquet reviewers because of her history and technique. @colan5934 hits a better ball that her though! Seriously he is a beast.

 

[colan5934]

Shift 99 Pro all the way! I bought the Pro Staff 97 v14 but the Shift 99 Pro is what I should have gotten instead.

This video might help a little - Surina is a level above most racquet reviewers because of her history and technique. @colan5934 hits a better ball that her though! Seriously he is a beast.

Ha! I certainly don’t hit a better ball than a former WTA top-50 doubles (near top-100 singles) pro. Too complimentary sir

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Ha! I certainly don’t hit a better ball than a former WTA top-50 doubles (near top-100 singles) pro. Too complimentary sir

She is 45 yrs old now so it is certainly plausible.

 

[colan5934]

She is 45 yrs old now so it is certainly plausible.

Possible for some, but I’m not that guy haha

 

[Fighting phoenix]

I'm a regular user of the Shift 315 (ie Pro) and was on the Pro Staff play test (got the X). I would say that I really like both racquets, but in the end I value the easier power and spin that I get with the Pro vs. the X - as others have said, despite the dense 18x20 pattern, it really is easy to generate monster spin on forehands and cutting slice backhands with the Shift Pro. The X is just fine on spin, but sacrifices power for great feel, touch, and is incredible control oriented and stable. Really depends on what you're looking for, but for me the Shift just helps lift my game to a higher level than a racquet like the X with better power and spin, but still with really good feel and control.

 

[johnmccabe]

To me the X was a clunkier pro staff 97. Sure there’s a little more pop, but the frame is made for control. Some might love it. The shift pro has power - more than either pro staff - and was built for spin and achieves its control through that.

I do not find 18x20 lacking in spin at all and prefer the more responsive stringbed. It feels like the ball goes exactly where I want whereas the 16x20 sends it where I told it to but sometimes I had to be extra careful to not send it long. I’m enjoying the shift pro with a leather much more than the pro staff 97 or X and usually love racquets in the pro staff 97 spec range (controlled, thin beam, heavy, headlight).

Of course this is my subjective experience. Take it for what it’s worth. YMMV and the best way to know is to demo. I don’t think you’ll find the shift pro lacking in what makes the shift 99 so nice for you though.

The shift pro stiffness seems a little daunting in a heavy 18x20 frame

 

[colan5934]

The shift pro stiffness seems a little daunting in a heavy 18x20 frame

More mass is almost always better for arm health assuming you can use it without fatiguing. If you hit the center of the strings with good technique, pretty much anything is fine unless you have an injury or structural abnormality. But if you’re talking about the ability to use heavier frames without getting tired, that’s a different issue than the frame being too stiff.

Also the RA measurement is a single spot on the racquet and isn’t fully indicative of the arm friendliness or feel of the frame. The shift is quite flexible without being noodly. I use a leather grip and ALU power between 52 and 54 with no wrist pain. Babolats, speeds, radicals, and ultras all flare my wrist (I have a slight structural abnormality and previous injuries) stock or weighted, even with synthetic grips and lower tensions. Speeds read 62ish at the throat, but the racquet plays firmer and crisp overall to me.

The best way to know is to demo.

 

[johnmccabe]

More mass is almost always better for arm health assuming you can use it without fatiguing. If you hit the center of the strings with good technique, pretty much anything is fine unless you have an injury or structural abnormality. But if you’re talking about the ability to use heavier frames without getting tired, that’s a different issue than the frame being too stiff.

Also the RA measurement is a single spot on the racquet and isn’t fully indicative of the arm friendliness or feel of the frame. The shift is quite flexible without being noodly. I use a leather grip and ALU power between 52 and 54 with no wrist pain. Babolats, speeds, radicals, and ultras all flare my wrist (I have a slight structural abnormality and previous injuries) stock or weighted, even with synthetic grips and lower tensions. Speeds read 62ish at the throat, but the racquet plays firmer and crisp overall to me.

The best way to know is to demo.

Sounds good. On my list.

 

[time_fly]

Shift 99 Pro all the way! I bought the Pro Staff 97 v14 but the Shift 99 Pro is what I should have gotten instead.

This video might help a little - Surina is a level above most racquet reviewers because of her history and technique. @colan5934 hits a better ball that her though! Seriously he is a beast.

Pro or not, it drives me a little crazy that her forehand is stance is so open that her racquet side foot is often in front of her off side when she starts her swing. You can certainly get power from shoulder-hip separation with that setup but you get no body weight involvement at all. And at my body weight at least, that would be a big loss.

 

[Deleted member 775108]

Pro or not, it drives me a little crazy that her forehand is stance is so open that her racquet side foot is often in front of her off side when she starts her swing. You can certainly get power from shoulder-hip separation with that setup but you get no body weight involvement at all. And at my body weight at least, that would be a big loss.

Yeah it bothered me too initially. She just just talking and being lazy. Thata a step pattern that is used to hit CC and in serve returns. All the more impressive considering how the ball comes off her racket. Just imagine the ball when she wants to really zip it through.

The shift pro stiffness seems a little daunting in a heavy 18x20 frame

This video below is for people who want to see how RA is measured on an RDC and why and how it could be manipulated to show a lower number if that was the aim.

 

[parasailing]

I'm a regular user of the Shift 315 (ie Pro) and was on the Pro Staff play test (got the X). I would say that I really like both racquets, but in the end I value the easier power and spin that I get with the Pro vs. the X - as others have said, despite the dense 18x20 pattern, it really is easy to generate monster spin on forehands and cutting slice backhands with the Shift Pro. The X is just fine on spin, but sacrifices power for great feel, touch, and is incredible control oriented and stable. Really depends on what you're looking for, but for me the Shift just helps lift my game to a higher level than a racquet like the X with better power and spin, but still with really good feel and control.

I got a chance to hit with both racquets and your review is spot on. The Shift Pro is a monster on serves and one can hit amazing forehands. Even though it's a spin friendly racquet, due to the tighter string pattern, I can flatten those forehands.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

If you read my review of the Pro Staff v14 97, you know that I’m currently playing the Shift 99 300g prototype. But I liked a lot of things about the PS 97: the plow through, comfort, and stability. I find the 300g Shift a little hard on my arm, whereas I had no trouble with the PS 97. However, it’s undeniable that the PS 97 is more work and less forgiving without necessarily hitting a better ball, at least in my hands.

I’m sort of wondering if the next step on my racquet journey would be to try the new PS v14 X or the 315g Shift Pro as a compromise between the two. I am resisting the Shift Pro a bit because I usually don’t like 18x20, but I suspect it will still have more free spin and power than the PS X. Anyone played both and have any comments on how they compare?

If you like the 300g Shift, but like the PS97 specs... maybe try to add some weight to the Shift 300g (I added silicone to the handle - now 315g unstrung).

My Shift 300g (Pro Labs version) with the mod is super comfortable (strung with Toroline Wasabi Red/ Caviar). I also added a small amount of weight around the head (4g total in the whole head).

I demoed the Shift 315g (Pro Labs version), and liked it a lot, but found it firmer at times. I loved it though... and felt it could be sorted with some mods... so I bought it, and applied similar mods around the head (and my usual 2 over grips on the handle). I haven't strung it up yet, as I tried the Shift 300g (modded) first. I loved the Shift 315g very much, especially on defence and directional change. It had excellent spin (especially for an 18x20), it was very comfortable when hitting with spin, and was massive on serve.

 

[time_fly]

If you like the 300g Shift, but like the PS97 specs... maybe try to add some weight to the Shift 300g (I added silicone to the handle - now 315g unstrung).

I actually ended up switching to the PS 97 for comfort reasons. I did have some forearm pain develop with the Shift.

 

[PhxRacket]

I actually ended up switching to the PS 97 for comfort reasons. I did have some forearm pain develop with the Shift.

Same here. Shift caused discomfort, PSX (which you migh think would tend in that direction-no problem)

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Same here. Shift caused discomfort, PSX (which you migh think would tend in that direction-no problem)

That's why I suggested the silicone in the handle. My Shift 300 with the silicone feels like a very plush racquet, and I've had none of the firmness I felt with the Shift 315 during the demo. I've also added weight in the hoop, which would increase the sweet spot/area and perhaps iron-out some of the "rougher" spots... but like I said, I will see if this holds true with the Shift 315 that I've got, as that has the weight mods in the head, but no silicone in the handle.

What I can say with the 300g is that the tension dropped after the first few hits, and now I am experiencing some launching issues (I started at 48M/45C with Toroline Wasabi Red/Caviar). This was the first string job with the racquet, so that may also play a part... but next time I may try a higher tension to start with and account for the drop. I "bought into" the whole "Toroline strings have great tension maintenance" thing, but so far, they seem pretty normal for a poly. They are still moving well, which is great... so I will see how things go. Not sure whether the 16x20 is just eating strings like a hungry monster, or whether this was just too low for a 99 sq. inch racquet with a 16x20 pattern, so I will try to up the tension, and hope that the comfort stays there, while the control and longevity increase.

EDIT: Played with it tonight again... and no control problems, and no launch. Seems that when I'm hitting singles, and able to give it some and utilise the entire court (without fear of poaching), I seem to have fewer issues than in doubles.

 

[PhxRacket]

That's why I suggested the silicone in the handle. My Shift 300 with the silicone feels like a very plush racquet, and I've had none of the firmness I felt with the Shift 315 during the demo. I've also added weight in the hoop, which would increase the sweet spot/area and perhaps iron-out some of the "rougher" spots... but like I said, I will see if this holds true with the Shift 315 that I've got, as that has the weight mods in the head, but no silicone in the handle.

What I can say with the 300g is that the tension dropped after the first few hits, and now I am experiencing some launching issues (I started at 48M/45C with Toroline Wasabi Red/Caviar). This was the first string job with the racquet, so that may also play a part... but next time I may try a higher tension to start with and account for the drop. I "bought into" the whole "Toroline strings have great tension maintenance" thing, but so far, they seem pretty normal for a poly. They are still moving well, which is great... so I will see how things go. Not sure whether the 16x20 is just eating strings like a hungry monster, or whether this was just too low for a 99 sq. inch racquet with a 16x20 pattern, so I will try to up the tension, and hope that the comfort stays there, while the control and longevity increase.

I can see how that would change things. I demoed both Shifts. Appreciated different aspects of each, but at the end of the day it didn’t work well for my old, busted up elbow. The PSX with a hybrid string job, strung LOW was amazing. Still a little more buzzy than I’d like. I don’t feel like its an EDC kinda racquet for me.