Pure Drive coming - tell me why I will hate it

hrstrat57

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
Well I am finally gonna give the dark side a whirl.

See signature tell me why I will hate it.

Sw grip big Ts forehand can vary ball flight and pace. 2 handed flat backhand capable of Ts 1 handed slice kick slice and flat serve can place. Former s/v player not so much now. No ntrp rating currently but can hit with d 3 players comfortably and hit winners.
 
Also no history of wrist, shoulder or arm injury...

Recent set up 18x20 intellitour 17 57 # current set up MSV focus hex 110 40# I radical mp
 
The power and ball trajectory will throw you off a lot at first. But if you don't mind stiff rackets, you'll probably like it a lot. Also, it lacks feel.
 
I've been a prestige/POG user since highschool and used a purestorm for 3 months earlier this year. Here were my thoughts:

-First session you will hate the ball trejectory, you won't be able to keep anything in
-Second session you will start to dial it in and love it. You will have so much power at your finger tips you can swing 50% and get the same pace.
-After 3 months you will realize your form has declined and against bigger hitters sure you will have power but you'll miss that control.

Thats what happened to me, playing average players you will like the power, but when you need the control it won't be there.
 
You're not going to hate the PD, trust me, not if you keep an open mind and don't go out there looking for things to dislike.

I think a regular PD will be too light for you and you will need to lead it up quite a bit. A PDR is perfect as is.

I used a POG for a long time and some dunlop 200 series frames recently before switching to the PDR+. I can't imagine going back. It's like swapping out your Camry for an Aston Martin.
 
Thanks all and Retrospin - clarification slightly frame is a PDR + thanks!

Keep it coming, love it!

Btw s/I you and one other poster here i believe finally convinced me to try elt. Thank you so much!! Great call for the 18 x20.

Recent hit with a PDR strung lux bb 45# has me even more greedy - thus the quest. Felt like a mushy puddle until I noticed that I could nt hit the thing out the harder I swung the more the ball dove down....

I will keep an open mind but I appreciate hearing all the hate ( and praise too of course )
 
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You know my story. Here is some more racquet history.

PS 85 for 4 years
Prince POG OS for 3 years
Head Radical Tour 3 years
Head Ti Radical 2 years
Head S2 2 years
6.1 95 2 years
Fooled around with a Thundercloud and S6 for fun for a few months
PS Six One 100 leaded and PS Six One 90......1 and a half years
Also played a Pro Kennex Silver Ace...still have it.
A Prince Woody, Jack Kramer wooden Pro Staff, Wilson Advantage, and RD7, and a T2000
Also won a match with a Wilson Chris Evert wooden frame I borrowed from a girl at a tournament when my Advantage .....got smashed. Back in the early 80's.

Now the Pure Drive. I agree, the first session I was thinking..this is too powerful. Feels dead compared to my PS. Second session I was spinning the ball in with huge pace. My partner was always on the defensive. Went back to my PS and couldn't get the ball past half court. Pace seemed so slow......had I really been hitting the ball that slowly? now it doesn't feel dead, it was just different. I hit some amazing touch shots in my match this week. Im loving it.

Serves are so much faster and heavier. Groundstrokes are heavier. I feel like I can add or let off pace and spin at will. Best thing........the confidence it instills in you. I see no downside with this racquet right now.
 
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What is up with people complaining about Babolat's causing wrist injury? My dad is 67, plays with a Pure Drive black, strung with RPM Blast 1.25 and a bit of lead tape as well. Wussies! :mrgreen:
 
hrstrat57 said:
Well I am finally gonna give the dark side a whirl.

See signature tell me why I will hate it.

Sw grip big Ts forehand can vary ball flight and pace. 2 handed flat backhand capable of Ts 1 handed slice kick slice and flat serve can place. Former s/v player not so much now. No ntrp rating currently but can hit with d 3 players comfortably and hit winners.
Click to expand...

The next model coming out is supposed to be $399, so yea have fun.
 
tennis_balla said:
What is up with people complaining about Babolat's causing wrist injury? My dad is 67, plays with a Pure Drive black, strung with RPM Blast 1.25 and a bit of lead tape as well. Wussies! :mrgreen:
Click to expand...


Yea idk, I have not had any problems, been afaithful user ever since the original Cortex versions came out, been using since.
 
You'd probably complain about too much free power. Lack of control (compared to your sticks, of course), and different feel.

But you will hate the PD if you read too much TT
 
Me neither and I'm 58! Play a couple hours every other day, and I hit hard.
 
In 2-3 weeks you will be asking for an arm friendly pure drive like racquet. :)

You'll be looking at Volkls and Donnay, will order a F100.
 
WhereIsMacMac said:
In the Philippines. Babolat PDs and APDs are very popular here
Click to expand...

NOOOOOOOOO!

Everyday I would come here and ask myself "Where is Mac Mac?" It drove me and fueled me to figure it all out. "Istanbul" I would guess, "Hong Kong"? "Nice?" Oh the mystery.

But now I know. Ugh:):):):)
 
Shroud said:
NOOOOOOOOO!

Everyday I would come here and ask myself "Where is Mac Mac?" It drove me and fueled me to figure it all out. "Istanbul" I would guess, "Hong Kong"? "Nice?" Oh the mystery.

But now I know. Ugh:):):):)
Click to expand...

LOL (not to derail this thread) but nice of you to notice my username
 
The Pure Drive forces you to hit windshield wiper. But in the right hands, it's power and spin for days. Kind of odd that it's called a "tweener" since you really need to hit with proper technique to prevent launching the ball. The BLX Blade or Prestige Midplus, by comparison, are much easier for lower level players since you can drive the topspin.

I have two PDRs in 3/8 and I wish I had gone down to 1/4 to make coming through contact a little easier.
 
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PD has some unique properties. No matter how tense you string it over 23 kg, it doesn't loose power, neither does it gain in control. But the enormous sweet spot is still there, as well as the arm-friendly shock distribution.
 
I noticed the last version seemed a bit more solid than previous versions and there was maybe a bit more feel. That said, the high RA and discomfort was very apparent to me. If Babolat could just tone down the harshness a little (say mid 60's RA), IMO this would be a far more attractive proposition for this iconic line.
 
Well she's in the bag and had a chance for a brief hit. New model PDR plus, mint.

She is strung with live wire xp 17 midrange which is not my favorite but a hit for 5 mins by previous owner stick via C/L for $80 I won't complain.

I have played stretch frames before so no problem adjusting, tho I only hit a couple serves it was cold and the fellow on the other side of the net just wanted to accomodate me hitting a couple balls.

Quickie observations, agree w above this thing wants a modern topspin forehand and prefers a full buggy whip which fortunately is in my arsenal.....I found flat forehands to be somewhat jarring, might have been the life wire xp but my thoughts are this thing demands big racquet head speed with a strong upward movement. At least those are my initial impressions. No problem hitting that way with current setup.

The extra half inch was nice on my two hand BH once I remembered to adjust my footwork to find the sweet spot.

Need to get rid of the live wire but will probably play it till it breaks (fraying already won't be long) and then pop in some msv focus hex 18, I am thinking either 50 or 45 #. Thoughts on that welcome. I have a set of 4g rough from TW but I will test that soon vs. my current setup in a radical.

Clearly this frame cries for modern poly string....and the live wire seems a bit of a mismatch....
 
Always hated babolat racquets and string. Especially RPM Blast. As far as the racquets are concerned, I just don't like their structure and how stiff they play. Wilson is the way to go.
 
...more.

Summary via quick session, vicious top spin, tho the PDR plus was more powerful then my 18x20 Head frames it still wanted a fast modern stroke same as my current batch of frames so the only adjustment here was due to the extra 1/2 inch....not difficult for a hit, but again no match played we will see if I can continue to hit all three serve shapes with pace and placement...

Getting chilly here, hopefully will be able to dial this in a bit but it may linger till spring....unless I decide to play indoors this year vs. skiing.....

Oh and not that it matters a bit but this thing PJ is flat out gorgeous.....
 
....my normal Sunday partner is unfortunately on injured reserve and other prospects are out of town or done for the year :(
but I intend to take a bucket out tomorrow and hit a few serves with the PDR plus....looking forward to it.
 
I love the Black PD, especially the Roddick version. I have 1 PDR, 1 PD customized to the specs of the PDR and 1 PDR+.

2 of them have natural gut in the main (Pacific tough gut) and a copoly in the cross: MSV Co-Focus 18, better for sawing into the gut and the other MSV heptatwist 17 (better for sawing;)).
I really like the softening hybrid combo. It plays softer/with more dwelltime. A bit the plushy feel of a radical. I really liked the radical pro (or MP) for it's unique plushy feel. But I returned to the PD because those are special regarding spin/power! They also look very cool, but I look cool by myself :) so that's kinda bonus

The PDR+ came strung with Solinco Tourbite 1.1mm strung @25/26kgs. That's really a spin beast. The sound of it is awesome. But it also seems like you can hit as hard as you want and the spin will help you with crazy angles or fast-diving-inside-the-baseline balls. It does have less feel than the other 2 setups but it sounds crisps and the sound and spin are addicting... I have no problems with the extra 1/2 inch of the PDR... strange but I adapt automatically when playing and switching with the racquets. Maybe because of the large sweetspot? I don't know it isn't an issue so I'll leave it to that.

I would recommend one of these setups to you, also depends on what you're looking for. I can't decide... I'm continuously switching: on gives me more feel/touch and also the power/spin I want... the other is when I want to release the hard hitting spin beast on the court! (so also less accurate/control). So it comes down that mostly I prefer the hybrid for doubles and the beast for singles...

I'm looking forward to your experiences because I have tried many racquets but keep returning to the PD, it has something unique that fits my game apparently...

Currently playtesting the Graphene Speed Pro to experience the spin and control... still trying to love it...
 
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Just picked up a 2012 PD used last week. Strung it with my go-to combination: Solinco Outlast @ 50 lbs, Tecnifibre Multi Feel crosses @ 54 lbs. Had a 3 hour hitting session yesterday.

It's light weight makes it easy to wield from all areas of the court, even after drilling for 3 hours. You can also get a lot of racquet head speed from this thing.

It's rather powerful, which makes it very easy to keep the ball deep, even when you're out of position and don't have enough time to set up the shot.

It's sick spin is what makes the frame have a lot of control. True, if you're a flat hitter than look elsewhere. But if you have a western or semi western grip, then you can put enough spin on it to hit it hard and keep it in play.

Good technique is a must, however. It's stiff nature can make it uncomfortable in the wrong hands. If you're wristing the ball, prepare yourself for a world of hurt.

One of my favorite things is the serve. Since it's so light weight and spin-friendly, it's easy to spin in your 2nd serve and keep the head speed fast.
 
SFrazeur said:
I think it is hilarious when people post that a Pure Drive has no control when a quarter or more of the pro tour use it as a base frame.
Click to expand...

What those clowns are really saying is that they can't play worth crap because their level of skill doesn't allow for control.
 
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