Questions about racquet stiffness ratings

[Sobonnk]

I have some questions about racquet stiffness ratings. I have notice a lot of racquets have a rating between 60-70. I am guessing that for the most part is the normal range of stiffness rating.

Is there a big difference between a racquet that has a rating of 71 verses a racquet with a rating of 66?

I am wondering because I currently use a Volkl PB 10mid and my coach thinks that racquet is currently a little too heavy for me and causing me to swing late when I don't have time to setup. I tried a lighter racquet for a few weeks and notice an improvement in my game. I was planning on demoing the Volkl PB 9/Yonex RDiS 200 lite Midplus/Prince exo3 black. I notice the Exo3 black has a stiffness rating of 71. I am worried that might be too stiff and cause shoulder and wrist pain. But the Volkl has a rating of 66. Is a racquet with 66 noticeably softer than a racquet with a 71?

Thank you for replies

 

[BobFL]

Very hard to tell. Different reacquets flex at different spots (lower throat, higher throat, upper hoop, lower hoop) BUT they can have the same flex numbers. You should really try that particular racquet and judge yourself...

 

[DELPO]

Very hard to tell. Different reacquets flex at different spots (lower throat, higher throat, upper hoop, lower hoop) BUT they can have the same flex numbers. You should really try that particular racquet and judge yourself...

I actually disagree. A racquet with 71 flex is very unlikely to be very flexible at other points in the frame. I think the OP should stick with the PB 10 as I have heard that is a solid racquet especially for advanced players, and it is great for prevention of injury.

 

[mrmo1115]

I have a question regarding balance of racquets:

If something is 10 pts HL, that means the grip is heavier correct? Would this be easier or harder to swing compared to a racquet that is lets say 7 pts HL/8 pts HL

 

[fuzz nation]

I'd expect the frame with the 66 rating to seem a bit softer, but that's tough to predict for sure when sampling different frames. There are lots of variables.

One thing about racquet stiffness, at least for me, is that a frame with a lot of backbone can often feel a lot more harsh if it is also rather light. The shock of impact can seem much more pronounced when the racquet has less give, but also less plow-through. I've enjoyed using some older ProStaff 6.1's with a flex rating of over 70 (I'm pretty sure) that are also rather head-light in balance with a static weight of 12.8 oz. Those stiffer frames have never been hard on my arm, but a couple of lighter alternatives with even a little more flex have been honestly uncomfortable for me by comparison.

We also can't rule out the issue of strings. Harsh stuff like poly or kevlar can also add a degree of harshness to a frame, even if it is relatively flexible. Some of our pals here have made their racquets much more arm-friendly for them by switching to softer options like multifiber or natural gut. Your signature lists NXT in your PB 10, so I'd say you've got a really good setup right now in terms of going easy on your arm.

Of course you've got to be able to play with it, too. If that hefty Volkl is relatively new for you, expect to need at least a few weeks to alter your timing and preparation so that you can get it to the ball on time. If you try some other racquets, try not to go more than only a few tenths of an ounce lighter and not too much less head-light in balance with the demos at first. A mild drop in weight can seem a lot easier to use, yet still be rather stable and familiar in its performance.

 

[tennisdad65]

I have a PB10 mid too. Supposed to be 12.1 oz strung. After using it intermittently for 2-3 months, I weighed it and found it was 12.5 oz stock!!

 

[ManuGinobili]

I have a question regarding balance of racquets:

If something is 10 pts HL, that means the grip is heavier correct? Would this be easier or harder to swing compared to a racquet that is lets say 7 pts HL/8 pts HL

ha ha ha

I have some questions about racquet stiffness ratings. I have notice a lot of racquets have a rating between 60-70. I am guessing that for the most part is the normal range of stiffness rating.

Is there a big difference between a racquet that has a rating of 71 verses a racquet with a rating of 66?

I am wondering because I currently use a Volkl PB 10mid and my coach thinks that racquet is currently a little too heavy for me and causing me to swing late when I don't have time to setup. I tried a lighter racquet for a few weeks and notice an improvement in my game. I was planning on demoing the Volkl PB 9/Yonex RDiS 200 lite Midplus/Prince exo3 black. I notice the Exo3 black has a stiffness rating of 71. I am worried that might be too stiff and cause shoulder and wrist pain. But the Volkl has a rating of 66. Is a racquet with 66 noticeably softer than a racquet with a 71?

Thank you for replies

Yes it is, but remember in most cases, it depends on the user's ability to feel it. Some pros can even feel the slightest change in the way the overgrip is wrapped, some mere mortals like us couldn't care less.

The 3 on your demo list are quite different from each other...
The EXO3 Black is Prince's attempt at the powerful tweener frame (think Bbl Pure Drive, Head Extreme...), that's why it's stiff - to provide more power.

I have not tried the Yonex, but do own a PB9. It's best described as a light player's stick... very easy to swing around, superb stability and control. However it lacks a little punch, especially the sweet, dead center "thump" of the PB10.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

If something is 10 pts HL, that means the grip is heavier correct? Would this be easier or harder to swing compared to a racquet that is lets say 7 pts HL/8 pts HL

If everything else (especially weight and swingweight) is the same, the 10 pt HL will probably feel more maneuverable. However, ease of swing probably correlates with swingweight more than with balance.

For more detailed explanations of this sort of thing, check out the TW Learning Center and Tennis University.