Really liking regular duty balls

[eelhc]

I've been playing Extra Duty balls mostly since I play on hard courts (indoors and out). Recently, I've acquired and hit with some regular duty balls (Dunlop Championship) and am quite surprised how much better these feel . The balls seem lighter, bounce higher and really seem to pocket better in the stringbed. They are much more comfortable than the Penn ATP Extra Duty balls I normally play with. I've not noticed much difference in spin but do notice the balls land deeper in the court (fly further?).

I hit with moderate pace + spin asd usually play 3~4 sets with new balls before retiring them to the practice bucket. I've not noticed any issues durability for this playing duration playing against players with different styles (1 guy with heavy spin off both wings and 1 hard, flat hitter).

Anyone else prefer regular duty balls for hard courts?

 

[Muppet]

The obvious question: Don't they get fuzzy fast? The Dunlop Grand Prix Hard Court did. I use Dunlop Championship Extra Duty and they don't. But they're a pretty solid ball. Maybe I'll try the Regular Duty next time. I always play on hard courts.

 

[eelhc]

The obvious question: Don't they get fuzzy fast? The Dunlop Grand Prix Hard Court did. I use Dunlop Championship Extra Duty and they don't. But they're a pretty solid ball. Maybe I'll try the Regular Duty next time. I always play on hard courts.

Nope... they do not have the extra felt of Extra Duty Balls and get fuzzy at all over 3~4 sets. I weighed the Dunlop Championship Regular Duty and Penn ATP Extra Duty... No difference. So it seems it's all feel. I've noticed that my flat serves seem to have a little extra velocity too...

 

[Muppet]

Nope... they do not have the extra felt of Extra Duty Balls and get fuzzy at all over 3~4 sets. I weighed the Dunlop Championship Regular Duty and Penn ATP Extra Duty... No difference. So it seems it's all feel. I've noticed that my flat serves seem to have a little extra velocity too...

Okay. Thanks

 

[dblsplayer]

Interesting fact I learned today watching the US Open. The men play with Wilson Extra Duty balls and the women play with the regular duty.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

Interesting fact I learned today watching the US Open. The men play with Wilson Extra Duty balls and the women play with the regular duty.

Yeah, I always thought that was the case. I just wonder why they do it that way. I would think that on hardcourts, you'd want the extra duty felt, but on clay and perhaps grass you'd want the regular duty.

 

[mikeler]

They probably want to speed up the woman's game with the regular felt.

 

[dblsplayer]

They probably want to speed up the woman's game with the regular felt.

Yes. According to the USTA site. The purpose is to slow the men's game and speed up the women's game. Her's a link to the Q and A regarding balls.
http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Instrcution/Equipment-and-Gear/Choosing_and_Replacing_Balls/

 

[dblsplayer]

They probably want to speed up the woman's game with the regular felt.

Yes. According to the USTA site. The purpose is to slow the men's game and speed up the women's game. Her's a link to the Q and A regarding balls.
http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Instrcution/Equipment-and-Gear/Choosing_and_Replacing_Balls/

 

[eelhc]

Yes. According to the USTA site. The purpose is to slow the men's game and speed up the women's game. Her's a link to the Q and A regarding balls.
http://www.usta.com/Improve-Your-Game/Instrcution/Equipment-and-Gear/Choosing_and_Replacing_Balls/

So my observation is correct... The regular duty balls do add a little more zip. Seems that everyone is looking for more speed (selecting balls with less felt/fuzz) on serve.

 

[corneliuscobb]

Anyone else prefer regular duty balls for hard courts?

99% of people play with regular duty balls. You don't need "Extra Duty" balls. ROTFL.

 

[eelhc]

99% of people play with regular duty balls. You don't need "Extra Duty" balls. ROTFL.

99% play with regular duty? Where? I'm in the Northeast and almost all the balls at matches or casual play are Penn or Wilson Championship Extra Duty. I would say 50% or more... The remainder is split between Penn ATP Extra Duty or other brands: Dunlop, Babolat, etc. Regular duty balls are seen mostly at clay or har tru courts (not many around my parts). The tennis clubs/facilities purchase Extra Duty balls for clinics, ball machines, etc.

Where is it that 99% of the people play with regular Duty balls?

 

[sundaypunch]

99% play with regular duty? Where? I'm in the Northeast and almost all the balls at matches or casual play are Penn or Wilson Championship Extra Duty. I would say 50% or more... The remainder is split between Penn ATP Extra Duty or other brands: Dunlop, Babolat, etc. Regular duty balls are seen mostly at clay or har tru courts (not many around my parts). The tennis clubs/facilities purchase Extra Duty balls for clinics, ball machines, etc.

Where is it that 99% of the people play with regular Duty balls?

Not where I live. I have the same experience as you. The people I know all use extra-duty balls on hard courts. So do the high school teams, college teams and USTA tournaments.

 

[LeeD]

It's all extra duty hard court balls around here, Berkeley CA.
I hate regular duty balls, because they fly so fast it's hard to groove in, and when you switch to Xtra D, it's painful.
I'm pretty sure I can serve flat serves that bounce up around tummy heights on the backwall with reg balls, which is why I don't ever use them.

 

[Ronaldo]

Old joints prefer regular-duty. Will not play with extra-duty balls. Regular-duty wears so fast they never get a chance to fluff, just go bald.

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, funny thing about tennis balls.
I"ve been asked to play with a couple of pretty good junior girls the previous year. They never NEVER want me to open a new can of Pro Penns, or Dunlops, instead choosing to use old somewhat soft and fluffy balls from the practice bin. They've even said they had to leave really soon, so don't open new EXTRA Duty balls.
I hate playing with flat, soft, fluffy balls. I'd rather play with Tretorns.

 

[TennisCJC]

No, I hate regular duty balls on hard courts. The balls have lighter felt and become too lively after just a few games on hard courts. I much prefer extra-duty balls on hard courts.

 

[Ronaldo]

Yeah, funny thing about tennis balls.
I"ve been asked to play with a couple of pretty good junior girls the previous year. They never NEVER want me to open a new can of Pro Penns, or Dunlops, instead choosing to use old somewhat soft and fluffy balls from the practice bin. They've even said they had to leave really soon, so don't open new EXTRA Duty balls.
I hate playing with flat, soft, fluffy balls. I'd rather play with Tretorns.

They prefer not to play with Rockhard balls?

 

[LeeD]

Found out why......
Dad says the junior girls play with REGULAR duty balls, the XDuties too heavy, low bouncing and too slow.
New thing is, Dad doesn't want them playing ANY singles with guys who are close to their level now. Good for me, I can only beat the older, lesser skilled sis, while the younger, we're dead even.
I"m getting older, they're getting better.

 

[Ronaldo]

Found out why......
Dad says the junior girls play with REGULAR duty balls, the XDuties too heavy, low bouncing and too slow.
New thing is, Dad doesn't want them playing ANY singles with guys who are close to their level now. Good for me, I can only beat the older, lesser skilled sis, while the younger, we're dead even.
I"m getting older, they're getting better.

Dread the day their Dad declares it is open season for the Sisters to play you in singles. Like racing this guy, http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/...-world-record-by-completing-100-meter-sprint/