Senior Doubles Player Racquet Quest

[mark b.]

63yo senior doubles player. USTA 4.0 League player. I currently play with a Dunlop 300G 05 which translated means 105 sq. in.
I cut it down to 27in. The stiffness (RA) is an arm friendly 57. String pattern is 18x20. I have them (4) heavily modified with silicone in the handle and some tungsten tape in the hoop. Gut mains at 65 and wilson poly crosses at 55. Static wt. is 11.75oz.
I started playing tennis in the early 70's and Manuel Orantes was my idol. In my 20's I was a sectionally ranked singles player.

QUESTION. I don't run (or stop) as well anymore due to severe osteoarthritis and (don't laugh) if I need to run more that three steps for a wide or short shot, my play easily drops to a 3.5. If I'm standing still or moving one step. my strokes are 4.5 - 5.0.
My friend suggested I need a lighter OS racquet to get the racquet up and through the hitting zone when pulled wide. (I do net a lot of forehands on the dead run). It sucks and its depressing.
I think he's full of baloney but it has me wondering. Should I try an sub 10.5 ounce racquet, such as the Wilson Triad Five 103"?
Interestingly, I could just strip my300G down to stock for a 10.5 strung weight. Advice from other seniors would be great.

 

[BretH]

Since you have 4 of the Dunlops it seems you have absolutely nothing to lose by playing around with one. I'd go that route.

58 yrs old about to try a 300g OS alongside my ai98s and Volkl O10 295s.

 

[BretH]

Fwiw maybe an un-shortened one would give you just that tiny bit of extra reach...

I played with the K-blade 104 several years ago and loved them so I'm excited to try the Dunlop. It seems from your posts here that you are rather fond of the 300g OS

 

[CopolyX]

Certainly no spring chicken here also...
Just double check you weight add balance. That is a good stick, have it (2) & two hotmelts 98. I would highly suggest taking some lessons here and there for a very good coach. Tell him your agenda. The frame, it may help to trim the weigh but I would wait for some more data from another good set of eyes, the new coach. Or if you can have some one video you in action so you can analyze your swing, balance, posture, body unit turn, and foot work.

 

[treblings]

63yo senior doubles player. USTA 4.0 League player. I currently play with a Dunlop 300G 05 which translated means 105 sq. in.
I cut it down to 27in. The stiffness (RA) is an arm friendly 57. String pattern is 18x20. I have them (4) heavily modified with silicone in the handle and some tungsten tape in the hoop. Gut mains at 65 and wilson poly crosses at 55. Static wt. is 11.75oz.
I started playing tennis in the early 70's and Manuel Orantes was my idol. In my 20's I was a sectionally ranked singles player.

QUESTION. I don't run (or stop) as well anymore due to severe osteoarthritis and (don't laugh) if I need to run more that three steps for a wide or short shot, my play easily drops to a 3.5. If I'm standing still or moving one step. my strokes are 4.5 - 5.0.
My friend suggested I need a lighter OS racquet to get the racquet up and through the hitting zone when pulled wide. (I do net a lot of forehands on the dead run). It sucks and its depressing.
I think he's full of baloney but it has me wondering. Should I try an sub 10.5 ounce racquet, such as the Wilson Triad Five 103"?
Interestingly, I could just strip my300G down to stock for a 10.5 strung weight. Advice from other seniors would be great.

i´m 53 and recovering from a knee injury that affected my movement severely. that forehand on the run hitting the net is something
that happened to me a lot during my injury.
i figured out that it has always been my tactic to hit a risky flat forehand on those shots where i thought i had no chance to recover for the next shot.
with my restricted movement(often leaning forward instead of making that extra step) i needed to go for more spin and height to
cut down on my errors. it was a compromise but it often worked.

maybe what i wrote has some relevance to your case. give it a shot and see how it works. all the best

p.s. i was lucky to see Orantes at a tournament in the mid 70´s and have been a fan ever since.
i´ve been heavily influenced by growing up using flexible heavy wooden racquets

 

[mark b.]

Great advice from all of you. I think I could benefit from a couple of lessons where I specifically tell the pro my physical limitations of getting correct spacing on moving to an incoming forehand. (better anticipation?) I also think the advice from treblings of imparting more topspin (less drive) would be something my brain would need to unlearn as my running forehand was (back in the day) a formidable shot. When playing in the heat of the point I think my reptilian brain shouts "GO FOR IT" and I hit the top of the tape. UGH. In fact, the right shot with my lack of balance and spacing might even be a lob but that is something I would definitely need to re-learn. And yes, I love these frames. I cannot think of a 105" frame with a 22mm constant beam, 57 flex, and 18x20 pattern. Rare.

 

[esgee48]

Hay, you're talking about me! Lob or moon ball when pulled wide to either side and you're late setting up. 2nd option is a squash shot. Those are the percentages since you need to reset the point with time. Getting old is hard to acknowledge.

FWIW, I use 100's, 27.5", 340 grams, 340 SW and 32-32.3 cm balance. Higher RAs.

 

[avocadoz]

Volkl V-Sense V1 MP

 

[PBODY99]

Prince Textreme Premier 105 **27.25 ins length.

 

[CopolyX]

Great advice from all of you. I think I could benefit from a couple of lessons where I specifically tell the pro my physical limitations of getting correct spacing on moving to an incoming forehand. (better anticipation?) I also think the advice from treblings of imparting more topspin (less drive) would be something my brain would need to unlearn as my running forehand was (back in the day) a formidable shot. When playing in the heat of the point I think my reptilian brain shouts "GO FOR IT" and I hit the top of the tape. UGH. In fact, the right shot with my lack of balance and spacing might even be a lob but that is something I would definitely need to re-learn. And yes, I love these frames. I cannot think of a 105" frame with a 22mm constant beam, 57 flex, and 18x20 pattern. Rare.

best of luck, be patient, stick will your plan....
your brain is all all yours..
best to have a shot ready pre-loaded in the brain. crocs will stalk before attack...they know what they are going to do prior...

 

[Muppet]

What is the definition of a doubles racquet anyway? I just use my racquets (12+) that I've always used for singles. I find that if I can get them in position in time, they're heavy and stable enough to knock the ball back. If only I had the presence of mind to do creative things with the ball. I had a tweener once and while I could maneuver it well, it wasn't built for net play.

I don't seek the net even 1/2 the time, so I stick with my racquets made for all-court play. I do admit that I get worn out though. I got a Prince Tour Pro 100 16x18 out of curiosity last year. Does this sound like a good move for doubles from my signature racquet?

 

[TennisCJC]

I thought old guys were supposed to play volkl v1.

I am nearing 61 and play volkl 10 98".

My personal belief is any good frame in the 98" to 100" head range with a decent twist weight, swing weight and balance is good. I suggest TW around 14 or +, SW around 325 or +, and balance around 6-8HL. Static weight, anything in the 11.25 to 12.25 range is fine.

Yonex DR 98, DR100
Volkl 10 295 with lead to get SW and balance
Volkl v1 Pro with lead to get SW and balance
Prince Tex Tour 100P
Newer Yonex Ezone 98

All of the above would be good.

If you must go oversize, Head MG OS would be worth a shot.

I personally think your friend's advice is not good. I think people tend to say seniors need lighter and OS frames but light and OS frames are hard to control and not necessarily good for the body. I know an 85 year old that was playing a Head MG mid+ and hitting quite well with it. Decent SW and TW make it much easier to hit smooth strokes crisply and they volley way better too. light rackets will get pushed around at decent 4.0 level. I know a 63 year old who was former ATP pro who hit volkl 10 295 (older 18x20 model) and a early 60's former D1 player who was also hitting a MG Mid+. The former ATP pro was still fit and spry but the 85 year old and former D1 player both had "movement" issues.

I think "get as heavy a racket as you can comfortably swing" applies to any age.

 

[mark b.]

Thank you to all of you and your good ideas. First a few comments on the racquets. I have tried the Microgel Radical Oversize and it felt hollow and a bit light. I could have modified it but got the Dunlops instead. I used to play with a POG and that racquet was great for me when I had more muscle mass in my upper shoulders and arms. Perfect swingweight and twist-weight. Just too hard to manage snapping my wrists on serves so I gave it up.

I took the advice of CoPolyX and took a lesson from my local Pro. After taking what seemed like an eternity explaining my deficiencies he agreed that it wasn't my racquet at all and that going lighter was a bunch of malarkey. After feeding about 20 balls wide to my forehand he called me to the net and told me to stop trying to hit with an "old school" closed stance and to plant my outer leg (right) outside of the incoming ball and hit with an open stance. At first it seemed odd but after about ten minutes I was ripping cross-court and down-the-line forehands with relative ease. For balls that were simply too wide for me (due to poor balance and knee issues), he suggested a high crosscourt forehand....almost a low flying lob which he stated was quite effective as it was too low for an overhead but too high for a punch volley. Hmm. OK.

I've always known that our equipment has less to do with being a good tennis player but when a friend and doubles partner suggests something like a lighter frame, we all consider the possibilities. There is no holy grail or every challenger on the ATP would be using it.

Thanks all.

 

[nvr2old]

Well I'm almost 61. Decided to buy a used Gamma RZR bubba 117 here on TW. As usual grade A and pristine condition. It's a serve monster very forgiving. Also great on firehands and slice backhands. Really too easy to generate power since I'm used to low power racquets but man is it fun sometimes. I'm still embarrassed at its size and haven't made a permanent switch to it yet. Someday I will though without apologies.

 

[1990's Graphite]

Well I'm almost 61. Decided to buy a used Gamma RZR bubba 117 here on TW. As usual grade A and pristine condition. It's a serve monster very forgiving. Also great on firehands and slice backhands. Really too easy to generate power since I'm used to low power racquets but man is it fun sometimes. I'm still embarrassed at its size and haven't made a permanent switch to it yet. Someday I will though without apologies.

Seeberger uses it and he is ex pro/semi pro and he is 35 I think, check the other thread from the most powerful frame.. in play you can't tell the 117 size!

 

[PhxRacket]

Well I'm almost 61. Decided to buy a used Gamma RZR bubba 117 here on TW. As usual grade A and pristine condition. It's a serve monster very forgiving. Also great on firehands and slice backhands. Really too easy to generate power since I'm used to low power racquets but man is it fun sometimes. I'm still embarrassed at its size and haven't made a permanent switch to it yet. Someday I will though without apologies.

Without seeming nitpicky, I want to hit a "firehand!"

 

[nvr2old]

Seeberger uses it and he is ex pro/semi pro and he is 35 I think, check the other thread from the most powerful frame.. in play you can't tell the 117 size!

Yeah a few senior Usta guys use it too.

Without seeming nitpicky, I want to hit a "firehand!"

Haha Freudian slip. I wish I could too !!!

 

[TennisCJC]

Without seeming nitpicky, I want to hit a "firehand!"

Yea, the "firehand" is a great shot but not quite as good as the fearhand.

Brad Gilbert uses "fearhand" in his commentary and I've always liked it.

 

[mctennis]

Volkl V1 Classic.

 

[Rabbit]

59 year old 4.0 and longtime user of the Volkl C10. I had been searching for a replacement as the C10 got to feeling clunky on shots over my shoulders. I tried and bought way too many frames. I finally told myself to slow down and demo. I ordered the V-Sense 9 and 10 Tour from TW as a demo. First hit, I thought the 9 was it, second hit, not so much. It had a lot of power but was uncontrollable. I picked up the 10 Tour and it was everything I wanted, a C10 without the weight.

Good luck.

 

[mctennis]

59 year old 4.0 and longtime user of the Volkl C10. I had been searching for a replacement as the C10 got to feeling clunky on shots over my shoulders. I tried and bought way too many frames. I finally told myself to slow down and demo. I ordered the V-Sense 9 and 10 Tour from TW as a demo. First hit, I thought the 9 was it, second hit, not so much. It had a lot of power but was uncontrollable. I picked up the 10 Tour and it was everything I wanted, a C10 without the weight.

Good luck.

So out with the C10 Pro's and on to the 10 Tour? ( I've started demoing a few others as well...shhhh don't tell my C10 Pro's and C10 PT's) I was looking at a few different ones to demo. Keep us informed as to what you like or that you change to. Plus, of course the strings that work.

 

[n8dawg6]

There is no holy grail or every challenger on the ATP would be using it.

sigh ... theyre all using babolats. and bionic knees

 

[mctennis]

sigh ... theyre all using babolats. and bionic knees

For now, until their bodies start showing "road miles" then they will be switching racquets , just like we are. You can only stand that 70 stiffness on a racquet for so many years.

 

[Rabbit]

So out with the C10 Pro's and on to the 10 Tour? ( I've started demoing a few others as well...shhhh don't tell my C10 Pro's and C10 PT's) I was looking at a few different ones to demo. Keep us informed as to what you like or that you change to. Plus, of course the strings that work.

I think I'm going to post a review on the frame & the string. I just wanted to make damn sure it "took" before doing so.

 

[mctennis]

I think I'm going to post a review on the frame & the string. I just wanted to make damn sure it "took" before doing so.

Ain't that the truth?!!!! I look forward to looking at review from you. Let me know when you post it. I do not want to miss it. TY!!

 

[mark b.]

I think I have discovered a sleeper SENIOR DOUBLES RACQUET for the senior that can modify into a players spec. It's called a Prince EXO3 Rebel 105. Prince never brought these to the States for some unknown reason they were only offered in Europe and Asia. Now you can find them here on theBay. $49 bucks brand new. WHAT? Bought two. Living dangerously.
The specifications are roughly.

105" Head size
27.25 Length
10.3 Strung
2 pts HL
320 Swingweight (pretty good plow for light frame)
66 RA but it feels more like a 62 or 63 to me.
16x19 pattern
21mm beam
Graphite
Has ports. My first ever racquet with ports and they didn't seem to have any substantial positive or negative impact.

I have added a leather grip and vibration worm and Yonex overripe for a static weight of 11.3. Its probably 6 to 7 point head light now.
I strung it with Poly mains at 56 and soft Prince Premier Touch (super soft) at 60 in the crosses and I've gotta tell you my old Dunlops may have seen their final days because the RA of the Dunlop at 56 just was too much of a noodle on some low shots. Us seniors need a bit o' help on power output.

We'll see how it goes over the coming weeks. I'll report back.

 

[kpaulns]

I think I have discovered a sleeper SENIOR DOUBLES RACQUET for the senior that can modify into a players spec. It's called a Prince EXO3 Rebel 105. Prince never brought these to the States for some unknown reason they were only offered in Europe and Asia. Now you can find them here on theBay. $49 bucks brand new. WHAT? Bought two. Living dangerously.
The specifications are roughly.

105" Head size
27.25 Length
10.3 Strung
2 pts HL
320 Swingweight (pretty good plow for light frame)
66 RA but it feels more like a 62 or 63 to me.
16x19 pattern
21mm beam
Graphite
Has ports. My first ever racquet with ports and they didn't seem to have any substantial positive or negative impact.

I have added a leather grip and vibration worm and Yonex overripe for a static weight of 11.3. Its probably 6 to 7 point head light now.
I strung it with Poly mains at 56 and soft Prince Premier Touch (super soft) at 60 in the crosses and I've gotta tell you my old Dunlops may have seen their final days because the RA of the Dunlop at 56 just was too much of a noodle on some low shots. Us seniors need a bit o' help on power output.

We'll see how it goes over the coming weeks. I'll report back.

Interesting - I tried this racquet in the past and didn't like it at all:
felt quite stiff and not comfortable. ports in it did not add any comfort for the arm. further, it was lacking control, and at the same time, not powerful at all, especially for a 105 head size.
Also, off center shots resulted really bad vibration transferred to the arm.
Tried various customizations w no luck.
I believe there are much better racquets in this category now compared to this discontinued version. My personal opinion...
Hope it suits your game and you like it.

 

[mark b.]

Interesting review kpaulns. I'm still processing my first few hits. You are right about a couple of things. Not powerful at all. However, I did find it quite comfortable and flexy, more like a 62 or 63RA. It did lack some control in stock version. Placed tungsten at 3 and 9 total weight now 11.6oz.. Control vastly improved but still no power on tap. Strung with Revolution in mains and Prince Touch in crosses, so I may try natural gut in mains with Revolution in the crosses instead. Still testing. Please offer suggestions of better 105 frames with box or flat beam.

 

[kpaulns]

Interesting review kpaulns. I'm still processing my first few hits. You are right about a couple of things. Not powerful at all. However, I did find it quite comfortable and flexy, more like a 62 or 63RA. It did lack some control in stock version. Placed tungsten at 3 and 9 total weight now 11.6oz.. Control vastly improved but still no power on tap. Strung with Revolution in mains and Prince Touch in crosses, so I may try natural gut in mains with Revolution in the crosses instead. Still testing. Please offer suggestions of better 105 frames with box or flat beam.

if you're up for power, control and comfort, the kennex q+5 pro 100" is pretty special.
Amazingly, it has more power than rebel 105. and, control and comfort also are way superior for me.

 

[skeeter]

if you're up for power, control and comfort, the kennex q+5 pro 100" is pretty special.
Amazingly, it has more power than rebel 105. and, control and comfort also are way superior for me.

Turn 60 next spring (strong 4.0, singles and doubles) and I've been using the PK mentioned above to very good use. Thought it would be my go-to until I recently tried the Wilson Blade 104 (2015 version, not the new CV version): 10.8 strung, 5HL, 59RA, 18x19, 22.5mm beam, and 27.5 length. I've weighted it up just a bit so it's now around 11.4 oz and 7 HL. Have been having a real blast with it since getting it about a month or so ago; super comfortable, large sweet spot, power on tap, good control, and surprising amount of spin, especially on kick serves, given the somewhat tight pattern (but 18x19 seems like a nice happy medium given the 104 headsize); and it plays more like a 100 sq. in. size to me. I'll keep the PK in the bag, but the Wilson occupies the #1 slot at the moment.

 

[mavsman149]

I don't know if there is a new version of it, but I strongly recommend trying a Fischer Magnetic Speed Pro One 105 UL. It's about 11 oz, so maybe you'd need a bit of lead to get to your specs, but I can't think of a better racket for a senior doubles player. Great classic Fischer feel and excellent comfy control with a low RA.

 

[mhkeuns]

I agree with going with extended length tweener’ish rackets. Should help with reach and power making things easier for you.

 

[TennisHound]

The Blade 101 is kind of a senior (or platform) sleeper racquet as well

 

[Alan_Hill]

Let me know if anyone willing to sell the Dunlop 300G OS 105 (uncut) .

 

[Alan_Hill]

It's the code on the handle. Very unique specs.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[atatu]

I know I'm bucking the oversized flexible trend, but I'm a 55 year old 4.5 player and I absolutely love the Pure Aero (strung with rpm at 50) for doubles, it volleys so well and there is a lot of power on serves and returns.

 

[sbaniak]

I like the BLX Blade Team (Blade 104) for doubles. I leaded up the handle and the head, it serves great and volleys are solid too. I like the combo of a flexy throat stiffer head, and this seems to have that. It's not a thin or box beam but is soft enough to feel a little classic-esque. For singles I don't like the extended length, but for doubles I don't feel like I lose much at all, and gain more.

 

[Databank]

64 years old. Love my ProKennex Ki15 PSE (105 sq.in. 27.25") as I weighted it up to 12.3 oz, and a little more headlight than stock. Alas, they don't make them anymore. Stocked up from TW before they stopped production last year. ProKennex managed to find two more for me, so I'm set for the rest of my tennis life!

 

[mark b.]

Alan. Sent you a message about the Dunlop 105's.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

Turn 60 next spring (strong 4.0, singles and doubles) and I've been using the PK mentioned above to very good use. Thought it would be my go-to until I recently tried the Wilson Blade 104 (2015 version, not the new CV version): 10.8 strung, 5HL, 59RA, 18x19, 22.5mm beam, and 27.5 length. I've weighted it up just a bit so it's now around 11.4 oz and 7 HL. Have been having a real blast with it since getting it about a month or so ago; super comfortable, large sweet spot, power on tap, good control, and surprising amount of spin, especially on kick serves, given the somewhat tight pattern (but 18x19 seems like a nice happy medium given the 104 headsize); and it plays more like a 100 sq. in. size to me. I'll keep the PK in the bag, but the Wilson occupies the #1 slot at the moment.

I have to agree. After a long search, I arrived at the same conclusion. The Wilson 2015 Blade 104 does more things well for me than any other racquet for doubles for all the reasons you noted above. I add 5 grams total at 3 and 9 and add a leather grip and I am good to go. String with a Poly / Syngut Hybrid and string in the 40s and it’s a hard combination to beat. It does everything well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TennisCJC]

I took the advice of CoPolyX and took a lesson from my local Pro. After taking what seemed like an eternity explaining my deficiencies he agreed that it wasn't my racquet at all and that going lighter was a bunch of malarkey. After feeding about 20 balls wide to my forehand he called me to the net and told me to stop trying to hit with an "old school" closed stance and to plant my outer leg (right) outside of the incoming ball and hit with an open stance. At first it seemed odd but after about ten minutes I was ripping cross-court and down-the-line forehands with relative ease. For balls that were simply too wide for me (due to poor balance and knee issues), he suggested a high crosscourt forehand....almost a low flying lob which he stated was quite effective as it was too low for an overhead but too high for a punch volley. Hmm. OK.

I've always known that our equipment has less to do with being a good tennis player but when a friend and doubles partner suggests something like a lighter frame, we all consider the possibilities. There is no holy grail or every challenger on the ATP would be using it.

Thanks all.

I think your pro offered excellent advice. Semi-open stance is great and my preferred option - just remember feet are semi-open but hips and shoulders still coil.

 

[Bobs tennis]

Well I'm almost 61. Decided to buy a used Gamma RZR bubba 117 here on TW. As usual grade A and pristine condition. It's a serve monster very forgiving. Also great on firehands and slice backhands. Really too easy to generate power since I'm used to low power racquets but man is it fun sometimes. I'm still embarrassed at its size and haven't made a permanent switch to it yet. Someday I will though without apologies.

Well if the bubba 117 is interesting over the last month I picked up the RZR bubba 137 which in my opinion is a great racket.Yes i am old and yes i also have lots of arthritis. I read many articles about this racket but you really must play it to learn to love it.I would say it's not for everyone but if you shorten your strokes it is amazing. I watched so many senior tournaments where they are a staple that i finally tried one.The one i picked up was already cut to 28", I added weight to the butt and i definitely saw more "controlled" power and feel. It's easy to say not me but in the last few weeks I've become competitive with a few opponents that i was being crushed by in the past.

 

[Tailofdog2]

Well I'm almost 61. Decided to buy a used Gamma RZR bubba 117 here on TW. As usual grade A and pristine condition. It's a serve monster very forgiving. Also great on firehands and slice backhands. Really too easy to generate power since I'm used to low power racquets but man is it fun sometimes. I'm still embarrassed at its size and haven't made a permanent switch to it yet. Someday I will though without apologies.

I am 69 and, coming back from hip surgery. I think the RZR is pretty Amazing as well. A lot more + than-.

 

[The Big Kahuna]

I see a lot of Babolat Pure Drive 107s and 110s in the hands of a lot of Senior Tournament Doubles players.

 

[mark b.]

Watched a tournament (video) from a recent tournament in Palm Desert. Lots of "ranked" seniors and lots of over-sized racquets too.
The Gamma 117 seems to be popular. Also saw some Wilson's, Princes and more but many OS frames.
The Gamma frame has interesting specs. Not sure I'm ready to go ALL IN on a $200 racquet just to find out I don't like it.
I like the stiffness rating and beam width. I Like the modest extended length. Tennis Warehouse doesn't seem to have a DEMO. Why?
Anyway, I'm going to take a chance and string up a Prestige PWR (Fleabay $50). Stay tuned.

 

[atatu]

Watched a tournament (video) from a recent tournament in Palm Desert. Lots of "ranked" seniors and lots of over-sized racquets too.
The Gamma 117 seems to be popular. Also saw some Wilson's, Princes and more but many OS frames.
The Gamma frame has interesting specs. Not sure I'm ready to go ALL IN on a $200 racquet just to find out I don't like it.
I like the stiffness rating and beam width. I Like the modest extended length. Tennis Warehouse doesn't seem to have a DEMO. Why?
Anyway, I'm going to take a chance and string up a Prestige PWR (Fleabay $50). Stay tuned.

The Gamma 117 is a pretty nice frame, you might also take a look at the Clash 108 as well. I have the Pure Drive 107 and the Gamma 117 and I've demoed the Prince Warrior 107 and Beast 104 and the Head OS Radial PWR as well as the Clash and I think the Gamma is the nicest one. However, I still can't move on from my Babolat Pure Aero, maybe when I turn 60 in 3 years.

 

[Injured Again]

Watched a tournament (video) from a recent tournament in Palm Desert. Lots of "ranked" seniors and lots of over-sized racquets too.
The Gamma 117 seems to be popular. Also saw some Wilson's, Princes and more but many OS frames.
The Gamma frame has interesting specs. Not sure I'm ready to go ALL IN on a $200 racquet just to find out I don't like it.
I like the stiffness rating and beam width. I Like the modest extended length. Tennis Warehouse doesn't seem to have a DEMO. Why?
Anyway, I'm going to take a chance and string up a Prestige PWR (Fleabay $50). Stay tuned.

In another thread that I started several months ago, I was questioning if I should make a significant change in racquets. I have traditionally used oversized but heavy (350+ grams), high swingweight (345+) and extended length (27.5" or longer) because at a recent national level, gold-ball tournament held in our area, I saw a majority of doubles players using extremely oversized racquets. This was the 60's indoors:

National USTA Women’s, Mixed & Crabel Capital Men’s 60’s ($10,000) Indoor Championships: Home

I had time to go and watch one of the semifinals in doubles and three of the four competitors were using extreme oversized racquets. Two members of the same team were using the Gamma Bubbas, and one of the other team was using an OS Babolat. These guys were all tough competitors, and if you looked at their game you would see excellent footwork and smooth strokes befitting a 4.5/5.0 level 60+ year old player. These age group peers are most significantly better than me in that they are able to make shots from a defensive position which have enough accuracy, placement, and spin that their opponent has to take some risk to continue on the offensive. These lighter weight, oversized racquets seem to help them maintain better racquet control when they are on the hard move and/or stretched out. With my heavier racquets, I tend to mis-hit or have to swipe at the ball if I'm not in a good position, which usually means an outright error or an easy sitter.

In the end, I decided to stick with my current racquet's playing weight and inertia as that allows me to maximize the things I do best, even if it is at some detriment to the things I do worst. So far, I haven't yet played an age grouper who so consistently attacks my biggest weaknesses and that is the reason I lose. I lose for lots of other reasons as well and until I shore up those other things, I plan to continue to try to improve my strengths and bring up my level of play that way.

Just as an FYI, I play with a few guys still at the 4.5 level or higher who have had some sort of joint replacement. One guy had a full knee eight months ago and is moving so well he is planning on competing next year when he is newly eligible to play in the 70's, and he's going to be tough.

 

[atatu]

In another thread that I started several months ago, I was questioning if I should make a significant change in racquets. I have traditionally used oversized but heavy (350+ grams), high swingweight (345+) and extended length (27.5" or longer) because at a recent national level, gold-ball tournament held in our area, I saw a majority of doubles players using extremely oversized racquets. This was the 60's indoors:

National USTA Women’s, Mixed & Crabel Capital Men’s 60’s ($10,000) Indoor Championships: Home

I had time to go and watch one of the semifinals in doubles and three of the four competitors were using extreme oversized racquets. Two members of the same team were using the Gamma Bubbas, and one of the other team was using an OS Babolat. These guys were all tough competitors, and if you looked at their game you would see excellent footwork and smooth strokes befitting a 4.5/5.0 level 60+ year old player. These age group peers are most significantly better than me in that they are able to make shots from a defensive position which have enough accuracy, placement, and spin that their opponent has to take some risk to continue on the offensive. These lighter weight, oversized racquets seem to help them maintain better racquet control when they are on the hard move and/or stretched out. With my heavier racquets, I tend to mis-hit or have to swipe at the ball if I'm not in a good position, which usually means an outright error or an easy sitter.

In the end, I decided to stick with my current racquet's playing weight and inertia as that allows me to maximize the things I do best, even if it is at some detriment to the things I do worst. So far, I haven't yet played an age grouper who so consistently attacks my biggest weaknesses and that is the reason I lose. I lose for lots of other reasons as well and until I shore up those other things, I plan to continue to try to improve my strengths and bring up my level of play that way.

Just as an FYI, I play with a few guys still at the 4.5 level or higher who have had some sort of joint replacement. One guy had a full knee eight months ago and is moving so well he is planning on competing next year when he is newly eligible to play in the 70's, and he's going to be tough.

Were they using the Gamma 117 or the 137 ? I tried playing with the 137 and it was really tough to get around, however I could really crack some balls when I had ample time to set up.

 

[Injured Again]

Were they using the Gamma 117 or the 137 ? I tried playing with the 137 and it was really tough to get around, however I could really crack some balls when I had ample time to set up.

The match I watched was the semis between Cannon/Grant and Denny/Ditmer. The former team is local to me and the latter team were the ones using the Bubbas, and they are from California so someone from there may know better than me. I don't know for sure which one they used - they were visibly much larger than a 110 but didn't really look like a 137 either. So most likely they were the 117's.

 

[bigdaddy]

63yo senior doubles player. USTA 4.0 League player. I currently play with a Dunlop 300G 05 which translated means 105 sq. in.
I cut it down to 27in. The stiffness (RA) is an arm friendly 57. String pattern is 18x20. I have them (4) heavily modified with silicone in the handle and some tungsten tape in the hoop. Gut mains at 65 and wilson poly crosses at 55. Static wt. is 11.75oz.
I started playing tennis in the early 70's and Manuel Orantes was my idol. In my 20's I was a sectionally ranked singles player.

QUESTION. I don't run (or stop) as well anymore due to severe osteoarthritis and (don't laugh) if I need to run more that three steps for a wide or short shot, my play easily drops to a 3.5. If I'm standing still or moving one step. my strokes are 4.5 - 5.0.
My friend suggested I need a lighter OS racquet to get the racquet up and through the hitting zone when pulled wide. (I do net a lot of forehands on the dead run). It sucks and its depressing.
I think he's full of baloney but it has me wondering. Should I try an sub 10.5 ounce racquet, such as the Wilson Triad Five 103"?
Interestingly, I could just strip my300G down to stock for a 10.5 strung weight. Advice from other seniors would be great.

I’m loving the pure drive 107. Rpm blast in crosses at 50 and bab orgin in mains at 55.. I can’t believe I waited so long. Easy to play with,good control. No arm problems for me. Sw is 312. I have three of them, all weigh 11 oz. good quality control. You won’t regret trying this racquet.