Significant or minor difference?

[heycal]

In terms of arm friendliness, how much difference might a few points in head lightness matter? Is there meaningful difference between a racket that's 3 points headlight and one that is 6 points headlight, or would it be barely noticable?

On a semi-related note, which is the more arm friendly version of the PK Core1No. 10 racket, the one with or without the removable bumper?

The stats are:

With bumper:
11.3 oz
3 points headlight
SW: 336

Without bumper:
10.8 oz
8 points headlight
SW:290

 

[vinky]

I would say that some ppl are more sensitive than others to the difference, but in general.. yes, you can probably notice it. The way the racquet feels when you swing also can be different by the weight distribution.. i.e a racquet with more weight concentrated in the throat may swing differently than if the weight was in the butt cap or handle.

 

[heycal]

Thanks. Anyone else want to weigh in?

 

[jonolau]

When it comes to the topic of feel, it is very subjective.

In my personal experience, using a less HL racquet makes me feel as if I'm swinging a tennis ball attached to the end of a limp noodle.

However, the most significant difference comes on net volleys: a more HL racquet gives better stability with less twisting upon contact.

 

[volleyman]

Not sure which version of the Core1 #10 is more arm frendly, but here's what I recall from playing with it both with and without bumper:

With bumper:

Sluggish, especially at net. Very stable, lots of power.

Without bumper:

Extremely manueverable. Still plenty of power, though less than with the bumper. Without the bumper, the racquet suffered a serious loss of stability. I had to add some lead tape to the hoop to stabilize it.

 

[snoflewis]

an almost 50 pt difference in swingweight will not go unnoticed. if you get used to one, the other will feel like an entirely different racket.

 

[heycal]

Not sure which version of the Core1 #10 is more arm frendly, but here's what I recall from playing with it both with and without bumper:

With bumper:

Sluggish, especially at net. Very stable, lots of power.

Without bumper:

Extremely manueverable. Still plenty of power, though less than with the bumper. Without the bumper, the racquet suffered a serious loss of stability. I had to add some lead tape to the hoop to stabilize it.

Volleyman, didn't you post once that the Core1 #10 was one of two best Serve and Volley sticks you'd ever played with? When you said that, were you using it with or without the bumper?