ollinger
G.O.A.T.
What, pray tell, is the 5.0 using now and how does it fail him?
10S-Junkie
Semi-Pro
New 2021 Vcore Pro 97 (310 16 × 19)
Return_Ace
Hall of Fame
Angell TC95 63RA 16x19 330g 12pts HL 
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Depending on the string pattern you like, I would try the Pure Strike Tour and the Yonex VCore Pro 97HD. I play with the PST, but enjoyed the 97HD demo also.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
16x19 and 645.
I'm seriously looking at the Phantom O3 100X... But I don't see grommets anywhere in Europe...... And I can't imagine NEVER replacing the grommets!!!!!! That's SO ANNOYING from Prince and @TWE Staff @TW Staff !!!!!!! When I buy a racquet, especially a RECENT model, I don't want to be stress about HOW I WOULD FIND GROMMETS!!!!!!!!!!
I'm seriously looking at the Phantom O3 100X... But I don't see grommets anywhere in Europe...... And I can't imagine NEVER replacing the grommets!!!!!! That's SO ANNOYING from Prince and @TWE Staff @TW Staff !!!!!!! When I buy a racquet, especially a RECENT model, I don't want to be stress about HOW I WOULD FIND GROMMETS!!!!!!!!!!
liftordie
Hall of Fame
It was on my list...
Nice frame for sure! But I think I could get much more spin with the Prince 16x18 with O ports... And the Phantom is much more head light and comfy (60ra)...
tennisnoob1949
Semi-Pro
Not sure if you wanted only sticks that are currently available new. If not - I’d say any Head racquet before 2000 will work for the requirement of soft with control and plow. I’ve tried a lot of racquets in the last 3 years and the only ones I’ve kept are Head Club Pro, Head Graphite Pro, Head TXP Pro, PT 630 and PT 280 (sold back out all others). The 1st 3 are 90 sq in, so would not recommend for extreme spin. The last 2 are excellent in pretty much any category one could name ; they’re 18/20 though so the launch angles tend to be somewhat low. Only catch with these is to find ones in decent condition used.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Thanks but I want a new and modern racquet.
And I don't know if I am the only one here who really need to change grommets frequently.... I play a lot and if I don't change grommets frequently, I will destroy my frame WAY faster!!!
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Solid frame for sure. But swing weight is too high for my game style and it is not whippy.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
evidently clash no matter what the pro stock heavy frames freaks are telling you.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Clash have plow?
Racingclub
New User
Clash have plow?
What is and are exactly plow and pocketing?
With one of the requirement being a head light racket. I believe I have the misconception and misunderstanding of plow.
Clash have plow?
Difference between a 100p and 98 clash for plow is 5 swing weight? You might want to check out the clash 98, but some strings create vibrations.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Best plow as possible with head light.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
more than enough with the 310gr versions!Clash have plow?
SeeItHitIt
Professional
Ever try an RF97? Not whipped, but checks a lot of those boxes (Except RA).
oh_ yuzzz
Rookie
I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you but 68RA at 357g strung sounds like trouble. SW doesn't seem too crazy (probably the balance) but I imagine that it's not very arm friendly or plush.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
You can't have plowthrough and whippy. You are asking for a racket with low inertia and high momentum which is virtually impossible to achieve as they both depend on mass in the equation. The higher the mass, the higher the momentum and inertia. The lower the mass the lower the momentum and inertia.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Arm destroyer!!!!!!!
I just bought a Phantom 100X 305.
I know Prince and I'm pretty sure it is the best frame I'm looking for.
Can't wait!!!
Thanks to all of you and will report back.
Tennisist
Professional
I found this with Donnay Pro Ones. 16x19 works right off the bet. 18x20 requires some very careful string choices and tension, as some strings completely lack spin in this configuration. But once a proper string is found, the 18x20 even surpasses 16x19 is all respects. 336g/7pt/SW325.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
I know but I was searching for the best balance possible between the two... I will see if I can hit a heavy spin ball with that 100X!!! And against big hitters... I'm sure it will handle it!!!
SinneGOAT
Legend
The Head gravity pro. It is headlight, very soft, great control, really good spin for the 18/20 due to the head shape and string spacing, and fantastic plow. Much better spin than a prestige mp.
With similar criteria to yours, and after owning RF97s and VCORE Pro 97HDs, I chose the Head Pro Tour 2.0. I string it with Luxilon ALU Power at around 55. Because of the dense string pattern and related slightly lower launch, I can swing faster, so that’s more spin for how I play.
GermanBeast
Rookie
liftordie
Hall of Fame
Great frame for sure but too heavy for me. Also SW is too high, as Ra. And too small head size. But for sure a really solid frame for players who can handle it!
liftordie
Hall of Fame
315g is too much for me. And I hate 18x20... Also I read a lot of bad reviews against the Gravity line's QC... It seems to be weird out of specs!!
I think your wish list doesn’t succeed without choosing a heavy(ier) racquet. For plow you need a heavy static weight (around 320 gr or >) or a heavy swing weight (around 330 SW or >). I you want plow and a lighter racquet (let’s say Wilson blade V7) you end with a not so HL racquet etc..
edit: you might like the head extreme pro 360+. I have not played it myself but it thicks all your boxes more or less. It has a medium weight and swingweight but should have some plow because of the thicker beam. Its RA is pretty low for the type of frame it is. 16/19 spin pattern, but I’ve red somewhere it has tight centre mains for enhancing control, and it is head light.
edit: you might like the head extreme pro 360+. I have not played it myself but it thicks all your boxes more or less. It has a medium weight and swingweight but should have some plow because of the thicker beam. Its RA is pretty low for the type of frame it is. 16/19 spin pattern, but I’ve red somewhere it has tight centre mains for enhancing control, and it is head light.
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If you want minimal vibrations, have you thought about Prokennex? Haven't tried that one but
the Qplus tour should be right up your alley. It's 300g unstrung, 9pt HL unstrung, 98 headsize, spinfriendly 16x19 pattern, thinnish 20.3mm boxbeam and comfy 63 RA + the kinetic technology thing for comfort.
the Qplus tour should be right up your alley. It's 300g unstrung, 9pt HL unstrung, 98 headsize, spinfriendly 16x19 pattern, thinnish 20.3mm boxbeam and comfy 63 RA + the kinetic technology thing for comfort.
Good but no plow I’m afraid. Basically he is in search for the perfect racquet (well at least I like his criteria.. ; )
Well there's a 315 and 325g version but he said above that 315 is too much.
And as you stated above, if you want more plow through you either need more weight or more swing weight/less headlight balance.
With a lighter base frame there's always the option to add weight at 12 to increase plow through with the lowest increase of static weight.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
I know but I was searching for the best balance possible between the two... I will see if I can hit a heavy spin ball with that 100X!!! And against big hitters... I'm sure it will handle it!!!
Best technology is probably O ports since they can move more quickly through the air at heavier mass than a lot of frames. And Prince frames are generally arm friendly. The Phantom 100 O3 might be the better option than the 100X.
Another option would be to move a little larger in frame size like a Blade 104 where you get some added plow from the larger string bed and sweetspot.
Lukhas
Legend
The thing is that stability also increases with weight. Vibrations also tend to decrease since the racquet is more stable, and the increase in SW increases spin and power as well. You also don't need to swing as fast to get power. Basically the only problem with a heavier racquet is the lower manoeuvrability.I'm sorry for the "plow gate", guys...
I was meaning something between heavy ball and stability against hard hitters with the word "plow"...
I'm French so I try to do my best in English... Be indulgent!!
If you're as good as you say you are, because 4.5/5.0 is between top of third series and early second series (which is way above average), you should be playing frequently and have pretty good physical conditioning. 310-315g unstrung shouldn't be the end of the world for a player like you. I wouldn't exclude racquets in that range from your playtest list. If you try heavier racquets, I also wouldn't exclude 18*20 either, especially in a 100in² frame: as the weight increase, they make more sense for control since the denser string pattern allows to tame the launch angle. There also are 18*19 or 16*20 racquets if you really cannot tolerate the sight of a 18*20.If you want spin, plow, low vibrations and very headlight; no matter how you want to cut it, heavier is better. Bonne chance!
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liftordie
Hall of Fame
I like O3 but control could be erratic...
Blade 104 v8 is interesting but too light...
Lukhas
Legend
Additionally, the only frame I know that is quite headlight with decent swingweight and a not too open strong pattern is the Prince Beast 98. I use the O3 version. Albeit not harsh at all, it's not low RA. It's going to be difficult to find another racquet that light that has that kind of SW (325-330SW) and balance (6pts HL/32.5cm): generally that means removing weight from the head, which lowers plow and spin. The Beast 98 feels as if it has not much weight in the throat, and it probably doesn't: it's whippy since it's very polarized: weight at either end of the racquet but not much in the middle.
It's also getting discontinued in the West, probably in favour of the Synergy. I'd still try the Head Gravity to be honest, it does seem to fit the bill quite well; or maybe something from ProKennex. That being said, as mentioned earlier as well as by other people: the easiest way to gain stability and power is more weight. Heavier might be tiring, but lighter can also be if you spend too much time swinging for the fence to compensate for the lack of power.
It's also getting discontinued in the West, probably in favour of the Synergy. I'd still try the Head Gravity to be honest, it does seem to fit the bill quite well; or maybe something from ProKennex. That being said, as mentioned earlier as well as by other people: the easiest way to gain stability and power is more weight. Heavier might be tiring, but lighter can also be if you spend too much time swinging for the fence to compensate for the lack of power.
liftordie
Hall of Fame
I have good condition but not so big muscles!The thing is that stability also increases with weight. Vibrations also tend to decrease since the racquet is more stable, and the increase in SW increases spin and power as well. You also don't need to swing as fast to get power. Basically the only problem with a heavier racquet is the lower manoeuvrability.
If you want spin, plow, low vibrations and very headlight; no matter how you want to cut it, heavier is better. Bonne chance!
I run fast, for long time and I have a good speedy wrist. That's why manoeuvrability is crucial for my game style.
I play most of the time on red clay and my game is to eat up physically and mentally my opponent. You don't only need big strength to win at 5.0... Really not. My muscles are my legs, heart and brain. Vicious brain.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This
