Swing Weight Ego (And Modern Tennis)

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

Hi all, I'm an out of shape 40 year old returning to the sport I played on and off in my youth. I started up with an old fischer Pro No.1 modded up to a beefy weight, but as it's grommets fell apart, I decided to try out some current racquets. I ended up getting an ezone 98 at 305g, and while I liked it, ended up going back to older frames from the mid to late 90s like the head radical twintube, part of the reason being that I felt if I was taking my tennis seriously, I should be using a "serious player's racquet". But I'm also trying to adopt a more modern forehand, with short backswing and big torso rotation. I recently listened to Tennisnerd's podcast episode on racquet customization, and learned that most college level players play at stock weight with modern frames. Since they're all better than me, it seems I'm just letting my ideology get in the way of what's truly best fir my game and development. Am I bonkers, or do any of you experience this?

Edited: Got the Ezone 98 at 305.

 

[snr]

Work on your technique first. The Ezone 98 Tour is a great stick in its own right.. so I don't even feel comfortable saying "great stick to start with'. It's an all around stick some may like it stock some may like it modded.

if you're coming back, I'd focus on getting some of the more modern technique down such as the low to high, some WW etc. and see what you like.

Don't worry about equipment yet..especially as you've chosen a decent place to start.

The reason the college players play stock weight is that it gives them a lot of RHS. However, do keep in mind the type of ball they play against as well as their superior movement. They also may be used to their sticks from growing up etc. A lot of the touring pros will be using heavier sticks for example, but not all. It's not a requirement more preference for game style. Anyway rambled a bit but I'd say your focus now should be technique first, and let that dictate what equipment you like.

 

[mad dog1]

Hi all, I'm an out of shape 40 year old returning to the sport I played on and off in my youth. I started up with an old fischer Pro No.1 modded up to a beefy weight, but as it's grommets fell apart, I decided to try out some current racquets. I ended up getting an ezone tour at 305g, and while I liked it, ended up going back to older frames from the mid to late 90s like the head radical twintube, part of the reason being that I felt if I was taking my tennis seriously, I should be using a "serious player's racquet". But I'm also trying to adopt a more modern forehand, with short backswing and big torso rotation. I recently listened to Tennisnerd's podcast episode on racquet customization, and learned that most college level players play at stock weight with modern frames. Since they're all better than me, it seems I'm just letting my ideology get in the way of what's truly best fir my game and development. Am I bonkers, or do any of you experience this?

I have grommet sets for the Fischer Pro No. 1 98” 16/20 pattern.

 

[beltsman]

Hi all, I'm an out of shape 40 year old returning to the sport I played on and off in my youth. I started up with an old fischer Pro No.1 modded up to a beefy weight, but as it's grommets fell apart, I decided to try out some current racquets. I ended up getting an ezone tour at 305g, and while I liked it, ended up going back to older frames from the mid to late 90s like the head radical twintube, part of the reason being that I felt if I was taking my tennis seriously, I should be using a "serious player's racquet". But I'm also trying to adopt a more modern forehand, with short backswing and big torso rotation. I recently listened to Tennisnerd's podcast episode on racquet customization, and learned that most college level players play at stock weight with modern frames. Since they're all better than me, it seems I'm just letting my ideology get in the way of what's truly best fir my game and development. Am I bonkers, or do any of you experience this?

Completely depends on your game. Trends in the modern ATP game don't necessarily reflect amateur level. Yes, most players imitate pros, but they do so very poorly. A 4.0 in 1975 or 85 or 95 would do just fine, maybe even better, in 2021.

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

I do worry about handling heavy balls with a light racquet, but that may be due to off-center shots with my poor technique. And yeah, although I'm practicing hard, I've certainly caught the racket bug and started buying up plenty older classics and new sticks (vcore pros and radical 360s) alike. It must be some form of delusion to be weighting up racquets to close to pro player specs, when I clearly struggle to win matches with light racquets!

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

I have grommet sets for the Fischer Pro No. 1 98” 16/20 pattern.

If you're interested in selling, I'm a potential customer! (US?)

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

Work on your technique first. The Ezone 98 Tour is a great stick in its own right.. so I don't even feel comfortable saying "great stick to start with'. It's an all around stick some may like it stock some may like it modded.

if you're coming back, I'd focus on getting some of the more modern technique down such as the low to high, some WW etc. and see what you like.

Don't worry about equipment yet..especially as you've chosen a decent place to start.

The reason the college players play stock weight is that it gives them a lot of RHS. However, do keep in mind the type of ball they play against as well as their superior movement. They also may be used to their sticks from growing up etc. A lot of the touring pros will be using heavier sticks for example, but not all. It's not a requirement more preference for game style. Anyway rambled a bit but I'd say your focus now should be technique first, and let that dictate what equipment you like.

I haven't tried the tour yet, currently only have the 305.

 

[mad dog1]

If you're interested in selling, I'm a potential customer! (US?)

PM me.

 

[socallefty]

Am I bonkers, or do any of you experience this?

Yes, you are bonkers. Play with the racquet that you play well with and win more with. Why play worse with a racquet that has heavier specs than is optimal for your game - do you feel good after you play badly or after a loss? There are good and bad players playing with every racquet spec you can think of and a particular racquet is not going to magically improve your game or winning %. However, constant practice outside of match play will improve your game.

 

[polksio]

Stop with the stock meme. Stock means jack, there are stock radicals with 345 sw, stock pro staffs with 340 sw and they are more likely than you think because 3 grams errors lead to 10sw deviations and everything is chinese made except Yonex
There's not honor in playing with a stock frame and no shame in modifying. If more swingweight makes you win, either demo 30 frames and get lost in the racket rabbit hole one or buy 5 grams of lead tape. Which one do you think tennisnerd wants you to do?
Colleges generally have agreements with local shops that let their players try whatever they want in the shop and they settle to something "they like". In player terms something that when they hit the incoming ball with (from another college player that also uses something that "he likes") is sends it back. If they demo something with 310sw they'll just say "they dont like it" "too unstable" until the randomness puts 340 in their hands and "they like it" and wow look at that, they play with a stock frame.

 

[gebruikershaes]

At my club there are many players way better than me and no one plays with modified racquets. There are practically no places where you can demo so the sticks they play with are just bought without trying. The racquets vary from Babolat, Head, Wilson, Dunlop.. Light, heavy, pretty much everything. So my advice is not to get caught up in the racquet/string rabbit hole. Just pick one, play with it long enough so it becomes your own and practice a lot so you become better.

 

[tonylg]

I can pretty much play with anything that can be strung, but certain racquet properties help different parts of my game, as can a few grams here and there. But once I decide on something and optimise it, I try not to the think about it any more.

 

[socallefty]

I certainly would not look at a player’s racquet and feel overconfident before a match because it is light - that would be a sure recipe for disaster. Unless you look very carefully and closeup, you can’t tell if someone has added lead tape anyway.

 

[tonylg]

I certainly would not look at a player’s racquet and feel overconfident before a match because it is light - that would be a sure recipe for disaster. Unless you look very carefully and closeup, you can’t tell if someone has added lead tape anyway.

Definitely not.

 

[Wheelz]

It's quite possible you prefer the feel of swinging a heavier racquet and mostly like the contact with the ball. Like some prefer the lighter ones. I don't agree lower then pro should use less weight. True you won't see the weight of a pro ball but you'll also won't have to react as quick to its speed. You'll have more time to setup and crush the ball if you like the heavier racquet. I prefer how it forces me to use my legs and swing better. You can have a modern forehand with a heavier racquet, for sure.

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

Really appreciate all the replies to my thread. I currently have a rather slow RHS, a forehand that tends to have a big back swing, and a super abbreviated backhand. At least those are the bad habits I'm trying to un-train. I've been working on my strokes against a wall with the Head Radical Pro from 2019, a very light and easy to swing racquet, as well as a 372 lb beast that I got from ****. It seems that I get more done trying to correct my swing if I start off with the heavy log, and when I move back to the lighter "main" racquet, my RHS seems to be naturally higher. This really showed me that the heavy racquets which felt wonderfully solid, aren't really what I'm capable of swinging, if when I go down in weight, something suddenly "unlocks" in my strokes. The Ezones seem to be a nice compromise, as they seem pretty head heavy, and thus more solid at impact, but have enough lightness to swing faster with. Hoping the good feelings continue when my used Ezone tour comes in soon.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I'm an out of shape 40 year old returning to the sport

But I'm also trying to adopt a more modern forehand, with short backswing and big torso rotation.

Just be careful. The modern swing may not age well. When I look at the 50+ year old crew of top players at our club, none of them are swinging like Nadal. You'll see a lot more Agassi type strokes. You need more leg and core fitness for the modern game and that may not be easily achieved as a weekend warrior.

Doing things your body doesn't feel natural doing can lead to injury.

 

[DustinW]

@Shankmeister-Chubs There is no reason why you can't play at a high level (4.5+) with stock frames in the 295-310g unstrung range. I used to play heavy frames (like 330g unstrung), but over the years I've gravitated to much lighter frames. I feel like I have more control with light frames, because (for me) light frames make it easier to control pace and spin better by varying racket head speed. Plus light frames are way easier to defend with. It will take some time to adjust, so give it some time.

 

[ryushen21]

Hi all, I'm an out of shape 40 year old returning to the sport I played on and off in my youth. I started up with an old fischer Pro No.1 modded up to a beefy weight, but as it's grommets fell apart, I decided to try out some current racquets. I ended up getting an ezone 98 at 305g, and while I liked it, ended up going back to older frames from the mid to late 90s like the head radical twintube, part of the reason being that I felt if I was taking my tennis seriously, I should be using a "serious player's racquet". But I'm also trying to adopt a more modern forehand, with short backswing and big torso rotation. I recently listened to Tennisnerd's podcast episode on racquet customization, and learned that most college level players play at stock weight with modern frames. Since they're all better than me, it seems I'm just letting my ideology get in the way of what's truly best fir my game and development. Am I bonkers, or do any of you experience this?

Edited: Got the Ezone 98 at 305.

I was long time junkie for heavy frames with big swingweights. I switched to the EZone 100 and have had no issue or regrets. Focus on form first because once that is solid you will have more confidence in your response to bigger hitters.

I'm a 4.0 and I'm playing better tennis now that I've switched than I have in a long time. Just because a racquet is lighter doesn't make it less stable or less capable of hitting a heavy ball.

 

[polksio]

I was long time junkie for heavy frames with big swingweights. I switched to the EZone 100 and have had no issue or regrets. Focus on form first because once that is solid you will have more confidence in your response to bigger hitters.

Happy for you man do whatever feels good to you and lets you win (have fun).

Just because a racquet is lighter doesn't make it less stable or less capable of hitting a heavy ball.

Absolutely, I mean look at Nadal, lightest racket of the big three but he crushes the ball the hardest

 

[Anton]

Hi all, I'm an out of shape 40 year old returning to the sport I played on and off in my youth. I started up with an old fischer Pro No.1 modded up to a beefy weight, but as it's grommets fell apart, I decided to try out some current racquets. I ended up getting an ezone 98 at 305g, and while I liked it, ended up going back to older frames from the mid to late 90s like the head radical twintube, part of the reason being that I felt if I was taking my tennis seriously, I should be using a "serious player's racquet". But I'm also trying to adopt a more modern forehand, with short backswing and big torso rotation. I recently listened to Tennisnerd's podcast episode on racquet customization, and learned that most college level players play at stock weight with modern frames. Since they're all better than me, it seems I'm just letting my ideology get in the way of what's truly best fir my game and development. Am I bonkers, or do any of you experience this?

Edited: Got the Ezone 98 at 305.

No worries buddy, Djockovich and Murray are better players than you and those college players, both use "mid to late 90s like the head radical twintube" rackets.

Just use what works for you. And btw that Ezone just may work for you pretty well with some lead if you want to get into a more western, brush-up spin game.

 

[Anton]

Absolutely, I mean look at Nadal, lightest racket of the big three but he crushes the ball the hardest

He uses a pretty solid swingweight at 350+.

 

[polksio]

He uses a pretty solid swingweight at 350+.

It's more like 370 and yeah that was the joke haha

Otherwise if this statement is about swingweight

Just because a racquet is lighter doesn't make it less stable or less capable of hitting a heavy ball.

then it is objectively wrong.

 

[Hit 'em clean]

Always play with the weight you feel most comfortable with. As you get older and sometimes more comfortable in life (out of shape)... it gets harder to play with heavier frames style frames that we grew up with in the 80/90's. You want some weight in the racquet as it provide feel and helps regulate your swing a bit. If I go too light (could be not enough swing weight and/or static weight... just depends) I find that my swing can get out of control because I grew up swinging lumber and you just get used to feeling you're putting in a certain amount of effort. I try to find racquets that give me enough weight or resistance that it matches the usual rhythm of my swing style. I used to prefer racquets up around the 12oz range, but now I'm down to around 11.7/11.6 as a sweet spot for me.

Figure out what feels good to swing... as you get back into it your opinion might change a bit on stiffness of frame. string pattern, power, etc. but for most of us that have established swings your feel and rhythm don't change that much if ever. You want something that will help keep you in rhythm.

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

Sorry just had to resurrect this, but I just wanted to update, in case this helps anybody. I am now officially out of the heavy racquet camp. (might keep one Radical Candycane for fun though) I developed some forearm /elbow pain this past year, and decided to go down in weight. Demoing a bunch of 305 racquets these past few months, and while some of them have similar swing weights to what I was using, the lighter, faster frames do really seem to help, and unlock a freer stroke. I'm finding it easier to do what I'm intending to do with my swing path, with less resistance to push through. I'm also playing with lower string tensions. Currently pretty sold on the TF40 305 18x20. It has a listed strung sw of 326, with ideal balance for my backhand, and still feels not too sluggish for my forehand. GREAT feel, btw. Also kind of tempted to by the solinco whiteout. It was much more head light, but just delightful and fun to play with.

By the way your comments have been so on the money about stroke form. Getting the racquet out in front changes the feel of a racquet completely, and if I like a heavier racquet just because it feels more stable when I'm hitting more compressed or late, it's not truly helpful. I need racquets that allow me to swing properly, and give me confidence to swing out fully.

 

[Strayfire]

Getting the racquet out in front changes the feel of a racquet completely, and if I like a heavier racquet just because it feels more stable when I'm hitting more compressed or late, it's not truly helpful. I need racquets that allow me to swing properly, and give me confidence to swing out fully.

I went down from 320g Yonex Vcore Pro HD to 298g Tecnifibre Iga for the same reason. Now I'm not sure if I have the same build as you (I'm quite small), but I felt a similar sort of realisation.

It's a lot easier to swing the way I want to with a lighter modern style frame, especially since I was taught the modern whippy fh.

Like you I struggle sometimes and miss the heft of a classic frame to bail me out when hitting compressed or late, but conversely, it's been easier to keep consistent with a modern frame because they are easier to swing. I still miss the stability of the Vcore Pro at net, but it's dawning on me that I should be using a ~300g modern frame I can actually swing consistently to get a deep ball instead of swinging too hard to ensure I don't give a weak return.

 

[Crashbaby]

It’s all individual.
You can probably adapt to either light or heavy racquets. I do think heavy racquets require more training though. And swinging crazy fast with a light stick will also require a higher skill set.
Compromise is normally the best option, especially as you are not young, but you are also far from being old.
Add 2 grams at both 10 and 2 to your Ezone and either a leather grip or a little weight in or on the handle to keep the balance and you are set. You’ll be in the middle ground, enough weight for arm protection on non perfect contact and not so much weight so as to require perfect technique or be risking injury.
Give it a try and report back, you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Crashbaby]

Keep in mind you are a not a college player and will not be able to swing as fast as they do and maintain any semblance of control.
So do not use their racquets, again compromise will be your friend. 310 to 320g frames, stock or modified will be a smarter option, especially if you want a degree of arm safety with poly strings.
Also, you are not bonkers, but no, you also don’t need 360g of twin tube Head goodness either. That’s my take on your question.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Stop with the stock meme. Stock means jack, there are stock radicals with 345 sw, stock pro staffs with 340 sw and they are more likely than you think because 3 grams errors lead to 10sw deviations and everything is chinese made except Yonex
There's not honor in playing with a stock frame and no shame in modifying. If more swingweight makes you win, either demo 30 frames and get lost in the racket rabbit hole one or buy 5 grams of lead tape. Which one do you think tennisnerd wants you to do?
Colleges generally have agreements with local shops that let their players try whatever they want in the shop and they settle to something "they like". In player terms something that when they hit the incoming ball with (from another college player that also uses something that "he likes") is sends it back. If they demo something with 310sw they'll just say "they dont like it" "too unstable" until the randomness puts 340 in their hands and "they like it" and wow look at that, they play with a stock frame.

STOCK STOCK STOCK

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

No worries buddy, Djockovich and Murray are better players than you and those college players, both use "mid to late 90s like the head radical twintube" rackets.

Just use what works for you. And btw that Ezone just may work for you pretty well with some lead if you want to get into a more western, brush-up spin game.

How dare you assume Djokovic and Murray are better than me

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

At my club there are many players way better than me and no one plays with modified racquets. There are practically no places where you can demo so the sticks they play with are just bought without trying. The racquets vary from Babolat, Head, Wilson, Dunlop.. Light, heavy, pretty much everything. So my advice is not to get caught up in the racquet/string rabbit hole. Just pick one, play with it long enough so it becomes your own and practice a lot so you become better.

You sure can do it that way but experimenting with racquets and strings to optimize is well worth it imo if you have the time. Its amazing what a difference even a string can make, huge differences. If you wanna use only one racquet I'd at least try various strings

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

I went down from 320g Yonex Vcore Pro HD to 298g Tecnifibre Iga for the same reason. Now I'm not sure if I have the same build as you (I'm quite small), but I felt a similar sort of realisation.

It's a lot easier to swing the way I want to with a lighter modern style frame, especially since I was taught the modern whippy fh.

Like you I struggle sometimes and miss the heft of a classic frame to bail me out when hitting compressed or late, but conversely, it's been easier to keep consistent with a modern frame because they are easier to swing. I still miss the stability of the Vcore Pro at net, but it's dawning on me that I should be using a ~300g modern frame I can actually swing consistently to get a deep ball instead of swinging too hard to ensure I don't give a weak return.

Hahah, I have a vcore pro 97hd in my bag as we speak! I should really try the Iga, I've heard so many good things! The TF40 is nice, but I could see wanting even lower SW!

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

Keep in mind you are a not a college player and will not be able to swing as fast as they do and maintain any semblance of control.
So do not use their racquets, again compromise will be your friend. 310 to 320g frames, stock or modified will be a smarter option, especially if you want a degree of arm safety with poly strings.
Also, you are not bonkers, but no, you also don’t need 360g of twin tube Head goodness either. That’s my take on your question.

I've since sold my eZone and eZone Tour, lol! Just something about the way they swing through the air never quite gelled with me.
I do feel like the heft of a heavier racquet just impacts the ball so sweetly, but yes, my intention isn't to swing like Borg /Edberg, or even Agassi, my old fave. I'm trying to give a go at how goes are injecting a lot of topspin today, but obviously scaled back to whatever level I'm able to achieve. I do occasionally play against some heavy hitters, so need stability too. Most of my racquets right now are 310g, but not all feel stable or feel fast, which is why I'm exploring the 305s.

 

[socallefty]

If you are out of shape, you are probably late to many balls and that’s why a heavier racquet may feel too slow. If you get back into good shape where your footwork gets quicker, you set up earlier and have an early takeback for balls, suddenly you’ll find that your heavier racquets are still maneuverable enough to take good cuts at the ball. If you are not late to the ball, the extra mass will make it easier to generate power.

I wonder how many of the players who say they want lighter racquets as they age are getting slower with their feet and want to compensate for starting their swing later.

 

[Strayfire]

If you are out of shape, you are probably late to many balls and that’s why a heavier racquet may feel too slow. If you get back into good shape where your footwork gets quicker, you set up earlier and have an early takeback for balls, suddenly you’ll find that your heavier racquets are still maneuverable enough to take good cuts at the ball. If you are not late to the ball, the extra mass will make it easier to generate power.

I wonder how many of the players who say they want lighter racquets as they age are getting slower with their feet and want to compensate for starting their swing later.

People say that heavy classic racquets are too unforgiving. In another way they're forgiving. I can easily chip back so many returns or rely on block volleys.

I don't need as much topspin and I can play full multis without issue.

It's nice. I haven't exactly decided what I will stick with yet, but I'll continue using my Iga until my shoulder heals.

 

[Power Player]

One thing about SW is younger college players are in peak fitness and can use about anything. So if they like light frames that whip they wont have an issue swinging out for 2 hours with it and generating big power.

The reason babaolats are so popular is you can use a light frame with low sw and still get good power without having to swing out.

of course higher sw frames require better footwork but you can swing slower and still generate power.

there is just a lot to it. The short story is to not try and emulate pros or college players because they are in peak fitness. Check out channels that show 4.0 and up rec matches like tennis troll and see what those guys are using instead.Thats a better starting point imo.

the ez98 was a nice choice i think.

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

One thing about SW is younger college players are in peak fitness and can use about anything. So if they like light frames that whip they wont have an issue swinging out for 2 hours with it and generating big power.

The reason babaolats are so popular is you can use a light frame with low sw and still get good power without having to swing out.

of course higher sw frames require better footwork but you can swing slower and still generate power.

there is just a lot to it. The short story is to not try and emulate pros or college players because they are in peak fitness. Check out channels that show 4.0 and up rec matches like tennis troll and see what those guys are using instead.Thats a better starting point imo.

the ez98 was a nice choice i think.

What do you think of the Tecnifibre TF40 305? I seem to understand that racquet better and wing more naturally with it.

 

[Power Player]

What do you think of the Tecnifibre TF40 305? I seem to understand that racquet better and wing more naturally with it.

I liked it a lot. Wasn't a huge fan of the feel compared to the Blade v7 I was using at the time. It was very easy to hit consistent and heavy with the 305, I just can't use that balance anymore so I prefer a little more HL frames now. Also like them a little softer than the TF40.

 

[cortado]

I'm not a high-swing-weight ego person, but I do find if the static weight and/or swing weight is too low, you have to swing super-fast to compensate and that in itself can be tiring or can hurt you.
Like the difference between throwing a cricket ball (which has some weight to it) vs a foam softball. The cricket ball takes on and carries momentum much better than the softball.

 

[tlm]

I feel for most rec players a SW of 305-340 is plenty heavy enough. Some might like a racket slightly heavier but this I have to use a heavy racket thinking is more about ego than performance.

It seems like on this site the optimal racket would have a minimum 370 SW with at least a 4 3/4” handle and strung with poly at 35 lbs. Just forget these heavy log rackets that many will struggle with and be late on their swings with.

Demo some variety of moderate weight rackets and see what works best for your swing style. Some can do fine with as low as a 300 SW and some will do better with around 330 or so but forget about having to use a heavy racket just because some people think a racket has to be a certain weight to be playable.

 

[GummiiBear]

It seems like on this site the optimal racket would have a minimum 370 SW with at least a 4 3/4” handle and strung with poly at 35 lbs. Just forget these heavy log rackets that many will struggle with and be late on their swings with.

28” as well.

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

I feel for most rec players a SW of 305-340 is plenty heavy enough. Some might like a racket slightly heavier but this I have to use a heavy racket thinking is more about ego than performance.

It seems like on this site the optimal racket would have a minimum 370 SW with at least a 4 3/4” handle and strung with poly at 35 lbs. Just forget these heavy log rackets that many will struggle with and be late on their swings with.

Demo some variety of moderate weight rackets and see what works best for your swing style. Some can do fine with as low as a 300 SW and some will do better with around 330 or so but forget about having to use a heavy racket just because some people think a racket has to be a certain weight to be playable.

I did a bunch of demos just to do that! Ezone 2022, pure strike 16x19, solinco Whiteout, tf40 305, blade 16x19 V8. I liked how the pure strike swung so easily, but the stiff feel was the most notable out of all the racquets. The TF40 played similarly, swung a little slower, but had great feel and was acceptably comfortable, so that became my choice to move forward with! The ezone just didn't swing naturally for me, and the blade felt soft and head light, which as a lot to adjust to. The solinco played head light and crisp, but was still supremely comfortable, so it was my runner up choice. I'm still tempted to pick one up, despite my commitment to the TF40!

 

[tlm]

I did a bunch of demos just to do that! Ezone 2022, pure strike 16x19, solinco Whiteout, tf40 305, blade 16x19 V8. I liked how the pure strike swung so easily, but the stiff feel was the most notable out of all the racquets. The TF40 played similarly, swung a little slower, but had great feel and was acceptably comfortable, so that became my choice to move forward with! The ezone just didn't swing naturally for me, and the blade felt soft and head light, which as a lot to adjust to. The solinco played head light and crisp, but was still supremely comfortable, so it was my runner up choice. I'm still tempted to pick one up, despite my commitment to the TF40!

Ive hit with the Ezone and Blade and both played well, sounds like you are getting close to what you need. It’s best to take your time and demo as much as possible.

 

[Shankmeister-Chubs]

Isn't there some guy on these forums (Forgetting the handle) who has super modded up racquets with lead and like, other metals? Wrapped all around them? I checked out the videos that he showed, where he hit with these very short bunting strokes. I don't see his form as a goal for me. I know it's an extreme example, but it makes sense for me to go light so I don't constrict my progress. I know I'll never swing like the top pros, but I want to see how close I can get through fitness and practice. So yeah, swing weight itself can help with some super short strokes, but I might as well play and practice hard with a more helpful racquet, enjoy my tennis. This is clearly the way, based on the success so many other recreational players have had with their racquets of choice, and succeeding in rec leagues.

 

[rst]

get a bunch of lead tape and electricians' tape and just play around with the racket on a court for a while doing different placement combinations. i wasted too much time on rackets. my build is odd in that i have huge hands, 36" arm length (excluding my hands), am almost 6'4" and just over 200lbs. light rackets and small grips i shanked too much and i am a flat hitter with a lot of flat OHBH and slice OHBH. after much experimenting i now use a 16.8 ounce prince phantom pro-x with the o ports with 16 guage kevlar/and syngut strings and a 4 5/8 grip stacked with layers of tournagrip that measures to about 6 3/4 in. i have a bunch of layers of 2 3/4 inch lead strips taped inside the throat of the racket which seems to give me the best balance and stability for my flat shots and the fat grip prevents twisting. the kevlar at 55lbs tames my flat shots and the flexy prince phantom doesnt cause pain. not a powerful racket but i get pinpoint accuracy. im just a so so athlete but after never mastering a lot of topsin _ the mass of this racket somehow gives me accurate depth and the kevlar has helped me get good angled topspin forehands when i am late on a shot and going crosscourt - something I wasn't doing well before by just kinda-sorta tweaking a racket. not sure what the swing weight of mine is.

 

[KYHacker]

Light swing weight REQUIRES racquet head speed or good weight transfer to hold up against 4.5 or greater ball speed. At lower levels most (not all) players don’t hit a heavy enough ball or big enough serve that anything over a 320 SW is required. If you return serve against folks who hit 95+ mph serves or 60+ mph ground strokes with spin, you will definitely want a swing weight of 325+ (more likely close to 330+) to deal with the impact force of the incoming ball and have any level of comfort and injury prevention. It’s really more about who you will be playing against. Static weight is a factor, but swingweight is a bigger factor. Balance gets really wonky if you go really light and a high swingweight. You can also compensate some for lower swingweight with a bigger headsize. Trade off is usually a decrease in control.
This is why you are seeing modern players racquets coalescing around 305-315 static weight, 98-102 headsize (a lot of the 100 in frames are actually larger), and a swing weight from 320-330, and a beam width of 22-24 mm or a dual taper beam. Those specs provide enough stability on volleys and shorter strokes, and enough stability against most opponents incoming shots.
Those specs fall down some though if you use classic technique versus more modern technique. Don’t underestimate the value of early prep and more linear strokes with less racquet head speed. On faster courts, those strokes can be more lethal, and heavier frames excel at those strokes.