DavaiMarat
Professional
I had the fortune of picking up a TGK237.2 the other day (thank you Russell) and brought it out for a hit or two recently. I'm a 5.0 former college player who hits with heavy spin off both wings. I have almost western grip on the forehand and a 2HBH eastern/cont like safin.
A little history about me and Head. I've been using the prestige line since the classic 600. I've had every iteration of that line since then except the flex point. So in short, I know my prestiges. Until now I've been using the MG pres mid so I will be comparing the 237.2 to that frame.
For those who don't follow head frames, the 237.2 is a pro stock frame with the mold of a prestige mid (possible the PC600) but unlike the newer frames it is made of pure graphite. Also unlike the prestige mids the stringing pattern has been reduced to 16x19. It is also weighted lighter for customization. It has a Microgel paint job.
The frame I got was initially customized for Marat Safin, I haven't measured the specs on it yet but I don't think he cared for the 16x19. The grip size is 4 3/8'ths but the but cap says 4 1/2...weird huh?
First reactions in hand
Static weight of the racket feels substantial. I can feel the weight of the lead under the cap grommets.. I lead up my MG pres considerably with 6 inches at the 3 and 9 so I know what it feels like. However the dynamic weight swings quickly. Someone has a nice job of balancing this frame. I could whip the head of this racquet much more easily then my MG pres mid. Well balanced.
Groundstrokes
Lol, the 1st 3 shots I hit with this thing went 5 feet past the baseline. The string bed was certainly more lively then I expected. I had to consciously flatten my stroke out a bit but after 3-4 mins I was really feeling this racquet. The feel of the frame is buttery, unlike the MG which feels a bit stiff and muted. I imagine this is partly because of the 100% graphite composite but also the 16x19 pattern. I have a couple of PC600's (also pure graphite) and in comparison the impact is softer and more lively. Another
thing that impressed me was increased spin I was able to create. Well maybe not more but could hit flatter and get the same amount of spin. I also found myself hitting this little dipper passing shots and drop shots with more ease. The liveliness of the string bed helped a lot in this regards. I could touch the ball and it would still have enough pop to just clear the net. With the MG Pres Mid this shots were alot stiffer and rigidly executed. The sweetspot was bigger in the 237.2 and I felt myself swinging out a bit more. Now what I didn't like was the fact I lost some accuracy. With the 237.2 I felt I was playing a bit of clay court tennis on a hard court. With the MG mid 18/20 it's like a laser scalpel, you have to execute but ball can almost travel a straight line to your target. The 16x19 237.2 felt like more like a mortar. Once you get use to it's fine but you may experience an adjustment driving the ball. Lastly, sound, I like the sound of the MG mid more because it felt like I was compressing the ball more with my strings. The hollow KA-BONK sound of the 18x20 mid prestige is like a cannon sounding. With the 237.2 I felt it was the string bed giving more then the ball. It was more of a KA-TWANK. It felt pretty good but I knew it was the strings bending more then the frame. Maybe if I tightened the string bed more. Russell had strung it with Red Code and Gosen Micro sheep, I might try to but the sonic pro or big banger and see what that's like.
Volleys
Volley's were a joy with this racquet. The bigger sweet spot allows for a little more relaxation at the net. If anyone's volleyed with a prestige mid, you know it's not the most forgiving racquet. You need perfect form and body weight commitment. The 237.2 felt light through the air and I felt I was touching volleys rather then punching them since they had more life of their own coming off the frame. They were a bit spinnier then I like but accuracy wasn't too bad. Again, as I mentioned before, the MG mid 18/20 is like a scalpel but it must be used with exact precision. The 237.2 is a little less accurate but the reduced effort needed execute makes up for it (racquet does more work). Again, a difference in string tension may have a dramatic effect.
Serves
Okay. Here's where the MG Mid wins out. Every flat serve I hit went 1-2 feet long with the 237.2. I started spinning everything in (I was playing a set). I was a bit of an adjustment but after awhile it felt good. I didn't hit as many serve winners as I do with the MG mid but I was managing a bit more kick and slice which really began to frustrate my opponent. (He jokingly told me he'd rather be aced then sent into the side net). MG mid felt better for serving then the 237.2. I like hitting the corners with pace however I haven't figured out how to flatten it out with this stick yet. Maybe in the next few hits I'll work it out. Again, a tension switch may effect this.
So there you have it. I hope you've found some of this informative. If you are lucky enough to have one of these prostock frames stick with it. I think you'll be surprised with what you can do. I still love my 18/20's but this frame definitely has a place in my game.
Peace,
Mike
Sorry for the double post. I realized that this subject should be in here. I've asked the admin to delete the one in Pro's Gear.
A little history about me and Head. I've been using the prestige line since the classic 600. I've had every iteration of that line since then except the flex point. So in short, I know my prestiges. Until now I've been using the MG pres mid so I will be comparing the 237.2 to that frame.
For those who don't follow head frames, the 237.2 is a pro stock frame with the mold of a prestige mid (possible the PC600) but unlike the newer frames it is made of pure graphite. Also unlike the prestige mids the stringing pattern has been reduced to 16x19. It is also weighted lighter for customization. It has a Microgel paint job.
The frame I got was initially customized for Marat Safin, I haven't measured the specs on it yet but I don't think he cared for the 16x19. The grip size is 4 3/8'ths but the but cap says 4 1/2...weird huh?
First reactions in hand
Static weight of the racket feels substantial. I can feel the weight of the lead under the cap grommets.. I lead up my MG pres considerably with 6 inches at the 3 and 9 so I know what it feels like. However the dynamic weight swings quickly. Someone has a nice job of balancing this frame. I could whip the head of this racquet much more easily then my MG pres mid. Well balanced.
Groundstrokes
Lol, the 1st 3 shots I hit with this thing went 5 feet past the baseline. The string bed was certainly more lively then I expected. I had to consciously flatten my stroke out a bit but after 3-4 mins I was really feeling this racquet. The feel of the frame is buttery, unlike the MG which feels a bit stiff and muted. I imagine this is partly because of the 100% graphite composite but also the 16x19 pattern. I have a couple of PC600's (also pure graphite) and in comparison the impact is softer and more lively. Another
thing that impressed me was increased spin I was able to create. Well maybe not more but could hit flatter and get the same amount of spin. I also found myself hitting this little dipper passing shots and drop shots with more ease. The liveliness of the string bed helped a lot in this regards. I could touch the ball and it would still have enough pop to just clear the net. With the MG Pres Mid this shots were alot stiffer and rigidly executed. The sweetspot was bigger in the 237.2 and I felt myself swinging out a bit more. Now what I didn't like was the fact I lost some accuracy. With the 237.2 I felt I was playing a bit of clay court tennis on a hard court. With the MG mid 18/20 it's like a laser scalpel, you have to execute but ball can almost travel a straight line to your target. The 16x19 237.2 felt like more like a mortar. Once you get use to it's fine but you may experience an adjustment driving the ball. Lastly, sound, I like the sound of the MG mid more because it felt like I was compressing the ball more with my strings. The hollow KA-BONK sound of the 18x20 mid prestige is like a cannon sounding. With the 237.2 I felt it was the string bed giving more then the ball. It was more of a KA-TWANK. It felt pretty good but I knew it was the strings bending more then the frame. Maybe if I tightened the string bed more. Russell had strung it with Red Code and Gosen Micro sheep, I might try to but the sonic pro or big banger and see what that's like.
Volleys
Volley's were a joy with this racquet. The bigger sweet spot allows for a little more relaxation at the net. If anyone's volleyed with a prestige mid, you know it's not the most forgiving racquet. You need perfect form and body weight commitment. The 237.2 felt light through the air and I felt I was touching volleys rather then punching them since they had more life of their own coming off the frame. They were a bit spinnier then I like but accuracy wasn't too bad. Again, as I mentioned before, the MG mid 18/20 is like a scalpel but it must be used with exact precision. The 237.2 is a little less accurate but the reduced effort needed execute makes up for it (racquet does more work). Again, a difference in string tension may have a dramatic effect.
Serves
Okay. Here's where the MG Mid wins out. Every flat serve I hit went 1-2 feet long with the 237.2. I started spinning everything in (I was playing a set). I was a bit of an adjustment but after awhile it felt good. I didn't hit as many serve winners as I do with the MG mid but I was managing a bit more kick and slice which really began to frustrate my opponent. (He jokingly told me he'd rather be aced then sent into the side net). MG mid felt better for serving then the 237.2. I like hitting the corners with pace however I haven't figured out how to flatten it out with this stick yet. Maybe in the next few hits I'll work it out. Again, a tension switch may effect this.
So there you have it. I hope you've found some of this informative. If you are lucky enough to have one of these prostock frames stick with it. I think you'll be surprised with what you can do. I still love my 18/20's but this frame definitely has a place in my game.
Peace,
Mike
Sorry for the double post. I realized that this subject should be in here. I've asked the admin to delete the one in Pro's Gear.
