The Head Extreme Pro just got an excellent review and nobody cares about...

[danbrenner]

This is my second year using the same stick. A miracle. I used to Demo and switch sticks as much as JackB1. And I'm not knocking him for that. It's fun to play test sticks. But sometimes one stick just wins out. And I'm glad that mine is the 2.0.

 

[n8dawg6]

how yall like the old school head grip on the IG for full western forehands?

 

[Power Player]

I love it. You just have to use the right grip size. I use 1/4. A little smaller is better than a little bigger IMO.

 

[Boubi]

I love it. You just have to use the right grip size. I use 1/4. A little smaller is better than a little bigger IMO.

1/4 ?! This is extremely small

 

[Power Player]

Not really. 4 1/4 is pretty common nowadays. Anyway, you don't have to use it. I was just giving my own example.

 

[n8dawg6]

I use a 4 1/4 as well. It's actually a little large on the Babs, but just about right on a Head racquet

 

[n8dawg6]

This is extremely small

thats what she said

 

[stingstang]

I love the 2.0 Ext Pro.

Is the XT very similar? If it is, I won't bother trying to stock up with a few more 2.0's.

Also do the graphene/XT black grommets fit the 2.0's? The clear ones are junk, broke a few of them.

 

[n8dawg6]

I love the 2.0 Ext Pro.

Is the XT very similar? If it is, I won't bother trying to stock up with a few more 2.0's.

Also do the graphene/XT black grommets fit the 2.0's? The clear ones are junk, broke a few of them.

the XT is a little different. it's somewhere in-between the previous graphene and the IG 2.0. it's a little more polarized than the IG, seems to swing faster. The previous graphene is ok, it's just not my favorite. doesn't feel as solid for some reason.

 

[TR3NT]

I love the 2.0 Ext Pro.

Is the XT very similar? If it is, I won't bother trying to stock up with a few more 2.0's.

Also do the graphene/XT black grommets fit the 2.0's? The clear ones are junk, broke a few of them.

Would also like to know this. The black ones would not only be stronger but would look better too!

 

[danbrenner]

how yall like the old school head grip on the IG for full western forehands?

That just comes down to preference. Just FYI no one on tour including nadal uses a full western. In nadals case he uses just a slightly more extreme version of a semi western. With a true full western palm and index back knuckle on the bottom bevel, you would not be able to hit flat at all.

 

[n8dawg6]

That just comes down to preference. Just FYI no one on tour including nadal uses a full western. In nadals case he uses just a slightly more extreme version of a semi western. With a true full western palm and index back knuckle on the bottom bevel, you would not be able to hit flat at all.

guess im not hitting "full" western anyway. i have palm down on side bevel for forehands. seems like folks on here have a love/hate relationship with the 2 head handle types. ive had good results with both.

 

[danbrenner]

guess im not hitting "full" western anyway. i have palm down on side bevel for forehands. seems like folks on here have a love/hate relationship with the 2 head handle types. ive had good results with both.

Yeah u have a solid semi western as most of us do.
The two handle shapes are indeed the subject of many a debate.
I can play with both, but the more rectangular allows my hand to get a better grab. That's just a personal thing.
The main thing is that u should love the stick I play with.

 

[danbrenner]

*u play with.

 

[Zoolander]

Yeah u have a solid semi western as most of us do.
The two handle shapes are indeed the subject of many a debate.
I can play with both, but the more rectangular allows my hand to get a better grab. That's just a personal thing.
The main thing is that u should love the stick I play with.

So db if you own both the MP and Pro 2.0 do they play pretty much the same, except the pro has extra weight in the handle? Always preferred the MP's and can add the weight myself.

 

[danbrenner]

So db if you own both the MP and Pro 2.0 do they play pretty much the same, except the pro has extra weight in the handle? Always preferred the MP's and can add the weight myself.

Similar. The MP plays/feels like an APD.
The Pro has a similar feel to the MP but is weighted and balanced more in the vein of a players stick. U know 12oz slightly more head light Etc Etc.
I can hit much looper forehands with the Mp. Te pro gives you more precision and stability. But like u said, u can tinker with tape on the MP. For example to bridge the gap, I added 4g of lead to the throat to improve stability without changing the balance. Little tricks of te trade. The pro I love as well, but I really do enjoy those whippy forehands that i cant quite achieve with the pro.

 

[n8dawg6]

tonight hit the IG 2.0 MP and pro, and last generation pure drive in a couple sets with a hitting partner. the MP can be found for a little over $60 right now, btw. Pro is a little more, but still less than $100.

I used to think these type racquets were cheating and would let you get away with bad form. the extreme's forgiving, for sure, but the thing is it really rewards proper mechanics. I can't really see a downside at this point. good technique yields heavy groundstrokes from both sides, good slices too. solid put-aways at net.

any decent co-poly will do, strung at 50 lbs. I've used tourna blue, cyclone, vtorque, all work well. i prefer 17g.

the Pure Drive is a fantastic racquet, I don't care what anyone says. it hits topspin groundstrokes with ease, nice kick serves, and punches volleys just fine too. great all-around frame. thing is, for half the price or less, you can get one of these IG extremes. and they're so easy to use. I'd even say the extreme is better on touch shots than the pure drive.

im rambling, but I recommend the frame. great bargain, even if it aint the purdiest out there.

 

[danbrenner]

tonight hit the IG 2.0 MP and pro, and last generation pure drive in a couple sets with a hitting partner. the MP can be found for a little over $60 right now, btw. Pro is a little more, but still less than $100.

I used to think these type racquets were cheating and would let you get away with bad form. the extreme's forgiving, for sure, but the thing is it really rewards proper mechanics. I can't really see a downside at this point. good technique yields heavy groundstrokes from both sides, good slices too. solid put-aways at net.

any decent co-poly will do, strung at 50 lbs. I've used tourna blue, cyclone, vtorque, all work well. i prefer 17g.

the Pure Drive is a fantastic racquet, I don't care what anyone says. it hits topspin groundstrokes with ease, nice kick serves, and punches volleys just fine too. great all-around frame. thing is, for half the price or less, you can get one of these IG extremes. and they're so easy to use. I'd even say the extreme is better on touch shots than the pure drive.

im rambling, but I recommend the frame. great bargain, even if it aint the purdiest out there.

So which of the three was your favorite of that play test. And why?

 

[n8dawg6]

So which of the three was your favorite of that play test. And why?

extreme pro. mainly because the weight and balance was the most useful for me and I had the best control with it. The Pure Drive was the easiest to use with a lower SW, but wasn't quite as spinny as the extremes. Pure Drive didn't have as much plow with the lower SW, but the entire stringbed is the sweet spot. I can see why it's so popular with the 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 crowd. I like getting pace and spin without having to swing out of my shoes to generate RHS, these racquets allow me to do that.

The extreme MP is a little head-heavy compared to the other two. definitely helps with grooving the groundstrokes and whipping thru serves, but just a little less control is the downside. These racquets all have a 16x19 pattern with similar spacing, it's a good mix between control and spin potential. The extreme has a little bit wider and shorter racquet head, the pure drive is a little narrower and longer. I know the rac manufacturers need to come up with something "new" every few years to keep selling frames, but this "old tech" (i.e. 3 years old, 2012) works as good or better than anything brand new out there right now.

 

[Power Player]

This racquet is GOATmode. Period. I have the best Babolat power frame out there, and I still prefer the Extreme Pro.

 

[danbrenner]

extreme pro. mainly because the weight and balance was the most useful for me and I had the best control with it. The Pure Drive was the easiest to use with a lower SW, but wasn't quite as spinny as the extremes. Pure Drive didn't have as much plow with the lower SW, but the entire stringbed is the sweet spot. I can see why it's so popular with the 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 crowd. I like getting pace and spin without having to swing out of my shoes to generate RHS, these racquets allow me to do that.

The extreme MP is a little head-heavy compared to the other two. definitely helps with grooving the groundstrokes and whipping thru serves, but just a little less control is the downside. These racquets all have a 16x19 pattern with similar spacing, it's a good mix between control and spin potential. The extreme has a little bit wider and shorter racquet head, the pure drive is a little narrower and longer. I know the rac manufacturers need to come up with something "new" every few years to keep selling frames, but this "old tech" (i.e. 3 years old, 2012) works as good or better than anything brand new out there right now.

totally agreed. the racquet tech seems to have plateaued over the last 5 years. Now its all gimmicks and bs. It makes all the sense in the world to evaluate your fav sticks of the last 5 years and think about which one can be a contender for your game. If i hadnt done that i might still be playtesting.

 

[danbrenner]

not to sell anyone on the MP over the PRO cause i have them and love them both, but the MP is pretty easily customizable with a few grams of lead. (thats if the pro is slightly heavy for you).,

 

[n8dawg6]

Ugh, hate to admit it, but I had to switch out the Ex Pro tonight in a league match. I've been playing doubles for months now and just started the singles winter league. anyway, for the first time, the Ex Pro got heavy as I got tired. switched over to the (gasp) babs PD and mopped up. my relationship with the Ex Pro aint over, guess I'm still just getting my bearings. Gonna give the MP a good whirl tomorrow comparing with the PD.

 

[Power Player]

Figure out what weight you prefer. Maybe your EP has a high SW..who knows. The MP versus the PD is really just what you like better. I can't see either one making a huge difference. Personally I prefer the more direct feel of the Head frames.

 

[TennisHound]

You can add some lead strips to the MP at 3&9 and it really smooths out the hit, without adding too much weight.

 

[Power Player]

I don't know the stats on the MP, but the Pro is so solid at 3 and 9 that I think more lead would make it super sluggish. I'd check the twist weight on the MP and see where it is at before adding lead there. I used to lead up about every frame I got, but I have not in over a year since getting the Prestige MP and then the Extreme Pro.

 

[n8dawg6]

the MP actually has a 330+ swingweight, a lot of weight in the head. I believe they dialed it back a bit in later iterations. it's comparatively less stable than the Pro, but the Pro is a dadgum brick wall

 

[TennisHound]

The Extremes have a serious dead jarring in the top of the stringbed, and on the outer edges of 3 & 9, plus significant twisting in this area as well. Adding lead helps but doesn't fix the deadness in the top of the racquet. The first gen graphenes had this a little worse, and the IG 2.0 had it the least, but it was still present. I've only hit with the XT for a brief encounter, but it felt less than the Graphene, but about the same as the IG.

 

[Power Player]

I don't have any issues with jarring at all with the Pro. One of the reasons I switched to the frame.

Definitely no twisting. That is one of the best parts of the racquet.

I bet you are talking about the MP though, and I have not used that one.

 

[TennisHound]

Yep, the MP

 

[avocadoz]

If it wasn't so damn fugly...I don't think I've liked a single Head PJ in the last several years.

 

[danbrenner]

If it wasn't so damn fugly...I don't think I've liked a single Head PJ in the last several years.

really.. im surprised. I dont use a Prestige, but IMO that is the hottest PJ out there period. and the Extremes and Radicals are no slouches either. As the matter of fact, the APD or whatever they call it now is the best selling stick on the planet, and lets call a spade a spade, Babolat copied the Extreme PJ on this new iteration.. So come on now, we must give Head some Kudos in the PJ dept..

 

[bigdaddy]

I've been using babolat vs touch 16 in the mains at 51 lbs, lux 4g crosses at 49. Working great. Still loving this racquet.

 

[asifallasleep]

For a frame that I said was really unpopular and should be discontinued it really swings very nice. They are really cheap at a local shop so I'm going to demo it this weekend. The shape seems less rounded compared to the IG which I loved as far as performance. I really like the color scheme as well.

 

[Power Player]

Its the exact same frame, just a little more HL...lol.

 

[corerotation]

I had a chance to hit around with a graphene XT extreme pro. Very impressed! Solid feel and great balance in the hand. Good power, spin, control and surprisingly manoueverable even at 12 oz strung.

 

[TennisHound]

I'm guessing its about 11.8oz

 

[corerotation]

I'm guessing its about 11.8oz

I know it was 12 oz because it was weighed on a digital scale. No guessing.

 

[Power Player]

Yeah mine are right there at 339. They just feel great in the hand and I have much more ball than with a Babolat.

 

[Matthew Lee]

Yeah mine are right there at 339. They just feel great in the hand and I have much more ball than with a Babolat.

I tried the Head Graphene Extreme MP, and I felt that the Pro version was better due to the mass. I don't know about some people, but I think the Graphene was a decent update, though I have to say that the IG version of the Extreme MP was favorable for me. I'm going to demo the Graphene XT Extreme Pro sometime soon.

 

[Boubi]

In my opinion, IG version of the extreme MP was way too light

 

[Power Player]

I tried the Head Graphene Extreme MP, and I felt that the Pro version was better due to the mass. I don't know about some people, but I think the Graphene was a decent update, though I have to say that the IG version of the Extreme MP was favorable for me. I'm going to demo the Graphene XT Extreme Pro sometime soon.

Can't go wrong with the Pro if you just want to play tennis, win matches and have a fantastic frame in your hand.

 

[TennisHound]

These racquets feel big, though. Playing with the Pure Aero Tour, it reminds me why I struggled with the Extreme Pro. It is just a lot to swing. With a 100" head at 11 oz unstrung, this is a pretty hefty club. I'm still trying to adjust to it, but I realized now why I have enjoyed 98" racquets. Simply because they are easier to swing.

 

[asifallasleep]

These racquets feel big, though. Playing with the Pure Aero Tour, it reminds me why I struggled with the Extreme Pro. It is just a lot to swing. With a 100" head at 11 oz unstrung, this is a pretty hefty club. I'm still trying to adjust to it, but I realized now why I have enjoyed 98" racquets. Simply because they are easier to swing.

I tried it out today and I agree with your comments. My RF97 was easier to swing, cut through the air so much faster, had better control, more power, better feel, serves and groundstrokes were just better. The RF felt like a thin beam in my hand compared to the muted, bulky feeling Extreme Pro. Backhand slices were good with the Extreme Pro. Not better than the RF but they were pretty good. I must put forth that the string tension of the Extreme Pro demo was much higher than what I use (48 vs 55). Does a 100 feel that much different than a 97? I know beam thickness effects me but........hmmmm.

 

[TennisHound]

I think the RF swings a little easier and is easier to serve with. Weird

 

[DanF1961]

I think the RF swings a little easier and is easier to serve with. Weird

Tennis Hound - The RF97 specs have a higher swingweight than the Head Extreme Pro, but to you it feels easier to swing & serve with. My question is, do you think it's because of the smaller head size, or the thinner beam, or both? Thanks.

 

[TennisHound]

I guess. Probably. I'm not sure.

 

[asifallasleep]

Tennis Hound - The RF97 specs have a higher swingweight than the Head Extreme Pro, but to you it feels easier to swing & serve with. My question is, do you think it's because of the smaller head size, or the thinner beam, or both? Thanks.

I'd say both

 

[tribesmen]

I'm also hitting easier with RF than Extreme Pro (IG). Although the swing weight is higher it seems that smaller and more elongate head plus more head light balance help me to execute more natural stroke, especially on my serve and 1HB.

 

[Freedom M.D.]

Well, are you guys talking about due to frying-pan shape head??