Type of String & String Pattern's Effect on Launch Angle

[bmr0216]

After years away from the game, I recently demoed a couple of racquets and settled on the Pure Strike 16x19 Gen3. After talking to the guy at my local shop, he said 9 times out of 10 he sells the 16x19 over the 18x20. So I figured the 16x19 would be best to get back into the swing of things.

I understand this racquet is moderately powerful, but it has a pretty dense 16x19 pattern in the center. I chose to string it up with Solinco Confidential 17g (didn't quite realize it's 1.20 instead of the normal 1.25) at 52 lbs. After installing a leather grip + OG and adding ~2g lead at 3 and 9 o'clock each, the racquet weighs 342g (12oz), is 7 pts HL, and has a swingweight of ~335-340.

Oddly enough, after just a few hours on the court last week, I found that I'm a way better player than I used to be (and stronger too), despite barely playing over the past 5+ years. I absolutely love how this racquet feels in all areas of my game, excellent combination of control, spin, and effortless power. But the one thing I've noticed is that when really swinging out, there is a tendency for the ball to launch a bit. It's not a huge problem, just mostly happens when trying to flatten it out and go for winners - the ball lands a bit too deep. I hit with a moderate amount of topspin (Semi-Western to Western grip), sometimes with a full stroke and sometimes a bit of wrist flick on the run, but I like to throw in flatter shots when the opportunity arises. Obviously my technique isn't perfect and I need a bit more time to gel with the racquet, but I'm wondering if there are some easy ways to decrease the racquet's natural launch angle a bit.

As far as strings are concerned:

• Does a thinner gauge increase launch angle? The 1.20 I have in my racquet is quite thin, so perhaps 1.30 or 1.25 would be better.
• Do round, non-shaped polys decrease the launch angle? Or would a poly mains/multi crosses setup be best (as the stringbed tends to notch and slide around less)?
• Does an increase in tension decrease launch angle at all, or just the overall power level? I'm a bit hesitant to go over 55 lbs full poly in a moderately stiff racquet like the Pure Strike.

Even though I just bought this racquet, I'm also thinking about demoing a couple of 18x20 racquets like the Pure Strike, Blade v7, or the Speed Pro. I never demoed any 18x20's, which i think was a bit of a mistake on my part. Would like to see if they might be a better fit for my game. Hopefully not though, because I don't want to have to go through the trouble of selling my current stick lol. I think I should first try a few more string setups in this 16x19 Pure Strike before considering an 18x20.

Any suggestions are much appreciated - thanks!

 

[Deleted member 768841]

After years away from the game, I recently demoed a couple of racquets and settled on the Pure Strike 16x19 Gen3. After talking to the guy at my local shop, he said 9 times out of 10 he sells the 16x19 over the 18x20. So I figured the 16x19 would be best to get back into the swing of things.

I understand this racquet is moderately powerful, but it has a pretty dense 16x19 pattern in the center. I chose to string it up with Solinco Confidential 17g (didn't quite realize it's 1.20 instead of the normal 1.25) at 52 lbs. After installing a leather grip + OG and adding ~2g lead at 3 and 9 o'clock each, the racquet weighs 342g (12oz), is 7 pts HL, and has a swingweight of ~335-340.

Oddly enough, after just a few hours on the court last week, I found that I'm a way better player than I used to be (and stronger too), despite not playing over the past 5+ years. I absolutely love how this racquet feels in all areas of my game, excellent combination of control, spin, and effortless power. But the one thing I've noticed is that when really swinging out, there is a tendency for the ball to launch a bit. It's not a huge problem, just mostly happens when trying to flatten it out and go for winners - the ball lands a bit too deep. I hit with a moderate amount of topspin (Semi-Western to Western grip), sometimes with a full stroke and sometimes a bit of wrist flick on the run, but I like to throw in flatter shots when the opportunity arises. Obviously my technique isn't perfect and I need a bit more time to gel with the racquet, but I'm wondering if there are some easy ways to decrease the racquet's natural launch angle a bit.

As far as strings are concerned:

• Does a thinner gauge increase launch angle? The 1.20 I have in my racquet is quite thin, so perhaps 1.30 or 1.25 would be better.
• Do round, non-shaped polys decrease the launch angle? Or would a poly mains/multi crosses setup be best (as the stringbed tends to notch and slide around less)?
• Does an increase in tension decrease launch angle at all, or just the overall power level? I'm a bit hesitant to go over 55 lbs full poly in a moderately stiff racquet like the Pure Strike.

I would not recommend moving away from the strike, as you seem to have really gotten into a groove with the racquet. As far as strings are concerned, I’d believe a thinner gauge would increase launch angle only slightly, as well as thicker decreasing. And the second question I feel that round vs. shaped round doesn’t decrease launch angle by a ton, but I’d imagine it makes the launch angle a little more linear, so more control. I’m not a string expert so please feel free to correct me. For the last question, increasing tension definitely can lower the launch angle. If you are afraid of 55+ pounds in poly, try a hybrid of maybe a multi and poly. I’m going to try velocity mlt as a main and a poly as a cross, though maybe I will try the other way for more spin/control.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

After years away from the game, I recently demoed a couple of racquets and settled on the Pure Strike 16x19 Gen3. After talking to the guy at my local shop, he said 9 times out of 10 he sells the 16x19 over the 18x20. So I figured the 16x19 would be best to get back into the swing of things.

I understand this racquet is moderately powerful, but it has a pretty dense 16x19 pattern in the center. I chose to string it up with Solinco Confidential 17g (didn't quite realize it's 1.20 instead of the normal 1.25) at 52 lbs. After installing a leather grip + OG and adding ~2g lead at 3 and 9 o'clock each, the racquet weighs 342g (12oz), is 7 pts HL, and has a swingweight of ~335-340.

Oddly enough, after just a few hours on the court last week, I found that I'm a way better player than I used to be (and stronger too), despite not playing over the past 5+ years. I absolutely love how this racquet feels in all areas of my game, excellent combination of control, spin, and effortless power. But the one thing I've noticed is that when really swinging out, there is a tendency for the ball to launch a bit. It's not a huge problem, just mostly happens when trying to flatten it out and go for winners - the ball lands a bit too deep. I hit with a moderate amount of topspin (Semi-Western to Western grip), sometimes with a full stroke and sometimes a bit of wrist flick on the run, but I like to throw in flatter shots when the opportunity arises. Obviously my technique isn't perfect and I need a bit more time to gel with the racquet, but I'm wondering if there are some easy ways to decrease the racquet's natural launch angle a bit.

Also try a thicker gauge, maybe 16l or 16 for more control when hitting out. 53 will feel almost exactly the same as 52, barely a difference. If you like confidential as a string line, go with maybe a thicker gauge for a slightly lower launch angle and more control, but stay around 50-53.

 

[socallefty]

Interesting that you customized your racquet till it has the same specs as the Pure Strike Tour - wonder why you didn’t buy it in the first place.

What kind of racquet, swingweight and string pattern were you playing with before? If you played with a lower SW previously, it might take some time for your swing to adjust.

If you haven’t played for a while, take some time to get grooved to your new racquet before making changes. You can try even stiffer Poly strings, thicker gauges and higher tension to lower the launch angle if you need to do so in the future. You could also take some of the lead tape off.

 

[bmr0216]

Interesting that you customized your racquet till it has the same specs as the Pure Strike Tour - wonder why you didn’t buy it in the first place.

What kind of racquet, swingweight and string pattern were you playing with before? If you played with a lower SW previously, it might take some time for your swing to adjust.

If you haven’t played for a while, take some time to get grooved to your new racquet before making changes. You can try even stiffer Poly strings, thicker gauges and higher tension to lower the launch angle if you need to do so in the future. You could also take some of the lead tape off.

Thanks for your response. Long ago I used the KBlade 98 (18x20) for awhile, followed by a Dunlop Aerogel 4D 300 (16x19) which I barely used. Always installed leather grips, and experimented with a little lead at 3 & 9 with both racquets. I found a little bit of lead really helped with off center shots and less twisting. I used the KBlade quite often in match play back in high school. I wasn't generating much power behind my strokes back then and was clipping the net more often than hitting long, though I wasn't as good a player back then or as strong as I am currently (now in mid-late 20s). This Pure Strike is definitely heavier than those other two along with a heftier swing weight, so it definitely takes a little bit of getting used to. But so far it feels good and I seem to be playing better.

I went with the regular Pure Strike just to leave more room for customization. I like the feel of a leather grip under overgrip, but they add a decent amount of weight and make the racquet significantly more headlight. After trying it stock, then with a leather grip, and finally with a leather grip + lead, I found the latter to play the best. Felt like the best combination of maneuverability and stability/plow through. I actually noticed my launch angle was slightly lower with the lead, though I can't 100% confirm that. I don't plan on adding much more (if any) though, as I think the weight, balance, and swingweight feels just right.

 

[socallefty]

When I switched from the 18x20 Gen 1 Pure Strike Tour to the 16x19 Gen 3 Pure Strike Tour last year, it took me almost 2 weeks (played about 7-8 times) to really get my swing dialed-in due to the switch to a more open pattern. In the past, I switched from a 16x20 Babolat AeroStorm to the 18x20 PST Gen 1 six years ago and again it took a couple of weeks to really get used to the different launch angle. In all cases, the other racquet specs were pretty similar and I used the same strings and tensions to minimize the change.

In your case, you are playing after a break with new strings, tensions and a different SW racquet - it will take a while to optimize your game. Don’t demo other racquets too soon - the problem is rarely the equipment.

 

[VacationTennis]

I find the higher launch is rewarded with a steeper dive on the other side of the court, and generally helps the ball go back in as there is less through on the ball path.

You should be able to adjust your swing path ever so slightly to compensate for your higher launch setup.

Hitting long on winners is something we all struggle with and we go too big, and too flat.

Your setup sounds killer and you "should" be able to do anything with it, so I wouldn't worry too much about it and focus on your preparation and execution of those shots. It will take some time to adjust, so keep figuring out what mistakes you are making and they'll be getting sucked back into the court in no time.