Volkl Organix 8 315 Arm Friendly?

[Lendl]

I know this is marketed as an arm friendly Pure Drive type racket. I have a nasty case of golfer's elbow and switched from a PDR with poly to this Volkl with arm friendly string but it has not improved. I know there are a lot of factors like rest, ice, exercises, etc. but does anyone have experience with this racket truly being arm friendly and better for you than a Pure Drive or other really stiff racket?

I really love the playability of this racket but since it has not gotten any better since I switched to this I thought of going to a truly low stiffness racket as a test.

Any experiences with this racket and arm troubles?

 

[TennisTulku]

I switched from using a Pure Drive and Head Radical to the Organix 8 300. I always had a little bit of a sore elbow and muscles in the forehand after playing a match. For me, it's gone away after using the Volkl. I'm also using a soft multifilament string - Tecnifibre Biphase 16. To me, this combo has the softest feel compared to anything I've used before.

Good luck and hope your elbow gets better.

 

[Agent Orynge]

Check out the new Donnay Formula 100. A few people have mentioned that it plays like a more comfortable PD. The Dunlop 400/500 series also looks promising.

 

[achokshi99]

What string are you using exactly? I just used a batch of 16G weisscannon exploiv last night and had no arm tingle or pain this morning and I have had very bad TE from the same thing as you - about 2 years of a Roddick PDGT + poly. Switched racquets around September (BB DCP) and was trying strings like X1 Biphase, Rip Control, etc in thinner gauges. Decent relief but still had TE and the strings lasted < 1 match most times. So I just ordered a bunch of multis off TW in 16g. Threw in the Explosiv and like I said, just very very soft but very playable too.

Also have you tried any amount of rest like say 7-10 days of no tennis? Do you do TE exercises like theraband flexbar?

 

[sportsfan1]

The stiffness on the specs for this racquet is listed at 70 (http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-VORG82.html), seems a bit high to be arm friendly..

 

[Lendl]

I have continued to play but have taken some rest on a week here and there but just can't stay away for two months type thing.

A friedn is a doctor and he has been doing therapy and a laser treatment on it regularly. I ice it, wear an arm band (Band It) and also do stretching exercises for my pronator muscles.

I think I've done everything but stay off it. I have used the Technifibre 17g synthetic gut string and love it. Breaks fast but plays nice and should be decent on my arm. I had biphase in there and even natural gut (Tonic+) and this synthetic felt better.

What string are you using exactly? I just used a batch of 16G weisscannon exploiv last night and had no arm tingle or pain this morning and I have had very bad TE from the same thing as you - about 2 years of a Roddick PDGT + poly. Switched racquets around September (BB DCP) and was trying strings like X1 Biphase, Rip Control, etc in thinner gauges. Decent relief but still had TE and the strings lasted < 1 match most times. So I just ordered a bunch of multis off TW in 16g. Threw in the Explosiv and like I said, just very very soft but very playable too.

Also have you tried any amount of rest like say 7-10 days of no tennis? Do you do TE exercises like theraband flexbar?

 

[Lendl]

agree, that is what led to the question. I like the crisp play of a stiff racket and this had that and had been talked about as arm friendly so I wanted to see what others may have experienced. For me it is hard to imagine a 70 stiffness being arm friendly.

I also have some Exo Prince Graphites here I may put some time into. They are a noodle but did like them and they have to be easy on the arm

The stiffness on the specs for this racquet is listed at 70 (http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-VORG82.html), seems a bit high to be arm friendly..

 

[TennisTulku]

The stiffness on the specs for this racquet is listed at 70 (http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-VORG82.html), seems a bit high to be arm friendly..

Don't let this spec fool you... The handle has a shock dampening system that absorbs most of the impact. This racquet plays a lot differently than others with the same stiffness rating.

 

[jibinhe]

Don't let this spec fool you... The handle has a shock dampening system that absorbs most of the impact. This racquet plays a lot differently than others with the same stiffness rating.

Tulku, could you compare X8 300 and BB London?

 

[Lendl]

I see you list Kalamazoo as your location. I live here and play on the 4.5 West Hills travel team. Where do you hit/train?

Don't let this spec fool you... The handle has a shock dampening system that absorbs most of the impact. This racquet plays a lot differently than others with the same stiffness rating.

 

[TennisMaverick]

I know this is marketed as an arm friendly Pure Drive type racket. I have a nasty case of golfer's elbow and switched from a PDR with poly to this Volkl with arm friendly string but it has not improved. I know there are a lot of factors like rest, ice, exercises, etc. but does anyone have experience with this racket truly being arm friendly and better for you than a Pure Drive or other really stiff racket?

I really love the playability of this racket but since it has not gotten any better since I switched to this I thought of going to a truly low stiffness racket as a test.

Any experiences with this racket and arm troubles?

I play-tested the frame for them and with my rotator cuff issues, it wasn't even an issue. It also has decent dwell time for a Roddick PDR clone, and it volleys better too. The string bed is fairly plush for this type of frame, and the published stiffness rating is higher than it really is, especially with the grip system which makes the racquet feel much more cushioned.

 

[farkus]

The racquet can play stiff, but does not 'feel' stiff. In fact, even with a history of tennis elbow I am able to play this with a gut/poly combo and experience no discomfort. Have used full bed X-1, too, but have found the hybrid is needed to tame some of the power and allow one to hit out. It may be that you have not allowed enough time for recuperation from your injury.......good luck... and patience.

 

[APG]

I was off the courts for a year after a bout of golfers elbow. My mistake was playing with the injury. Once the pain gets to
A certain threshold, the most arm friendly racket will not help. Only rest treatment & elbow specific exercises will help. If you play with the injury it will only keep you off the courts longer. I am now playing with the Volkl x10 325 And the Prestige Microgel Mp strung with full gut at a low tension.
I have done some customization that softens both rackets. I have not played with X8.

 

[coolblue123]

been using since sept/oct. no problems so far. I think for a stiff racquet it has terrific feel. added some weight on the handle to make more headlight, now really nice at net as well.
but yeah no arm issues. very comfy racquet.

 

[Lendl]

OK, I guess it is just my bad arm. Sounds like you guys think it is arm friendly. I love the racket, just wanted to make sure using it was really a good idea with the arm like this. I've had the issue since late June.

 

[TennisTulku]

I see you list Kalamazoo as your location. I live here and play on the 4.5 West Hills travel team. Where do you hit/train?

I'm a lowly 3.5... Play mainly at K during the summer and sometimes Maple Hill Y and West Hills during the winter!

 

[TennisTulku]

Tulku, could you compare X8 300 and BB London?

I like both of these racquets quite a bit and they both weigh pretty much same strung. Mine come in at 11.2 oz despite the specs. I've demoed a lot of racquets and these are my two favorites.

The X8 300 is like the a Babolat APD crossed with a Pure Drive but with hardly any shock to the arm. I get better control and just as much spin and great serves. I really don't feel I'm missing the Babolats having switched to this racquet and am getting more benefit.

The BB London is smooth and precise whereas the X8 300 generates more spin and the ball trajectory has a little more arc or loopiness to it. It's taken me longer to warm to the London but I really do enjoy it. I play more with the 300, and am still trying to figure how to the London works best with my ability. I notice I miss more on the backhand side with the London. Not a lot, just a little. For me, the power level is about the same. I seem to be able to generate a little more pace and precision with the London when I'm swinging with good form.

 

[TennisMaverick]

I like both of these racquets quite a bit and they both weigh pretty much same strung. Mine come in at 11.2 oz despite the specs. I've demoed a lot of racquets and these are my two favorites.

The X8 300 is like the a Babolat APD crossed with a Pure Drive but with hardly any shock to the arm. I get better control and just as much spin and great serves. I really don't feel I'm missing the Babolats having switched to this racquet and am getting more benefit.

The BB London is smooth and precise whereas the X8 300 generates more spin and the ball trajectory has a little more arc or loopiness to it. It's taken me longer to warm to the London but I really do enjoy it. I play more with the 300, and am still trying to figure how to the London works best with my ability. I notice I miss more on the backhand side with the London. Not a lot, just a little. For me, the power level is about the same. I seem to be able to generate a little more pace and precision with the London when I'm swinging with good form.

They are both great sticks, but they have zero relationship to each other. They are designed for totally two different types of players which is reflected by their different head shape, head size, material and placement of, cross section, and beam shape.

 

[Faithfulfather]

They are both great sticks, but they have zero relationship to each other. They are designed for totally two different types of players which is reflected by their different head shape, head size, material and placement of, cross section, and beam shape.

Is there a place I can learn about these different variables and why they are for different players?

 

[Faithfulfather]

I would love to try this racquet. My black is a little rough on my elbow. Does it hit a lot like the EXO 3 Black?

 

[netguy]

They are both great sticks, but they have zero relationship to each other. They are designed for totally two different types of players which is reflected by their different head shape, head size, material and placement of, cross section, and beam shape.

Yeap, I'm curious too.....What kind of plyayers are those?

 

[jibinhe]

They are both great sticks, but they have zero relationship to each other. They are designed for totally two different types of players which is reflected by their different head shape, head size, material and placement of, cross section, and beam shape.

TM, I know what you said about what x8 300 designed for. But I don't know what London is designed for? There are too many pages in the London club thread, so please just tell me?

Lendl, sorry for hijack your thread a bit. I switched to x8 300 from PDR gt for more than half year now. With a PDR, if I miss hit quite a bit in one day, my arm and shoulder will be sore. Never had any arm issues even after a bad day (miss hit a lot) with x8 300. Bonce a ball by holding a x8's handle then move your hand up about the handle, bonce the ball again. You will find the differences between x8 and pdr

 

[TennisMaverick]

This info is definitely in the X8 315/X8 300/London Bridges/Boris Becker(BB)London club threads, but for you noobs and lazees: the 8s are for those who are heavy topspin or radically heavy topspin groundstrokers--those who use more rotational swings--and the Volkl 9/10s are more precision frames, for those with a larger repertoire, all-court games, or possessing better feel/having the need for more feel. The London is a quasi 9 or 10 Light series frame. The 8s are also tear-dropped shaped heads, with their heft at 2/10, and the 9/10s usually are wider at the shoulders, with more heft at 4/8 or 3/9.

 

[Faithfulfather]

but for you noobs and lazees:

So, I am a noob or lazy for not being knowledgeable in all areas of racquet physics or that this particular information was available in those particular threads? I think you could have been nicer about the response or just not respond at all!

 

[jibinhe]

This info is definitely in the X8 315/X8 300/London Bridges/Boris Becker(BB)London club threads, but for you noobs and lazees: the 8s are for those who are heavy topspin or radically heavy topspin groundstrokers--those who use more rotational swings--and the Volkl 9/10s are more precision frames, for those with a larger repertoire, all-court games, or possessing better feel/having the need for more feel. The London is a quasi 9 or 10 Light series frame. The 8s are also tear-dropped shaped heads, with their heft at 2/10, and the 9/10s usually are wider at the shoulders, with more heft at 4/8 or 3/9.

Thanks for the info. I know I am lazy I am now a "Roddick-ish" player, with heavy topspin forehand and big serve. However, I am trying to develop a more all-round game, a more "joker-ish" game. So far, I got my S&V working, however fail more than not when I try to hit more accurate angles, drop shots and hit flat-winners. Should I try out London or just forget about switch and focus on my game?

 

[TennisMaverick]

Thanks for the info. I know I am lazy I am now a "Roddick-ish" player, with heavy topspin forehand and big serve. However, I am trying to develop a more all-round game, a more "joker-ish" game. So far, I got my S&V working, however fail more than not when I try to hit more accurate angles, drop shots and hit flat-winners. Should I try out London or just forget about switch and focus on my game?

Stay with the X8 300; it is the correct stick for a heavy topspinner who has added aspects/depth to his game as you are trying to develop.

 

[jibinhe]

Stay with the X8 300; it is the correct stick for a heavy topspinner who has added aspects/depth to his game as you are trying to develop.

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