Weight vs SwingWeight

[poncho]

I am comparing two racquets:
Prince Tour NXG Graphite Racquet Oversize
Head Size:
107 sq. in. / 690 sq. cm.
Length: 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Strung Weight: 11.9oz / 337g
Balance: 11pts Head Light
Swingweight: 328
Stiffness: 63
Beam Width: 20 mm Straight Beam
Composition: Graphite / Titanium / Tungsten / Carbon
Power Level: Low
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: Dura Tac
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,7H,9H
One Piece
No shared holes

VS

Head LiquidMetal Instinct Tour XL Racquet
Head Size:
100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
Length: 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Strung Weight: 11.8oz / 335g
Balance: 10pts Head Light
Swingweight: 336
Stiffness: 63
Beam Width: 23/25/21 mm
Composition: LiquidMetal Titanium / Graphite and Piezzo Electric Fibers
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: HydroControl
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,9T,8H
One Piece
No shared holes

The Prince has a heaver weight but a lower Swingweight. Which would be the heavier racquet in terms of mass and being able to hit a heavier ball? Any other comments on both these racquets?

 

[Gaines Hillix]

There is only 2-3g difference in total weight between these frames. IMO it's the total weight that allows one to plow through the ball and handle heavy pace. Swingweight is a measure of the relative force required to get the racquet to move from a stationary position. In this case, the Prince frame will be a little easier to swing. The Prince will have a little larger sweetspot and be a little more stable on off center hits because of the larger head. A little weight added to the head can add more power to the racquet.

 

[PrestigeClassic]

I think it's a higher swingweight that will give your shots more weight. You can put a bunch of weight in the handle without increasing swingweight too much and your shots won't be that much heavier. You can put only a little weight in the head and increase swingweight by a large amount; that is what makes your shots heavy. I've been playing with more spin lately and have found that for this I prefer a more even-balanced (higher swingweight) stick even if it is lighter than usual.

 

[gregraven]

Actually, if you position the weight in the handle in a certain way, the recoil weight of the racquet will go up (making the racquet feel more comfortable), but the hitting weight will go down (making the racquet less powerful, even though the swingweight might be slightly higher).

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Greg, let's compare two racquets with the same swingweight. Let's pick a SW of 325. One racquet is head light and weighs 335g total. The other is head heavy and weighs only 290g. One could be made to believe that the "hitting weight" would be the same because the swingweight is the same. However, I believe the heavy racquet is going to stand up to a faster pace and "plow through the ball" more easily than the lighter one. Correct? Are we just comparing power versus stability and the ability to absorb more shock, which are not really the same thing?