Which racquet for a beginner that outgrown the beginner's racquet?

[ShockFly]

My girlfriend took over my beginners Dunlop racquet (270 grams, head heavy, Big Banger string, 18x20 pattern) when I went for a new racquet (Babolat Aero Pro Drive, 320 grams, balanced, Toalson TOA Gold 1.25 string, 16x19 pattern).

She likes the Babolat in the way it feels and how precies you can be with it, but she thinks it is to heavy compared to the Dunlop.

So I was thinking what would be a good racquet of choice for her. I will demo two of the last options I will eventually have, but want to make a good selection first.

From what I have experienced, I think that a racquet that is a little heavier than the Dunlop, say 275-285 grams max would be a good option and slightly head heavy. That leaves me with certain Babolat "Light" options like the Pure Drive or Aero Drive. However, they all have a 16x19 string pattern and I am wondering if that has a large impact over a 18x20 pattern or not.

I am also wondering how the material of the racquet (graphite tungsten vs. titanium graphite composite) makes any difference in feel and play?

Regarding brands the preference is Babolat or Head, so unless they don't provide sufficient racquets, I want to stick with these brands. This is also due to availability and pricing where I live.

 

[ShockFly]

Does anyone have an idea or some tips?

 

[esgee48]

Demo the Radical MP with their 18 mains. Its light at a little over 11 oz. Or if she really prefers a Babolat, let her try some of the Team series, which are lighter versions of the the regular Babolat racquets.

As for material, it is mainly marketing. The frames are mainly graphite. The 'material' they all use is to stiffen the frame, but they put different amounts in different places. Therefore you really need to demo to figue out if you like the 'feel' or not. Keep in mind that the 'crap' strings in the demo will affect feel. So concentrate on the swing, etc. when 'demo-ing' frames.

 

[ShockFly]

We demoed that a year ago, but it is only 5 grams lighter than the Babolat APD. So still too heavy for her unfortunately. I might add that she is 5'1 and doesn't have enough strength and technique for a good full swing. Hers are short, but she is nonetheless very capable of reaching the baselin without any problem.

I was thinking more like the Babolat Pure Drive Lite or Drive Z Lite. I haven't seen compareable Head racquets yet, but maybe I looked wrong. Are these anywhere near what is suitable for her?

 

[user92626]

Get her a Speed Elite. I'm using that one and it hits like a dream against almost anyone. So, maneuverable, light and easy on the arm.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Volkl Organix 4 might be worth a look. It is balanced Head Light like a players frame but is only 285g and very powerful while being very solid.

A Dunlop 500 might also be worth a look.

(I must admit I find Babolat racquets to have a hollow and flimsy feel that I just don't like)

 

[mctennis]

Volkl V1 Classic. This racquet grows with the players ability. Very body friendly and also a nice hitting racquet. You won't have to keep buying racquets when she gets to be a better player.

 

[Smasher08]

Agreed - go for any "player's racket" that's got more than a 90 sq inch frame and weighs 11.5-12.4 oz. For women, same but 11-11.5 oz. Anything lighter will indulge poor technique and impede progress, and you'll struggle to get balls back at full stretch.

"Player's rackets" are called this because they're well balanced and have good feel and control, which become increasingly important as you progress. If you want more power out of them, simply lower the string tension.

 

[ShockFly]

I understand what you guys say and can also understand why you make such suggestions, but I clearly stated that the Babolat APD is too heavy for her. Therefore 290-295 grams is really the max for her and you guys are suggesting frames at the same or over the weight of the Babolat.

Although I don't know which racquet to choose exactly, I know for sure that anything over 295 grams is too heavy. By the way, that's 10.4 oz.

 

[esgee48]

OK. 18 mains is a requirement as well as max of 10.4 oz.

Head Microgel 2
Head YT Mojo
Gamma Tour 340X Team

These all have SW between 300 to 314. Some of the more HH ones not mentioned are in the 330+ range which would be too hard for your GF to swing.

 

[TennezSport]

APDGT Lite.....

My girlfriend took over my beginners Dunlop racquet (270 grams, head heavy, Big Banger string, 18x20 pattern) when I went for a new racquet (Babolat Aero Pro Drive, 320 grams, balanced, Toalson TOA Gold 1.25 string, 16x19 pattern).

She likes the Babolat in the way it feels and how precies you can be with it, but she thinks it is to heavy compared to the Dunlop. So I was thinking what would be a good racquet of choice for her. I will demo two of the last options I will eventually have, but want to make a good selection first.

ShockFly,

If she likes the feel of the Aero Pro Drive, why not have her check out the Aero Pro Drive Lite @ 260g (9.2oz). It just a lighter version of the APD.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_AeroPro_Lite_GT/descpageRCBAB-BAPLGT.html

Cheers, TennezSport

 

[ShockFly]

OK. 18 mains is a requirement as well as max of 10.4 oz.

Head Microgel 2
Head YT Mojo
Gamma Tour 340X Team

These all have SW between 300 to 314. Some of the more HH ones not mentioned are in the 330+ range which would be too hard for your GF to swing.

Thanks, these indeed look some serious options for her. I haven't really looked at the swing weight until now, but do I understand correctly that it's a relative number? Meaning that a slightly heavier racquet might have a lower SW because the balance is different?

ShockFly,

If she likes the feel of the Aero Pro Drive, why not have her check out the Aero Pro Drive Lite @ 260g (9.2oz). It just a lighter version of the APD.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Babolat_AeroPro_Lite_GT/descpageRCBAB-BAPLGT.html

Cheers, TennezSport

That would be indeed a good option, maybe the best. Only thing is that I haven't seen it available in my tennis shop, but I can of course always buy online at Tennis Warehouse Europe. Although demoing it would then be out of the question.

 

[esgee48]

Swingweight is a real number expressed as kg-cmsq. It is moment of inertia around a pivot 10(?) cm above the bottom of the racquet. It is possible for a heavier racquet to have lower SW than a light racquet due to weight distribution, i.e. 10.6 oz racquet 10 pt HL vs 10.2 oz racquet 10 pt HH. The point, however, is to ensure that SW not get too high as weaker players just cannot get their racquet speeds up due to the SW.

 

[ShockFly]

I completely understand now. If I may ask a quick question about strings in this topic, because I think I can make a decision out of the last Babolat and Head suggestions.

Would a multifilament string like Babolat Xcel (for example) be good for her? Or should a decent Nylon be better?

 

[Staarr]

As a female player, I would suggest the Prince EXO3 Tour Team. It's 10.6 strung but feels much lighter. I've played with Babolat Pure Drive and Pure Storm, Head Microgel Extreme Pro and ProKennex SQ Special racquets and this Prince plays the best of all of them. Have it strung with a nice multi like Prince Premiere LT and she'll be a happy girl.

 

[ShockFly]

She demoed Prince twice, I cannot recall the specific racquets anymore, but she nearly hated both of them. So I appreciate the advise, but as you might understand, she doesn't want to try a third Prince anymore.

 

[esgee48]

I do not think she will feel any difference between the multi and a normal syn gut. You have to have high swing speeds to feel the difference. If she has arm issues, then go with the multi.

 

[hrstrat57]

Volkl V1 Classic. This racquet grows with the players ability. Very body friendly and also a nice hitting racquet. You won't have to keep buying racquets when she gets to be a better player.

Very good call here if you can find one......

 

[Dave M]

I completely understand now. If I may ask a quick question about strings in this topic, because I think I can make a decision out of the last Babolat and Head suggestions.

Would a multifilament string like Babolat Xcel (for example) be good for her? Or should a decent Nylon be better?

xcel is actually a very good string, as a beginner (in fact almost any recreational players) you'll struggle to beat it in any of the babolat frames and it wil play better for longer than most polys.Go with a good multi or syn gut you'll be fine.
Oh and I think TW europe do demo frames.