Wilson Pro Open lead/balance advice needed

[Ussy]

So I have a 2011 Wilson Pro Open (Yellow and Black) with a Kimony Tehcni leather grip installed (weighs about 13g) and a Wilson Pro Overgrip on top (about 5g). I have added 6 grams at 3 and 9, with 3 grams on each side. I have also stuffed 6 grams of blu tack into the butt cap. The racket weighs a nice 329 grams or 11.6 oz which I find comfortable for now.

I like this weight on the stick but what I have found is that it is less manavourable now and I cant easily whip through the ball or as I have recently found out, pronate my wrist on serve quick enough. I used a very light racket to serve and the pronation worked a treat.

So my question to you guys is I want to retain the overall weight of the racket at 11.6 ounces but make it more manouverable in the head keeping some weight at 3 and 9. Any suggestions? by the way I have never measured the balance of the stick as I don't have the balance board but know there are ways to measure at home?

 

[Muppet]

Take some of the lead off at 3&9 in increments. The racquet is more sensitive to added weight the further up you go.

To check the balance, I just use a wooden soup stirring spoon from the kitchen and a tape measure. Move the racquet along the handle of the spoon (or a thin dowel) until it balances. Measure the distance from the butt end of the racquet's handle to the balance point. The balance can be expressed in that length in cm, in., or it can be converted into 'points headlight' by the formula 1/8" = 1 pt. HL. Then go back and adjust the balance with lead tape, poster putty, etc. and measure it again.

 

[TennisCJC]

As Muppet said, take off lead at 3/9 o'c in small increments and test drive after each change.

You can also put head of racket on flat table/counter with handle hanging off. Shift to find balance/tipping point. Measure distance from butt to balance/tipping point. Then calculate points HL. If balance point on counter is 13 inches from end of butt and racket is 27, then racket is 4 HL. Mid-point E balance for 27 inch length is 13.5 inches. If you measure balance point at 13 inches formula is 13.5 - 13 = .5 inch. Your racket is .5 inch HL or 4/8 HL or 4 HL points (a point is 1/8 of an inch). Hopefully, you paid attention in math class.

 

[Ussy]

Thanks guys, I understand how to measure balance now but if I take the lead of in increments from 3 and 9 as suggested that will lower the total weight. So should I make up for the difference by putting more lead into the buttcap or handle?

 

[Muppet]

There's a few places you can move the weight to to achieve differing results. First just try removing one gram total from 3 and 9. Play with it and if it feels too light, add the gram to your point of balance. If the gram at that point makes the racquet feel too muted, You may want to separate the weight and put a little of it further up the racquet and most of it somewhere on the handle. More weight is required on the handle than the hoop to maintain the balance. Weight placed further down the handle increases maneuverability and further up the handle makes the racquet swing more efficiently.

One gram won't make as much of a difference like is stated above. But these guidelines are useful for greater modifications as well.

 

[Cerps]

Or, you could just keep playing with what you got. Sometimes it just takes the body a couple hours before it gets used to the new weight.

 

[Ussy]

There's a few places you can move the weight to to achieve differing results. First just try removing one gram total from 3 and 9. Play with it and if it feels too light, add the gram to your point of balance. If the gram at that point makes the racquet feel too muted, You may want to separate the weight and put a little of it further up the racquet and most of it somewhere on the handle. More weight is required on the handle than the hoop to maintain the balance. Weight placed further down the handle increases maneuverability and further up the handle makes the racquet swing more efficiently.

One gram won't make as much of a difference like is stated above. But these guidelines are useful for greater modifications as well.

Thanks, I am going to try removing a small amount from 3 and 9 and see how it goes, adding the gram to the point of balance, would this be somewhere near the throat?

 

[Ussy]

Or, you could just keep playing with what you got. Sometimes it just takes the body a couple hours before it gets used to the new weight.

Hmm interesting, I could try working out my forearm/arm more (have a relatively slim arm) and I then may be able to handle the weight

 

[Muppet]

Thanks, I am going to try removing a small amount from 3 and 9 and see how it goes, adding the gram to the point of balance, would this be somewhere near the throat?

Yeah, anywhere between the bottom inside of the throat and the underside of the bridge work fine. In fact these two places are best as they don't block the feel of the racquet as much as it travels down to the handle.