Wilson Pro Staff 95

Racer

Rookie
Hi all,

Currently playing with a Tecnifibre 315 Ltd 18M with a 350SW, 12.3oz, and 33.0cm balance. Really like the racquet, but wouldn't mind something slightly more free power. I recently tried a 2014 97S with the same weight specs as my 315's, but didn't care for the 97S at all. Currently looking at the Pro Staff 95 and just wanted some feedback from users that have hit/played with it. The plan would be to weight it similarly to my 315's, as well. Thanks!

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Pro_Staff_95/descpageRCWILSON-PS95.html
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Well the 315 is low powered and so is this one... The more open string pattern likely will result in more a more lively feel, but don't expect a powerhouse. A really nice racquet though IMO
 

Slicerman

Professional
The Pro Staff 95 was my main stick for 2 years. I have played it in stock form as well as leaded up. It is probably one of the least powerful racquets out there, but really forces you develop stronger strokes and gives really good feedback and control. PS95 is probably less powerful than your current racquet. The PS95 also has a more open string pattern which might take getting use to if you're accustomed to playing closed 18x20. Maybe you could try the Wilson Blade 98 in 18x20, it might play similar to yours but with more easy power.
 

Racer

Rookie
The Pro Staff 95 was my main stick for 2 years. I have played it in stock form as well as leaded up. It is probably one of the least powerful racquets out there, but really forces you develop stronger strokes and gives really good feedback and control. PS95 is probably less powerful than your current racquet. The PS95 also has a more open string pattern which might take getting use to if you're accustomed to playing closed 18x20. Maybe you could try the Wilson Blade 98 in 18x20, it might play similar to yours but with more easy power.

Awesome, thanks for the feedback. Funny to hear that it might be less powerful than the 315, because that racquet has definitely helped me develop cleaner and stronger strokes due to it's softness/flex. One thing I didn't like about my leaded 97S is how it felt so sluggish compared to the 315 with the same specs. Does the Pro Staff 95 feel sluggish at all? Thanks!
 

Slicerman

Professional
Awesome, thanks for the feedback. Funny to hear that it might be less powerful than the 315, because that racquet has definitely helped me develop cleaner and stronger strokes due to it's softness/flex. One thing I didn't like about my leaded 97S is how it felt so sluggish compared to the 315 with the same specs. Does the Pro Staff 95 feel sluggish at all? Thanks!

No, if you use full strokes the PS95 is actually the complete opposite of sluggish, probably one of the most maneuverable racquets out there due to its smaller head size, thin beam and headlight balance. Even after leading it up, it was still very whippy at 12.2oz static weight. The later part of this year I actually switched over to the Pro Staff 97 (leaded up with ~330SW) because I wanted a little extra power and forgiveness. Never tried the PS97S, but apparently its more on the head-heavy side. With that in mind I wouldn't add any lead tape to the hoop at all, I would focus on adding weight to the handle instead to make it more headlight, maybe try increasing the headlight balance to 6-8 points.
 

Racer

Rookie
97S is a very different bat, in terms of SW and balance, so don't worry about that one.

I modified my 97S to 350SW, 12.3oz and 33.0cm balance and it felt sluggish compared to the 315 with same specs.

Have you tried the 2016 97S? The SW isn't as high but you still could get enough plow through.
I haven't. Is it any softer than the 2014 version?
 

David Le

Hall of Fame
I modified my 97S to 350SW, 12.3oz and 33.0cm balance and it felt sluggish compared to the 315 with same specs.


I haven't. Is it any softer than the 2014 version?
To me it is. It also depends on what type of string and how you string it. I feel more dialed in to my shots. I don't have to work as hard as I did with the '14-'15 97S. I like a full poly at 52lbs but I rather go with the poly/gut combo to actually feel how the racquet works.
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
The 95 is even less powerful than the smaller 90, and that's partly (or mostly, rather) because the 95 is a whole lot lighter for its size than it should be.

Only when it's weighted up a fair bit does the 95 become more powerful, and that's only because you've lead taped it into a club.
 

Rally

Professional
It has a 308 swingweight, right? How many grams of lead tape at 12 o clock would it take to bump that up to the low 330s? And does adding a leather grip (around 7 to 10 grams at the handle, 15 with an overgrip) affect swingweight by much?
 

sma1001

Hall of Fame
And does adding a leather grip (around 7 to 10 grams at the handle, 15 with an overgrip) affect swingweight by much?

Not as such, because the grip is at the axis of the measurement. However, in practice it will play heavier, and more headlight. But you won't get more plow through.
 

Rally

Professional
Not as such, because the grip is at the axis of the measurement. However, in practice it will play heavier, and more headlight. But you won't get more plow through.
How much would 8 grams of lead at the tape at 12 and 15 grams on the handle affect the posted 6 pt head light balance? Will it bring it up to my preferred 8-10 pt head light range?
 

zalive

Hall of Fame
I'm not sure PS95 has less power than Tec 315 18x20 limited (though I never tried Tec Ltd. - I'm thinking about getting Ltd. but 16x19, not 18x20). Head size is bigger, SW is comparable, string pattern is with more mains and crosses and and it's flexier - all together, they should be either pretty similar, or even PS95 has a bit more power. Anyway, bottom line is those racquets are both on low powered side of scale. To the OP: I understand you probably want to stick to a flexy racquet. I suggest you look for 16x19 97-98'' racquet, then among such pick one with flex that satisfies you. If flex is similar then it should have more power from both Tec 18x19 and PS95. If you want a bit tighter pattern for some more predictability then option is also 16x20 pattern racquets like Yonex Tour series.
 

Racer

Rookie
@Slicerman just got done hitting with my new Pro Staff 95. Added 14 grams of lead at 12 o'clock and a Wilson leather grip with Tourna overgrip. Strung it with Wilson Champion's Choice. Racquet specs are now 12.3oz, 355 SW, and 33.0cm balance. Much more stable than the TFight at same specs. Smooth hitting and plenty of power. No issues with the smaller head size either. I think I found my new player frame.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
@Slicerman just got done hitting with my new Pro Staff 95. Added 14 grams of lead at 12 o'clock and a Wilson leather grip with Tourna overgrip. Strung it with Wilson Champion's Choice. Racquet specs are now 12.3oz, 355 SW, and 33.0cm balance. Much more stable than the TFight at same specs. Smooth hitting and plenty of power. No issues with the smaller head size either. I think I found my new player frame.
Nice, gorgeous frames to be sure, mine will never be sold and are always with me when giving training for their exceptional feel and control. I do seem to recall the frames becoming somewhat schizophrenic after modding them past a certain spec, where the power just seemed to jump by a level or two. Enjoy the frames, and do try experimenting with them if you feel like it, the frame is very forgiving in regards to customization I find.
 

morten

Hall of Fame
Interresting frame. . I cant help but wonder why they did not make it 15 grams heavier to begin with.. would have been a classic..
 

Lukhas

Legend
Interresting frame. . I cant help but wonder why they did not make it 15 grams heavier to begin with.. would have been a classic..
It's not really a question of weight, it's more about mass repartition. It's very light in SW considering its weight; not much plow up there. Among the few box beam racquets that could be used as a platform, there is/was the Pure Control 98. I knew the Storms, and they had a fairly beefy SW; I don't know how the Control fare. Perhaps worth waiting for their successor, the Strike VS (early in 2017 IIRC) to see how they compare if one really wants a box beamed racquet.
 
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zalive

Hall of Fame
Nice, gorgeous frames to be sure, mine will never be sold and are always with me when giving training for their exceptional feel and control. I do seem to recall the frames becoming somewhat schizophrenic after modding them past a certain spec, where the power just seemed to jump by a level or two. Enjoy the frames, and do try experimenting with them if you feel like it, the frame is very forgiving in regards to customization I find.

Perhaps for this reason I keep this racquet around SW of 340, unlike the rest which go over 350. I like to keep its control nature and it could easily be lost over certain SW. Yet I needed SW 340 to make it work for my game.

Interresting frame. . I cant help but wonder why they did not make it 15 grams heavier to begin with.. would have been a classic..

Because obviously manufacturer didn't care to make it a classic as much as they cared to make it lighter, to cut production cost. I guess they hoped players would embrace the lighter Pro Staff line. However 95'' size was not enough for low SW. Now, the most interesting thing for me is why especially low SW for its mass that is not extremely low (313 g)? I can only guess Wilson had plans to further lower the static mass while keeping similar SW, within future lines that never happened. What happened as we know it is Roger started to play with 97'' frame and this is where Wilson lost all interest to keep 95'' line in the future. Anyway, with little bit of manufacturing quality (like avoiding cracking to happen just like that) and ensuring its flex stays more uniform throughout different production batches (mine is more in this fashion while players like Backhanded Compliment had quite a different experience with too much flex in the hoop) it could have easily become at least a platform classic...lol.

I order black&red PS95s to try, and I'm keeping PS95 for sure because it's a very nice doubles racquet. Its quality for volleying is excellent, just like its baseline precision. And I find it easy on the arm also.
 
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Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
Hi all,

Currently playing with a Tecnifibre 315 Ltd 18M with a 350SW, 12.3oz, and 33.0cm balance. Really like the racquet, but wouldn't mind something slightly more free power. I recently tried a 2014 97S with the same weight specs as my 315's, but didn't care for the 97S at all. Currently looking at the Pro Staff 95 and just wanted some feedback from users that have hit/played with it. The plan would be to weight it similarly to my 315's, as well. Thanks!

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Pro_Staff_95/descpageRCWILSON-PS95.html
How about one of the other tecnifibres like the current T Fight 320, it's good heaps of power. The old 320 and 325's also are powerful and are very easy to swing because they are very headlight.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
It's not really a question of weight, it's more about mass repartition. It's very light in SW considering its weight; not much plow up there. Among the few box beam racquets that could be used as a platform, there is/was the Pure Control 98. I knew the Storms, and they had a fairly beefy SW; I don't know how the Control fare. Perhaps worth waiting for their successor, the Strike VS (early in 2017 IIRC) to see how they compare if one really wants a box beamed racquet.
The Storms perhaps somewhat, but the Control did not play like what people think of when they say box beams.The frame had a too unpredictable response for me to really appreciate it.
 

Lukhas

Legend
The Storms perhaps somewhat, but the Control did not play like what people think of when they say box beams.The frame had a too unpredictable response for me to really appreciate it.
You mean, as if it had hot/read spots? To be fair, I had tried the Ltd. Plus, so it might explain it. Let's hope that the update will be different (better?) for the sake of variety: even if it's not my kind of radio racquet, there are not too many like these anymore.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
You mean, as if it had hot/read spots? To be fair, I had tried the Ltd. Plus, so it might explain it. Let's hope that the update will be different (better?) for the sake of variety: even if it's not my kind of radio racquet, there are not too many like these anymore.
Yes and no, it reacted almost schizophrenically in regards to different swing angles, where it produced a very different response and launch on flatter shots vs more vertical strokes aiming to produce spin. This made it hard to get a consistent feel for the frame and it often felt like the ball just launched further than it shoulld.
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
Just bought one of these from TW and got it yesterday. Was hoping to play with it today but it's raining. In southern cali?? WTH?
Just discovered the PS95s (white/red) and am loving it, it's now my stick of choice.
 

Thurai

New User
Hi, would you guys know if the handle of the Pro Staff 95 has those amplifeel strips like the attached photo? I think the photo shows a BLX 90. The reason I ask is that I would like to customize the handle shape to be like that of the Pacific shape (grip size 3). If there is those amplifeel strips in the PS 95 handle then I would have to get a grip size 1 or 2 and build it up to be a similar share to the Pacific grip size 3, especially as those strips won't allow me to shave the grip down.

I've demoed the racket and love the precision and feel but does need some power (lead at 3 and 9) and I really to prefer a more rectangular grip.

http://photobucket.com/confirmation...npsoqiBsxUXevHA8aUnAC9U67v9zlOBgdxJ1WsoH+KgI1
 
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