Yonex Vcore Pro 97
- Thread starter stealthfighter69
- Start date
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
One of mine has a TW leather grip. No lead anywhere else to counterbalance. I added an OG. Plays FANTASTIC like this.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Nice, that is a mod I considered if I decide I want more weight. Is that frame around 342 grams now with OG? If I did that, I may slide 2 grams under the bumper.
But honestly, so far I am enjoying it at stock weight.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I don’t recall the weight. Will need to put it on the scale again. But I have 2 sticks.
Stick 1: Leather grip + OG
Stick 2: Just added OG
Both are great but I actually prefer Stick 1 a little more.
I also played mine with leather grip, overgrip and dampener, no lead, but in my case, i liked it better without the leather.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Cool, let me know if you weigh it. It sounds like the 310 is now a 320, but thats just my guess. Does the TW leather make the grip bigger?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
The one with a leather grip is L2. The stock one is L3. The L3 still feels a little bit bigger so the TW leather doesn’t add much girth to the grip.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Thats good to know. TW has a 1.3mm thickness that I am guessing you got. They also have different widths of 22 and 25mm. Not even sure what the standard is there.
EDIT - I think Yonex base grip is 25 mm.
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EPINEPHRINE
New User
3.5 player. Looking to move on from Pure Drive – would this raquet be suitable for me? Or should I stay with Babolat
My play style is aggressive baseliner - i'll chase down every ball and I prefer smashing top-spins from the baseline for winners.
My play style is aggressive baseliner - i'll chase down every ball and I prefer smashing top-spins from the baseline for winners.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Need way more detail to answer that, and even then it is a subjective thing.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
You have to try it yourself to see how it will work for you. Hard for anyone else to say.
isukatennis
Rookie
I initially put the TW 1.5mm thick leather on mine + OG... was too much for me. Have since been trying other synthetic replacement grips but all are much thicker than the original Yonex base grip...I wish I could find the yy stock grips
isukatennis
Rookie
I would say the VCP97 is on the other end of the spectrum from a Pure Drive... you def need to demo, lol
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Have you tried Bab skin feel? My favorite non leather grip.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Try the kimony techni grip. I believe it’s the thinnest leather replacement grip available.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah they are tough to find. I never think to change the YY base grip as a result, but MD's poast motivated me. The main thing is that I believe the base grips on these frames is 1.40 mm thick, so the 1.33 TW leather will work great. The second piece is that I can build the buttcap up a little more, but honestly I find it to be pretty good compared to older YY models.
My logic with the 310 and a leather grip is that I have a feeling I am going to really enjoy the 330, but I will miss some of the tip speed I get with the 310. If I just add leather, it may make it too head light for my tastes, so a little lead under the bumper (2 grams is fine) and suddenly I have a frame that should swing roughly the same as stock.
I was hitting so clean with the Phantom 93 due to the weight, but the spin was not as heavy. The coach I am working with told me straight up that I am better suited for the 97 since I don't come to the net that often and I hit with so much spin.
Anyway, I will spend the next week with the 330 when it shows up and see the pros and cons. Most likely I can use it just fine, but if I get it playing 10 grams less weight and can generate the spin I get with the 310, that may be my sweet spot. Its really tough to tell without logging a bunch of time on the court, but that's what makes it fun.
EPINEPHRINE
New User
Looking for a racquet with more control. In other words, I want to move from a tweener to a modern player's racquet. I can generate my own power as I'm physically muscular. I have a semi-western grip. Not sure what else to add?
I demoed the RF97 Autograph for a day, it is so different, low power compared to the ease of power from my PD. I wasn’t used to the heavyweight and low power.
isukatennis
Rookie
I have...and i didn't hate it...took it off to try another...i may go back to it
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Ok, the RF97 is not very low powered in my experience. It's not easy to use though, so you may have just been mis timing your shots. It's an advanced frame for a 3.5.
The 310 vcore is easier to use than the RF97 and a lot more comfortable. But it is also pretty low powered (if you think that the RF is). You need to be honest with yourself about generating your own power. I currently play with the 310 version in stock form and can generate fairly big power and spin with it. For me it is figuring out how hard I want to swing , and that will boil down to variants of 10 grams (stock at 310, modded to 320, or using the 330 version).
The other thing - what strings do you use? This frame is really nice with full poly in the mid 40's.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
If you find the RF97A low powered, the VCP97 310 is likely not for you because as Power Player said, the RF97A is not a low powered stick.
Has anyone had any forearm pain with this racquet? I purchased one and strung it up with Hyper G 18g @ 52#. I've loved every bit of it, but after 2 weeks of hitting I'm experiencing forearm pain, which has never been a problem before.
My previous/current racquet was a Babolat Pure Aero Lite weighted up to 11.4oz with the same string setup, and I never had any arm issues. Could the Yonex possibly have more vibration than my PA with silicone and lead? Could Yonex's grip shape contribute to it? Is it the more dense string pattern?
Any thoughts or advice or appreciated!
My previous/current racquet was a Babolat Pure Aero Lite weighted up to 11.4oz with the same string setup, and I never had any arm issues. Could the Yonex possibly have more vibration than my PA with silicone and lead? Could Yonex's grip shape contribute to it? Is it the more dense string pattern?
Any thoughts or advice or appreciated!
isukatennis
Rookie
It's not the frame...I have chronic arm issues...the Babolat PA would tear me up... Id be looking at strings, any change in your technique, tension in your arm etc
Thanks for the quick reply. No intentional technique changes, but I'm trying to figure out if, for some reason, this racquet is causing me to grip tighter/harder. The point and shoot accuracy has been very eye opening in comparison to the PALite. It's possible that I might be swinging harder on my serve and strokes because of the increased confidence to hit out.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Have the same strings been in for the two weeks? Maybe time to cut them out.
They’re actually pretty new with about 7 hours total.
3virgul14
Rookie
It`s the Hyper-G.. I never had forearm issues for 2.5 years of tennis until I strung my h22 with Hyper-G and couple of weeks later, I was not able to hit anymore. First wrist, then forearm , biceps and finally shoulder.. Golfers elbow started too..
Switching to other poly didnt help neither, got a break from tennis and even totally returned to multifilaments.. Now feeling much better. Stiff poly destroys your arm.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Got 2 TW grips coming plus a 330 version.
My plan is a bit crazy, but here it is - For now have a stock 310, a 310 with leather grip and a touch of lead at the tip that should be 320 and then have the 330 stock. Play with them all summer. It’s the same frame, just different weights so it should not effect me too much. And then let the best man win. Even if I choose the 310 or modded 320, I will still use the 330 now and then since I enjoy that weight, I just want to see what my tip speed is like.
It could be cool to be able to go 10 grams heavier or lighter on certain days. I would imagine that a 310 with a leather grip should come through the air super fast. Even a little lead at 12 should not slow it down much.
isukatennis
Rookie
Put the RS Lyon in this morning at 53/51...casually hit about an hour...so far I really likey! I liked the spin...I dont hit with a lot of TS, more low, net hugger kinda ball, but I could tell this was helping me get a but more effortless margin over the net which I want...I flew the first couple of serves, but then started dialing in nice...Singles in the morning will give me a better test.
FWIW... I strung this on my Klippermate drop weight at 53/51...and recently started playing with the Racquetune app. This was my first string job where I tested the tension fresh off the stringer...I got 64.5lbs !!!!!...Then after hitting an hour I got 60lbs!!!! WTH? lol....Racquetune had RS Lyon already listed, I put the other specs in correctly, no dampeners, quiet room, using a screwdriver like a good boy, lol... what am I missing here? Is it the stringing machine? The stringer (me)? The Racquetune app? Etc???
FWIW... I strung this on my Klippermate drop weight at 53/51...and recently started playing with the Racquetune app. This was my first string job where I tested the tension fresh off the stringer...I got 64.5lbs !!!!!...Then after hitting an hour I got 60lbs!!!! WTH? lol....Racquetune had RS Lyon already listed, I put the other specs in correctly, no dampeners, quiet room, using a screwdriver like a good boy, lol... what am I missing here? Is it the stringing machine? The stringer (me)? The Racquetune app? Etc???
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Maybe yousukatstringing?
The tension measured by racquettune tells you string bed stiffness which won’t match the reference stringing tension. Stringing tension is tension on the pull. Not the effective tension across all strings collectively. So don’t worry about the different reading.
Not sure about the Babolats, but Yonex has less butt cap flare. Use some old grip to increase the flare.
Summer time = more sweat which means less grip and you compensate by gripping the handle more. Try changing over grips aggressively.
As you mentioned more confidence might lead to playing harder. Concentrate on relaxing more on your shots, easier said than done.
If you can, drop the tension. It can be a drop only on the crosses if that is enough.
Keep the HyperG mains, but try a softer poly cross.
More wrist/arm stretches + exercises.
zettavaska
Rookie
Scroll up to see my post
isukatennis
Rookie
Maybe yousukatstringing?
The tension measured by racquettune tells you string bed stiffness which won’t match the reference stringing tension. Stringing tension is tension on the pull. Not the effective tension across all strings collectively. So don’t worry about the different reading.
I had heard this, but still thought the numbers would be in the ballpark... So basically just use it as a benchmark to see loss of lbs vs. what those lbs are?... Would it be reasonable that it lost 4lbs in less than an hour of hitting? Or my sukky stringing? lol
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yes. You just use it as a reference point. And yes, 4# drop in less than 1 hour of hitting is typical.
isukatennis
Rookie
Very koo...Daddy feels better now
Power Player
Bionic Poster
What string gauge and dampener? I am guessing you use the yonex one since that is a pretty high weight. I am guessing my modded one may be more like 342, but we shall see. The main point is that you have about exactly the same setup I am going to do to mine.
Thanks for the great reply!
VamosRafa69
New User
Has anyone else’s undergrip slipped and exposed the bevel? What replacement under grips would be better than they stock ones
zettavaska
Rookie
I use the fairway leather grip
I've been playing with the vcore pro97 310 strung with rs lyon 52/50 for a good 10 hours now. Summary...fantastic stick i will be getting a second one. not much to add but i will reiterate... control control control.... Directional control especially. It excels there. I had some cross court and down the line shots with this thing that I did not know I had in me.
Now this "power" stuff.. I actually find it to be little bit non sensical. I used to be hung up on this too but the only interpretation i can make for power is if you are in a defensive position "getting" or "digging" the ball out, does it have enough pop/spring in it? The answer for vcore pro 97 is middle of the road. But hopefully my choice of racquet never comes to me emphasizing that stroke which I would hope to try and not get myself into at the first place. But if people are referring to "power" as ability to blast winners. Yes. plenty of power. and again... you are hitting a 60gram ball with a racquet. Power is plenty with every racquet beyond a certain level of play. Basically what it comes down to is that I would not advise this stick to beginners. It would kind of be frustrating and discouraging. If you want to enjoy this stick you have to be intermediate at the least. Volleys are the weakest part of my game so I will not judge those but groundstrokes are fantastic. Feel, control and spin generation. All there in plenty of amounts. Super maneuverable and whippy too. It's all the thin beam qualities. In the reviews someone said extension of your arm. I would agree with that. And finally, stability is good/adequate. I'll put it this way.... It's a racquet that emphasizes all the fantastic qualities that I mentioned above without compromising from stability. It's not the highlight of the racquet and I don't need it to be.
Now string experiment begins. RS Lyon is awesome in it. I will try Velocity, YPTP and Alpha(Grapplesnake) next and see which one of the 4 fits my game the best.
Now this "power" stuff.. I actually find it to be little bit non sensical. I used to be hung up on this too but the only interpretation i can make for power is if you are in a defensive position "getting" or "digging" the ball out, does it have enough pop/spring in it? The answer for vcore pro 97 is middle of the road. But hopefully my choice of racquet never comes to me emphasizing that stroke which I would hope to try and not get myself into at the first place. But if people are referring to "power" as ability to blast winners. Yes. plenty of power. and again... you are hitting a 60gram ball with a racquet. Power is plenty with every racquet beyond a certain level of play. Basically what it comes down to is that I would not advise this stick to beginners. It would kind of be frustrating and discouraging. If you want to enjoy this stick you have to be intermediate at the least. Volleys are the weakest part of my game so I will not judge those but groundstrokes are fantastic. Feel, control and spin generation. All there in plenty of amounts. Super maneuverable and whippy too. It's all the thin beam qualities. In the reviews someone said extension of your arm. I would agree with that. And finally, stability is good/adequate. I'll put it this way.... It's a racquet that emphasizes all the fantastic qualities that I mentioned above without compromising from stability. It's not the highlight of the racquet and I don't need it to be.
Now string experiment begins. RS Lyon is awesome in it. I will try Velocity, YPTP and Alpha(Grapplesnake) next and see which one of the 4 fits my game the best.
Good stuff. Seems like folks on this thread are all over the place in terms of leading the 310 up, from none at all (quite a few in this boat), to lead at 12, 3 and 9 and handle. Obviously, owner preferences at play here but curious what your experience has been. Just received my new 310 yesterday, strung with Velocity mains, RSL crosses, 52/50. Will hit for the first time today (no lead for starters).
Awesome. I would be curious to hear that string setup. Let us know..
The more I play the better idea I would likely develop with regards to any other improvements (ie. adding weight etc). However, so far, I do not want to increase the number of variables that I am trying to figure out ... ie racquet, strings etc. And I can't judge these by hitting only couple of hours so this will take time for me. I want to put each setup through rigorous 10 hours... rallying, point play, match etc...
ChimpChimp
Semi-Pro
310 seems much preferred than 330.
I like the total weight be slightly less than 350g. 330 strung plus overgrip = 330 + 15 + 6 = 351g. Should I heavily lead a 310 rather than using a 330? No demo program in where I live.
I like the total weight be slightly less than 350g. 330 strung plus overgrip = 330 + 15 + 6 = 351g. Should I heavily lead a 310 rather than using a 330? No demo program in where I live.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I’d use a 330 in this case personally. A couple grams is probably not worth messing with lead over. Especially since the new 330 is supposed to come through the air pretty fast for it’s weight.
I will have my 330 soon and be able to compare to a stock 310. I will also compare to another 310 leaded to 320. Between these frames I should have a winner. I can think of arguments for all three weights, so the best way to really know what works is to be honest with yourself about how high your tip speed is at the heaviest weights. Since I have been using the 310 stock for a month now and can switch back and forth , I will be able to hopefully get an answer. I suspect I may end up using the 320 weighted one the most, but that’s just a guess. I have been wrong before about what I prefer. I do know that the 310 holds up great to big hitting, so I have no problems there. My main issue is me - I tend to swing too fast at times with this frame, and I hit a lot cleaner with my heavier Phantom 93. But I don’t get the same spin with that racquet. So that is what I will work out over time with the 97s.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Official Stanwand is in and with everything on it weighs exactly 20 grams more than the 310 with a Sampras damp and OG. Same strings and tension - I am going with Max Power rough for a while since I’m about out of RS Lyon again. So 332 grams versus 352.
The heavy one looks the exact same, no way to tell the difference so ill use a different color dampener on it for now. Should be able to hit tonight and have some initial thoughts.
The heavy one looks the exact same, no way to tell the difference so ill use a different color dampener on it for now. Should be able to hit tonight and have some initial thoughts.
Did you get it strung with RS Lyon as well?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
No Max power rough is in all of my 3 frames now. I am almost out of RS. I will get more of that. I really love both strings, but I think RS is still my favorite for feel. The performance of Max Power is pretty great though. I want to keep everything consistent for now so I can try the different weights out without any variables. I will mod a 310 with leather grip and lead to 320 unstrung in a day or so and the experiment will begin!
