Category Archives: Change
Launch Angle…what is it and how do we use it?
In the simplest terms, “launch angle” is the angle the ball leaves the tennis racquet relative to the court. That does seem simple enough, but how do we, or can we, contribute to it?
We are getting more and more calls asking what to do to reduce launch angle, as the game is changing to a flatter style, which generates a little more energy.
- Racquet Trajectory plays an important role in launch angle. That is why we hear “low to high” so often.
- A flat stroke can generate more ball speed but less spin.
- String Bed Stiffness is another property that contributes to launch angle.
- A stiffer string bed can reduce launch angle.
Many, many factors contribute to this, so we think this way:
As a player, you do not want to change too many things about your stroke; you want the racquet to do the changing for you!
OK, then! The first, and maybe the only thing you would do is pick up a racquet with an 18 x 19 string pattern! In most cases, you do not even need to change your reference tension(s).
We believe the 18 x 19 pattern is slightly more compatible than an 18 x 20, but either would work to help keep your launch angle under your control!
Get a Grip!
One of the first things we do when a racquet comes in for work is remove the overgrip!
If you are wondering why, look at some of the beauties that have come in recently.
Time for a New Over Gr
I think you understand, but there is more to this than dirt! It is obvious that the overgrip material can not do its intended job, which is to provide a better grip on the racquet.
But there is more! If you look below the red tape (yes, those are exam gloves), you will see the “base” grip or what is left. The base grip comes from the factory and is the interface between you and the racquet. This is important!
In addition to changing your overgrip frequently, the base grip must also be changed. The best way to see if it needs to be changed is to look at it, but you may be afraid. That is where we come in. Our many medical professionals happen to have exam gloves handy, but if you don’t, we do, and we are not afraid to use them.
Here are our recommendations for getting and keeping your grip:
Replace the overgrip after each match or every month, whichever comes first. For several years, Racquet Quest has used Head Prime Tour overgrip if you need a recommendation.
Replace the base grip every six (6) months. The next time you change your base grip, consider leather grips, which are less compressive than synthetic material and last longer.
Finally, if you need assistance with over-grips or base grips, stop by the Racquet Quest World Headquarters. We will install either one for you—you can even bring your own!
Please do not wait until your racquets look like these. Get a Grip!
Revised e-mail address
Recently, it came to our attention that the email we had been using for 15 years had disappeared! How this happened is not known…by us, anyway!
What is known, however, is the new e-mail address, and it is:
johngugel.tennisrocks@gmail.com
We apologize for any missed e-mails and ask that you send us
e-mail so we can confirm it is working.
Wilson Shift 99/300
After the success of the Wilson Labs version of the Shift technology, Wilson decided to make a retail version. We have received the retail version of the unique racquets and certainly want to share!
Just looking at the racquet, you may ask, “What is unique about it?” Even though the term AI is overused, in this case, it was just used! Some of the concepts of the designers were fed to AI, and it went to work!
Wilson Shift 300
We don’t know the details of the AI prompts, but we do know the very wide throat will accommodate the in-plane flexure of the shaft, which lets the head move downward upon impact and then move back while the ball is in contact with the string, therefore, contributing to “spin.”
This 99-square-inch racquet comes in two (2) versions, the 300-gram and 315-gram “Pro,” with an 18×20 string pattern.
We can feel some flex in the shaft; however, the real test is hitting with this concept, so come in and try the demo. In the meantime, take a look at the numbers.
| Manufacturer | Wilson |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Wilson Shift 300 |
| Reference Tension | 58 |
| String | PEEK 7710 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 53.0 |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 63.5 |
| String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 43.0 |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 35 kg/cm |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 69 After Stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 43.0 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 400.0 Lbs/In |
| Weight, Grams | 330 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.64 |
| Balance, mm | 325 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.80 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.03 |
| Head Width | 9.82 |
| Head Length | 12.75 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 634.0 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 98.3 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 23.0 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 24.0 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 24.0 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 12.75 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 12.8 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.1(PWS) |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 13.0(including bumper) |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .616 |
| Main String Grid | 7.25 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.81 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | 71.7 % |
| Average Cross String Space | .494 |
| Average Main String Space | .446 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT MasterTensometer | 35 kg/cm |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.78 |
| First Moment, Nm | .826 |
| Polar Moment | 337.0 |
| Torsional Stability | 17 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 320 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.29 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 348.6 (full-length) |
| Power, RDC | 54.0 |
| Control, RDC | 48.0 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 73.9 |
| Power, Calculated | 2191.7 |
| Head Points | 5.67 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.4% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.9 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 8.74 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 30.0 |
| K, Lb/In | 159.87 |
| Recoil Weight | 155.31 |
| Twist Weight | 237.78 |
| End Weight | 133.1 |
| Tip Weight | 194.6 |
| 9 O'Clock | 98.4 |
| 3 O'Clock | 100.6 |
| Butt Cap | 129.0 |
| COF, Main | .396 |
| COF, Cross | .319 |
Racquet Quest, LLC
