Hey!

I've been playing tennis for about maybe a month in a half now. I am pretty good now, can consistently hit an accurate backhand, good forehand and groundstrokes, but I am currently using a Prince Graphite Oversize, which is my fathers. I want to move up to something that maybe a bit more powerful.

Looking at a Volkl Catapult 4.

Anybody chime in?

Maybe you Volkl42?

Kyle,

I used to play a lot, college tennis team and all. I haven't hit a ball in over 10 years and a lot has changed with all the racket technologies.

I went out last fall before I screwed my back again looking for a racket. There are many many materials, sizes, feels, weights....
The rackets now have a power rating also which corresponds to the flex vs stiffness. This will effect how hard you can hit the ball vs. the ease of having an accurate shot. For a beginner I would suggest more on the accuracy side. Speed will come with timing and form.

Net result, I went to a local small pro shop. I talked with the guy and he recommended a few rackets. He had loaners you could rent for a week for around $5-10 to try out. He also had used rackets at 40-80% of new cost. Both of those would be good options for you. You can see what you like, buy one for a reduced cost, and if you graduate to a next level - then trade up!

Good luck. I'm getting more mobile again and last week went out to hit balls with my 9 and 11 year old daughters with my antique wooden racket. Time for me to start shopping again as well.

Chuck

Carbon Fiber rackets are really, really cool.

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Cassidy
1982 MB 300DT - Running Great @ 104K!

1972 MB 220D - RIP @ ~200K (Dropped prechamber)
1992 MB 190E 2.6 - SOLD @ 145K

You mean my Dunlop Maxply is obsolete?

How much do you want to spend? Some racquets approach $250+. Find a place online like Tenniswarehouse.com and read through descriptions of racquets. You can even borrow one from them for $19 for a week to see if you like it. Racquets have power ratings these days - anything above 850 packs a punch. The lower power rated racquets offer more control and you supply the power. They show you how to choose the right grip size too.

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dtf
1994 E320 Wagon (Died @ 308,669 miles)
1995 E300 Diesel (228,000)
1999 E300 Turbodiesel ( died @ 255,000)
2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 AC 4X4 (115,000 miles) rusted frame - sold to chop shop
2011 Audi A4 Avant (165,000 miles) Seized engine - donated to Salvation Army
BMW 330 xi 6 speed manual (175,034 miles)
2014 E350 4Matic Wagon 128,000 miles
2018 Dodge Ram 21,000 miles

MTI,

That was my bread and butter. Used to wear them out in 3-6 months, but they were the best of their time for serve and volley fast courts.

I went to my 30th high school reunion last year. Another guy that was on the high school tennis team with me just found an unstrung Maxply frame. He is going to mount it for his office... what an idea.

Chuck

Maxply ruled!!!
I had a maxply junior McEnroe signature, I got it after McEnroe made number one, I played with it even when the new aluminum raquets started coming out

For a decent raquet I would look into the Dunlop 200G or 300G. Very good feel and power.

Kyle

You can check out www.tennis-warehouse.com and read some reviews to decied what to demo. The POG that you're using now has a strong, cult like following. It's considered one of the all time best player's racquets - that's why it's been around for 20 + years. You may be hard pressed to find a better racquet but a more powerful racquet may help your game in the short run until you develop your stroke. Just my 2 cents though - nothing beats demo-ing a bunch of racquets.

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I'd rather argue against a hundred idiots, than have one agree with me. — Winston Churchill