Should a beginner-intermediate player play with intermediate equipment or just grow into high level equipment?

[GSpotSniper]

I am new to EJ and I have been reading up on tons of discussion, and I see opinions all over the place! Such as:

1. beginner-intermediate players won't be able to bring out the full value of the "professional rubbers" so they are not worth it and may even hinder you!
2. beginner-intermediate players should just get the high level equipment so you can grow with it, get used to it, and unlock more of it's value as your technique improves.

What do yall think? I am choosing my next paddle and luckily this old retired couple(loaded $$$) I play with regularly is buying me whatever I want for my birthday, so I'm not concerned with cost efficiency, only what will make me a better player. I kind of want Viscaria, D09c on FH, and D05 on BH since I have tried them out and they feel pretty good? This would be a huge step up from the $40 Premade Buster Combo from ColesTT I have been using for the last 4 years 😅

 

[golden_son]

Do you have a coach? That's #1 for becoming a better player. If you're playing casually, get something that you can easily keep the ball on the table with and leave it at that. If you're taking lessons and actually improving your technique...consult your coach. They each have different views on this. My opinion is if you plan to train rigorously and get to a level where you can squeeze the performance out of top-of-the-line equipment in real competitions, go ahead and invest. Otherwise save your money. You can still get something significantly better than your Buster Combo but still controllable for <$100, especially if you're willing to go the AliExpress route.

 

[GSpotSniper]

Do you have a coach? That's #1 for becoming a better player. If you're playing casually, get something that you can easily keep the ball on the table with and leave it at that. If you're taking lessons and actually improving your technique...consult your coach. They each have different views on this. My opinion is if you plan to train rigorously and get to a level where you can squeeze the performance out of top-of-the-line equipment in real competitions, go ahead and invest. Otherwise save your money. You can still get something significantly better than your Buster Combo but still controllable for <$100, especially if you're willing to go the AliExpress route.

Thanks for the advice. I do have a coach and im serious about my improvement, train 3-4x a week with video review. My coach said it would be ok for me to get the D09c but I wanted to get some more opinions. I have a lot less control on BH side though, should i go for a softer easier rubber?

 

[golden_son]

Thanks for the advice. I do have a coach and im serious about my improvement, train 3-4x a week with video review. My coach said it would be ok for me to get the D09c but I wanted to get some more opinions. I have a lot less control on BH side though, should i go for a softer easier rubber?

D05 can be pretty unforgiving, and I think it's easier to step up in rubber as your level progresses. I found Andro Rasanter R42 to be a great learning rubber for BH. It's got the punch of a tensor when you engage it but it's softer and more controllable while you're nailing down your strokes, timing, etc.

 

[Tyce]

So here's what I think, it's really tricky hitting a couple of balls and thinking "oh this feels good" and that doesn't translate to a usable setup.

"Being able to control it" can mean different things. What you don't want is something that you can only just manage to get the ball on the table. What you want is something you can use your best power with, serious slapping acceleration, and get the ball where you want to, with the spin you want it to have.

Your 4yo bat is probably way past its rubber expiration date. But if you like the blade, either stick new rubber on it or get a new setup with a similar blade. At this point, even getting the exact same thing but new, will be a big difference.

I understand the allure of a Viscaria. It's quite a bit of blade though, and dressing it up with powerful rubber will result in a combo that will make it really difficult to get comfortable with. If that's the blade you want, put something well controllable on it.

 

[Ultravisitor]

I am new to EJ and I have been reading up on tons of discussion, and I see opinions all over the place! Such as:

1. beginner-intermediate players won't be able to bring out the full value of the "professional rubbers" so they are not worth it and may even hinder you!
2. beginner-intermediate players should just get the high level equipment so you can grow with it, get used to it, and unlock more of it's value as your technique improves.

What do yall think? I am choosing my next paddle and luckily this old retired couple(loaded $$$) I play with regularly is buying me whatever I want for my birthday, so I'm not concerned with cost efficiency, only what will make me a better player. I kind of want Viscaria, D09c on FH, and D05 on BH since I have tried them out and they feel pretty good? This would be a huge step up from the $40 Premade Buster Combo from ColesTT I have been using for the last 4 years 😅

I think the answer is somewhere in between those two; Get something that supports the playstyle you want to play, but don't make it hard on for yourself, by picking the the really highend stuff. Until you have good consistency on all the important strokes and your done with the basics it's just easier to play with more middle of the road equipment.

 

[GSpotSniper]

So here's what I think, it's really tricky hitting a couple of balls and thinking "oh this feels good" and that doesn't translate to a usable setup.

"Being able to control it" can mean different things. What you don't want is something that you can only just manage to get the ball on the table. What you want is something you can use your best power with, serious slapping acceleration, and get the ball where you want to, with the spin you want it to have.

Your 4yo bat is probably way past its rubber expiration date. But if you like the blade, either stick new rubber on it or get a new setup with a similar blade. At this point, even getting the exact same thing but new, will be a big difference.

I understand the allure of a Viscaria. It's quite a bit of blade though, and dressing it up with powerful rubber will result in a combo that will make it really difficult to get comfortable with. If that's the blade you want, put something well controllable on it.

That makes sense, I really haven't played with their paddles extensively, maybe 30min max.
Im not sure what blade I want, all I know is I want one that can last me a long time without replacement

 

[GSpotSniper]

I think the answer is somewhere in between those two; Get something that supports the playstyle you want to play, but don't make it hard on for yourself, by picking the the really highend stuff. Until you have good consistency on all the important strokes and your done with the basics it's just easier to play with more middle of the road equipment.

Do you have any recommendations of the middle of the road equipment? I also don't want them to spend too much $$$ on me anyways. They said I could choose anything but I would feel rude choosing all top of the line...

 

[Ultravisitor]

Do you have any recommendations of the middle of the road equipment? I also don't want them to spend too much $$$ on me anyways. They said I could choose anything but I would feel rude choosing all top of the line...

Of the top of my head:

Stiga Clipper
Fastarc G1 FH
Fastarc C1 BH

Beeing a 7ply its a stiff blade, but still more control than alc/zlc blades, while not beeing much slower.

Fastarc is a modern classic. High trowing, not to much catapult for a tensor, very durable compared to other similar priced options.

 

[Tyce]

Of the top of my head:

Stiga Clipper
Fastarc G1 FH
Fastarc C1 BH

Beeing a 7ply its a stiff blade, but still more control than alc/zlc blades, while not beeing much slower.

Fastarc is a modern classic. High trowing, not to much catapult for a tensor, very durable compared to other similar priced options.

If you don't like 7ply, replace Clipper with Korbel and you have a great 5ply setup.

 

[GSpotSniper]

Of the top of my head:

Stiga Clipper
Fastarc G1 FH
Fastarc C1 BH

Beeing a 7ply its a stiff blade, but still more control than alc/zlc blades, while not beeing much slower.

Fastarc is a modern classic. High trowing, not to much catapult for a tensor, very durable compared to other similar priced options.

Thanks, as of now this is my most probably choice!

 

[GSpotSniper]

If you don't like 7ply, replace Clipper with Korbel and you have a great 5ply setup.

I have no idea if I would prefer the 7 or 5 ply, but it seems like 7 is faster? So I think I want that, I have trouble putting away the ball with my current setup

 

[OvrChkn]

If you have a good relationship with your coach, just ask what setup they recommend. I know beginners that have a Viscaria/Dignics FH/Tenergy BH setup and they are comfortable with it and the coach works with them on their technique. Your technique will be fluid and changing over time. Getting proper feedback from your coach and having good feel on the ball is the most important thing. I adjust my equipment every now and then, and having my coach pinpoint my mistakes has been a big help.

Also, just to note, the rubbers are consumable, so you'll get them as a gift initially, but will you repurchase them down the line?

 

[GSpotSniper]

If you have a good relationship with your coach, just ask what setup they recommend. I know beginners that have a Viscaria/Dignics FH/Tenergy BH setup and they are comfortable with it and the coach works with them on their technique. Your technique will be fluid and changing over time. Getting proper feedback from your coach and having good feel on the ball is the most important thing. I adjust my equipment every now and then, and having my coach pinpoint my mistakes has been a big help.

Also, just to note, the rubbers are consumable, so you'll get them as a gift initially, but will you repurchase them down the line?

Yea my coach said the Viscaria, Dignics should be fine - I guess I am just getting in my head too much reading so much EJ discussion for the first time. Yea I would replace them so I guess cheaper is probably smarter

 

[mightymouse]

Long long time ago, while lurking at various TT forums (I forget which one) I remember reading something like this:

In South Korea, they give Butterfly Korbel (made in Japan) to youngster. Even Oh Sang Eun switched back to Korbel after a brief venture using carbon blade, and played better.

In China, they give Stiga Clipper to youngster. But in recent update, I heard they also give ALC blades to youngster.

So if those powerhouses start their youngsters with Korbel and Clipper, I think it is safe to also start with either one.

From my point of view, those blades can last you a life time, especially if we are only amateurs.

 

[piligrim]

Yea my coach said the Viscaria, Dignics should be fine - I guess I am just getting in my head too much reading so much EJ discussion for the first time. Yea I would replace them so I guess cheaper is probably smarter

Viscaria with Rozena will be better for you then D09C

 

[Colestt]

what i see at the lower level, among players not receiving the best coaching, is that if the blade is too hot as in sticky or fast or probably both, they send topspin way long. then the instinct is to react by touching the ball softer and softer. when the paddle is less sensitive they learn to lean into the spinny ball better/faster

 

[JJ Ng]

Viscaria with Rozena will be better for you then D09C

if you have a coach then go for Viscaria. Don't worry about what other people say. If your coach says D09c on the forehand, then go ahead and get it (I think D09c plays like a well boosted hurricane 3 blue sponge anyway). Backhand, yeah, I would agree with Rozena than any Dignics on that side.

Backhand strokes are just more compact so you should use a softer, bouncy rubber.

Forehand strokes, if done properly, should be larger and quite explosive so harder, D09c rubber works well there.

 

[GSpotSniper]

Long long time ago, while lurking at various TT forums (I forget which one) I remember reading something like this:

In South Korea, they give Butterfly Korbel (made in Japan) to youngster. Even Oh Sang Eun switched back to Korbel after a brief venture using carbon blade, and played better.

In China, they give Stiga Clipper to youngster. But in recent update, I heard they also give ALC blades to youngster.

So if those powerhouses start their youngsters with Korbel and Clipper, I think it is safe to also start with either one.

From my point of view, those blades can last you a life time, especially if we are only amateurs.

Wow I did not know this, very interesting! I will look into those two and ask my coach. Also I didnt know Demetrious johnson the GOAT played TT XD

 

[GSpotSniper]

Viscaria with Rozena will be better for you then D09C

On both FH and BH?