| I can still remember being a young boy hanging around | | | | heavy topspin (except Competitor Classic). |
| in the warehouse of my fathers sporting goods | | | | - Ball Feed (interval) control adjusts the time between |
| business one afternoon and testing out a new tennis | | | | shots from 1-1/2 to 8 seconds. |
| ball machine sample he was evaluating. It was a | | | | - Trajectory is adjustable between groundstroke and |
| simple twist style machine that looked like a mini spiral | | | | lob. |
| staircase. As a little kid I was fascinated with the | | | | - Random oscillator. |
| spiral loading action and the small "pop" lever at the | | | | - All-in-one control panel. |
| end that would pop the tennis balls into the air. I never | | | | - 225 ball capacity. |
| used it on the court but it sure kept me entertained | | | | This model machine comes in a couple of flavors the |
| that afternoon. Well tennis ball machines have come | | | | Professional Player model features what Sports Tutor |
| a long way since then. The basic idea still remains | | | | calls the Player mode. Player mode is worth every |
| strong but new technology allows them to offer a | | | | penny as it actually simulates the shot patterns of real |
| much more challenging practice and while nothing can | | | | players. You can read more about this at just check |
| replace a human opponent to test your skills in a real | | | | out the tennis ball machine section of their |
| game, ball machines are by far the best choice for | | | | comprehensive online catalog. You get all of these |
| honing your skills on the court. | | | | features for under $2100 which if you consider the |
| From $500 to $3000 and more tennis ball machines | | | | longevity and capabilities of this machine is a bargain. |
| come in a range of styles. Some machines are | | | | For the aspiring tennis pro or the tennis team that |
| designed for personal use while others are true work | | | | wants to stay at the top of their game the Tennis |
| horses designed for commercial use. What it really | | | | Tutor Shotmaker® is the ball machine you have |
| comes down to is their capabilities and quite frankly | | | | been dreaming about. This is the same machine used |
| you get what you pay for. Lets take a look at a few | | | | at the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) |
| popular styles and compare their capabilities. We will | | | | Training Center in Florida. |
| start at the bottom of the list and work our way up to | | | | The Tennis Tutor Shotmaker® gives you tons of |
| the top of the line. | | | | features, here is the short list. |
| The Lobster Economy Ball Bucket is a well equipped | | | | - Spin is adjustable from heavy under spin, to flat, to |
| ball machine capable of performance found in | | | | heavy topspin. |
| machines costing hundreds of dollars more. It | | | | - Interval control adjusts the time between shots from |
| features all of the quality design features of the ball | | | | one second to six seconds. |
| bucket above except it only fires the ball at one | | | | - Trajectory is adjustable between groundstroke and |
| location repeatedly. Weighs only 28 lbs, holds 50 balls | | | | lob |
| and offers ball speed from 15 to 60 mph with shot | | | | - Random and programmable oscillator functions. |
| intervals of 3, 6 or 12 seconds. You can add an | | | | - 300 ball capacity. |
| optional spin adapter to this model for a little more | | | | - A single electronic panel controls all functions of the |
| moola that will make it more realistic but for a price tag | | | | Shotmaker. It is conveniently located at the back of |
| under $500 you can't go wrong with this durable little | | | | the machine about waist level to allow operation in a |
| machine. | | | | natural standing position. You can easily dial-in the |
| The Lobster Tournament Model Ball Machine with its | | | | tennis shots you want while observing the entire court |
| random dual oscillation strikes eight spots on the court | | | | in front of you. |
| without the need for stopping to make adjustments. | | | | - Four oversized caster wheels for easy rolling on and |
| This machine can give you short and deep shots to | | | | off the court. |
| keep the practice lively and by moving you both | | | | - A protective all-weather cover is included with each |
| horizontally and vertically this machine not only | | | | machine to protect your investment. |
| simulates real match play, but also provides you with a | | | | - A see-through, high-impact plastic cover provides |
| serious aerobic and/or anaerobic workout. Weighs | | | | extra protection for the control panel. |
| only 32 lbs, holds 150 balls and offers ball speeds of | | | | - The Shotmaker's case is made of high-impact |
| 15-70 mph with shot intervals of 3, 6, 12 seconds. | | | | injection-molded plastic and powder-coated aluminum |
| You can also buy a spin adapter for this model and | | | | for strength and rust resistance. The electric motors |
| you can buy a wireless remote option that is installed | | | | are all commercial grade and maintenance free. |
| at the factory. This model comes with a price tag | | | | If you want all of these features be prepared to hand |
| that is affordable but notably higher than the economy | | | | over some serious clams. The Tennis Tutor |
| model above at around $800 retail. | | | | Shotmaker® comes in at just under $3050. |
| The baseline machine with a ton of features rolled into | | | | As you can see your options are many but in this |
| it would be the Tennis Tutor Tennis Tower. The | | | | writers lowly opinion if you want to be the next big |
| manufacturer claims this model was designed for the | | | | name in tennis, ball machines are not optional. A |
| home court owner but I have to tell you these | | | | human counterpart simply can't offer the kind of |
| features would give a tennis pro a great workout. | | | | practice that a ball machine can. Tennis ball machines |
| Here's the basic feature list... | | | | are at your beckoning call 24 hours a day 7 days a |
| - Speed ranges from 10 MPH to 85 MPH. | | | | week. That's dedication. |
| - Spin is adjustable from heavy under spin, to flat, to | | | | |