Tennis ball machine?! Yes or No?

[Tantsutallinn]

Hi all,

so now i decided to get much better in real life tennis and i am thinking about buying a tennis ball machine. Here is the one, that caught my eye:
http://www.lobsterinc.com/products/el05%20le.htm
It is quite expensive, but as i read the reviews it makes a great workout and you can program the drills as you like. And i am aware, that coaching is important too, but tennis ball machine complements and is cheaper in longer time span. They even offer a 2 year warranty.

[jayl0ve]

If you can afford it, go for it. Ball machines are awesome and let you really work on specific shots very easily. Do it.

[djarvik]

Doing same thing for 20 years doesn't mean you have a 20-year expirience, it just means you were doing same thing for 20 years.

Ball machines are good, but if you don't have a good coaching you simply won't progress. If you have a fundamental mistakes in your stroke production, repeating this mistake thousand times over with a ball machine will actually hurt your tennis.

That said, a ball machine + a coach wispering from behind and correcting you - is a fantastic way forward.

I say get a machine, but try to incorporate a coach in your rutine. Unless of course your strokes are in a happy place and you are getting a ball machine to stay in shape and maintain consistency.

Funny you mention it thou! I have been looking at a few all year! ... In hopes to take the plunge for christmass.

[GOA MASTER MDMA]

when you will have a own machine than definitifly buy it, its very good for practice.

but alternate you can go in a tennis club ,to be a member there and than you can use their ball machine for free !!:

the big plus for buying is ,that the machine is allways available for you.

so when the big prize don´t hurt you ,buy it

[Moralspain]

2 words.......get it!!

[beltic caldy]

hey, didn't that thing get to the quarters at Roland Garros last year????

[Q. Reese]

Yes. I am going to get one from Lobster. In my opinion, they have the most advanced ball machines out there.

I think spending a handsome penny on this thing of beauty is worth my while. This is especially so now that I play by myself most times.

Hitting the ball against the wall gets boring from time-to-time.

Just before it got cold out, a coach invited to play with me. He is very good. His spins are ridiculous!

Hopefully, I can catch him in late March or early April. I have enough funds to get the latest ball machine now.

Are there better ball machines you guys would suggest?

[Tantsutallinn]

who answered no!?!?! explain

[beltic caldy]

Me, cos for three grand, you could get some serious coaching instead, which would come with a ball machine and an expert instructor - cost benefit analysis rejection : )

[Q. Reese]

Me, cos for three grand, you could get some serious coaching instead, which would come with a ball machine and an expert instructor - cost benefit analysis rejection : )

And if you can't find a coach or hitting partner, you recommend to play against the wall?

[beltic caldy]

Not just any wall Q my man!!!! It HAS to be this one - or a more elaborate version thereof (just think of the wall space that could be achieved for 3k!!!!!!)

[GOA MASTER MDMA]

Me, cos for three grand, you could get some serious coaching instead, which would come with a ball machine and an expert instructor - cost benefit analysis rejection : )

And if you can't find a coach or hitting partner, you recommend to play against the wall?

no , hitting against a wall is boring ,
either a tennisball machine or search for a streetdosser and work at your fore/backhand accuracy like this guys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_myazQNLNQ

don´t forget to give the dosser 5 bucks after the trainingssession !!

[jayl0ve]

I hit against a wall alot. It is indeed boring.

[ILuvBillVal]

[Q. Reese]

I suppose you are right ILuvBillVal for beltic caldy's version of the wall to hit.