Prestige S: who cares about the so-called "Prestige feel"?

[DonDiego]

The biggest complain I read about this stick is the lack of the "Prestige feel". I couldn't care less. Prestige feel, to me, is boardy, bit stiff, and lacking in free power. At leat that's my experience with the Youtek Prestige mp.

In the S version we have a flexier, whippier racquet, and most importantly, a super-wide open 16x19 that would fit in Prince ESP lineup so the strings spacing is wide.

Mine (IG version) is 330g and 6.5 pts HL. Whippier, and much easier to play with than other Prestiges in the line. Like many others, I've waited a lot before giving this stick a chance because of many negative comments here and there, but I believe this is a "Prestige for the modern game" and would please a lot of players on this board.

Any others wishing to come out of the closet?

 

[Early Retirement]

If the specs work for you it shouldn't matter but I can understand folks lamenting how much Head has changed the feel of all the Prestige models recently.

If it was the same racquet but a black paintjob folks would not complain as much. The Prestige name leaves it with expectations to fulfill.

 

[d wayne]

I recently switched from the IG Radical MP to the IG Prestige S- was hoping to get just a bit more power and spin than I had with the Radical(I am 57 yo 4.0 with fairly flat strokes playing a few age group tournaments a year). In that respect I think it has worked.
The more I use it the better I like it- not as plush feeling as the Radical but I am getting better results-it is just a bit easier to use than the Radical.
As for comparisons to the Prestige MP & Pro, anyone that prefers the heavier Prestige models will probably be disappointed with the S model. For me, the Prestige MP & Pro are a bit too much racquet for me to use well. For big hitting 4.5 and up players, the S will likely not fit their needs.
This Prestige S would have probably been more well received it it had a name other than Prestige
Bonus for this racquet- great cosmetics

 

[sansaephanh]

Feel doesn't matter as much anymore. These days kids are sticking all sorts of strings in their sticks at different tensions, effectively trying to reach a similar feel to what they had before. They do it unconsciously most of the time. To me a stick is all about balance, plow, and sweet spot.

 

[LeeD]

If you think it's too light, just add lead.
Prestiges like to vary from 62-65 in stiffness ratings.
If you want 60, go Youtek.
If you want 58, go MG.
If you want 66-68, go bumblebee colors.
If you want thinner beam at 66-68, go DJ.
if you want blue and slightly stiffer, go blue.

 

[dimkin]

If you think it's too light, just add lead.
Prestiges like to vary from 62-65 in stiffness ratings.
If you want 60, go Youtek.
If you want 58, go MG.
If you want 66-68, go bumblebee colors.
If you want thinner beam at 66-68, go DJ.
if you want blue and slightly stiffer, go blue.

it is a great racquet - great control, great to swing, after Prestige MP it was a joy to swing and generate tons of racquet head speed . . . it was very close btw VCT310 and Prestige S, in the end I felt VCT didn't vibrate as much similar control, and better balance. But the S is a great stick.

 

[DonDiego]

it is a great racquet - great control, great to swing, after Prestige MP it was a joy to swing and generate tons of racquet head speed . . . it was very close btw VCT310 and Prestige S, in the end I felt VCT didn't vibrate as much similar control, and better balance. But the S is a great stick.

Which one did you find more arm friendly? I also liked the vcore, but the thight pattern (and higher stiffness) made it feel a bit too stiff for my arm.

 

[graycrait]

I really like the Youtek IG Prestige S and I have tried many many rackets. In fact I took two Volkl Organix V1 MPs to weigh and balance the same as the much less expensive IG Prestige S. I had taken 8 Wilson 6.1 Team 95s to emulate the weight and balance of the "S." But now those 8 hang in my racket graveyard. The 4 rackets that are always in my bag are the two Volkls and two IG Prestige S. It is embarrassing, enlightening and a little amusing to look back on my racket trials the past 10 years. If you are an older 4-4.5 player with shoulder issues who likes to hang with younger hard hitters I suggest giving the Prestige S a try.

 

[BlueB]

I found the IG S stiffer then the IG "proper" Prestige. It lacked the power too in stock form.
I wonder how I'd like it loaded to OP's 330g, 6 HL, as this is the spec I normally like...
Funny enough, I liked the G S more then IG S. More topspin, I guess.

 

[DonDiego]

I found the IG S stiffer then the IG "proper" Prestige. It lacked the power too in stock form.
I wonder how I'd like it loaded to OP's 330g, 6 HL, as this is the spec I normally like...
Funny enough, I liked the G S more then IG S. More topspin, I guess.

I just put an heavier replacement grip (excel gel) and an overgrip.

 

[maxpotapov]

The biggest complain I read about this stick is the lack of the "Prestige feel". I couldn't care less. Prestige feel, to me, is boardy, bit stiff, and lacking in free power. At leat that's my experience with the Youtek Prestige mp

You lost me at Youtek Prestige MP.
Harshest version ever

 

[klementine]

The Prestige S is a fun frame to play with. Really fun. Good choice.

*when people mention the 'prestige feel', they usually aren't talking about the YouTek version. Mainly referring to softer layups, like Microgel and softer iterations

 

[Kwaker]

Due to it's awesome price, the Prestige S is the first stick I bought after returning from a 15+ year holiday away from tennis.

I'm not familiar with the "prestige-feel" that people like to lament about, but I was quite surprised to discover that I preferred the feel of this stick without a vibe. I did have to alter the somewhat rectangular pallet with some balsa to better emulate the more squarish grip that I'm familiar with, but other than that, this stick and I appear rather compatible.

As my game slowly comes back, I will experiment with hybrid stringing to see what this fuss about poly is all about.

 

[torpantennis]

I do care about the Prestige feel. My low and short slice BH, both off the ground and on return of serve, is a key to my game. I do not want to lose the touch on this shot. Classical Prestige MP, with the super dense pattern, is perfect for the short slice.

But I'm looking for a middle ground racquet, something between the amazing touch of classical Prestige, and easy access to spin of the modern racquets. I wonder if this Prestige S would give me any of that Prestige touch, if leaded up to heavier specs?

 

[heninfan99]

The mid and the older, heavier pro are great sticks. Will eventually add them to my collection.

The Mid Plus I demoed didn't have the plow through. The S has a nice price if you like to customize.

 

[maxpotapov]

I do care about the Prestige feel. My low and short slice BH, both off the ground and on return of serve, is a key to my game. I do not want to lose the touch on this shot. Classical Prestige MP, with the super dense pattern, is perfect for the short slice.

But I'm looking for a middle ground racquet, something between the amazing touch of classical Prestige, and easy access to spin of the modern racquets. I wonder if this Prestige S would give me any of that Prestige touch, if leaded up to heavier specs?

No.
As it's been discussed many times before.

 

[Power Player]

I do care about the Prestige feel. My low and short slice BH, both off the ground and on return of serve, is a key to my game. I do not want to lose the touch on this shot. Classical Prestige MP, with the super dense pattern, is perfect for the short slice.

But I'm looking for a middle ground racquet, something between the amazing touch of classical Prestige, and easy access to spin of the modern racquets. I wonder if this Prestige S would give me any of that Prestige touch, if leaded up to heavier specs?

The graphene MP is probably more up your alley. It's a great frame, just doesn't feel like the classics but it still feels like a prestige to me.

Another option is the tec 315 ltd 16x19.

 

[DonDiego]

If one adds enough weight, wouldn't it get close to Murray's real racquet?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

OP says the Prestige feel is "boardy, bit stiff"... Clearly OP doesn't know what the Prestige feel is...

 

[torpantennis]

OP says the Prestige feel is "boardy, bit stiff"... Clearly OP doesn't know what the Prestige feel is...

Clearly OP doesn't know how low tension Prestige has to be strung.

 

[dimkin]

Which one did you find more arm friendly? I also liked the vcore, but the thight pattern (and higher stiffness) made it feel a bit too stiff for my arm.

I bot 2 VCT 310s ... I don't find them stiff at all ... even strung with full poly at 57 it felt good.

 

[DonDiego]

Lol... you think I'm the only one finding this super-tight pattern boardy? Please... fyi, my poly was strung at 50.

 

[torpantennis]

Lol... you think I'm the only one finding this super-tight pattern boardy? Please... fyi, my poly was strung at 50.

50 for poly in Prestige is super tight. Go to 40-44 for full poly.

 

[TfReAk]

Bought a pair of them a year ago hoping to replace my MG rad MP. Wanted to get more spin and power. Couldn't settle with the prestige S. I found it to be erratic and just couldn't get dialed in.

But this week I thougt: "Let me get a few swings with the prestige S again". I put on a TW leather grip and with some lead they are now 312 gram unstrung. Installed Pojie(s?) and strung with MSV focus hex 1.18 at 25,5kg (m) and 23,3kg (c). Total weight 343 grams (with yonex OG), don't know the balance.

Yesterday I had the chance to hit a few balls and the Prestige S felt much better than before! I had a good mix of control and power, pretty good spin and touch. Also the sweetspot felt bigger and it was just fun to hit with the sticks. I'm happy that I gave them a second chance