IG Prestige S Review

[JackB1]

I just got a Prestige S demo and can't wait to try it out. I will post my thoughts here in the following days and welcome anyone else who has tried this racquet to chime in as well...

My demo weighs 330 grams with overgrip and dampener, which is right where I like my racquets to be. It "feels" lighter than that though just dry swinging, but that can sometimes be deceiving. I will try it stock first and I am hoping it has enough weight and plow to work without having to whip it really fast. I tried the YT Prestige Pro for a week and loved the feel of it, but it was a bit too demanding for me. I am hoping the S gives me the same feel but in a lighter more powerful package. There is some room to add lead if it seems to require it, but we'll have to see how it plays stock first.

The grip feels more round than the normal Head grip that is on the Prestiges and Radicals of the past.. Can anyone else confirm?

Anyway, stay tuned...I will have some playtest comments soon.

[atatu]

Yes, please post a review as I am interested in how the S compares to the YT Prestige Pro that I bought from you. I just got the new Radical Pro demo as well and will hit with it tomorrow. By the way, do you recall how you strung that YT PP ? It feels pretty good.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by atatu

Yes, please post a review as I am interested in how the S compares to the YT Prestige Pro that I bought from you. I just got the new Radical Pro demo as well and will hit with it tomorrow. By the way, do you recall how you strung that YT PP ? It feels pretty good.

that PP had Babolat multi feel mains and RPM crosses.

[EKnee08]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I just got a Prestige S demo and can't wait to try it out. I will post my thoughts here in the following days and welcome anyone else who has tried this racquet to chime in as well...

My demo weighs 330 grams with overgrip and dampener, which is right where I like my racquets to be. It "feels" lighter than that though just dry swinging, but that can sometimes be deceiving. I will try it stock first and I am hoping it has enough weight and plow to work without having to whip it really fast. I tried the YT Prestige Pro for a week and loved the feel of it, but it was a bit too demanding for me. I am hoping the S gives me the same feel but in a lighter more powerful package. There is some room to add lead if it seems to require it, but we'll have to see how it plays stock first.

The grip feels more round than the normal Head grip that is on the Prestiges and Radicals of the past.. Can anyone else confirm?

Anyway, stay tuned...I will have some playtest comments soon.

I am anxiously awaiting your review. Over the last 3 years despite numerous playtests and a temporary swithc to the youtek prestige mp, I kept goig back to customized youtek radical mps.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by EKnee08

I am anxiously awaiting your review. Over the last 3 years despite numerous playtests and a temporary swithc to the youtek prestige mp, I kept goig back to customized youtek radical mps.

I wish Head would make a Radical MP with a 16x19 pattern. The Rad Pro is always to awkward due to its heavy swingweight and close to even balance. The MP has much friendlier specs, but I prefer an open pattern, The Radical S is just way too light.

[Dgdavid]

isn't the IG Speed 300 like a Radical MP but 16x19? 300g vs 295g of Radical MP. Thin frame. That's one of the reason I went Speed 300 after various other rackets including RMP.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

isn't the IG Speed 300 like a Radical MP but 16x19? 300g vs 295g of Radical MP. Thin frame. That's one of the reason I went Speed 300 after various other rackets including RMP.

I don't think the Speed 300 is like a 16x19 Radical MP. I tried the 300 and it was extremely light and whippy feeling but also pretty low powered. That wasn't a great combination for me. I much prefered the plow and power of the Speed 315.

[atatu]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I don't think the Speed 300 is like a 16x19 Radical MP. I tried the 300 and it was extremely light and whippy feeling but also pretty low powered. That wasn't a great combination for me. I much prefered the plow and power of the Speed 315.

Let us know how you think this racket stacks up against the London, if you don't mind.

[drumnman2]

I got to hit with this and the IG Pres. Pro the other night. Both strung with Gamma TNT 2 @ mid tension. Just hitting, no games. I was most excited about the pro but the feel seemed too much like last years. Too stiff of a string bed for me. The "S" on the other hand I really liked. I could take as big a cut at the ball as I wanted and the spin and rather low power would keep it in. I hit rather flat but still didn't have any balls flying on me. It was also very stable for the weight and I had no problems with it twisting or getting pushed back. I wouldn't say the balls had a lot of weight to them tho. Great placement but of course you just can't plow thru and crush the ball as you can with a heavier racquet. The only thing was when I got home I had a very sore shoulder. I hope I tweaked something and it wasn't the racquet. The specs sure don't indicate it would be hard on the arm. I will play some dubs on Sun. and we'll see how it goes.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by drumnman2

I got to hit with this and the IG Pres. Pro the other night. Both strung with Gamma TNT 2 @ mid tension. Just hitting, no games. I was most excited about the pro but the feel seemed too much like last years. Too stiff of a string bed for me. The "S" on the other hand I really liked. I could take as big a cut at the ball as I wanted and the spin and rather low power would keep it in. I hit rather flat but still didn't have any balls flying on me. It was also very stable for the weight and I had no problems with it twisting or getting pushed back. I wouldn't say the balls had a lot of weight to them tho. Great placement but of course you just can't plow thru and crush the ball as you can with a heavier racquet. The only thing was when I got home I had a very sore shoulder. I hope I tweaked something and it wasn't the racquet. The specs sure don't indicate it would be hard on the arm. I will play some dubs on Sun. and we'll see how it goes.

Did the S have more power than the Pro? Does the S require a very fast swing to use effectively? That is what I am worried about. You may want to try adding a little weight to the S? Maybe 3 grams at 3/9 and 3 grams in the handle.

[drumnman2]

[quote=JackB1;6249123]Did the S have more power than the Pro? Does the S require a very fast swing to use effectively? That is what I am worried about. You may want to try adding a little weight to the S? Maybe 3 grams at 3/9 and 3 grams in the handle.[/QUOTE

I would say there is more pop off the string bed with the S than the pro. As far as power, yes I think you do need to swing faster with the S to get the same power, or ball speed and weight.But I felt you don't have exaggerate the top spin to keep it in, it comes naturally. I was having so much fun swinging out on everything and the ball still going in I think that might have stressed my shoulder. It is a control racquet more than a power one for sure, but that's what I like. It is also about 3/4 to an oz lighter than I usually use. Mine came in at 11.5 oz. and 5 pts. head light with an overgrip and dampner. And yes the grip is more rounded than the other prestiges which is good for me. No I don't care for the clear caps and the paint looks a little cheap for a prestige with the chrome lettering. I will take your advise and add some lead for my next outing and see how that goes. Been 3 days and the shoulder is still sore tho. Hope you enjoy yours.

[JackB1]

[quote=drumnman2;6250657]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Did the S have more power than the Pro? Does the S require a very fast swing to use effectively? That is what I am worried about. You may want to try adding a little weight to the S? Maybe 3 grams at 3/9 and 3 grams in the handle.[/QUOTE

I would say there is more pop off the string bed with the S than the pro. As far as power, yes I think you do need to swing faster with the S to get the same power, or ball speed and weight.But I felt you don't have exaggerate the top spin to keep it in, it comes naturally. I was having so much fun swinging out on everything and the ball still going in I think that might have stressed my shoulder. It is a control racquet more than a power one for sure, but that's what I like. It is also about 3/4 to an oz lighter than I usually use. Mine came in at 11.5 oz. and 5 pts. head light with an overgrip and dampner. And yes the grip is more rounded than the other prestiges which is good for me. No I don't care for the clear caps and the paint looks a little cheap for a prestige with the chrome lettering. I will take your advise and add some lead for my next outing and see how that goes. Been 3 days and the shoulder is still sore tho. Hope you enjoy yours.

Just wondering why you don't use the YT Prestige Pro? It sounds perfect for you.

[JackB1]

no chance to play today....rainy and wet in Atlanta all day

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by JackB1

no chance to play today....rainy and wet in Atlanta all day

Should be clear on Sunday Jack!

Eagerly awaiting your review. I've been enjoying my modded 300 for several months now but like you am always curious and like to tinker. Your comments on the stock 300 are spot on...light and whippy. I like its flexier frame more than the Speed MP 16x19 so went with the 300 and added a heavy grip, OG, and lead.

Tried a few serves today on a wet court with the YT Prestige Pro (unmodded demo). Very much at my upper limit for weight and could feel the effect of the stiffness AFTER the brief session of roughly 24 serves.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

Should be clear on Sunday Jack!

Eagerly awaiting your review. I've been enjoying my modded 300 for several months now but like you am always curious and like to tinker. Your comments on the stock 300 are spot on...light and whippy. I like its flexier frame more than the Speed MP 16x19 so went with the 300 and added a heavy grip, OG, and lead.

Tried a few serves today on a wet court with the YT Prestige Pro (unmodded demo). Very much at my upper limit for weight and could feel the effect of the stiffness AFTER the brief session of roughly 24 serves.

Hey Tim! I like to use some of the racquet's mass to get depth and pace on my shots. The Speed 300 needed very whippy and fast swings to compensate for the lack of racquet mass. The 315 worked much better for me and I sometimes wonder why I gave up that racquet? .

The YT Prestige Pro is a sublime feeling stick. One of those racquets that you hit just to hit with it . Its that nice. But its more demanding than my DC Pro and if my main concern is to win my league matches, then I need to go with gives me best chance to win. The weight is manageable and it does feel noticeably heavy after a while. I would need about 2 weeks of playing with it and it alone to get more used to it. Like you, it's right at my upper swingweight limit. That's why I have so much hope for the Prestige S, which is about 12 grams lighter. I am hoping it has that same wonderful buttery feel of the Pro, but in a lighter package. If it lacks plow I can always add a little lead and still keep it under the Pro's swingweight.

[atatu]

I used the YT Prestige Pro in a tournament yesterday and played one of my better matches in several years. This morning...a bit sore and I think the frame is just a touch stiff for me. Looking at the IG S specs...if I added a leather grip would it be pretty close to the YTPP - just not as stiff ?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by atatu

I used the YT Prestige Pro in a tournament yesterday and played one of my better matches in several years. This morning...a bit sore and I think the frame is just a touch stiff for me. Looking at the IG S specs...if I added a leather grip would it be pretty close to the YTPP - just not as stiff ?

Maybe? I don't like leather so I would just add some lead tape.

Going out to hit some now with the S. Hope the courts are dry.

[scotus]

Originally Posted by atatu

I used the YT Prestige Pro in a tournament yesterday and played one of my better matches in several years. This morning...a bit sore and I think the frame is just a touch stiff for me. Looking at the IG S specs...if I added a leather grip would it be pretty close to the YTPP - just not as stiff ?

Is that the new IG YT PP or the old model?

[JackB1]

OK..finally some impressions

Played 2 sets of singles today after rallying for about 30 mins. The conditions were a little damp, so not ideal, but what can u do? My demo is strung with full multi - Wilson Sensation, so keep that in mind.

I was hoping for a slightly easier to use Prestige Pro, but it seems like you sacrifice some plow and power to get there. I tried the S in stock form today and it definitely requires a fast whippy swing. I found balls landing short if I used the same swing as I usually do with my DC Pro. I was expecting more power...especially with full multi, but it wasn't there. I think it leans more towards control than power. The racquet also lacks "ooomph" and plow behind the ball. All the comments in TW's review were spot on. This racquet would work for someone who wants a lighter player type racquet that they can swing fast and not worry about balls going long. Serves were pretty good and I think with a little lead tape, they could equal my DC Pro.

So I am somewhat disappointed, but I was kind of expecting this. For me...my sweet spot is somewhere in between the S and the Pro. I LOVE the Pro's power and plowthru with just a nice relaxed swing. But it is a little demanding at times due the weight and I cannot serve as effectively with it as I can with my DC Pro. Next time out, I am going to try adding some lead tape to the S to see if it will increase plow and power up to my required levels. I am thinking about adding 3" strips at 3/9 and 6" on the handle. I dont want to get up near the 12 oz. of the Pro...so I only have room to add about 5 grams. I think Head would have been smarter to have made the beam 2 mm thicker and the frame a little stiffer. I feel like it's too underpowered to play with in stock form unless you like to swing very fast.

One other thing...the racquet sounds a little "pingy" on contact. Once I removed the Head dampener and put on a Sampras O ring, it wasn't as bad, but it still wasn't a satisfying sound. The Wilson Sensation strings may also have something to do with that. Also, the grip is a little large. The 3/8 with an overgrip is the same diameter and my usual 4 1/2" with overgrip. The grip also feels rounder than past Head racquets, but I am not sure if that is real or perceived?

In conclusion...I like the racquet enough to try it some more with some lead tape. I wish I had my preferred strings/tension on it, since that could change a lot, but I am not going to restring a demo. The frame is just gorgeous to look at and I like the clear cap grommets.

[Nostradamus]

What is the S for ?