Alternatives to Lynx Tour - control string

[Aces123]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice!

I’m currently a UTR 4.5. I play relatively flat shots and like a setup which offers lots of control and low launch angles. My biggest frustration is hitting the ball into the back fence.

I am getting lessons to improve my technique and considering a more aggressive grip. But I am experimenting with strings, to find something that will help in the short term.

I use a head speed pro (2022 model).

I started off with a full bed of lynx tour at 50lbs. It played brilliantly. I had the control, low launch angle and could hit through the ball freely. My UTR went up a full point once I made the switch.

BUT I started getting wrist and forearm pain. So I tried it in a hybrid with PPC, and I’ve tried reducing the tension. But both of these options have reduced the control significantly.

I’ve read that Lynx Tour is a heavy and very stiff string, and I think that might be the issue.

Is there a string that offers the low launch, low power and high control of the LT without the extra weight?

I’ve looked on these forums, videos and the string comparison tool and found some suggestions:

Hyper G
Hyper G soft
Tour Bite Soft
Head Hawk
Big Hitter 7
Yonex air

Can anyone give me a suggestion about where to start? I was thinking Hyper G soft at 52 lbs? Would that make sense? Or are there any other recommendations?!

 

[JK208]

My setup and play style is almost exactly like yours. I used Hyper G 20g (6 grams lighter than a 17g string) at 48 LBS for a little while, but it was powerful and prone to being too launchy. I personally love Grapplesnake Tour M8 at 44 lbs. Lots of control and consistency. When I miss long, it is 100% my fault. It's soft enough that you could probably go up to 50 lbs with no issues. You could also try Tour Sniper, but is stiffer but has less power and not as much consistency.

 

[NewcomerfromBalkan]

Tourna 7 Tour silver 1.25

 

[Aces123]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just watched a great video and both of your recommendations popped up. Will see if I can find them and test them out!

 

[smithie]

When I used to use the Speed Pro for a couple of years I moved from Lynx Tour to Solinco Confidential and found that superior and was my favourite string in that stick. I also preferred the 1.25 gauge as it suited my flatter game more, whereas the 1.20 had a little more power with a high launch angle so I would avoid that.

 

[JK208]

When I used to use the Speed Pro for a couple of years I moved from Lynx Tour to Solinco Confidential and found that superior and was my favourite string in that stick. I also preferred the 1.25 gauge as it suited my flatter game more, whereas the 1.20 had a little more power with a high launch angle so I would avoid that.

Have you tried Hyper G and Confidential? I'm interested to hear about the differences between the two in the Speed Pro

 

[smithie]

Have you tried Hyper G and Confidential? I'm interested to hear about the differences between the two in the Speed Pro

Yep played both extensively.
Hyper-g has better power and feel (I really liked it around the net for volleys and touch shots).
Confidential has more directional control and linear response. It is also stiffer and more crisp.
Spin, durability and tension maintenance all about the same.

Overall I preferred Confidential over Hyper-G but could happily play with either in the Speed Pro.

Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know.

 

[dmtree]

I don't think the extra <1 gram Lynx Tour weighs (full string bed is ~17g) makes that much difference when it comes to arm health. The stiffness does though, I would stay away from stiff poly full bed until you can improve technique and arm strength.

You can hybrid Lynx Tour mains and a softer round control poly in crosses, maybe Ice Code, Pro Line Evolution, Yonex PTP, or Luxilon Element. Poly crosses offer much better control than multi crosses that get notched quickly and lock the stringbed. Another option is a full bed with a softer control poly. Round strings will usually have lower launch angles than shaped strings. Lots of options out there from Yonex, Kirschbaum, and many other brands.

 

[Roforot]

You could try lowering tensions if you feel you have to play w/ poly to say 36-40 lbs.
Alternatively, why not try Head MLT black? Lot of people seem to like it and the black version supposedly doesn't move.
While you may want to be a flat striker I'd suggest practicing/adding topspin. You'll get worse before you get better.

 

[JK208]

Yep played both extensively.
Hyper-g has better power and feel (I really liked it around the net for volleys and touch shots).
Confidential has more directional control and linear response. It is also stiffer and more crisp.
Spin, durability and tension maintenance all about the same.

Overall I preferred Confidential over Hyper-G but could happily play with either in the Speed Pro.

Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know.

Thanks. How much lower do you think I should string Confidential for comparable power to Hyper G?

 

[jayvee]

If you're hitting the back fence with your groundstrokes, it's not the strings.

Anyway, to answer your question, try HyperG: it's a lot like Lynx Tour but better.

 

[ichaseballs]

Would skip the Yonex Poly Tour Air
Poly Tour Pro is a good try. Like the lynx tour, both strings are fairly low powered. But PTP is softer.
I think 50lbs is too high for PTP. 40-45 is the sweet spot.

 

[Fighting phoenix]

If you're hitting the back fence with your groundstrokes, it's not the strings.

Anyway, to answer your question, try HyperG: it's a lot like Lynx Tour but better.

As a big fan of LT, I also like the performance of HyperG, but the feel is more muted and I don't see it as necessarily an upgrade from LT at all. If you like the feel of LT but want something softer, I would suggest crossing it with a round softer poly as others have mentioned (I happen to really like it crossed with Hawk Touch), or trying something like Tour Bite Soft.

 

[jayvee]

As a big fan of LT, I also like the performance of HyperG, but the feel is more muted and I don't see it as necessarily an upgrade from LT at all.

I disagree but I'll admit that the red LT is a very good string. Champagne is a bit different and definitely like HyperG more. I don't think OP will feel the difference though.

 

[smithie]

Thanks. How much lower do you think I should string Confidential for comparable power to Hyper G?

It will depend on your reference tension but anywhere between 2-4lbs should do it

 

[dmtree]

As a big fan of LT, I also like the performance of HyperG, but the feel is more muted and I don't see it as necessarily an upgrade from LT at all. If you like the feel of LT but want something softer, I would suggest crossing it with a round softer poly as others have mentioned (I happen to really like it crossed with Hawk Touch), or trying something like Tour Bite Soft.

I'd suggest something like Head Lynx in the crosses or Lynx Touch. Hawk Touch is a great control string but imo not soft enough for injured arm.