HEAD – Best modern Prestige 95" racket (16x19)

Best modern Prestige 95" racket (16x19) – 291 mold

  • YouTek IG Prestige S

    Votes: 5 10.2%
  • Graphene Prestige S

    Votes: 2 4.1%
  • Graphene Prestige Pro

    Votes: 1 2.0%
  • Graphene XT Prestige S

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Graphene XT Prestige Pro

    Votes: 1 2.0%
  • Graphene Touch Prestige S

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Graphene Touch Prestige Pro

    Votes: 2 4.1%
  • Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro

    Votes: 10 20.4%
  • Auxetic Prestige Tour

    Votes: 13 26.5%
  • Auxetic 2 Prestige Tour

    Votes: 18 36.7%

  • Total voters
    49
Dear Readers!

I am a huge fan of 95" frames. It still feels like the best head size to me. Since classic 95" 18x20 frames are gone – I still feel this is the best HEAD frame available on the retail market.
I was wondering what are your favorite frames from the list above – I must admit I liked Auxetic Prestige Tour – but the one I got from TWE had quite high swing-weight.
The most underrated – Graphene Prestige S. I love this frame after all these years!

@dr325i , @vsbabolat – Could you please confirm if I am right when it comes to history and the right code names.
Is the mold for all these frames the same – TK291?

I know that drill pattern changed between YouTek IG Prestige S and Graphene Prestige S. It is still the same since then.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Dear Readers!

I am a huge fan of 95" frames. It still feels like the best head size to me. Since classic 95" 18x20 frames are gone – I still feel this is the best HEAD frame available on the retail market.
I was wondering what are your favorite frames from the list above – I must admit I liked Auxetic Prestige Tour – but the one I got from TWE had quite high swing-weight.
The most underrated – Graphene Prestige S. I love this frame after all these years!

@dr325i , @vsbabolat – Could you please confirm if I am right when it comes to history and the right code names.
Is the mold for all these frames the same – TK291?

I know that drill pattern changed between YouTek IG Prestige S and Graphene Prestige S. It is still the same since then.
Yes, all of the molds are TK291. The longest running mold in head history.

I did not really spend any time with any of those so i cannot comment on “my favorite”

The Prestige Pro (current) is 18x20, 20mm beam, super control frame and super plush. 95 and 98 are not that different, 98 gives you bigger sweet spot without sacrificing the control.
 
The Prestige Pro (current) is 18x20, 20mm beam, super control frame and super plush. 95 and 98 are not that different, 98 gives you bigger sweet spot without sacrificing the control.

I thought the same and really forced myself to think that way. But – the point is – I prefer layup, weight distribution and extra beam as additional power factor than bigger head size.
I simply don't like the mix of thinner beam and bigger head size. The same way I do not like Prince Phantom rackets. I cannot find the same control in new Prestige Pro frames.
Also don't like the drill pattern. I'm so happy that I bough a few Pro Tour 2.0. On the other hand – the feel is amazing – especially TGK345 with silicion inside.

Also – the feel of TGT291.2 is plush and comfortable , I find it better than any prostock Radical – even TGK231.1/3 or 260.5 – so for me – after two years break I feel I will get back to them in this summer season.

PS. Never played with Djoković frames – so can't say too much about them.
 

TheBoom

Hall of Fame
Dear Readers!

I am a huge fan of 95" frames. It still feels like the best head size to me. Since classic 95" 18x20 frames are gone – I still feel this is the best HEAD frame available on the retail market.
I was wondering what are your favorite frames from the list above – I must admit I liked Auxetic Prestige Tour – but the one I got from TWE had quite high swing-weight.
The most underrated – Graphene Prestige S. I love this frame after all these years!

@dr325i , @vsbabolat – Could you please confirm if I am right when it comes to history and the right code names.
Is the mold for all these frames the same – TK291?

I know that drill pattern changed between YouTek IG Prestige S and Graphene Prestige S. It is still the same since then.
Most of my experience was with the graphene and XT series.

The graphene series was really interesting. Much more power than XT, and better for the modern game than XT but I always felt it was a bit more erratic than the XT, so I made the upgrade.

The Youtek will always have a special place in my heart as it was my first intro to the prestige line. Keeping my graphene and XT until the end of time. What’s the consensus on the Auxetics?
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
I havent tried the tour yet but its on my list. I can recommend you angell TC95 16x19 which is at the moment my favourite 95” frame. Most current 95” are too low powered and unstable (vcore 95, cx200 tour) Angell TC95 is a beast and i have a sense that prestige tour with 22mm beam and around 330 SW could be something for me.
 

Gee

Hall of Fame
I agree. Though it is not a Head Prestige the Angell TC95 is the best 95sq inch frame I ever played with. Especially with a heavier swingweight from 330 SW you'll get a nice plowthrough and power potential.
It also has a rather big sweetspot because of the very open string pattern that many love/hate and needs to be tempered with thicker gauge strings and/or higher stringbed tensions.
 
Last edited:

HitMoreBHs

Professional
I’m a big fan of the TK291 mold and since 360+, it is for me, the best retail 95 stick.

The 360+ PPro has much better feedback and more obvious throat and tip flex, and ball-pocketing than the PTour Aux 1.0. I normally use a dampener, but do not on the PTour due to how muted it is. On fast strokes hit with good acceleration, the PPro gives the distinct sensation of the racquet flexing and releasing through the impact, which I like a lot. (If you're a golfer, it feels like an optimally matched shaft to one's swingspeed with the highly desireable flex and release through the ball).

Set up to the same specs, the 360+ PPro and PTour Aux 1.0 perform the same in terms of control, power, spin, launch angle and stability. I’m able to switch between them mid-match with ease.
 
I havent tried the tour yet but its on my list. I can recommend you angell TC95 16x19 which is at the moment my favourite 95” frame. Most current 95” are too low powered and unstable (vcore 95, cx200 tour) Angell TC95 is a beast and i have a sense that prestige tour with 22mm beam and around 330 SW could be something for me.
Never tried TC95, but I didn't like TC97. However I really like the first incarnation of Dunlop CX200 Tour (a bit stiffer than CX 2.0 Tour) – haven't tried the 2nd and 3rd (current one). The most stable frame at 305SW strung.

Graphene Prestige Pro was a bit stiffer version of Graphene Prestige S. But it is true that Graphene XT Prestige S was a bit more stable and twisted less. But the feel was a bit worse.
Graphene Prestige XT Pro is the stiffest one. Powerful and stable, but I struggled to stop worry about my tennis elbow hitting with it. By the way – Graphene XT Prestige MP was the worst Prestige MP ever!

I am not sure if Graphene Touch Prestige S was 295g version? I was stiffer than previous one – but has a nice loud sound and was more powerful. Not sure if I have ever played Prestige Pro from that line.
MP was much better from Graphene XT – but still worse that classic YouTek IG Prestige MP (you can still buy them as TGT293.2!).

I’m a big fan of the TK291 mold and since 360+, it is for me, the best retail 95 stick.

Graphene 360+ line changed the way HEAD use the names in Prestige line. Pro was called Tour from now one. They resigned from Prestige S and classic 95" MP.
I bought G360+ Prestige Tour just last year – after... testing Auxetic Prestige Tour using TWE Demo Program. I really like it.

So my plan for 2024 is to buy both Auxetic Prestige Tour and Auxetic 2 Prestige Tour – especially that the last one is again much more flexible – 62RA.
 

gino

Legend
Dear Readers!

I am a huge fan of 95" frames. It still feels like the best head size to me. Since classic 95" 18x20 frames are gone – I still feel this is the best HEAD frame available on the retail market.
I was wondering what are your favorite frames from the list above – I must admit I liked Auxetic Prestige Tour – but the one I got from TWE had quite high swing-weight.
The most underrated – Graphene Prestige S. I love this frame after all these years!

@dr325i , @vsbabolat – Could you please confirm if I am right when it comes to history and the right code names.
Is the mold for all these frames the same – TK291?

I know that drill pattern changed between YouTek IG Prestige S and Graphene Prestige S. It is still the same since then.

Of the ones listed Ive used both the XT prestige pro, graphene S and Youtek IG S - would say the same answer as you... the Graphene S is really nice, with added weight i really liked the way that flexed on impact

XT prestige pro was a bit stiffer in the layup I found, but a sick looking frame

Yes, all of the molds are TK291. The longest running mold in head history.

I did not really spend any time with any of those so i cannot comment on “my favorite”

The Prestige Pro (current) is 18x20, 20mm beam, super control frame and super plush. 95 and 98 are not that different, 98 gives you bigger sweet spot without sacrificing the control.

agreed with @dr325i - the new prestige pro is an incredible option with a similar degree of feel to these 95" prestiges youve listed

cool factoid that TK291 is the longest running mold in head history, that's wild
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Never tried TC95, but I didn't like TC97. However I really like the first incarnation of Dunlop CX200 Tour (a bit stiffer than CX 2.0 Tour) – haven't tried the 2nd and 3rd (current one). The most stable frame at 305SW strung.

Graphene Prestige Pro was a bit stiffer version of Graphene Prestige S. But it is true that Graphene XT Prestige S was a bit more stable and twisted less. But the feel was a bit worse.
Graphene Prestige XT Pro is the stiffest one. Powerful and stable, but I struggled to stop worry about my tennis elbow hitting with it. By the way – Graphene XT Prestige MP was the worst Prestige MP ever!

I am not sure if Graphene Touch Prestige S was 295g version? I was stiffer than previous one – but has a nice loud sound and was more powerful. Not sure if I have ever played Prestige Pro from that line.
MP was much better from Graphene XT – but still worse that classic YouTek IG Prestige MP (you can still buy them as TGT293.2!).



Graphene 360+ line changed the way HEAD use the names in Prestige line. Pro was called Tour from now one. They resigned from Prestige S and classic 95" MP.
I bought G360+ Prestige Tour just last year – after... testing Auxetic Prestige Tour using TWE Demo Program. I really like it.

So my plan for 2024 is to buy both Auxetic Prestige Tour and Auxetic 2 Prestige Tour – especially that the last one is again much more flexible – 62RA.
TC97 is less special, stiffer. TC95 has much better feel. Solid but not muted. Its not for everyone as the launch is much higher than from average racquet and you need very good timing (harder to play on clay) :)
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
I agree. Though it is not a Head Prestige the Angell TC95 is the best 95sq inch frame I ever played with. Especially with a heavier swingweight from 330 SW you'll get a nice plowthrough and power potential.
It also has a rather big sweetspot because of the very open string pattern that many love/hate and needs to be tempered with thicker gauge strings and/or higher stringbed tensions.
exactly. However i am willing to try the prestige tour as i was playing with the 95” for quite some time- The longest from all the racquets I had so this means something. Something about the feel and sweet spot suits my swingstyle or maybe encourage me to extend further. But i want the 95 to be still responsive. I appreciate the feel of the 95 but im not looking for a low powered response. I also had some great time with the pro staff 95 S lol. That being said I am looking for more responsive 95” but I hate trampoline effect which I kinda experienced in tc97 for example.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
My friend loved the Prestige Graphene S. I also tested it in the past so maybe I could have now the image of what to expect from the tour.

You are telling me that Prestige Tour has the same mold? Did Musetti start with the prestige s racquet before switching to extreme tour/boom racquet ?
 

MrBD

Rookie
Just ordered Prestige Tour 2023 for the same reason as you, need a bigger beam for better power, 95" also provides more control than 98" as I'm also playing with PSVS which is 97" so 95" is not a real problem. RA 62 of Tour is great too.

P/S: I own the Prestige Pro 16x19 2023 but it lacks of power especially when serving which is my strongest skill and I love serving, but can not add more swing sweight as the static weight is maxed out for me.

I checked the MP L which has a 21.5mm beam but the head size 99" really looks 100" and push the control of Prestige way too far so no-no (for MP L think people should come with Gravity)
 
Last edited:

aus89

Hall of Fame
Just ordered Prestige Tour 2023 for the same reason as you, need a bigger beam for better power, 95" also provides more control than 98" as I'm also playing with PSVS which is 97" so 95" is not a real problem. RA 62 of Tour is great too.

P/S: I own the Prestige Pro 16x19 2023 but it lacks of power especially when serving which is my strongest skill and I love serving, but can not add more swing sweight as the static weight is maxed out for me.

I checked the MP L which has a 21.5mm beam but the head size 99" really looks 100" and push the control of Prestige way too far so no-no (for MP L think people should come with Gravity)
Have the 2023 Tour and its great - def powerful so not a problem in terms of power, just have to get it and yourself into position and it will certainly not hold anything back - I guess it has maybe more of a classic Wilson style to it if i had to compare it to anything - reminds me of a heavier version of the old Nishikori/Henin/Kvitova Tour 95 around the time of the nTour when they were 61 flex, 330 SW (though the Prestige Tour gets its hefty swingweight from heavier base weight vs extended length for the Tour 95) - very similar beam too
 
Last edited:
Not sure if any of you have seen this thread – inside TGT 291.2

 
Have the 2023 Tour and its great - def powerful so not a problem in terms of power, just have to get it and yourself into position and it will certainly not hold anything back - I guess it has maybe more of a classic Wilson style to it if i had to compare it to anything - reminds me of a heavier version of the old Nishikori/Henin/Kvitova Tour 95 around the time of the nTour when they were 61 flex, 330 SW (though the Prestige Tour gets its hefty swingweight from heavier base weight vs extended length for the Tour 95) - very similar beam too
Have you had a chance to hit other frames with this mold? I am wondering if Auxetic 2 Prestige Tour is softer and less stiff than the first Auxetic.
 

aus89

Hall of Fame
Have you had a chance to hit other frames with this mold? I am wondering if Auxetic 2 Prestige Tour is softer and less stiff than the first Auxetic.
i haven't - just the 2023 Tour that being said I haven't found it stiff at all but it depends on your baseline for stiffness probably
 

Mjolnir

New User
Have you had a chance to hit other frames with this mold? I am wondering if Auxetic 2 Prestige Tour is softer and less stiff than the first Auxetic.

Having just gotten and played with a pair of ‘21 closeout Tours, Auxetic 1.0 if you will, was curious about these ‘23s.

Just hit a TW demo today of the ‘23 and the increased flex over ‘21 is discernible. @eb_tennis_247 said the 1.0 is like an iron bar…I’d call the 2.0 a brass bar :unsure:. Feels like it flexes a bit more in the neck.

Both seem equally powerful, did I say powerful? I meant POWERFUL! so comes down to preference. I like the feel of the 1.0, but could play either.
 

maksp

Semi-Pro
I havent tried the tour yet but its on my list. I can recommend you angell TC95 16x19 which is at the moment my favourite 95” frame. Most current 95” are too low powered and unstable (vcore 95, cx200 tour) Angell TC95 is a beast and i have a sense that prestige tour with 22mm beam and around 330 SW could be something for me.
Does v3 tc95 have the highest RA compared to v5? Can someone compare v3 to v4 and v5?
 

veelium

Hall of Fame
My friend loved the Prestige Graphene S. I also tested it in the past so maybe I could have now the image of what to expect from the tour.

You are telling me that Prestige Tour has the same mold? Did Musetti start with the prestige s racquet before switching to extreme tour/boom racquet ?
Yeah prestige tour is the same mold.
 

veelium

Hall of Fame
but from what I remember his layup was softer?
I just tried the Prestige Tour and it performed really good but it felt least "prestige-like" from the Pro,Tour,MP,MP-L lineup I tried.
Yeah surely different layups. I haven't played much with either to comment and I only own the 2021 tour.

A friend of mine plays the graphene S and imo from trying it's not as soft as the new pro (might be a good thing for many). Tour felt stiffer than the S but not in a bad way necessarily. That said, not the same strings, not the same specs so I could be wrong.
 

galapagos

Hall of Fame
Yeah surely different layups. I haven't played much with either to comment and I only own the 2021 tour.

A friend of mine plays the graphene S and imo from trying it's not as soft as the new pro (might be a good thing for many). Tour felt stiffer than the S but not in a bad way necessarily. That said, not the same strings, not the same specs so I could be wrong.
ye, not bad for sure, just noticed that it's different. a bit closer to radical pro that i tried the same day but a bit softer with a slightly better pocketing sensation
 

veelium

Hall of Fame
I agree, actually find it bigger than any of my head 95’s. IMO the best frame in the 360+ lineup
I quite enjoy the mp too (currently trying it) but the mid has a big enjoyment factor when hitting the ball. Just superb combo of small head that hits a big ball.
 

MrBD

Rookie
Just notice that Prestige Tour is the only closest match to Novak racquet, Head 95" & 22mm box beam.

The only different is the string pattern. Any thoughts about this?
 
Just notice that Prestige Tour is the only closest match to Novak racquet, Head 95" & 22mm box beam.

The only different is the string pattern. Any thoughts about this?
Feels completely different. Shape is also different. I own a Novak racquet and probably every head prestige/radical/speed/radical line up until 3 years ago. Been testing the tour extensively
 

veelium

Hall of Fame
Measuring outside vs inside the hoop supposedly
They didn't measure outside, would be a way bigger difference iirc (some people in here measured this at some point).
Also not sure who, but in one of the prestige threads, someone did some CAD measuring of the head 95 molds and said they are closer to 97.
I've wanted to verify this myself but then I got lazy.
 

eric42

Semi-Pro
Measuring outside vs inside the hoop supposedly
Nah they never did that, it's an internet myth. For example, the Head PC600 is an 89.5" head measured from the inside, and actually 104" from the outside of the frame (I've electronically measured it), yet many erroneously say it's listed as a 93" because Head measured from the outside. The numbers are just too far off for this to have ever been done.
 

MrBD

Rookie
They didn't measure outside, would be a way bigger difference iirc (some people in here measured this at some point).
Also not sure who, but in one of the prestige threads, someone did some CAD measuring of the head 95 molds and said they are closer to 97.
I've wanted to verify this myself but then I got lazy.
I own PSVS 97" and Prestige Tour 95", from my view it's very close
 

MrBD

Rookie
btw, I just sold my Prestige Pro 16x19 and kept the Tour, both is 2023 version. The Tour is solid and fits me much better. It's for those who want power in their racquet but still want classic control and feel, still decent spin. The 95" head is very, very close to my 97" on the PSVS - I can say it's the same.
 

curtstead

Professional
Actually got my hands on a couple of the G360+ Prestige Pro's from 2019 (now the Tour in the '21 and '23 versions of the Prestige.) Any comments on how this one plays? Got them VERY cheap, won't be able to play them till my shoulder heals. I loved the '21 Tour, and didn't have an issue with the head size. Maneuverability was the tougher part as mine was def high 330s in SW.

The G360+ Pros I have are both matched at on spec static weight at 333g strung, 7pt HL strung, and 327 strung SW. Interested to hear if people think it needs just a minor bit of customizing and maybe a 3-5 point bump in SW, as I could play that as well. I think AC mentioned it's stability was a little meh in his battle of the 95s video.
 

Chairman3

Hall of Fame
Actually got my hands on a couple of the G360+ Prestige Pro's from 2019 (now the Tour in the '21 and '23 versions of the Prestige.) Any comments on how this one plays? Got them VERY cheap, won't be able to play them till my shoulder heals. I loved the '21 Tour, and didn't have an issue with the head size. Maneuverability was the tougher part as mine was def high 330s in SW.

The G360+ Pros I have are both matched at on spec static weight at 333g strung, 7pt HL strung, and 327 strung SW. Interested to hear if people think it needs just a minor bit of customizing and maybe a 3-5 point bump in SW, as I could play that as well. I think AC mentioned it's stability was a little meh in his battle of the 95s video.
What happened to your commitment for the year to the DR98's? :eek:
(Some people on the internet remember things) :laughing:
 

curtstead

Professional
What happened to your commitment for the year to the DR98's? :eek:
(Some people on the internet remember things) :laughing:

Still rolling with it when I got hurt, just waiting to return to match play. Whenever the hell that is... PT says 6-9 months, Ortho says 2 months. I don't know who to believe anymore. Trying to stay motivated to get back on court ASAP.

I'm not losing that $500 bet though. Not switching from the DRs.
 

veelium

Hall of Fame
Actually got my hands on a couple of the G360+ Prestige Pro's from 2019 (now the Tour in the '21 and '23 versions of the Prestige.) Any comments on how this one plays? Got them VERY cheap, won't be able to play them till my shoulder heals. I loved the '21 Tour, and didn't have an issue with the head size. Maneuverability was the tougher part as mine was def high 330s in SW.

The G360+ Pros I have are both matched at on spec static weight at 333g strung, 7pt HL strung, and 327 strung SW. Interested to hear if people think it needs just a minor bit of customizing and maybe a 3-5 point bump in SW, as I could play that as well. I think AC mentioned it's stability was a little meh in his battle of the 95s video.
Nice taht you get low SW ones. Seems to be the exception. The ones I've tried from the 360+ were plenty stable but they had a SW going towards 340 from my feeling.
 

MrBD

Rookie
High sw but easy to swing fast through the air. Train your arm well, and it really pays off. My best racquet purchase ever.
 
Top