Yonex Poly Tour Strike, thank me later
(jokes aside, never tested it in the GT98 but it fits the description perfectly)
(jokes aside, never tested it in the GT98 but it fits the description perfectly)
GermanBeast
Rookie
I tested GT98 with Alu Power 1.25, but it is still launchy sometimes and hard to trust as you said, compared with my 360+ Prestige Pro.
Lynx Tour works the best.. if you really want round string.. maybe Lynx touch? Or even Hawk Touch?
I first tested it with reString Zero.. it was really bad.. and lost tension after 2h
hawk touch is a good one as well, but Poly Tour Strike is basically a superior hawk touch
Don't understand the hype around this string... worst thing I've tried in a while... launchy, plastic feel, no control and aweful tension maintenance... But great marketing budget!!
This crap would be black, nobody would play it...
Over hyped for sure
Also the open pattern of Gravity 98 will break the string tension really fast.
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HeavyHitter
Rookie
If you're using 1.25mm poly full bed, string higher than you normally would. I started testing 1.25mm at 23k and currently testing 28/27 and 27/26kg and really enjoying it. I still like 1.30mm 16g full bed better. The frame really comes to life and becomes very predictable and connected.
croplayer22
New User
after playing with hawk power and lynx touch, restringed one racket with eco rough and I have to say I really like it after 2 doubles session. so much I think I will just keep going with it.
ordered before set of tour mako, so will try that also, bur if this won't be better, I think I will order a reel of eco rough
ordered before set of tour mako, so will try that also, bur if this won't be better, I think I will order a reel of eco rough
So, the next one will either be Strike or Hawk Touch, depending on which is easier to get. Since my arm is quite sensitive, I don't want to increase the tension too much. Right now, one is strung with Lynx 1.30, and that's already better than Iso Blackfire 1.25 (at least for the first 2 hours…)."
Would you mind comparing these two rackets? If I can’t tame the launchy feel, I’ll probably try the Prestige (maybe the MP). I actually really like the GPro, but it’s quite tiring after two hours.
bigdaddy812
New User
I rotate using 2-3 raquets so, yes it does,Poly lasts you months???
OK…
bigdaddy812
New User
Anyone NOT liking the T98 and willing to sell or trade? I’m looking for a L2 and have 2 23 GP grip 3 and cash up for bids.
t3nn1st1m3
New User
Would people recommend this as a switch from the Gravity Pro 2023 for a more maneuverable, powerful and spin-friendly frame or does it lose too much of the control and feel?
yourtennisfit
Professional
yes! Gravity Tour 98 - same DNA and feel, but way more powerful and spinny
The only thing you should know, you need to swing out all the time
croplayer22
New User
I played a few sessions with the 2023 GPro while testing and switching rackets. Now, I’m playing with the GT98—I bought two and committed to it. It definitely provides more power, spin, and maneuverability, while the loss in feel and control isn’t too significant (at least for me).
Currently, I have one strung with Luxilon Eco Rough and the other with Grapplesnake Tour Mako, both at 23 kg. I prefer the Eco Rough. With Tour Mako, I feel I get easier depth and power, but I also hit more balls into the net—almost like I’m not getting the bite on some shots.
Currently, I have one strung with Luxilon Eco Rough and the other with Grapplesnake Tour Mako, both at 23 kg. I prefer the Eco Rough. With Tour Mako, I feel I get easier depth and power, but I also hit more balls into the net—almost like I’m not getting the bite on some shots.
yourtennisfit
Professional
Well - it depends on your swingstyle, too
If you usually play a guiding technique and are not used to brush over the ball, your first balls will sail on you. And that surely doesn't mean you're a bad player
You cannot just change your technique overnight and every time you try a different racket
So no, this is not 100% technique related
For the GTour users, what are the balances you guys playing with?
Most of my racquets are around 32cm balance with everything on. After the first hit of GTour, I can feel the potential of this racquet, but it came with 32.7cm balance without customization. It naturally feels sluggish to me.
I wonder is there anyone here play with more headlight balance (32cm)? How GTour responds to this balance? Thanks in advance.
Most of my racquets are around 32cm balance with everything on. After the first hit of GTour, I can feel the potential of this racquet, but it came with 32.7cm balance without customization. It naturally feels sluggish to me.
I wonder is there anyone here play with more headlight balance (32cm)? How GTour responds to this balance? Thanks in advance.
AndrewUtz
Professional
I listened to today’s Tennis Warehouse podcast, and they referenced a previous thread. They said someone got quite upset with @dr. godmode for saying a racquet was loud LOL.
Given my background, a degree in audio engineering, multiple acoustics courses, and experience as a hearing instrument specialist, I’m more qualified than most, likely including you, to speak on this topic.
Hearing is highly subjective. I’ve seen people with severe hearing loss, 70 dB or more, who thought their hearing was fine, and others with minor loss, around 10 dB, convinced they’d lost half their hearing. Self-perception of hearing is unreliable, especially without regular testing and as hearing declines with age. If you have not had your hearing tested in a while and are older than Tenncomm, your perception of sound is something you explicitly cannot trust. That’s why objective measurement is necessary in this discussion.
Also, sound isn’t just about volume. Decibels aren’t fixed, they are relative to the measurement point, so you have to define the scale first, whether it’s dB SPL, dB HL, or another. Every racquet vibrates at a specific frequency, as shown in Tennis Warehouse University’s data. By that fact alone, racquets cannot sound identical, even with the same string and tension. On top of that, perception of loudness is influenced by the equal loudness curve, meaning one racquet could technically be louder than another, but due to its frequency, it may be perceived as quieter based on an individual’s hearing sensitivity or simply because of how human ears naturally interpret different frequencies.
Simply, it’s the same principle as a 52-gauge guitar string, which produces a different pitch on a baritone guitar versus a standard scale guitar, even when pulled to the same tension. Your argument ignores fundamental acoustics and auditory perception. If you're going to make claims, at least know more of the basics.
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mmazzinin1
Semi-Pro
I fully agree. I had my first hit this morning with my coach. It is an excellent frame, probably the best 98 I have ever tried. Strung with PT Strike @45 Lbs. When you play an aggressive game, it follows you splendidly- precise, controlled, spinny enough and with good feel also at the net.
On the defensive side I suffered a bit as the racquet requires adequate foot work and body placing to move from defence to attack, but less than what you would expect. Great work Head.
It is maneuverable, but still provides good stability. I would probably add 3g split between 3 & 9, and I think it will become close to perfect for the aggressive all-court player.
bigdaddy812
New User
Anyone know why the Tour has 300 written on the side? What does it mean?
hdjs94
Rookie
That’s head’s CPI or control power index number they use to define power level of the racket. Tour has a CPI of 300 so it’s more on the control side of things in their whole lineup of rackets.
bigdaddy812
New User
ahh yes, ... I forgot about the CPI. Thx bro...
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Mine are 335g / 31.4cm / 331SW strung
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SupahMan5000
Hall of Fame
Hopefully summer we’ll both be in a groove for the men’s opens we plan on playing. But I think my 337-340 SW, 32.6cm ish balances will work well for my game as I start to hit more and get more rhythm. Still find myself struggling at odd moments as seen here
Really liking the Hawk Touch Lynx Tour hybrid though
Mine are (unstrung) 318 g, 31 cm, 296 SW
In the middle of figuring out strings for the season so don’t know what strung will be as of yet.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Hawk Power
Chris Wilson
Rookie
Huh. Disagree strongly. It's tension maintenance is outstanding. Maybe you had a bad batch. And IMO it's the racket that is launchy here, not the string. I'm not sure it's the best fit for this racket, though.
SaaKha
Semi-Pro
The Everyman Jolly Rig aka Lynx Tour/Hawk
croplayer22
New User
did anyone played with Alu Power?
julianokay
Rookie
Yeah, it's great.... for about 30 minutes.
julianokay
Rookie
Pros switch racquets every 7 games, I would say on average that doesn't really equal much more than 30 minutes.
But I WAS exaggerating.... Maybe it's good for about an hour, but honestly after that it just dies and becomes garbage, it's a pretty well known phenomenon.
Same applies to Poly Tour Pro. Amazing string, but for a very short period.
If you want to restring after every hit, please be my guest, but I'm not trynna do that
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
ALU is the best poly string when fresh and dangerous when dead.Pros switch racquets every 7 games, I would say on average that doesn't really equal much more than 30 minutes.
But I WAS exaggerating.... Maybe it's good for about an hour, but honestly after that it just dies and becomes garbage, it's a pretty well known phenomenon.
Same applies to Poly Tour Pro. Amazing string, but for a very short period.
If you want to restring after every hit, please be my guest, but I'm not trynna do that
Pros 30 min is equal to much more than your 60 min unless you are a very high level player.
That said, I have seen people pop ALU in less than 60 min.
In my experience, ALU is good for about 4-5 hours at 4.5 level, then, you can feel it on you arm
Hi, I have 3 matched ones
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
The target spec is 305g, 32cm, 295SW
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Ok a tiny bit then actually, quite good QC ..
I assumed SW was lower due to the reported values here and the strung SW Ive seen on internet
Recently, I was delivered a racket with the main string already taut. This may be the Lynx 1.25. Its spec are as follows:
- 319 grams; ( without OG и demf.)
- 33 cm;
- 326SW.
I was specifically looking for an option with a lower static weight to be able to adjust more flexibly.
- 319 grams; ( without OG и demf.)
- 33 cm;
- 326SW.
I was specifically looking for an option with a lower static weight to be able to adjust more flexibly.
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Mine were both 306 grams, 32.1 cm, 295 sw unstrung with plastic on handle. Removed plastic (2 grams) and added the weight back to bottom of handle, to get to the 32 cm unstrung listed spec. Really enjoying the playability so far - in the same league as the Pure Aero 98, but with better feel and comfort. Surprisingly fast through the air, considering my typical spec is 31.4 cm unstrung.
What strings are you using?
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Msv cofocus 1.27 white. Don’t love it, don’t hate it. Will prob put big banger original 1.30 in it next. I think stiffer and thicker will be good in the open 16x19.
For durability purpose or other reasons?
gutfeeling
Hall of Fame
Yes, durability and playability. This 16x19 pattern is pretty open, and less dense than what I am used to with the 16x20 Pure Aero 98, and previously the Ezone 98, which is a dense 16x19 in comparison. Stiffer and thicker strings will increase playability longevity, and will make the string bed more controlled and predictable. This stick is pretty soft, so comfort won’t be an issue at my usual tension of 55, and I feel like I could go higher too if needed.
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I just finished stringing up this racquet(Gravity Tour 98) and have not hit with it yet, but damn, did Head ever get the cosmetics perfect on this one! I've never seen a better looking racquet.
I have it set up with power pads, over-grip, damper from Lowes(electrical grommet).
Wilson gut/Isospeed Cream 16 gauge. I cannot believe how easy it swings compared to my Boom Pro's. It goes through the air like the VCore 95's V7.
It's actually wider than a Boom Pro.
Hoping it plays as good as everything else about it.
Stock frame
Weight without card and without handle wrap 305.2 (wrapper was 2.3 gms)
Balance 7.5pts H/L or 12 9/16"
Swing Weight 291 (291.20)
Full set up
Weight with strings, overgrip and damper 331.6
Balance 5pts H/L or 12 7/8"
Swing Weight 326 (326.31)
I have it set up with power pads, over-grip, damper from Lowes(electrical grommet).
Wilson gut/Isospeed Cream 16 gauge. I cannot believe how easy it swings compared to my Boom Pro's. It goes through the air like the VCore 95's V7.
It's actually wider than a Boom Pro.
Hoping it plays as good as everything else about it.
Stock frame
Weight without card and without handle wrap 305.2 (wrapper was 2.3 gms)
Balance 7.5pts H/L or 12 9/16"
Swing Weight 291 (291.20)
Full set up
Weight with strings, overgrip and damper 331.6
Balance 5pts H/L or 12 7/8"
Swing Weight 326 (326.31)
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Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Just hit for about a half hour with it and served for about a half hour as well.
I am not quite understanding all of the comments about it being "sluggish", it is far from it. It's very stable when hitting and the racquet gets to contact very fast. I adjusted to it almost immediately during mini tennis warm-up.
For serving, I'd say it feels like it’s 15-20% more powerful than the Boom Pro (my current racquets) and maybe 10% more spin on slices and kicks.
Ground strokes are much the same, more power than the Boom Pro, maybe a tad more consistent, but when you hit the sweet spot, you know it, because it is a really solid, satisfying hit, it has the feel of a Pro Staff kind of.
Volleys feel better than the Boom Pro to me, because it feels like the ball sinks into the string bed more, so more dwell time, also more akin to a Pro Staff.
Backhand felt great when I hit the sweet spot, but I didn't hit it there enough, so an adjustment is needed there on my part.
This feels like a switch is in the works for me.
I am not quite understanding all of the comments about it being "sluggish", it is far from it. It's very stable when hitting and the racquet gets to contact very fast. I adjusted to it almost immediately during mini tennis warm-up.
For serving, I'd say it feels like it’s 15-20% more powerful than the Boom Pro (my current racquets) and maybe 10% more spin on slices and kicks.
Ground strokes are much the same, more power than the Boom Pro, maybe a tad more consistent, but when you hit the sweet spot, you know it, because it is a really solid, satisfying hit, it has the feel of a Pro Staff kind of.
Volleys feel better than the Boom Pro to me, because it feels like the ball sinks into the string bed more, so more dwell time, also more akin to a Pro Staff.
Backhand felt great when I hit the sweet spot, but I didn't hit it there enough, so an adjustment is needed there on my part.
This feels like a switch is in the works for me.
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