movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
Our inside man would be best to post that. Probably starts with TGT though. I've been out of the pro stock name game for a while.
Head Prestige 2021
- Thread starter tennis_evan
- Start date
Our inside man would be best to post that. Probably starts with TGT though. I've been out of the pro stock name game for a while.
DustinW
Professional
I might. Just not a big fan of the current trend of high swingweights on lower static weight frames.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
My shop has had demos in for about a month. Not for the public, but the guys that run the shop have been hitting with it.
Blakefan17
Rookie
Hi Michelle,
Do you know if these available to demo now? Link on the site seems a little wonky. Thanks for the thoughtful reviews on these frames!
TW Staff
Administrator
There are demos available for all 3 Prestiges right now.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I just think people get way too caught up on numbers before they have even touched the racquet and don’t have an open mind.
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HitMoreBHs
Professional
Could possibly be a Europe and International market release only. It’s the replacement for the 360+ Prestige S which was not sold on TW.
Tennisnerd posted the specs of his MP-L at 300g / 31.5cm unstrung, SW 318.5 strung.
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Notorious_Junkballer
Hall of Fame
Is the new Tour (former Pro) really worth the extra hundred bucks compared to the red Pro which is now on sale?
I am new to this forum - hello all. Former i.Prestige mid (not MP) user here…I still have three of those beauties actually and will occasionally hit with them. Medial tennis elbow (probably from excessive W grip) ended my tennis playing at age 12 so arm comfort is very important to me. Returned to game in summer 2020 after not touching a racquet in 10+ years but around 15 years ago when I started playing a bit again (late 20’s at the time…40’s now) the Prestige Mid was the only thing that didn’t bug my arm.
I’ve been hitting 5 or more times a week year round with the PMP360+ since my 2020 comeback and I love it. I naturally hit lots of spin (even with my new FH grip, index knuckle at bevel 3.5 vs my old 4 or 4.5) so have not had any lack of spin issues plus the 18x20 means I get fantastic slice and string life. Such a sweet OHBH topspin frame too. I bought size 3’s but have moved to size 2 grips (have also now adapted to and prefer TK82s) so I have done pallet swaps and replaced buttcaps with non weighted, and thin TW leather grip + 1 overgrip, and my weights are apparently 340 static and 315 swingweight.
OK now here’s my question: I thought the new Auxetic is supposed to have virtually identical specs, but it seems the swingweight is quite a bit higher at 325g. Are my racquets under spec or does my SW sound about right given my minor mods? I’ve not added any lead. I’d like to add a couple Auxetic prestige Pro’s (ie 98, old MP) for a bit more pop and bigger sweetspot but higher SW concerns me, especially on serve where I struggle a bit with RHS and occasionally have elbow issues (upper elbow, not lower, not tennis or golfers elbow) from too much serve practice.
I’ve been hitting 5 or more times a week year round with the PMP360+ since my 2020 comeback and I love it. I naturally hit lots of spin (even with my new FH grip, index knuckle at bevel 3.5 vs my old 4 or 4.5) so have not had any lack of spin issues plus the 18x20 means I get fantastic slice and string life. Such a sweet OHBH topspin frame too. I bought size 3’s but have moved to size 2 grips (have also now adapted to and prefer TK82s) so I have done pallet swaps and replaced buttcaps with non weighted, and thin TW leather grip + 1 overgrip, and my weights are apparently 340 static and 315 swingweight.
OK now here’s my question: I thought the new Auxetic is supposed to have virtually identical specs, but it seems the swingweight is quite a bit higher at 325g. Are my racquets under spec or does my SW sound about right given my minor mods? I’ve not added any lead. I’d like to add a couple Auxetic prestige Pro’s (ie 98, old MP) for a bit more pop and bigger sweetspot but higher SW concerns me, especially on serve where I struggle a bit with RHS and occasionally have elbow issues (upper elbow, not lower, not tennis or golfers elbow) from too much serve practice.
nohandedbackhand
Semi-Pro
I think the new pro swings pretty clunky and is too low-powered. Not a fan of how it feels in the hand. When I finally get to demo it I’ll confirm all of this.
Chezbeeno
Professional
I rotate between a '21 Rad MP, a Speed Pro, and the Prestige Tour as my main racquets for hitting and coaching. The Tour is nice, in a lot of ways it feels like a slightly heavier version of the Radical. It has good control, decent feel, it's stable, and it's maneuverable enough that you can really swing out with it and get some good pace. That being said, outside of the additional mass and stability, I find that it doesn't offer much that the Radical doesn't. While the Tour is an 18x19 and the Rad is a 16x19, because the pattern of the Rad is so dense in the middle of the frame, control, spin potential, and launch angle are very similar. The Rad doesn't feel much less stable than the Prestige, despite less weight, and it does feel more maneuverable, so at net I definitely prefer the Rad. The Rad also just feels a little better and crisper. Maybe not as soft, but definitely cleaner. The Radical has more free power as well. Not an insane amount of power, and it's not like the Prestige is underpowered (Head lists both racquets as having the same CPI of 400), but it's still a factor.
I don't mean any of this to come across like I don't like the Prestige - I absolutely do. I got it because I needed a backup racquet to my Radical and it was on a steep sale, and I've been very happy. I can envision a player that would like the Prestige more (someone with more classic or old-school type groundstrokes than I have), but for a lot of players there are just going to be some good options that are significantly better in certain areas (more free power, easier to use, better control, heavier, more stable, etc...).
I know this is a really loose and wandering overview - if you have any specific questions about the Tour let me know and I can try to speak to those.
This is super helpful info, thank you. I recently hit with my girlfriend’s Radical MP and thought it was pretty nice (good for serves, as I could get better RHS and therefore spin vs my PMP360+) but didn’t like the feel on the BH side (esp slice which is a key shot for me). I was wondering if the “Tour” (MP for 2022) might be the right fit for me but it sounds like I should stick to the 360+ MP/Auxetic Pro at 98 and 20mm beam.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I didn’t think it swings clunky.
Chezbeeno
Professional
I don't really feel like the BH slice feels particularly good (or bad, really) with the Tour, or the Radical, honestly. It feels great with the Speed Pro, though.
nohandedbackhand
Semi-Pro
Oh I was just satirizing the notion of making an assessment before even playing with it. I personally can’t wait to try it.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
I’m sorry missed that.
Ufiors
Rookie
Thanks but i meant the pro stock name or something...pt57e or something, what Is the name of the new Prestige pro..
HitMoreBHs
Professional
Mold hasn’t changed from 360+ version, so would expect it to be TGT345.x
Shankmeister-Chubs
Rookie
For anyone who has hit with this line of racquets, or the 360+ line, which I hear feels very close, is it worth trying for someone already playing PT57 racquets like the Radical Tour MP and PT 2.0?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
It matters. The frames you use are softer and more comfortable even on off center hits. The 360+ is easier to use but not as soft. So it really boils down to what you are looking for.
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
Finally, I will be testing the new Prestige Pro this weekend. I must admit I didn't like Graphene 360+ Prestige MP. Maybe it was better than most of other Graphene-era Prestige MP incarnations, but still, IG Prestige MP available as 293.2 pro stock was so much better – feel/touch, precision and power.
Any news???
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Auxetic Prestige Pro is the TK345 mold and TGK345.2 layup
Auxetic Prestige Tour is the TK291 mold
Auxetic Prestige MP and MP-L are TK334 mold
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
There is no such thing as Auxetic Prestige Tour 99. Those are 95 sq in.
HitMoreBHs
Professional
I liked the feel, control and spin capability of the 360+ Prestige Tour, now succeeded by the Auxetic Prestige Main Performance (sic). For me, it is a better racquet than the Radical MP due to having more flex. However, I can’t bear to look at the frame when hitting with it. The TK334 mold is so disproportionately long that it really does resemble a snow shoe!
What about the sweet spot , compared to the previous 360+ Prestige Pro which ofc is now the Tour. Also what about the gigantic swingweight?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Interesting. It is the traditional Prestige yoke and thin beam but 99, standard oval head.
I know
HitMoreBHs
Professional
Regrettably, the length of the hoop appears to have got stretched a bit too far with the 99 head size. Hence the somewhat odd, disproportionately elongated oval head shape. Fortunately the performance is great and I think the spin capability, despite a relatively narrow hoop (compared with say a TK352), is likely helped by the longer main strings.
There’s never been much discussion about the TK334 since it didn’t appear to sell too well at retail. It was like the sadly ignored middle child.
The TK345 and TK291 molds on the other hand are a fine aesthetic as expected for a Prestige.
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HitMoreBHs
Professional
(Posted in error)
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
Is there going to be a new TGT for new layup? TGT345.1 and TGT345.2 both share the same layup which is the same as G360+.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Yes, there is the TGT version of Auxetic
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
Do you know the code of it?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Probably Unchanged, but will check (345.1 for 18M and 345.2 for 16M)
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
So there won't be any new prostock – 345.1 and 345.2 ara available since 2019.
jason n
Rookie
I’m probably wrong but isn’t the Auxetic prestige tour a 95 and the Tk291 mold a 98.
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
TK291, G 360+ Pro (360 and Touch) is a 95
guilhermefdc
Semi-Pro
MP and MP-L - do they have the same layup?
Had a good demo with the new Auxetic Prestige’s (98 Pro and 99 MP, formerly MP and Tour) tonight…several hours. My current stick is the PMPG360+ but I know it’s too demanding for me…still it has been good to use since I returned to tennis in 2020 since it forced me to focus on technique espiecially on my OHBH.
First thing I’ll say is that I think the Auxetic is better than the G360+. I don’t find the difference subtle at all. Auxetic 98 is much more solid at impact vs G360+ 98, and has easier depth. I never felt the G360+ felt “hollow” but now I do.
As for the new Pro vs new MP, direct comparison is hard because the Pro had Alu Power (a good string and one I’ve used in the past, though now I hybrid string with Alu only in the crosses) while the MP had a cheap synthetic.
But even with the lousy strings (not sure of tensions), the MP plays well. It’s stiffer and less pleasing at contact vs the Pro and my G360+ PMP, but the ball goes faster! With less effort! It feels wayyyyyy better than the Radical MP I tried a few weeks ago. As for spin, hard to say on groundstrokes; I had to take some pace/RHS off my OHBH to keep it in so that reduced spin a bit (now I kind of understand how opponents sometimes get so much pace out of lousy technique lol). But on serve the MP definitely had more spin and pop and I think on forehands too - although the increased pace was more noticeable.
Pro and my G360+MP are both better than the new MP for volleys, but the MP is ok.
Also the new MP was nice on overheads, I think because of the slightly reduced weight (my G360+ is 340g static strung) making it easier to hammer the ball when off balance.
I also took a Gravity MP to my demo but I didn’t like that at all…too light and unstable, and didn’t feel nice at impact. Alrhough the 100 sq in head size didn’t bother me and didn’t feel awkward on my OHBH (it’s a technically solid shot for me). I wanted to demo the Gravity Tour but it wasn’t available. However now I’m wondering if the Gravjty Tour with its 300 CPI (vs 400 for new Prestige MP and 200 for new Prestige Pro: outgoing Prestige MP G360+) might be the sweet spot for me? Anybody compare the Gravity Tour to the PMP (old or new)?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Pretty much the same
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Just like in the past, the code remains, Auxetic Pro stocks will be TGT345.1 and .2
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
most people in that category likely went radical or extreme tour even. I’m pretty excited to try this one though. I did not get a chance to demo the previous iron man PJ model
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Got my demos yesterday.
J
J
Songs For A Dead Pilot
Semi-Pro
I have been playing with this mold 291 since IG Prestige S.
I guess the best feeling has the pro stock of this mold – TGT291.2 – 16x19, around 59RA, great feedback, power.
Chopping and slicing TGT291.2 to see how it's built.
I tend to smash racquets from time to time when things don't go my way. Last week it was the TGT 291.2 with Head Graphene XT Prestige S paint job which took the punishment [emoji4] First of all I want to say, this was a very good pro stock racquet, it had the feel!!! Unstrung RA62, strung...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Graphene Prestige Pro and S were the best feeling retail of this mold (IG Prestige S had a strange and too open dense pattern).
Graphene XT and Touch were simply too stiff, yet stable and powerful. Haven't played G360+ and Auxetic Prestige Tour – but I have a plan to demo.
It seems the new has really high swing weight.
TennisHound
Legend
Why is it Head racquets have such a following on the codes?
