Head Prestige 2021

celito

Professional
Finally got a hands on the 2021 Prestige Pro (former 360 MP). I didn't feel a swing/weight difference compared to the 360 PMP. Probably because it came in at 334-335g (no over grip). So I guess it came in slightly under spec.'My PMP 360+ weighs 335g with a tourna grip.

The play very similar IMO, but I did feel like it has slightly more pop compared to the older version. Not sure what poly it's strung with nor the tension. But biggest difference for me is that it felt like the sweet spot was bigger and more stable on off center hits.

As for the feel, can't quite describe it ... but it felt more buttery. I know the stiffness difference is negligible, but it felt softer. Might be the strings too. I also played with a dampener so next time I am gonna try without it.
 

Tmano

Hall of Fame
I’m finding my Auxetic 99 to still be Prestige-y, but with more pop. However:
- I have a bit of arm soreness. Not sure if this is from the racquet or because last Friday I spent 3 hours demoing with grip sizes that are too large for me.
- the larger head size, thicker beam and/or higher swing weight feels clunky on serves.
- ball is sometimes sailing long on my OHBH, a shot I hit pretty cleanly (my impacts are less consistent on FH side), but then again I’m finding it easier to handle high backhands when I just want to hit back with decent depth and spin.
- slice is ok with this Auxetic 99 but I have to be more careful to avoid the ball sailing. Definitely prefer my 360+ 98 on the slice, but the Auxetic 99 is not bad (def. better than Radical MP).

gonna play with this model for a bit longer before making a decision. There’s a chance I’ll move to the Auxetic 98 Pro, which has more pop than my 360+ 98 MP (slightly higher RA according to machine). Certainly if arm pain persists then I will lock the Auxetic 99 away. I never had any outer elbow discomfort with my 360+ 98 MP even after hitting 500+ backhands in a session or hitting sometimes 6 days a week.
Would you say that the Auxetic Prestige MP is still mainly a control oriented racquet?
I'm asking cause i'm intrigue by the 18x19 string pattern and trying to understand if that offers more power. I play with the DR 98 but would love to go back to Head eventually.
Thanks
 

Rock-solid

Rookie
Any of you Europeans tried the auxetic prestige MP Lite? Specs are more in my wheel house than the current prestiges available in NA.
 
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Obnavox

Rookie
I currently have the newest Radical Pro, how does this compare to the Prestige Pro? I have used 18x20 in the past and liked them. Radical Pro is a solid racquet except for the small sweet spot and jarring off center hits. Is the Prestige Pro, gravity pro a bit more forgiving?

Thanks.
 

Mischko

Professional
gravity pro is a lot more forgiving, but you have to swing wide and fast all the time, and prestige pro is comparable to radical pro, low power, very low launch angle but not so stiff/sturdy feel, medium soft feel. less torsional stability, less stable in general than rad pro. prestige pro is for old school flat hitting only practically, although this is a very good iteration, but it lacks plow and power as usual
 

AA7

Hall of Fame
I think if Andy sticks with it, it will be a big seller. It has very good specs for a wide range of players
MP lite is interesting for the mortals. I believe it's about 285ish SW stock with 300gr static.. 31.5cm balance.. it would take a gram or 2 for me to get it up to mid 320s strung SW without messing up with the balance much... Perfect for customization of all ranges (room in static and room in the balance). that could really be the winner here but so far I haven't seen it anywhere in the US.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
MP lite is interesting for the mortals. I believe it's about 285ish SW stock with 300gr static.. 31.5cm balance.. it would take a gram or 2 for me to get it up to mid 320s strung SW without messing up with the balance much... Perfect for customization of all ranges (room in static and room in the balance). that could really be the winner here but so far I haven't seen it anywhere in the US.

If a demo becomes available at the right time, perhaps I can take one for the team. Would need to weight it up.
 

coolvinny

Rookie
Would you say that the Auxetic Prestige MP is still mainly a control oriented racquet?
I'm asking cause i'm intrigue by the 18x19 string pattern and trying to understand if that offers more power. I play with the DR 98 but would love to go back to Head eventually.
Thanks
Yes I’d say it’s still a control racquet. I’ve been using the 98 Pro (or 98 red MP) however as I find it has enough power and spin for me when my fundamentals are good. I’m sticking to that 98 racquet but am tweaking some of my technique.
 

coolvinny

Rookie
Finally got a hands on the 2021 Prestige Pro (former 360 MP). I didn't feel a swing/weight difference compared to the 360 PMP. Probably because it came in at 334-335g (no over grip). So I guess it came in slightly under spec.'My PMP 360+ weighs 335g with a tourna grip.

The play very similar IMO, but I did feel like it has slightly more pop compared to the older version. Not sure what poly it's strung with nor the tension. But biggest difference for me is that it felt like the sweet spot was bigger and more stable on off center hits.

As for the feel, can't quite describe it ... but it felt more buttery. I know the stiffness difference is negligible, but it felt softer. Might be the strings too. I also played with a dampener so next time I am gonna try without it.
I have both 98’s and I feel the Auxetic has more pop on all shots.
 

CosmosMpower

Hall of Fame
Finally got a hands on the 2021 Prestige Pro (former 360 MP). I didn't feel a swing/weight difference compared to the 360 PMP. Probably because it came in at 334-335g (no over grip). So I guess it came in slightly under spec.'My PMP 360+ weighs 335g with a tourna grip.

The play very similar IMO, but I did feel like it has slightly more pop compared to the older version. Not sure what poly it's strung with nor the tension. But biggest difference for me is that it felt like the sweet spot was bigger and more stable on off center hits.

As for the feel, can't quite describe it ... but it felt more buttery. I know the stiffness difference is negligible, but it felt softer. Might be the strings too. I also played with a dampener so next time I am gonna try without it.

The difference in string/tension which is unknown probably plays a bigger factor in difference than the actual frame changes between generations.
 
Has anyone here measured their prestige’s static strung weight? I have an oehms leather grip installed with a gamma supreme over grip as well as strung with hyper g and velocity. It’s coming out to be 354 grams. Feels like a tank!
 

Duran12

New User
Has anyone here measured their prestige’s static strung weight? I have an oehms leather grip installed with a gamma supreme over grip as well as strung with hyper g and velocity. It’s coming out to be 354 grams. Feels like a tank!

346 with a volkl supergrip II OG ( did not change the grip). Strung with head lynx tour 17. Prestige Pro.
 

coolvinny

Rookie
My red 98’s with TW thin leather base (pulled very tight for a “small” size 2 with excess cut off) plus Wilson pro overgrip and hybrid strung with 16’s were between 337 and 342 IIRC.

btw I am exclusively using the 98’s now, not the 99 I bought.
 
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Mine is 345 with a gamma supreme overgrip and hawk 17. Thinking about adding a couple of grams of lead at 12 to get the swingweight around 330-333 for a little extra depth. Still loving this racquet. Strayed a little bit for a week or two with the TF40 315 but that was just too stiff and doesn't feel nearly as good.
 

rjp1977

Rookie
Currently demoing the MP L. It’s my first Prestige! Only used it for a couple of sets, but found it to have a bit more pop on serve than my Extreme Tour’s, but I would say a little less power on ground strokes.

would anyone have any suggestions to sting that would generate a bit more power?
 

AA7

Hall of Fame
Currently demoing the MP L. It’s my first Prestige! Only used it for a couple of sets, but found it to have a bit more pop on serve than my Extreme Tour’s, but I would say a little less power on ground strokes.

would anyone have any suggestions to sting that would generate a bit more power?
wonder what the SWs between the 2.. (ET and MP L)... MP L supposed to be 315ish... but so is Extreme Tour. My Extreme Tour Nite is 326sw with Lux O dampener... so on the higher side...

I find Lynx Tour to have decent power on all rackets... you could try that. It's also a slightly thicker string so it will give you almost +4sw vs. HG that I see in your signature...

You can always get a bit more power (about +7sw) with a total of 3gr at 10&2 OR just 2 grams at 12. I don't quite hit with multis so those are the only suggestions I have.
 

rjp1977

Rookie
wonder what the SWs between the 2.. (ET and MP L)... MP L supposed to be 315ish... but so is Extreme Tour. My Extreme Tour Nite is 326sw with Lux O dampener... so on the higher side...

I find Lynx Tour to have decent power on all rackets... you could try that. It's also a slightly thicker string so it will give you almost +4sw vs. HG that I see in your signature...

You can always get a bit more power (about +7sw) with a total of 3gr at 10&2 OR just 2 grams at 12. I don't quite hit with multis so those are the only suggestions I have.

I would say the MP L swung a little lighter and felt a bit head heavier.

It currently has Head Lynx which I don’t particularly like the feel of. I haven’t tried the Tour version though. I have used Wilson Sensation before so may give that a whirl.
 

AA7

Hall of Fame
I would say the MP L swung a little lighter and felt a bit head heavier.

It currently has Head Lynx which I don’t particularly like the feel of. I haven’t tried the Tour version though. I have used Wilson Sensation before so may give that a whirl.
Yeah it's supposed to be 5gr lighter but i thought balance was same as ET. I mean there could be enough in QC variations to validate all that for sure...

Curious... what did you think of the racket in aspects other than power (compared to Extreme Tour)? control, predictability, feel.. etc.. if you care to comment.
 

Tranqville

Professional
So how is the new Tour vs 360+ Pro? Is the swing weight manageable? I'm comfortable with 330-335, not sure if my wrist can handle more on the forehand. How is the arm comfort? Considering it vs Radical Pro 2021, Pure Strike Tour 3d gen, Blade v7 16x19.

Looking at the specs, looks like Head added weight at 3 and 9 for new Tour vs Pro, resulting in higher twist weight and SW. Not great for topspin, with too much stability. The sweetspot is huge though and increased from 16 to 18. Are they targeting the frame at flat hitters, specifically?
 
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By The way - my Auxetic Prestige Pro has TGK345.2 code on the haipin. Thassos is strange as TGT345.1 is 18x20, TGT345.2 is 16x19. Is that correct? @dr325i , @vsbabolat - could you help with this? I’ve just change pallets for TK82 and I am going to give new Prestiges second chance.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
By The way - my Auxetic Prestige Pro has TGK345.2 code on the haipin. Thassos is strange as TGT345.1 is 18x20, TGT345.2 is 16x19. Is that correct? @dr325i , @vsbabolat - could you help with this? I’ve just change pallets for TK82 and I am going to give new Prestiges second chance.
Retail:
TGK345.1 360+ Layup
TGK345.2 Auxetic layup

pro stock (no code change between 360+ and Auxetic PJ):
TGT345.1 - 18x20
TGT345.2 - 16x19
 
So how is the new Tour vs 360+ Pro? Is the swing weight manageable? I'm comfortable with 330-335, not sure if my wrist can handle more on the forehand. How is the arm comfort? Considering it vs Radical Pro 2021, Pure Strike Tour 3d gen, Blade v7 16x19.

Looking at the specs, looks like Head added weight at 3 and 9 for new Tour vs Pro, resulting in higher twist weight and SW. Not great for topspin, with too much stability. The sweetspot is huge though and increased from 16 to 18. Are they targeting the frame at flat hitters, specifically?

I demoed the 2022 tour and didn't find it sluggish. I usually use the 2018 yonex vcore pro 97 330. I can't really speak for comfort because so much of that is string dependent. Ultimately I decided to buy the graphene 360+ prestige pro instead because it's half the price and I plan to add a little lead tape at 12 to bring the swing weight up to 330. Strangely I found the Tour much easier to hit kick serves with, even though it's swingweight is higher. Wonder if some lead tape at 9 and 3 would be better.
 

rjp1977

Rookie
Yeah it's supposed to be 5gr lighter but i thought balance was same as ET. I mean there could be enough in QC variations to validate all that for sure...

Curious... what did you think of the racket in aspects other than power (compared to Extreme Tour)? control, predictability, feel.. etc.. if you care to comment.

I played 4 sets with it last night so got a better idea. I would say it has a little more control and feels a little more solid, perhaps because of the cap’s? Still felt I served better with it and the more I played I found my ground strokes picked up a bit more pace. More stable on volleys I would say. I’ll be honest and say I’m a little torn now between the 2 frames.
 
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how does the new prestige auxetic compare to the old head prestiges such as i.prestige and liquidmetal?
It is really good to demo. I still prefer the layup of YouTek IG Prestige MP (and 293.2 prostock), but both Graphene 360+ and new Auxetic are good frames. Auxetic has maybe a bit less classic feel, but power and stability. Haven't played with Liquidmetal, but I think Head Pro Tour 2.0 is more similar to i.Prestige MP. G360+ Prestige MP felt to meet more like modern PT10 incarnation (bigger head size).
 

coolvinny

Rookie
So I just took my two Auxetic 98’s in for restringing as I finally broke strings. I’d bought these two racquets used. I have a bunch of the red G360+ 98’s that I’ve been using since I picked up the game again in summer 2020, bought at various times from various vendors (all new).

I brought along two red 98’s today as I was gonna get those restrung too. Decided to measure swing and static weights in everything while I was there. No dampeners or weight added anywhere but all have TW thin leather grips that I stretch super tight (and cut off excess) plus Wilson Pro overgrip:

Auxetic 1: swing 319, static 337
Auxetic 2: swing 323, static 335
Red 1: swing 334, static 353!!

Red 2 but no overgrip on this one: swing 314, static 329 but if +5 grams for overgrip then would be 334.

anyways, as you can see Red1 is way off spec. I’m taking that racquet out of my rotation and turning it into a shadow swing racquet. Was happy to see that Auxetic weights were reasonable as I think I slightly prefer the feel and added pop of the Auxetic versions. I’ll get a better sense once I have them back with my desired string settings.
 

J-Wildcard

Semi-Pro
Just out of interest has anyone played with this new prestige or the previous 360+ with one of the older standard butt caps fitted. I have experimented with tungsten on my ig frames but with this weighted butt cap removed or the older standard butt cap it seems a great opportunity to tweak the balance of this racket without having to lead up. Still having a respectable static weight as an overgrip of used is almost the weight difference anyway in the handle.
 

coolvinny

Rookie
Just out of interest has anyone played with this new prestige or the previous 360+ with one of the older standard butt caps fitted. I have experimented with tungsten on my ig frames but with this weighted butt cap removed or the older standard butt cap it seems a great opportunity to tweak the balance of this racket without having to lead up. Still having a respectable static weight as an overgrip of used is almost the weight difference anyway in the handle.
Yes all of mine have the standard older unweighted butt caps (because I was experimenting with pallet shapes and sizes…have settled on L2 and TK82s).
 
I find the 6g trap door kind of strange. Personally I hate the feeling of weight at the very bottom of the racquet, I much prefer it under the grip. Is there a non weighted trap door that fits or just not using the trap door is a better option?
 

J-Wildcard

Semi-Pro
Yes all of mine have the standard older unweighted butt caps (because I was experimenting with pallet shapes and sizes…have settled on L2 and TK82s).
Yes I have used the newer (tk82s) version which is still fine to use but after 20years using the older version it is what I know. I think when I try the frame out I will start with the versions fitted but as you have done will then no doubt install some of the older more rectangular pallets which then gives the option of trying the older lighter butt cap too to tweak the balance, 5g sounds nothing but it is a lot I find when adding it to the head of the racket, even 2.5g for certain shots at the 12 o clock position. This is more desirable as when I add an over grip I have always found th balance changed, very fine margins but its still 4g ish on the handle.
 

ls206

Hall of Fame
I find the 6g trap door kind of strange. Personally I hate the feeling of weight at the very bottom of the racquet, I much prefer it under the grip. Is there a non weighted trap door that fits or just not using the trap door is a better option?
Yep, you can buy the standard butt cap and just switch the trap door

edit: I’ve noticed nothing negative from just having no trapdoor. Just make sure they’re covered if it starts raining ;)
 
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