Poly for recreational players

[srimes]

I personally can't stand the change in performance with poly strings and refuse to use them myself, but I do some stringing for other people. Most people I see playing are using poly and they'll keep them LONG after they've gone dead.

I'm considering getting a spool of poly just so I can offer the option for those that insist on it. What poly is most appropriate for common players? It needs to pair well with syn gut. My preference is for Prince strings but if they don't offer anything competitive I'll go with another brand.

Thanks.

 

[Mten]

If it's just rec players then I'd suggest a poly that is soft (for a poly) and holds tension fairly well. I often start people with isospeed cream as it's one of the softest on the market and holds tension ok to see how they get on. kirschbaum pro line ii is worth a look also. I'm sure others on here will have good ideas too. Worth mentioning to them that it will likely need a restring before it breaks. It's actually one of the reasons to string it with a multi or syn gut cross for a rec player as it's morely likely to break when it's supposed to. I've had people request this as they can't be bothered to track usage to know when a full poly needs a restring.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Soft and powerful, so cyclone tour, lynx touch, head lynx.

 

[Deleted member 775108]

I personally can't stand the change in performance with poly strings and refuse to use them myself, but I do some stringing for other people. Most people I see playing are using poly and they'll keep them LONG after they've gone dead.

I'm considering getting a spool of poly just so I can offer the option for those that insist on it. What poly is most appropriate for common players? It needs to pair well with syn gut. My preference is for Prince strings but if they don't offer anything competitive I'll go with another brand.

Thanks.

Keep what the mass market wants - typically thats Solinco HyperG 17g. If anyone says anything you can always tell them - "Do you want more spin or less spin?"

If you want a round general purpose poly and your players will listen to you - I would get Pro Line Evolution 17g instead

 

[jimmy8]

I suggest Tourna Big Hitter Silver 1.25. It's durable, holds tension well, affordable, performs well, medium stiffness.

 

[Arzivu]

Since you mentioned Prince, Tour Xp is a premium round poly and Vortex a shaped soft one.

 

[kl2963]

Soft and powerful, so cyclone tour, lynx touch, head lynx.

Keep what the mass market wants - typically thats Solinco HyperG 17g. If anyone says anything you can always tell them - "Do you want more spin or less spin?"

If you want a round general purpose poly and your players will listen to you - I would get Pro Line Evolution 17g instead

I second Solinco Hyper G. Most of the kids I work with are hitting with the Hyper G Soft 18G.

 

[K1Y]

I personally can't stand the change in performance with poly strings and refuse to use them myself, but I do some stringing for other people. Most people I see playing are using poly and they'll keep them LONG after they've gone dead.

I'm considering getting a spool of poly just so I can offer the option for those that insist on it. What poly is most appropriate for common players? It needs to pair well with syn gut. My preference is for Prince strings but if they don't offer anything competitive I'll go with another brand.

Thanks.

Head lynx in 1.20 is golden for rec players. comfortable and still good when kept in for a long time. Hyper g is really the worst for rec players because when its dead its dead, worse feeling string ever, you have to restring it.

 

[finalfantasy7]

Go for Restring zero - lasts far longer than any other poly

 

[eah123]

As a 3.5 rec player who had tennis elbow but no tennis elbow since switching to Volk Cyclone Tour 16 (thanks for the recommendation, @g4driver !) for more than 2 years, that is what I recommend if you care about your clients.

 

[socallefty]

I second Solinco Hyper G. Most of the kids I work with are hitting with the Hyper G Soft 18G.

I second HyperG Soft. Plays very similar to HyperG, but is more comfortable. I used HyperG crosses with gut mains for many months before HyperG Soft was launched and very quickly I realized that I preferred HG Soft for my crosses. Now I can play comfortably till I break the gut which happens around 15-18 hours.

These polys play great at 40, 42, 44 lbs etc. and no need to string them higher as control goes up very slowly while comfort decreases more rapidly as you get higher in tension. In hybrids, I string the gut at 47 and HGS at 44lbs mostly.

 

[MinDango]

Unless you are a 4.5 male or 5.0 female, I feel like there is a non-poly option just as good if not better than poly for your needs. And if not, then technique improvement can make it so.

 

[dr. godmode]

Go for Restring zero - lasts far longer than any other poly

The snapback comes so easily and there's so much free power than I think this is the best poly for those with slower swingspeeds

 

[NewcomerfromBalkan]

Weiss canon silverstring maybe 1.20 or 1.25.Not expensive good feel,control and power too.Can string it low.

 

[aus89]

multifeel, velocity, cream (and some of the isospeed multi options) - something that treads the line between multi and poly most likely

 

[Chairman3]

Hyper-G is an obvious choice, especially if hybrid-ed with syngut.

I'm using Poly Tour Pro 1.25 right now and it is pretty user friendly. I'd probably even go with 1.20 as it's probably a bit softer and more powerful and average rec players won't break it.

I also like softer polys like Head Lynx and Luxilon Element Soft IR

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

I wouldn't recommend PolyTour Pro for recreational players. It's a good string, but tension maintenance isn't great. Rec players (including myself) are known for restringing too late, making this a poor fit.

I guess there's a good reason they included "pro" in the name...

 

[taydbear7]

Soft and powerful, so cyclone tour, lynx touch, head lynx.

That's a good list. I would add Mayami Tour Hex to that group.

 

[MaiTai]

I wouldn't call Tour Hex powerful. Soft and easy on the arm : yes, but it's one of the most low powered strings i played with.

 

[SinneGOAT]

That's a good list. I would add Mayami Tour Hex to that group.

Never tried it but I hear about it all the time.

 

[kl2963]

Hyper-G is an obvious choice, especially if hybrid-ed with syngut.

I'm using Poly Tour Pro 1.25 right now and it is pretty user friendly. I'd probably even go with 1.20 as it's probably a bit softer and more powerful and average rec players won't break it.

I also like softer polys like Head Lynx and Luxilon Element Soft IR

I’ve never hybrid with syn gut before. Which syn gut are you using? I’ve used multis: solinco natural or something similar. Poly main and multi cross

 

[Chairman3]

I’ve never hybrid with syn gut before. Which syn gut are you using? I’ve used multis: solinco natural or something similar. Poly main and multi cross

Gosen OG sheep micro is a go-to, but most snyguts are pretty similar. Some swear by Prince.
Works the same as multi just cheaper, put it in the cross to soften the stringbed

 

[K1Y]

Hyper-G is an obvious choice, especially if hybrid-ed with syngut.

I'm using Poly Tour Pro 1.25 right now and it is pretty user friendly. I'd probably even go with 1.20 as it's probably a bit softer and more powerful and average rec players won't break it.

I also like softer polys like Head Lynx and Luxilon Element Soft IR

whats your take on ptp vs head lynx?

 

[Chairman3]

whats your take on ptp vs head lynx?

PTP is impressive (first time using it), Lynx is softer and has better feel.
PTP doesn't lack feel it is just a bit stiffer. I've noticed especially on faster swings it feels like PTP firms up, assumingly to provide more control on full cuts.
Tension maintenance probably favors PTP as of now, but I still contend Lynx remains playable after tension loss without much impact to performance.

 

[K1Y]

PTP is impressive (first time using it), Lynx is softer and has better feel.
PTP doesn't lack feel it is just a bit stiffer. I've noticed especially on faster swings it feels like PTP firms up, assumingly to provide more control on full cuts.
Tension maintenance probably favors PTP as of now, but I still contend Lynx remains playable after tension loss without much impact to performance.

Thankyou thats very useful info. Would you say the firming up at full cuts be the only difference in power level between the two? or is it overall less lively and more controlled due to being a bit stiffer?

Depending on the racket and someones preference both could be very recreational friendly poly's

 

[Chairman3]

Thankyou thats very useful info. Would you say the firming up at full cuts be the only difference in power level between the two? or is it overall less lively and more controlled due to being a bit stiffer?

Depending on the racket and someones preference both could be very recreational friendly poly's

I'd say the power level is pretty similar, maybe slight more on Lynx (very slight). Lynx is more rec-friendly because it feels softer but PTP is a pretty good option.
Probably really comes down to the player's style, if you're just a topspin baseliner, PTP is probably better.

 

[dave t]

Agree about PTP falling off too quick for rec players. Have never tried normal Lynx but it seems like this is Head's target with this string.

 

[turbanator]

I'd say the power level is pretty similar, maybe slight more on Lynx (very slight). Lynx is more rec-friendly because it feels softer but PTP is a pretty good option.
Probably really comes down to the player's style, if you're just a topspin baseliner, PTP is probably better.

Would you recommend multi or syn crosses with Lynx as well? For someone around 3.5 level that doesn’t change their strings as often as they should.

 

[Nostradamus]

I personally can't stand the change in performance with poly strings and refuse to use them myself, but I do some stringing for other people. Most people I see playing are using poly and they'll keep them LONG after they've gone dead.

I'm considering getting a spool of poly just so I can offer the option for those that insist on it. What poly is most appropriate for common players? It needs to pair well with syn gut. My preference is for Prince strings but if they don't offer anything competitive I'll go with another brand.

Thanks.

kirschbaum super spike smash

 

[ClownCar96]

Head Lynx Tour - 1.2 (Head calls 18g). Great combination of power, control, feel and much better longevity and consistency than PTP and Tour Bite/Hyper G. It doesn't notch much at all, and it has quite the nice subtle pocketing feel in sweetspot. 1.25 (they call 17g) is not as comfortable as 1.2. Despite a comfortable feel while hitting, there's a stiffness to the 1.25 to can lead to a little discomfort after hitting, but not on the 1.2. Definitely recommend the 1.2 for rec level -- however, its limited availability now for some reason in the United States. I could get a pack or two on Amazon in US, but had to order a reel from Europe.

 

[socallefty]

I personally can't stand the change in performance with poly strings

Why? You don’t like the increased control and spin? The increased control/spin allows you to swing harder and get more pace also if you have a high RHS swing. So, if you can hit harder with more control, what is there to dislike?

 

[Chairman3]

Would you recommend multi or syn crosses with Lynx as well? For someone around 3.5 level that doesn’t change their strings as often as they should.

You could definitely do that to soften up the stringbed and get a little more power. It would definitely last longer than full bed lynx.

 

[Fintft]

Why? You don’t like the increased control and spin? The increased control/spin allows you to swing harder and get more pace also if you have a high RHS swing. So, if you can hit harder with more control, what is there to dislike?

And if the poly is soft, that's even better. Still need to cut it after max 20h. If I go longer, like 30h, I start to feel a tinge in my elbow afterwards.

 

[dyslexical-scope]

I've been thinking bros. I've been thinking about thin poly. Is thin poly the answer?

 

[K1Y]

I've been thinking bros. I've been thinking about thin poly. Is thin poly the answer?

Thinner is always softer. My coach always says you should play with thinner strings if you dont break them fast enough.

 

[socallefty]

Thinner is always softer. My coach always says you should play with thinner strings if you dont break them fast enough.

I play with 18g HyperG Soft as crosses.

 

[PKorda]

Keep what the mass market wants - typically thats Solinco HyperG 17g. If anyone says anything you can always tell them - "Do you want more spin or less spin?"

If you want a round general purpose poly and your players will listen to you - I would get Pro Line Evolution 17g instead

Have this as a hybrid in my racket right now, feels pretty good

 

[cks]

I'm currently playing a full bed of Grapplesnake tour sniper at 48lbs. Before that, I was playing with Tru Pro tour status.

 

[Chairman3]

I've been thinking bros. I've been thinking about thin poly. Is thin poly the answer?

Thin poly is the answer, go forth and see the way

 

[eb_tennis_247]

MSV Focus Hex Soft 17L.

 

[K1Y]

I am dialing down my last string options to:
Head lynx
Yonex polytour pro
Hyper G soft
Tecnifibre Razor code

All these strings are soft enough for rec players. Comfort and performance is more important than tension maintenance if you play poly as a rec player. If you play stiffer poly you have to cut it anyway as well. If you wanna play longer with strings you should not use poly.

 

[InsideOut12]

I'm currently playing a full bed of Grapplesnake tour sniper at 48lbs. Before that, I was playing with Tru Pro tour status.

Could you explain the difference between them and why you prefer one over the other?

 

[cks]

Could you explain the difference between them and why you prefer one over the other?

Actually, I like both of them and this is coming from a 3.5C player who started stringing for himself 18 months ago.

I played with Tru Pro tour status based on a recommendation from a tennis coach for a soft and comfortable poly with spin potential. Once I started stringing, I wanted to try something different. I picked a few sets of Tour Sniper to try out, and I liked how it feel and played. So I purchased a reel and I'm about half though it. I may go back to Tour Status or stay, not sure yet. I'm always looking for deals to save on reels.

I did try Tru Pro firewire, which is a hybrid set, but I didn't like it more than tour status.

I tried tour sniper based on a review from a youtube channel called TennCom. He has many string reviews.

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

legit question how do you all not break the bank playing with poly?

 

[cks]

legit question how do you all not break the bank playing with poly?

It's pretty cheap for me. I'm working through a reel of tour sniper now, so just under $10 per string job, since I do my own stringing. Each string job last me about 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[K1Y]

legit question how do you all not break the bank playing with poly?

By stringing my own rackets

 

[socallefty]

legit question how do you all not break the bank playing with poly?

I break soft strings very fast too and so there is no cheap option for stringing. Poly gives the advantage of extra control and spin which helps me to play precisely to much smaller targets and sharper angles on both serves and shots.

Also even with frequent gut/poly hybrid stringing, I spend a lot less on tennis than my friends who have golf as their sporting passion.

 

[cks]

I spend a lot less on tennis than my friends who have golf as their sporting passion.

+1

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

even with doing your own racquets, the price and return just seems so steep for most of us. even if you're string breakers you would get more playability from a thicker gauged "soft string". some of those reels even pay for themselves as opposed to a deal for $10 per job. I dunno.

if you need poly for control and spin, that's a legs and footwork and topspin issue.

not trying to be confrontational as I thought I needed to be playing with poly too

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

legit question how do you all not break the bank playing with poly?

I use gut mains with poly crosses. When I played full poly I had to go 18g so I’d break it in under 10 hours so I couldn’t play it when it died. I’m lazy about stringing so I’d play poly after it should have been cut.