The HEAD Prestige is BACK Back
- Thread starter gino
- Start date
Kafel69
Professional
i've hit with 2021 pro last week, but it wasn't my stick. it felt a bit "tinny", but my 2023 pro is loaded with lead at 3/9/12 o'clock (12 grams overall) to match the static weight of my mid sticks. 2023 is a beautiful stick, but i don't find it comparable to the mids. it may be the string setup it came with (lux savage in the mains and synth gut in the crosses @53lbs). i normally play with full poly @53lbs, using alu power rough. my opinion may change once i restring it. my daily is i.prestige mid and i'm "lovin' it".
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Just wondering here because it seems like the last two gens of the tours have pretty high swing weight so @dr325i or @vsbabolat do you guys now if there are any non cap grommets that fit the current tour mold? Appreciate it!
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
I've been switching between my RF97's, and my Coric H19 (16X19's) for the last 8 years?, and decided to revisit the Head iPrestige MP. Talk about point and shoot as well as the most spin I've gotten out of any frame. All from a 18X20!! This stick is bonkers. Stability top notch, redirecting pace top notch. The angles are insane and the beam thickness is perfect between my K90's and my RF97. Pretty similar to my H19's actually. It's also opened my eyes to the fact that a 95 racquet may be the best absolute best size frame for skilled players and at the very least the best for a beastly topspin one hand backhand. Serving is quite easy as well. My RF97 was insane for slice backhands, but driving a one hand backhand with spin and pace, hands down the iPrestige MP.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
95s are okay on hardcourts or perhaps other really well maintained surfaces, especially during the summer. 97s or 98s on up with a bit of extra head width - versus length - over a 95 help cope with relatively irregular bounces on clay or other less than perfect surfaces. My VCore 98+s are much more suitable where I play, but on American hardcourts & with Wilson US Open balls etc. I probably wouldn’t need the extra head size or length, given how fast & smooth the ambient conditions are.
Way back in the day I played in Vegas, Seattle & Chicago & that was certainly my experience, assuming my memory isn’t compromised.
Way back in the day I played in Vegas, Seattle & Chicago & that was certainly my experience, assuming my memory isn’t compromised.
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asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
No matter the surface I definitely miss some aspects of the larger frame, but the bonuses for me for the 95 for now outweigh those factors. There is no perfect frame. I did grow up using smaller frames so one cannot minimize muscle memory, so someone growing up with a 98 or 100 probably feels the same way with their larger stick the way I do about the 95.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
I like hitting for hours with my extended Prince 95s & then grabbing the VCore 98++s as soon as the points start.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I just got a 23 pro 18x20 after having my mind blown by the prestige classic 2.0. Will string it up later but I feel like the 18x20 prestige offers advantages over the 16x19 as long as you like low tension, thinner gauge poly or gut/multi.
The classic really reinforced the beauty of the 18x20 pattern. Of course it requires more lift from the legs than a 16x19, but I had a pro stock 16x19 prestige and didn’t notice a huge difference in free trajectory.
I think no matter what you just need to be in good shape, have solid strokes and be willing to move for 2-3 sets. I think the prestige will work for any player who is willing to do that. It also is beneficial to always be improving your technique with coaching..etc. The cleaner your strokes, the more rewarding these frames perform.
I feel the same about the pro staff v14. It has a higher trajectory and a bit more free punch. Will be interested in comparing it to this prestige.
The classic really reinforced the beauty of the 18x20 pattern. Of course it requires more lift from the legs than a 16x19, but I had a pro stock 16x19 prestige and didn’t notice a huge difference in free trajectory.
I think no matter what you just need to be in good shape, have solid strokes and be willing to move for 2-3 sets. I think the prestige will work for any player who is willing to do that. It also is beneficial to always be improving your technique with coaching..etc. The cleaner your strokes, the more rewarding these frames perform.
I feel the same about the pro staff v14. It has a higher trajectory and a bit more free punch. Will be interested in comparing it to this prestige.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I’ve been hitting on and off with a brand new auxetic 2.0 prestige pro. Still have not found a string setup that maximizes the feel of the frame. I definitely like 1.20 poly in it but it’s not like the 2.0 reissues where you can put in any thing and they feel great.
This does remind me more of my pt 280 than a prestige classic. Definitely a playable frame for modern tennis. Great power for a thin beam. Personally I am still preferring the v14 pro staff. I like the ball trajectory more and the feel is less muted. But I plan to give this racquet more time because things can change.
With the extrra Power and playability i guess it’s impossible to keep the racquet feeling as good as its old school versions. But the balance between feel and playability is very good here. One of the best modern control sticks I have hit with in quite a while, besides the new pro staff.
This does remind me more of my pt 280 than a prestige classic. Definitely a playable frame for modern tennis. Great power for a thin beam. Personally I am still preferring the v14 pro staff. I like the ball trajectory more and the feel is less muted. But I plan to give this racquet more time because things can change.
With the extrra Power and playability i guess it’s impossible to keep the racquet feeling as good as its old school versions. But the balance between feel and playability is very good here. One of the best modern control sticks I have hit with in quite a while, besides the new pro staff.
Gee
Hall of Fame
I would recommend you to try a stiffer poly like Solinco Tour Bite or MSV Focus Hex preferable in a thinner gauge that'll increase feel. Besides replace the synthetic base grip with a leather grip that'll improve the connected feel.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah I’m going to go with silver 7 toir. Should be a perfect fit for the frame. Not sure I want to go leather but that could be an option.
I just got an older c10 pro which specs out as a heavier prestige pro with a more hl balance. So if I like that setup, I think leather on the prestige will make perfect sense.
Kafel69
Professional
what about something like Lux Alu Power (Rough)? that's what i'm using in my i.prestige mid and liking it a lot. Prior string setup was Solinco Tourbite Diamond Rough. Feels a bit spongier than Alu (still have Solinco on the prestige 600). also have 2023 pro and was wondering what people are using. not a fan of its current setup i have (Lux Savage in the mains and synth gut in crosses @53lbs).
gino
Legend
Similar to you man I left the base synthetic grip. I think the plushness is really nice in this one & didn’t want to mess with it. I’m enjoying topspin cyber flash in mine, although lynx was really nice too
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah if I did not just buy the classic 2.0 I’d probably be more impressed with the feel on this one. But that classic is the feel king and it makes all the newer frames seem muted in comparison.
That’s why I chased down an old volkl. Just looking for something in that old school feel ballpark.
Gee
Hall of Fame
Sorry I didn't try that lux Alu Power but I read somewhere that it will perform well in the Prestige but I would string at a low tension in the 40s.
dgoran
Hall of Fame
I assumed you tried pro tour 2.0 as that is as close as it gets to me to the new reissue prestige classic. Just have to make it more head light if you liked prestige classic balance
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah pro tour 2.0 feels amazing too. Nothing new really feels like these. I wish head made more reissues. A graphite master 102 18x19 would be amazing.
badmice1
New User
I've been trying to accomplish the same with string set up on the 2023 Aux 2.0 16x19 pro. I currently have a full bed of PTP 1.15 at 49 lbs and am looking a bit more power and spin. Any poly suggestions I should consider?
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Personally I’d use a stiffer string since the racquet is so soft. Silver 7 tour will be up next for me.
langley
Hall of Fame
Wondering when these are going to go on sale. Looking to pick up 2-3 more 98's in case of discontinuation.
I've been loving the 98 though.
Currently play it with
1.30 Kirschbaum touch multifibre mains @ 59 lbs
1.25 Kirschbaum max power rough crosses @ 56 lbs
Do not feel I'm missing out on power or anything and the comfort and precision is to die for.
I've been loving the 98 though.
Currently play it with
1.30 Kirschbaum touch multifibre mains @ 59 lbs
1.25 Kirschbaum max power rough crosses @ 56 lbs
Do not feel I'm missing out on power or anything and the comfort and precision is to die for.
SLionheart
Rookie
Hit with my first Prestige this week, (Prestige Pro 2023), I'd been looking forward to it and I was dissapointed. I'm a fan of box beams and plush racquets, but for me this was anything but plush. I'm wondering if the strings were jacked somehow. It's a TW demo with P6.
Every hit finished with one prominent extended 'twang'. Not sharp or jolting but seemingly undamped slow-ish vibration resonanted through my hands. Reminded me of my mother's Spalding wood when I was child (or at least what I *think* it used to feel like). This racquet had nothing on my TF40 or even my Blade for soft plush feeling. Is this what appeals to prestige die hards - or was my sample just 'dead' poly or some unknown aberration?
Power and control seemed good, spin was difficult.
Every hit finished with one prominent extended 'twang'. Not sharp or jolting but seemingly undamped slow-ish vibration resonanted through my hands. Reminded me of my mother's Spalding wood when I was child (or at least what I *think* it used to feel like). This racquet had nothing on my TF40 or even my Blade for soft plush feeling. Is this what appeals to prestige die hards - or was my sample just 'dead' poly or some unknown aberration?
Power and control seemed good, spin was difficult.
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ozbikebuddy
Professional
Poly string, yes?
Sounds like it's gone off. Restring with a good multi and I think you will feel a big difference
langley
Hall of Fame
the prestige make the blades look terrible in terms of feel imo. haven’t tried a tf40. maybe the strings.
only retail blade that comes close is the pro labs. still, i prefer the prestige’s and even the LM radical
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dgoran
Hall of Fame
It’s 100% TW strings this happened to me on several occasions that I stopped checking out demos with TW strings. They are the worst poly garbage I have ever tried.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
not just the feel, but the consistent string bed. it's on another level.
langley
Hall of Fame
yes, especially the 98. very consistent across the whole stringed; dare i say moreso than the previous 95’s?
Seth
Legend
DIA PC600 on TW today:
www.tennis-warehouse.com
Prestige Classic 600 (1/2) Racquet USED (Strung) | Tennis Warehouse
www.tennis-warehouse.com
