yonex poly tour pro vs poly tour fire vs poly tour strike

[tennis4fun]

I've tried yonex poly tour pro out of the three yonex strings I have listed. Looking at the string university, it looks like yptp is the softest out of the three and ypt-strike is the stiffest. ypt-strike is also one of the newer strings on the market and there aren't many reviews yet. have anyone tried all 3 strings? what are your pros and cons about them? thanks

 

[1HBHfanatic]

Just strung 2 similar rakets to compare these strings
yonex.poly.tour.fire (red)
yonex.poly.tour.pro (yellow)
I found ypt.fire softer, plastic feel, comfortable
I found ypt.pro lower power, nice, crisp, solid feel, less plasticky

just 1 day of hitting, more to follow
but I like the yellow best

 

[Sardines]

I've only tested all 3 as a cross @ 17g with gut, so it may not apply to you.

1. PTS is a firm poly, but holds tension quite well and very low powered. It is a hitter's string with a crisp feel.
2. PTP is also low powered but mushier feel. Spin is about the same but the difference is how it interacts with the gut. Even though it dropped tension more than Strike, it didn't feel like it in effect. For a cheap smooth poly that's thin, PTP is a good choice.
3. PTF is a slick string with firmness a little bit higher than PTP. It is also more crisp and spin potential is noticeable better than the others. Tension maintenance is about the same as PTP, and both are below the PTS.

PTF is twice the price of PTP, but if premium bite and good tension maintenance, with a good crisp feel are priorities, then give PTF a whirl.

 

[EasternRocks]

Can anyone compare Hyper-G with Poly Tour Strike? Other than the obvious of spin potential, how do they compare comfort and power wise? I want to compare Hyper-G 1.20 and Poly Tour Strike 1.25, because they seem most comparable from a stiffness perspective

 

[Frans Bleker]

Poly tour drive is great!

 

[EasternRocks]

Looking for more feedback here on these 3, in full beds.

@Sardines, can you chime in? I have these in frames you know well, VCP 97 310 and VC98.

PTP 16L at #44 in VCP97310, not enough bite, ball wasn't jumping off the court.
PTP 16L at #46 in VC98, same as above, ball would fly, was not confident with consistency.

I like the comfort of PTP 16L, really nice.

PTS 17 at #46, #49 in VCP97310, a little unpredictable hence the bump in tension, enough spin for me.
PTS16L at #45 in VCP97310, more predictable than 17, borderline of how much spin I want from my string, borderline of how stiff I want my string.

I also tried Solinco Hyper-G 17 at #45 and it was too stiff. In fact, I was experiencing forearm problems just hitting from it for 5-10 minutes from baseline. Good control, lot of spin, but comfort is its major weakness.

 

[dr. godmode]

Looking for more feedback here on these 3, in full beds.

@Sardines, can you chime in? I have these in frames you know well, VCP 97 310 and VC98.

PTP 16L at #44 in VCP97310, not enough bite, ball wasn't jumping off the court.
PTP 16L at #46 in VC98, same as above, ball would fly, was not confident with consistency.

I like the comfort of PTP 16L, really nice.

PTS 17 at #46, #49 in VCP97310, a little unpredictable hence the bump in tension, enough spin for me.
PTS16L at #45 in VCP97310, more predictable than 17, borderline of how much spin I want from my string, borderline of how stiff I want my string.

I also tried Solinco Hyper-G 17 at #45 and it was too stiff. In fact, I was experiencing forearm problems just hitting from it for 5-10 minutes from baseline. Good control, lot of spin, but comfort is its major weakness.

From what I have read, and my own experience, Hyper-G should be quite comfortable.

I have only played with Fire (as a cross with GS Snakebite), and it really softened up the string bed. I have strung both Fire 1.20 and Pro 1.20 , and Fire seems a lot more pliable. It also has a super slick coating which helps with spin initially, but rubs off a little bit.

 

[Sardines]

Sorry. No meaningful input for full bed. Once I went to Cyclone, I've never looked back to any other co-poly as a main. I just restrung my SV98+s with Cyclone 18L crossed with PTF and PTStrike 1.2nn. For a little more comfort, feel and a bit more spin, PTF was the choice. However, PTS allows me to really hit the ball with full power more often, and it absorbs power better than full bed Cyclone 18L.

 

[EasternRocks]

From what I have read, and my own experience, Hyper-G should be quite comfortable.

I have only played with Fire (as a cross with GS Snakebite), and it really softened up the string bed. I have strung both Fire 1.20 and Pro 1.20 , and Fire seems a lot more pliable. It also has a super slick coating which helps with spin initially, but rubs off a little bit.

For some reason it just felt harsh. Maybe it's just my feeling with a shaped string?

 

[naturallight]

I hit with these pretty recently. All 55lb, full bed.

Hyper G: Great control and spin. Low powered. Easy to take big cuts. Feels pretty firm initially and ended up hurting my arm. Great tension maintenance.

PTP: Soft and comfy. Spin is moderate, control is moderate. Power above average. First two outings pretty magical but it dies real quick.

PT Strike: In the middle of the previous two but much closer to PTP. Nearly as comfy. Good control and spin. Moderate power. Excellent tension maintenance. This is my favorite of the three.

 

[EasternRocks]

@naturallight

What gauge PT Strike? I'm playing 16L and 17 to get a feel for what I prefer. The 17 seems to operate better in the VCORE Pro 97 310, with the 16L a better suit for the VCORE 98.

 

[naturallight]

I do 1.25 for everything

 

[alexwawrinka]

I did not try PTS but i tried PTP and PTF side by side , and PTF is really more powerfull than PTP ans still a very nice control , PTP is top string for Pure drive style raquets(tweeners) .

 

[EasternRocks]

I did not try PTS but i tried PTP and PTF side by side , and PTF is really more powerfull than PTP ans still a very nice control , PTP is top string for Pure drive style raquets(tweeners) .

If I’m finding Strike to give me too much power, should I get Pro or Fire in the racquet?

 

[EasternRocks]

Looking for Poly Tour Pro versus Fire comps.

 

[Galdust]

Poly tour drive is great!

I prefer shaped strings in general and ordered a set of poly tour drive out of curiosity. If you have tried other shaped strings, could you compare it to e.g. Cyclone and Tour Bite?

 

[Rabe87]

Yonex peaked with Polytour Pro 120 and Polytour Spin (not Spin G which was awful).

Polytour Pro 125 is worlds apart from PTP 120 or even the black version of PTP 125 so try those aswell!

 

[Rabe87]

PTF is absolute garbage when compared to PTP, a lot of ppl string PTP too high but if you string it in the 40's it maintains alot of good control, strong tension maintenance and wicked spin. Fire is just a clone of 95% of the poly's on the market. How many pro's opt for PTP over Fire (most).

 

[EasternRocks]

PTF is absolute garbage when compared to PTP, a lot of ppl string PTP too high but if you string it in the 40's it maintains alot of good control, strong tension maintenance and wicked spin. Fire is just a clone of 95% of the poly's on the market. How many pro's opt for PTP over Fire (most).

Went digging into threads in past talking about these strings and it looked like we were aligned on our preference for PTP 17 and PTP 16L Graphite. I think for my new racquet of choice the VCORE 98, the best option would be the PTP 16L Yellow considering it’s a former response than the DR98 I liked those two strings in.

 

[Frans Bleker]

I prefer shaped strings in general and ordered a set of poly tour drive out of curiosity. If you have tried other shaped strings, could you compare it to e.g. Cyclone and Tour Bite?

Compared to Cyclone it is firmer (less ball pocketing). I think it has the same spin, power and comfort. Cyclone dies faster I think.

I never tried Tour Bite.

 

[Rabe87]

Went digging into threads in past talking about these strings and it looked like we were aligned on our preference for PTP 17 and PTP 16L Graphite. I think for my new racquet of choice the VCORE 98, the best option would be the PTP 16L Yellow considering it’s a former response than the DR98 I liked those two strings in.

Yes I recall our twin experiences with Yonex strings, how is the new Vcore 98? Almost bought it but opted for 2015 Blades instead. Why would PTP 16L yellow work? It's the ****test of the bunch. Use the graphite or pink version or PTP 120 and fang the tension down til you're #spinningtowin or something

 

[Rabe87]

Compared to Cyclone it is firmer (less ball pocketing). I think it has the same spin, power and comfort. Cyclone dies faster I think.

I never tried Tour Bite.

Tour Bite will shred your tendons it's the string from hell in terms of comfort but my goodness it has great feel and the spin. Wow.

 

[EasternRocks]

Yes I recall our twin experiences with Yonex strings, how is the new Vcore 98? Almost bought it but opted for 2015 Blades instead. Why would PTP 16L yellow work? It's the ****test of the bunch. Use the graphite or pink version or PTP 120 and fang the tension down til you're #spinningtowin or something

It’s great. Super string sensitive as I’m realizing now. I’ve had the new black poly in there for the last week or so and in varying tensions from 46 all the way up to 52, all with the same lack of predictable response.

I think my rationale is that it always played so dead and low powered but comfortable in my DR98. With this racquet being crisper, more open string pattern, and higher launch angle, I would want something duller.

I reckon the Graphite would play crisp just like the Strike, it definitely packed a punch in my DR 98, I’m not sure how it would react in the VCORE98. As for the PTP 17, using a 17 in this string pattern doesn’t seem to be the right idea, I would notch it and literally be done with it within an hour. Side note: I don’t rely on the biggest amount of spin, I hit the ball very flat and rely on feel to win. I do, like to swing out though, so thus the idea PTP 16L Yellow would be a good partner for this racquet.

 

[EasternRocks]

Tour Bite will shred your tendons it's the string from hell in terms of comfort but my goodness it has great feel and the spin. Wow.

Never felt that way, but again I’m very sensitive to shaped strings. I could never enjoy any of the qualities of this string. Mind you I always played denser string patterns, but it in my DR98 was awful.

 

[EasternRocks]

I did not try PTS but i tried PTP and PTF side by side , and PTF is really more powerfull than PTP ans still a very nice control , PTP is top string for Pure drive style raquets(tweeners) .

Why I think I’m smart in playing around with PTP in my racquet.

 

[Rabe87]

Why I think I’m smart in playing around with PTP in my racquet.

The durability is almost the same between the two, there's only a .05mm difference in diameter and you get waaaay more spin with the 17

 

[Rabe87]

Red Code is my latest obsession maybe try it in the Vcore?

 

[Rabe87]

Though I've gone way up to 67 pounds with that string. Loving it in the 18x20 Blade.

 

[EasternRocks]

The durability is almost the same between the two, there's only a .05mm difference in diameter and you get waaaay more spin with the 17

The .05 makes a big difference, and I’ve noted that between the 1.20 and 1.25 in my open 6 main racquet, the thinner strings feel tinny.

The 1.20 would easily be the first string I would try if I was still hitting something that’s more closed and tighter.

I also use the VC98 now, a racquet designer for spin and higher trajectory. I’ve never hit balls with the kind of arc I have and it still land in the court.

By the way, trust me, I hated PTP 16L in every racquet I’ve hit, so it’s still going to be interesting to see if it will work for me. It’s worth a try. I did use it at 46 in the frame, and it was a little launchy.

 

[RGT]

Yonex peaked with Polytour Pro 120 and Polytour Spin (not Spin G which was awful).

Polytour Pro 125 is worlds apart from PTP 120 or even the black version of PTP 125 so try those aswell!

I what way are the two gauges different? I tried the 1.25 yellow and liked it alot. But everybody keeps raving about he 1.20?

 

[Rabe87]

I what way are the two gauges different? I tried the 1.25 yellow and liked it alot. But everybody keeps raving about he 1.20?

Honestly they're like two different strings in almost every sense of the word. I *hated* PTP and only bought it way back in 2010 after I watched Kirilenko beat Sharapova with it in the Aus Open (it's been around that long!) and it was really one of the first genuinely soft poly's to come on the market. I tried the 125 and 130 versions and they both play like mush, no feel, no crispness, average spin, average control, power is hard to gauge because again there's just no feel off the strings.

PTP 120 is fantastic, but I've tried it at 60 pounds and it plays like garbage. The trick for this string is to go lower than you normally would and somehow all of the characteristics of higher tension stringing come alive with all the benefits of lower tension stringing. I would use it to this day but I found another string that's slightly more suitable. However PTP 120 has an indescribable quality about it and the spin is off the charts (way moreso than any of their geometric offerings).

I used to play with it at 40/38 in a Blade 98 18X20 and was literally getting incredible spin and power and yet a lot of control too. I've strung it up for clients and the ones who insist on having it at high tensions end up hating it, the ones who listen to me end up loving it. Buy a packet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Rabe87]

PolyTour HS 125 (the neon green poly, not sure if its been discontinued but it came out alongside PTP) is also an awesome string for totally different reasons. It's like the 4G of the Yonex line-up.

 

[RGT]

Thanks for the info! I guess I'll try them side by side then before buying a reel!

Honestly they're like two different strings in almost every sense of the word. I *hated* PTP and only bought it way back in 2010 after I watched Kirilenko beat Sharapova with it in the Aus Open (it's been around that long!) and it was really one of the first genuinely soft poly's to come on the market. I tried the 125 and 130 versions and they both play like mush, no feel, no crispness, average spin, average control, power is hard to gauge because again there's just no feel off the strings.

PTP 120 is fantastic, but I've tried it at 60 pounds and it plays like garbage. The trick for this string is to go lower than you normally would and somehow all of the characteristics of higher tension stringing come alive with all the benefits of lower tension stringing. I would use it to this day but I found another string that's slightly more suitable. However PTP 120 has an indescribable quality about it and the spin is off the charts (way moreso than any of their geometric offerings).

I used to play with it at 40/38 in a Blade 98 18X20 and was literally getting incredible spin and power and yet a lot of control too. I've strung it up for clients and the ones who insist on having it at high tensions end up hating it, the ones who listen to me end up loving it. Buy a packet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Rabe87]

Thanks for the info! I guess I'll try them side by side then before buying a reel!

Try the black PTP 125 and the PTP 120 = They're the two best Yonex offerings

 

[RGT]

Oh and yes, I was also really amazed by the spin potential of this string!

 

[Rabe87]

Oh and yes, I was also really amazed by the spin potential of this string!

It's funny how the string industry went towards shaped strings as the gold standard for spin production, now they've all gone back to smooth poly's.

 

[Rabe87]

Having said that Tecnifibre Black Code 4S is a beast for spin

 

[EasternRocks]

Debating internally on tension I need to string the yellow stuff tomorrow to get more control in this frame of mine, so I can hit out and feel like I'm not holding back and forced to think hard about my stroke production. 46 seemed to have a slight unpredictability to it, so I'm thinking 48? The string is known to lose a lot of tension, so will it even make a difference to go up 2 lbs?

I'm also going to try a 2 lb differential tomorrow just for fun, I've heard that Yonex has advised it in the past to do that for mains and crosses.

 

[Rabe87]

Debating internally on tension I need to string the yellow stuff tomorrow to get more control in this frame of mine, so I can hit out and feel like I'm not holding back and forced to think hard about my stroke production. 46 seemed to have a slight unpredictability to it, so I'm thinking 48? The string is known to lose a lot of tension, so will it even make a difference to go up 2 lbs?

I'm also going to try a 2 lb differential tomorrow just for fun, I've heard that Yonex has advised it in the past to do that for mains and crosses.

Yeah PolyTour loses a lot of tension in a practical sense but it maintains its playability for so long that it's not overly noticeable. Once its stretched to a certain tension it's not going to play dramatically different from that for the rest of its life, it's not like Alu Power or RPM in that aspect.

 

[Rabe87]

Yeah PolyTour loses a lot of tension in a practical sense but it maintains its playability for so long that it's not overly noticeable. Once its stretched to a certain tension it's not going to play dramatically different from that for the rest of its life, it's not like Alu Power or RPM in that aspect.

Im intrigued by your new racquet and how much spin you're getting. I did like the new indented grommet design on those frames but I'll wait til they bring out the Vcore 98+ - that'll be a real sledgehammer.

 

[EasternRocks]

Yeah PolyTour loses a lot of tension in a practical sense but it maintains its playability for so long that it's not overly noticeable. Once its stretched to a certain tension it's not going to play dramatically different from that for the rest of its life, it's not like Alu Power or RPM in that aspect.

That I agree with for sure. I never even liked ALU or RPM in my denser racquets, it always felt like I was hitting with a board. Granted, I never was smart enough to drop it into the low to mid 40's to see if I can get some of that magic.

 

[EasternRocks]

Im intrigued by your new racquet and how much spin you're getting. I did like the new indented grommet design on those frames but I'll wait til they bring out the Vcore 98+ - that'll be a real sledgehammer.

It's definitely not making my balls jump above anyone's head, my shots are pretty linear and I don't have a buggy whip stroke. I do like to take big cuts on my forehand and almost always attack both directions off it, pretty much a good day if my forehand is on. Compared to anything I've ever used though, there are some balls that I'm hitting feet over the net than what I normally hit and having balls somehow drop into the court. Granted, these are shots that I'm emphasizing the wrist snap and RHS to get topspin because half the time I'm launching balls a foot long if I'm hitting my normal drive.

Just so you get context my racquet history is pretty wonky. I'll list every racquet I've brought out into a tournament, some only one match, others a bit longer. In order of longest to shortest:

Flexpoint Prestige MP
Yonex AI/DR 98
Graphene Speed Pro
Babolat Pure Storm Tour GT
Microgel Prestige MP
Tecnifibre 305 VO2 Max

Then a pool of racquets that were all extremely short stints

Dunlop Aerogel 200
Dunlop 300 Tour 4D
Babolat Pure Control Tour
Yonex VCORE 98D
Wilson K Blade 98
Yonex VCORE 97 310 (my most recent)

I might be forgetting one or two here! Mind you my game did not suit half of these racquets, but I was just into switching! Not good for my development at all, objectively.

And to be quite honest with you, my favorite racquet out of everything I've ever used is indeed this VCORE 98 even with some frustrating outings with the control issue. It just has a well rounded "portfolio" of characteristics. It has the easy pop, the spin, a decent feel, and feels maneuverable with some good stability. It isn't perfect I'll add, I'm not able to slice with it effectively at all, so I'm driving more backhands than I typically would.

 

[anfield]

I've never played with Fire...

but have with PTP and PTSrike and prefer the Strike.

But, I use the 17g Strike as a main @54 and 17g micro sheep black as a cross @58 lbs.
This works great in my 343g strung 16x20 Tour G 310. I tried the PTP in the mains and it was too springy. With the Strike hybrid I can take a huge cut and know where the ball is going every time, same with touch shots.

I've tried full beds of 18g Tour Bite, 18g Hyper G and 17 Spiky Shark with no real success other than it really helps my serve stay in. They have horrible touch and blockbackablity that can't be relied upon in a match. Half volleys, baseline pick ups tend to hit the tape, but make it over with the hybrid. My backhand slice is one of my favorite shots and it's so unpredictable with full bed of shaped poly.

I just don't like full poly in general. It's got a weird powerband that only seems to work with my foot on the gas. I'm guessing the whole snapback thing needs a certain amount of energy to activate, anything under 40% and it's board, and with shaped strings it seems to hold onto the ball, like velcro, which makes block and touch shots wildly iffy.

My Strike hybrid in16x20 takes away all that mystery, I can recreate the same shot and know the direction, spin and depth -- and have a happier arm.

 

[AdrianC]

Fire is currently my favorite string, full bed in Blade 16x19 CV @ 51 pound. That said being a mature aged beginner ive probably only used 5-6 different strings. To me its lower powered to many others ive used allowing me a great balance to make a fuller swing to generate the spin and power. The string maintenance and durability is outstanding making it extremely budget friendly.

 

[EasternRocks]

Well Poly Tour Pro over Strike in anything mid-high stiffness, open 16x19 is the verdict for me.

 

[anfield]

Well Poly Tour Pro over Strike in anything mid-high stiffness, open 16x19 is the verdict for me.

I agree the Tour G 310g is 63 RA, but I'm sure it's lower. The Strike really helps balance out the buttery its feel. I have the Tour G 330 as well and there is no chance they are the same RA. I have a Duel G 310 and not a chance it's 1 RA point stiffer at 64.

That's why I'm excited about the Vcore 95, I thought the SV95 was too sporadic. Can't wait for the low RA but solid and dense construction. I'm sure one can really wind up and hit dimes.

 

[EasternRocks]

I agree the Tour G 310g is 63 RA, but I'm sure it's lower. The Strike really helps balance out the buttery its feel. I have the Tour G 330 as well and there is no chance they are the same RA. I have a Duel G 310 and not a chance it's 1 RA point stiffer at 64.

That's why I'm excited about the Vcore 95, I thought the SV95 was too sporadic. Can't wait for the low RA but solid and dense construction. I'm sure one can really wind up and hit dimes.

My feeling when I hit it stock with a black poly in it was that it had a small sweetspot, not really that much different than the VCORE Pro 97 310. It’s a racquet for someone who definitely is ready to play. I can see juniors at high levels not even able to play at their same levels considering how many Blades and entry level players racquets are in peoples hands (Strikes, EZONE’s). I digress about talking racquets in this thread.

The Strike definitely fits that type of racquet though. If I were to still play the VC97, I would use Strike 1.20.

 

[EasternRocks]

More Fire vs Pro comparisons please.

 

[EasternRocks]

Hyper-G 1.20 vs Poly Tour Fire 1.25 anyone?

 

[Frans Bleker]

Any full bed PTF vs PTS comparisons?