Yonex POLYTOUR DRIVE String Review
POLYTOUR DRIVE has flown largely under the radar since its release in 2018. However, if our playtesters have it right, this shaped co-poly from Yonex deserves a much bigger spotlight. It proved exceptional in almost every category, setting it apart from niche strings that excel in only one area. The top score was awarded for spin, which is not surprising given how effectively this string grips the ball. It was also extremely predictable and accurate on full cuts, making it easier for our playtesters to target the lines or pull the trigger after a long rally. Even more impressive was the feel, which proved firm enough to deliver outstanding control without the typical downside of playing dead or feeling overly stiff on slower strokes and off-center impact. In the end, when you consider the sub-$10 price, this co-poly is extremely hard to beat.
Control
Spin
Feel
Playability Duration
Too firm for beginners
Final Verdict
Breakdown SummaryBreakdown
Control: 9.0
With its firm construction and low-powered response, POLYTOUR DRIVE is designed to provide high levels of control to players with long, fast strokes. In other words, it was perfect for Chris, who found quite a groove with this co-poly. He said, "POLYTOUR DRIVE is my kind of string thanks to its very controlled response. I felt comfortable taking full cuts at the ball, trusting that this string would offer all the control I needed to keep my shots inside the lines. I think POLYTOUR DRIVE is a great option for players seeking a predictable response from the stringbed."
"I found the amount of power I got on my shots to be very predictable, which helped me feel confident enough to stay on the gas."
For Michelle, POLYTOUR DRIVE's control gave her the confidence to swing big. She explained, "This was exactly the string I was hoping it would be — more control oriented than power oriented, allowing me to feel confident to hit out. I tested this string for several weeks in several setups, and it consistently lent a great amount of control to my game. I playtested it in the lower 50-pound range, but also in the 55-plus pound range, and while I prefer a tighter string setup, it offered me good control across the board. I thought this string paired perfectly with racquets that are more powerful, like the new VCOREs, because it helped rein in the power and provide precision when hitting at targets."
Spin: 9.3
Although spin comes overwhelmingly from technique (stroke speed and the angle of the racquet's face at contact), the folks at Yonex designed POLYTOUR DRIVE with a shaped profile and a low-friction surface, two features that help the string grab and rotate the ball. Judging from the scores and comments of our playtesters, the design works in spades. Even Michelle, with her flatter mechanics, had no problem generating spin with this string. She said, "I am never the player demanding a lot of spin and bite from strings, but I will take it as an added benefit! This string looked sharp once it was installed, and I found easy spin; my ball was arcing well even when hitting my longer, flatter shots. I really noticed that extra bite when I was using heavier racquets with higher swingweights, because I can't whip through as efficiently. This is when I love strings that offer me easy access to spin and allow me to get the ball jumping without having to change my swing shape."

For Chris, nearly everything about this string added up to impressive spin. He described, "I liked the duration the ball sat in the stringbed; I felt like I could carry the ball for some added spin. The combination of the sharp edges and good snapback seemed to add some nice kick to my shots. I was able to get some nice shape to the flight path of both my topspin and slice shots. With POLYTOUR DRIVE, I could give the net plenty of clearance on topspin shots and still get the ball to dive nicely inside the lines. On slice shots, I was able to knife the ball low and get just enough float from the slice spin to bring the ball up and over the net. The same rang true on serves, where I had solid access to spin with POLYTOUR DRIVE in my racquets."
Feel: 9.0
Poly-based monofilaments are firm by design. This is what gives them the control and connected feel that experienced players crave. The downside is that they often feel unforgiving outside the sweetspot. According to Chris, POLYTOUR DRIVE not only avoids this problem, it has become one of his go-to strings. He said, "I liked the feel of POLYTOUR DRIVE. I felt connected to my shots, and it felt like the stringbed was pocketing the ball well and providing me with ample feedback. The stiffness level felt similar to POLYTOUR FIRE and Volkl Cyclone, which are both strings I like. For me, POLYTOUR DRIVE had enough give to make it comfortable, and I enjoyed the feel enough to make this a go-to string for me."
"For me, POLYTOUR DRIVE was comfortably firm!"
Michelle tested this string across several racquets and tensions. She added, "It isn't the softest string I've tested this year, but it's not the firmest either. I prefer stiffer setups and often test the limits with tensions, so while I don't have arm discomfort normally, I can report that POLYTOUR DRIVE did not cause any discomfort or tender tendons with any of the racquets and tensions I tested. My arm of steel approves! It felt slightly softer than some of my strings of choice, but I wouldn't put it in the 'softest poly' category."
Playability Duration: 7.5
All tennis strings lose tension over time, especially co-polys, which tend to get mushy and erratic long before they snap. Although POLYTOUR DRIVE is not immune to the ravages of time and tension loss, neither playtester reported control problems or found the need to modify their strokes. Michelle was impressed with how well this string held up. She described, "I thought the playability duration was above average, and my strings felt good throughout the test. I noticed some tension loss, but the strings never got too springy. That is a pet peeve of mine, and usually one of the first things I notice."
"POLYTOUR DRIVE lasted decently in my racquets," said Chris, who had no problem hitting his targets as POLYTOUR DRIVE lost tension. "Like any poly-based string, there was a drop in tension as the test wore on, but I found POLYTOUR DRIVE to remain predictable even as the tension started to drop. The surface of the string also held up pretty well to my stroke speed and technique. I was still finding ample control and spin after six hours of hitting.
Breakdown Summary
Power | 6.7 |
Control | 9.0 |
Spin | 9.3 |
Comfort | 7.7 |
Feel | 9.0 |
Playability Duration | 7.5 |
Durability | 8.5 |
Final Verdict |
8.4 |
Tension Diagnostics
String Installation Grade | B+ |
Coil Memory | Low-Medium |
Friction Burn On Crosses | Low |
Knot Tying | No Issues |
Notching | None |
Clouding | N/A |
Tennis Warehouse University Lab Data
Stiffness (lb/in) | 195 |
Spin Potential | 7.6 |
Playtester Thoughts

Chris
Players looking for a crisp, clean and predictable response will like POLYTOUR DRIVE. I think this is a great option for intermediate through advanced level players seeking a solid blend of spin, control and feel. I'd compare this string to POLYTOUR FIRE, Volkl Cyclone, Dunlop Explosive Tour and Kirschbaum Pro Line II. All of these strings play with lots of control and offer solid access to spin. They also all give me enough ball pocketing to feel connected to my shots.
Super predictable response, solid access to spin and nice ball pocketing. I'd be more than happy to play this string in tournaments. Great price. Both the black and silver options look great in any racquet.
None.
Chris' String Setup | |
Racquet | Head Speed Pro 2022 |
String Tension | 52 lbs |
Typical String | Head Lynx Tour 16 |
Chris' Breakdown | |
Power | 6.3 |
Control | 9.5 |
Spin | 9.4 |
Comfort | 7.6 |
Feel | 9.5 |
Playability Duration | 7 |
Durability | 9 |
Overall | 8.7 |

Michelle
Big hitters on a budget! I recommend to anyone looking for spin and control. I kept comparing this string to Luxilon Savage, as well as Solinco Hyper-G — all of these options give me everything I need from a string: control, spin, good playability and no arm soreness! I would refer to the TWU Labs for further confirmation that these strings exist in a similar category.
Great price point paired with some solid characteristics like bite, control and durability!
None to report. I prefer the black color.
Michelle's String Setup | |
Racquet | Wilson Pro Staff RF97 / Prince ATS Tour 98 / Yonex VCORE 98 / VCORE 95 |
String Tension | 54 lbs, 58 lbs |
Typical String | Solinco Hyper-G 16 |
Michelle's Breakdown | |
Power | 7 |
Control | 8.5 |
Spin | 9.2 |
Comfort | 7.8 |
Feel | 8.4 |
Playability Duration | 8 |
Durability | 8 |
Overall | 8 |