Weight
86g
Plies
7-ply
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Yinhe Mercury Y-11
Yinhe Mercury Y-11 is a 7-ply carbon blade built for offensive play, delivering a compelling mix of speed and control at an accessible price. Its hybrid construction sandwiches two carbon layers between five wood plies, creating a powerful platform for attacks without completely sacrificing touch. This blade is an excellent choice for players transitioning to a more aggressive style or seeking a cost-effective option that performs. It handles a variety of offensive shots with authority, from heavy topspins to flat smashes, making it a versatile weapon for a broad range of attacking players.
The 7-ply stack is symmetrical, with outer Limba layers for spin and feel, followed by Spruce, Carbon, a central Kiri core, and then mirrored back out. This sandwich design aims to blend the carbon's speed with the wood's touch.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Mercury Y-11 is recognized for its high-speed capabilities, firmly placing it in the offensive category. The integrated carbon layers significantly boost its power, making it exceptionally fast for smashes and drives. This blade is built for players who want to dictate the pace of the rally with aggressive, powerful shots.
Control is the area where this blade asks more from the player. While it possesses inherent stability, its high speed means precision requires focused technique. Players find it performs best when committing to full strokes, and it can be less forgiving on touch shots or blocks, especially for those still refining their consistency.
The blade delivers a medium-hard feel with a distinct, noticeable vibration on contact. This provides clear feedback on shot quality but can feel somewhat stiff and less dampened compared to all-wood constructions, which impacts touch on softer strokes.
It produces a medium-high throw angle, which helps lift the ball over the net during aggressive topspin loops. This characteristic supports an offensive style by making it easier to generate arc and depth on attacking shots.
Dwell time is moderate. The carbon layers promote a quicker ball release off the racket, favoring fast counter-hits and drives. While it allows for effective spin, it doesn't offer the prolonged, catapult-like dwell of some all-wood blades designed for maximum spin generation.
This is a stiff blade. The carbon layers significantly limit flex, contributing to its direct power and fast rebound. This stiffness reduces the dwell effect and makes it less forgiving on off-center hits compared to more flexible options.
Vibration is a prominent characteristic. The blade transmits a significant amount of feedback through the handle, which many players appreciate for sensing ball contact. However, this higher vibration level can be distracting or feel less controlled for players who prefer a more solid, muted feel.
The overall build quality is solid and represents good value for its price point. The construction is reliable, and it delivers the core performance expected from an offensive carbon blade. For players seeking capable performance without a premium investment, the Y-11's quality is more than sufficient.
Technology
Yinhe Mercury Y-11 utilizes a modern 5-wood, 2-carbon ply construction. The carbon fiber layers are strategically positioned within the wood stack to increase stiffness, enlarge the sweet spot, and enhance power transmission for offensive play. Yinhe, with decades of equipment research, focuses on delivering performance-oriented technology that remains accessible, making advanced blade constructions available to a wider range of players.
Similar Blades
Yinhe V-14 Pro
For players who enjoy the Y-11's speed but seek more refinement, the Yinhe V-14 Pro is a notable alternative. Our testing shows it offers significantly improved control and consistency while maintaining similar offensive power. The feel is also reported to be superior, making it a logical upgrade for players ready to advance their game with a more predictable blade.