Tip of the Month – by
"Get a grip”...The Truth About Replacement Grips and Overgrips –
first published April 2008
As someone
who has been involved in racquet sports, coaching and playing tennis and
servicing racquet sports equipment for over 30 years, I have learned that there
is one thing that players most often neglect - the grip of their racquet. In my
opinion, your racquet grip - the size and the condition of it - is the most
important part of your racquet.
What about
the strings, you may ask? Well, they are important too, of course, but most
players have learned over the years that replacing the strings of your racquet
makes a significant difference and they are already doing so on a regular
basis. Racquet grips, however, don't get replaced often enough. Most of us wait
until we bring our racquet to the shop for restringing only once or twice a
year... The fact is that grips can wear out much faster than that.
Today's "Replacement
Grips" and "Over Grips" have significantly improved
"feel" and texture over grips from years ago but the cushioning,
tackiness and absorbing properties of these grips will wear out after only a
few uses. A worn out grip can cause the racquet to slip in your hand more
easily, forcing you to squeeze the handle tighter and tighter - exactly the
opposite of what's needed in today's racquet sports techniques. A looser, more
relaxed grip will prevent tight, stiff muscles and allow you to swing faster
and hit the ball (shuttle, for you badminton players) with more feel. Also, the
cushioning of the base grip (replacement grip) compresses over time, making the
handle harder and less comfortable for players with arm and hand problems.
There is a
reason why the pros and more advanced players replace their grips on a
match-to-match basis! Don't wait for your next re-stringing - replace your grip
today and experience the difference!
Replacement
Grips:
These are
the grips that are on the racquet when you purchase a new frame. Replacement
grips determine the level of cushioning and are important for handle sizing.
Overgrips:
These are
thin grips wraps designed to go over Replacement Grips. Because they are
generally very thin, the change in handle size is minimal. These grips are
often a quick change and a way to greatly enhance the feel of your racquet
handle, allowing you to have a secure yet relaxed grip.
Commonly
asked questions:
Can
I install a replacement grip on top of another replacement grip?
For
Tennis: I don't usually recommend this because it will make the handle too
big and you will lose the definition of the handle bevels. However, if your
grip is significantly too small
and a regular grip size build-up is not sufficient, this is an option. This is
not a perfect solution and purchasing a new frame in your proper grip size will
always be beneficial to your game.
For
Squash, Badminton and Racquetball: It is a very common for players to do this - in fact, I
usually encourage my customers, especially squash players, to experiment with
what I call "double wrapping" their racquets. Squash racquets do not
come in different grip sizes and are often much too small for many players. If
you haven't done so yet, I encourage you to try this - you will enjoy more
cushioning, less torque and a more secure and comfortable grip!
How
often do I need to replace my grip?
This
depends on how often you play, of course. Also, every player is different in
terms of how much one perspires, how rough/smooth the hands are, and how much
dirt and oil gets transferred from your hands to your grip. While it is
difficult to attach an hourly lifespan to a grip, in order to benefit from the
best performance of the grip materials, overgrips
should be replaced every 3 to 6 hours of play and replacement grips every 2 to
3 months.
Doesn't
this get expensive?
First
of all, I'd like to let you know that the installation of a grip at
Courtside Sports is always free of charge.
Secondly,
the cost of an overgrip can be less than a cup of
coffee at your favourite coffee shop! Also, we offer overgrips in singles, 3 packs, 12 packs and 30 packs -
something for every budget (of course, volume purchases always bring the
cost-per-grip down). Replacement grips are a bit more expensive (starting at $6
installed) but we offer volume discounts as well.
As you can
see, it doesn't have to be expensive to get a "good grip on your favourite sport".