Use the Head Line on your palm to measure your optimal grip size.Take a look at the palm of your left hand. If you look closely, you will see three major and distinct lines.
The lower line (palm readers call this your LIFE LINE) starts at the base of your hand where your thumb connects to your wrist. Follow this line and you will see that it curves around the base of your thumb and ends up near the base of your index finger.
There is also an upper line (palm readers call this your HEART LINE) that starts below your pinkie finger and runs across your palm to the base of your index finger.
Between these two is a middle line that starts between your index finger and thumb and then heads across your palm before vanishing about three-quarters of the way across. Palm readers call this your HEAD LINE. This is the line that is used for measuring tennis grip size.
Using a ruler, measure the distance between the tip of your middle finger and the HEAD LINE immediately below your middle finger. That is your grip size. When choosing a tennis racquet, this is the optimal size.
A grip significantly larger than this will make if difficult to generate power on your serve. A grip smaller than this may lead to tennis elbow.
Remember that a slightly smaller grip can be made to fit by adding an additional layer of grip or overgrip on the racquet handle. However, a grip size cannot be made smaller.
So if you must purchase a racquet that is not the perfect size, choose one that is up to a quarter inch smaller than optimal so that you can build the grip up to your optimal size.
Babolat Aeropro Drive GT Tennis RacquetIn tight economic times like these, everybody wants to save money where they can. Buying used tennis racquets, instead of new tennis racquets, is one way to do that.
But you have to be careful if you want to go this route. Saving money is one possibility, but getting ripped off is another. So here are some things to consider when shopping for a used racquet.
E-Bay
It is certainly possible to get a good used tennis racquet on E-Bay and other websites. However it is also possible to buy cheap knock-offs and once-broken-now-repaired frames.
Buyer beware. I won’t buy a racquet unless I can check the entire frame for tell-tale swelling, bulging or other signs of repair. I also need to examine every sticker or label on the racquet in order to prove to myself that it is not a knock off.
Used Goods Stores
While it is possible to hold a racquet in your hands and examine it carefully in a used sporting goods store, it is not always possible to determine how old the racquet is. As a result, I have seen more than one intermediate player show up to play with a “new” racquet that is, in fact, ten years old.
It is advisable, therefore, to stop at a new racquet store and have a good long look at what is on the shelf this year before going to the used racquet store to buy last year’s model. Do this and you will increase your chances of spotting really old frames when you get to the used racquet store.
Hand-me-downs
Buying used racquets from friends and other players in your network can be tricky. Generally, you should pay no more than $40 for the frame, $40 for the string and $10 for the grip. In other words, a quality used racquet shouldn’t cost more than $90.
If the frame is a mid-range frame (not a high-end frame), deduct at least $20. If the strings have more than 50 games on them, deduct $20. If the grip needs to be replaced, deduct another $10.
Slightly Used Demos
Pros and sponsored players often get their racquets for free. Occasionally, they will play with them a few times and then put them away for good. In most cases, they will play with them until the manufacturer’s rep gives them another new model.
Since pros, sponsored players and other frequent players treat their racquets with respect, you are not buying junk. In most cases, you are buying slightly-used, high-end racquets that are in near-pristine condition.
Check for wear on the grip and marks on the strings. If it’s a factory grip with very little wear and the strings are relatively clean with very little yellow fuzz, you will know that the racquet hasn’t been used very much.
Price Ranges
New, low-end tennis racquets are pre-strung and are priced in the $30 to $60 range.
New mid-range tennis racquets are usually pre-strung and are priced in the $60 to $120 range.
New high-end tennis racquets cost more than $120 and come unstrung. Stringing costs another $25 to $50, depending on the type of string you like.
The are several categories of racquet string. Each has pros and cons. Below is a summary that hits on the main features of each category.
STRING TYPES GUIDE
NATURAL GUT
The King of String. Suitable for all racquet sports. Best choice for frequent recreational players over 30. Best overall choice for players with severe or persistent tennis elbow issues. Organic and biodegradable. Lowest environmental impact. Holds tension longer than any other type of string. Maintains elasticity for about 20 hours of play. Not recommended for frequent string breakers.
MULTIFILAMENT
Sensible choice for most recreational players who cannot afford natural gut. Multi-filament is a synthetic version of natural gut that offers comfort and playability. Suitable for all racquets sports. Maintains elasticity for about 8 hours of play.
SYNTHETIC GUT
Best choice for players on a budget. Most medium- to low-end racquets come from the factory pre-strung with synthetic gut. Maintains elasticity for about 8 hours of play.
POLYESTER (KEVLAR)
Tennis only. Not suitable for squash, racquetball or badminton. Used by most players on the pro tennis tours. Maintains elasticity for about 4 hours of play — which is why pros change racquets so often during matches. Not at all suitable for the vast majority of recreational tennis players. Not at all suitable for players under 16. Not recommended for players of any age with tennis elbow issues. Default option for frequent string breakers on a budget.
Tennis Elbow IllustrationRacquet Network’s store in southwest Calgary offers a variety of options for players suffering from tennis elbow. Visit our online Pro Shop or come in to see us a 310 Woodview Dr SW. We are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am until 7:00pm.
Tennis Elbow Treatment Devices
Racquet Network does not treat tennis elbow nor do we claim have a cure for it. We do, however, carry a variety of treatment tools in our Calgary store that our members have recommended to us over the years. At the top of this list are hard-to-find, quality gel packs that are specifically designed for icing elbows. We also carry a variety of exercise devices that are designed to strengthen weak muscles in order to reduce the likelihood of tennis elbow recurrence.
Tennis Elbow Supports
Depending on the current state of your injury, your physiotherapist may recommend rest or continued exercise. Racquet Network carries a line of supports that are designed to reduce some of the pressure that causes tennis elbow pain.
Tennis Elbow Prevention – Racquets
Whether you shop online or come into our Calgary store, you will find that we carry a number of tennis frames and pickleball paddles that are specially designed to reduced the number of harmful vibrations reaching your elbow. Many players with recurring tennis elbow issues carry at least one such racquet in their bags at all times. Some who live with frequent tennis elbow issues choose to play only with low vibration racquets.
Tennis Elbow Prevention – Strings
In addition to low vibration racquets, Racquet Network carries Calgary’s largest selection of soft, elbow-friendly tennis and squash strings. For many players with tennis elbow, soft strings are not simply a luxury; they are a necessary investment in their health and well being.
Tennis Elbow Prevention – Dampeners
Players with a favorite racquet and/or a favorite string are often unwilling to make changes to either, even when their racquet/string choices are at the root of their tennis elbow problems. Fortunately, Racquet Network carries a variety of dampeners that can be added to any racquet to reduce the intensity of harmful vibrations.
Come into our Calgary store for a consultation or check out the TENNIS ELBOW section of our online Pro Shop. While we do not endorse any specific treatments for tennis elbow, we can provide you with many tools that our members have found to be helpful to them.
Our Pro Shop has moved to Canyon Meadows Shopping Center. It is on the 2ND FLOOR of the NORTH WING. The unmarked glass doors leading to the second floor are immediately to the right of the Rexall Drug Store. Please note the new address: 2ND FLOOR - NORTH WING, UNIT 201, 11625 ELBOW DR SW. Dismiss
