If heavier is better, why so many light racquets in the market?
- Thread starter BERDI4
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BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Soda is bad for you. Why are there so many sodas on the market? Entire supermarket aisles are full of nothing but sodas and chips on all the shelves. Of course, chips are bad for you, too.
Just because they sell it does not mean that it's good for you.
Just because they sell it does not mean that it's good for you.
Why does the regular consumer want light racquets? Heavy racquets are more powerful.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Because most people do not have a degree in physics.
LOLI agree, but I mean racquets that make you play better, not that are good for your health. Wouldn't it would be more convenient for manufacturers to sell racquets that make your game better?
Because most people do not have a degree in physics.
YEs, I'm shure of that. Most people think lighter = more power.
mucat
Hall of Fame
Heavy racquets are more powerful ONLY if you can swing it (aka handle it).
PackardDell
Semi-Pro
I do not got strong arms but I do have (some) technique and for me the heavy (to be exact: 320 gram unstrung) Prestige is perfect for me. Can hit good 1 handed backhands with it.
So most of the people that play tennis are weak and can't swing a racquet heavier than 11 ounces
bluescreen
Hall of Fame
most heavy racquets r players racquets or at least tweeners, so most new players or inexperienced players will be drawn to the racquets designed for them, which r usually lighter.
P
ProStaff Legend
Guest
its also sorta a trend. the manufacturers probably know this too but ppl who are new to the sport typically like lighter racquets. all my friends who just joined tennis all say my racquet is too heavy
Maybe. 25 years ago people who joined tennis, had to use heavy wooden racquets and nobody grumbled.
mucat
Hall of Fame
First, most of the people are weekend players who play only for fun and probably play once a month.
Second, most of us can swing an object a lot heavier than 12oz. However, when you have to swing an object(racket) to hit a fast (up to 110mph for most of us) moving object(ball) with lots of movement (spin), it becomes more difficult. Now, add that the player is also on the move in all sort of direction. Suddenly, 12oz might become too much for some us.
Edit: Also, you are not just require to swing and hit the ball, you are require to swing at certain way and cerain speed in every single situation.
P
ProStaff Legend
Guest
that was 25 years ago
mucat
Hall of Fame
Because they did not have the choice. It is like saying 25 thousand years ago, people poo on the ground out in the open and no one complained.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
I agree. But, a lot of posters here always make the argument that even women and children played with 14+ oz wood racquets and could handle it, which is entirely true.
But, hitting an eastern forehand with a full hip and trunk rotation with a wooden racquet is entirely different than hitting a whippy semi or full western forehand, which would be extremely difficult with wood. I'm not saying that this evolution (or devolution in some people's opinion) is necessarily good, but it explains, partially, why racquets are lighter and bigger.
Except for the guy who always points out that modern frames and strings have the potential to cause a higher number and more serious injuries (which is a legit concern), I don't get why anyone cares about light v. heavy. It's like a sad attempt at machismo. "I'm a real man, I wield a 12.5 oz stick." Well, that's great, if you like that stick and can perform well with it. But, some can't, so they seek other alternatives.
I play with a Diablo mid that is near 12.5 oz after overgrip and dampener, which I really like. But, I've gotten older and a step slower and even though I haven't changed yet, I do think about it, and someday probably will go lighter and more powerful.
VGP
Legend
What are you talking about? I did that 25 minutes ago and no one complained. On the other hand, no one was around either.
War Safin!
Professional
Andy Murray was being interviwed today at the US Open, and he said his racuqet was around 365-370g before he busted his wrist - now he says the swingweight has changed to make it feel less heavier around the head.
He mentioned that the lighter weights were for more wristy, topspin players...of which there a lot in today's game
He mentioned that the lighter weights were for more wristy, topspin players...of which there a lot in today's game
davey
Rookie
In addition to all the reasons mentioned about new players prefering lighter rackets, it also allows customization. I would rather buy a racket that is too light and customize it with lead tape then try to find a racket with perfect weight and balance for me. No two players are exactly alike and have exactly the same racket preferences. Find something that is close to what you want and customize it yourself. Don't waste your time trying out dozens of rackets looking for your perfect holy grail, make it yourself.
P
ProStaff Legend
Guest
trying to make ur holy grail will definitely take some time too tho
lethalfang
Professional
Most people who buy those light racquets play tennis every other month, and spend most of their court time picking up balls.
DavidGarcia
Hall of Fame
I have a nBlade 98 which will possibly weigh around 11.4 oz.
I like the weight of this racquet and I am not considering to get anything heavier. I play with a lot of topspin and a heavier racquet does not allow me to move the racquet as well as the nBlade, I used to play with the PDR (at around 12.5 oz).
Going one less oz improved my game a lot......I dont consider myself a bad player because of that!
I like the weight of this racquet and I am not considering to get anything heavier. I play with a lot of topspin and a heavier racquet does not allow me to move the racquet as well as the nBlade, I used to play with the PDR (at around 12.5 oz).
Going one less oz improved my game a lot......I dont consider myself a bad player because of that!
lethalfang
Professional
11.4 oz. is about medium weight.
When we say light racquets, we mean something around 9 oz.
When we say light racquets, we mean something around 9 oz.
DavidGarcia
Hall of Fame
Oups....sorry! Which would it be the standards for racquets?
lights = anything below 10 oz
medium raquets = between 10-12 oz
heavy raquets = anything over 12 oz
???????
Anything under 10 oz would be far too light to return flat heavy serves!!!would twist your racquet with the power.
lights = anything below 10 oz
medium raquets = between 10-12 oz
heavy raquets = anything over 12 oz
???????
Anything under 10 oz would be far too light to return flat heavy serves!!!would twist your racquet with the power.
jelle v
Hall of Fame
I think that in order to play a heavier racket, you must have the technique to be able to wield the racket and get a good swing. People who start out with tennis must focus on getting their technique right (at a basic level), so they need a lightweight racket that is easy to hit with. When they get more experienced they can begin with focussing on their racket a maybe have a look at other, somewhat heavier rackets.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
It's quite amusing how much things have changed. Back in the days of wood racquets, this was the scale:
Light = 12.5 to 13.5 oz.
Medium = 13.5 to 14.5 oz.
Heavy = 14.5 to 15.5 oz.
:-o
asknowbuylater
Rookie
I started with a 250g stick and now I'm at 395g... The shoulder pain is severe with a head heavy racquet if you swing fast enough and play a lot.
My leaded PS 85 at 395g shows how flawed other people's techniques are. A small head, very head light, big bangers alu power, 4 5/8 grip... what fun! No more pain! I have several other sticks at 315g to 366g and I get so much whip with them so it's quite odd others tell me that heavy sticks are useless. It like benchpressing 50lbs instead of 200lbs.
I wouldn't suggest beginners to play with a heavy frame without a coach who knows its benefits. They tend to arm the ball, use head heavy and ultra light sticks, string it tight for "control", and listen to joe shmoes. Quite the opposite of advanced players. And the price of newbie sticks is so high...
My leaded PS 85 at 395g shows how flawed other people's techniques are. A small head, very head light, big bangers alu power, 4 5/8 grip... what fun! No more pain! I have several other sticks at 315g to 366g and I get so much whip with them so it's quite odd others tell me that heavy sticks are useless. It like benchpressing 50lbs instead of 200lbs.
I wouldn't suggest beginners to play with a heavy frame without a coach who knows its benefits. They tend to arm the ball, use head heavy and ultra light sticks, string it tight for "control", and listen to joe shmoes. Quite the opposite of advanced players. And the price of newbie sticks is so high...
tennisntn3477
Rookie
Average ballspeed is the big factor in playing with a lighter or heavier racquet. If I'm playing a strong 5.0 player who hits a heavy ball or with lots of spin, I want something around 12oz to help me handle the pace and spin. If I'm only playing 3.0 doubles with players who hit with good placement but mostly around 40-50 mph, I can use a much lighter racquet without any problem - a racquet that 10.5oz is not going to be pushed around at that speed.
blitzmage_89
Rookie
because most people got used to the badminton rcket mentality.
lighter = same power = more expensive
heavier = same power = cheap
lighter = same power = more expensive
heavier = same power = cheap
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
In the overall scheme of things, 11-11.5 is not light.
But, a lot of discussion on these boards are about players frames or the frames that 4.0 and up players use. So 11-11.5 in this context is "light." 11.5 into the low 12 oz range is medium, and 12.3 or 12.4 and up is heavy.
But, a lot of discussion on these boards are about players frames or the frames that 4.0 and up players use. So 11-11.5 in this context is "light." 11.5 into the low 12 oz range is medium, and 12.3 or 12.4 and up is heavy.
davey
Rookie
Wow, and I thought I was the odd ball. Nice racket! My PS 85's probably aren't quite that heavy but they are not extremely head light at about 350g and 1.25" head light.
So where did you add lead?
I guess the reason why there are so many light racquets being sold is because people have different tastes and needs.
I know some people that can't play with anything heavier than 9 oz racquet and some that have trouble with Wilson K90. They complain to me that 12oz racquets are too heavy. Please. . . give me a break. They have arm muscles like my thighs and I'm the one using Head PT280 / Wilson PS 6.0.
I know some people that can't play with anything heavier than 9 oz racquet and some that have trouble with Wilson K90. They complain to me that 12oz racquets are too heavy. Please. . . give me a break. They have arm muscles like my thighs and I'm the one using Head PT280 / Wilson PS 6.0.
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You guys are forgetting just how many older people play tennis and how many people play doubles exclusively. The percentage of guys using "player's frames" must be very small among the general public.
asknowbuylater
Rookie
Lots in the handle, a few in the throat and some on the head. I'll be adding 10-20g more! lol
I'll reach 450g when things go right. It's rather difficult to handle fast players, but it's more fun and best for improvement. Too much lead in the head will lead to shoulder problems...
Ultra light and head heavy sticks are mainly for blockers and choppers. It's a very bad idea to serve with them though.
goosala
Hall of Fame
People who play tennis regularly and play well use the "players" frames while the vast majority of people equate light with good. They don't play enough to know that the heavier the frame the more stable and solid it is. They just play occasionally so that is fine for them. I would say that anyone who is 3.0 or over should use a heavier frame for stability.
davey
Rookie
Interesting. I didn't add any to the throat on mine. I added two of these to my racket, http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACGAMMA-LEAD.html. One in the head, the other in the handle.
For the head, I added a layer under the entire bumper guard. It fit so nicely I wouldn't be surprised if it was designed to allow it. The rest was divided evenly over the PWS in three layers on each side.
For the handle, I removed the buttcap and layered the strip over the bottom extending less than an inch up the handle. Then I covered and built it up with shrink wrap. In addition to adding the lead, this allowed me to reshape the handle to something that is more comfortable for me since I don't use the original buttcap. At the bottom it's not quite as wide as with the wilson cap but the layers of shrink wrap make a more gradual taper up the handle. It's all covered with a leather grip.
ps, anyone looking for a wilson 4 5/8 buttcap.....
There are more recreational players than serious players. The average recreational player does not use a FULL swing and does not have good technique.
So whats the easiest racket to use to get the ball over? A 115sq in head, thats 9oz and 9pts head heavy and does all the work for you.
So whats the easiest racket to use to get the ball over? A 115sq in head, thats 9oz and 9pts head heavy and does all the work for you.
asknowbuylater
Rookie
I often see moms and their 5 year old play with heavy wooden racquets and some wal-mart sticks. The choice of racquets is so abundant that people who go to stores usually take some junk. I sure did when I was younger.
Try it in the throat if some shots become unstable... I put 8g to my friend's racquet and works significantly well.
Weird that I have to play with my leaded stick against fast and heavy shot makers. My 90 (30g less) swings like nothing and isn't as effective....
Try it in the throat if some shots become unstable... I put 8g to my friend's racquet and works significantly well.
Weird that I have to play with my leaded stick against fast and heavy shot makers. My 90 (30g less) swings like nothing and isn't as effective....
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