Tennis racquet gadgets

[The Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by bugeyed

A shelf for your hand to "push of of"? "index finger to lay on & push off of"? More power, serve better in every regard? Sounds like a salesman on commission. I don't think that my hand or index finger "push off" when I hit! More of a difference than the strings?
I think that I can safely say that, by the way you describe the benefits of the Wonder Wedge, it's mostly in your head! Absolute snake oil relative to the improvements as you describe them. It may give you a different grip on the racquet, but when you talk about hands & fingers "pushing off", I know you have a very vivid imagination.

Cheers,
kev

Think about for a second....it's hard to explain.....but if you don't believe it just look at what the pros do......they also all have custom made handles for their specific hands.

In fact Roman Prokes will take a mold of your hand to custom make the grip to fit your hand.

Babolat had the same idea as the wonder wedge and they had come out with a grip with a bubble in it to fit your hand......but it six compared to the wedge.

The wedge is a cheap way of doing it but not the best...we can't all afford the real way to do it.

Let me try to explain it a different way......your hand is not flat so why on earth should the grip be flat?

Same principles apply to your feet. Your feet are not flat so sneakers are made with arches....for high arches you can put in an arch support for your feet....the pros of course have it custom made.

Same principle applies to your hand.....it has an arch just like your feet do....the handle should support it the same as an arch support supports your feet.

Maybe a better way to describe it is a "palm support "?

Bolleteri used it in his camp to teach grips as well.

Try it....I'm not a salesman at all...in fact I don't use the wonder wedge. I simply take five pieces of mounting tape stick them together and put it on the handle. If I were a salesman I wouldn't be telling you that because wonder wedge would go out of business.

If you don't like it rip it off and throw it in the garbage....mounting tape only costs a couple of bucks....there's not much to lose.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

Think about for a second....it's hard to explain.....but if you don't believe it just look at what the pros do......they also all have custom made handles for their specific hands.

In fact Roman Prokes will take a mold of your hand to custom make the grip to fit your hand.

Babolat had the same idea as the wonder wedge and they had come out with a grip with a bubble in it to fit your hand......but it six compared to the wedge.

The wedge is a cheap way of doing it but not the best...we can't all afford the real way to do it.

Let me try to explain it a different way......your hand is not flat so why on earth should the grip be flat?

Same principles apply to your feet. Your feet are not flat so sneakers are made with arches....for high arches you can put in an arch support for your feet....the pros of course have it custom made.

Same principle applies to your hand.....it has an arch just like your feet do....the handle should support it the same as an arch support supports your feet.

Maybe a better way to describe it is a "palm support "?

Bolleteri used it in his camp to teach grips as well.

Try it....I'm not a salesman at all...in fact I don't use the wonder wedge. I simply take five pieces of mounting tape stick them together and put it on the handle. If I were a salesman I wouldn't be telling you that because wonder wedge would go out of business.

If you don't like it rip it off and throw it in the garbage....mounting tape only costs a couple of bucks....there's not much to lose.

Plus, mounting tape weighs a lot less than Sorbothane. Can recall the added weight of the Gosen Sorbothane grip.

[cluckcluck]

Are those rings even legal? Seems like rubbish to me.

[bugeyed]

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

Think about for a second....it's hard to explain.....but if you don't believe it just look at what the pros do......they also all have custom made handles for their specific hands.

In fact Roman Prokes will take a mold of your hand to custom make the grip to fit your hand.

Babolat had the same idea as the wonder wedge and they had come out with a grip with a bubble in it to fit your hand......but it six compared to the wedge.

The wedge is a cheap way of doing it but not the best...we can't all afford the real way to do it.

Let me try to explain it a different way......your hand is not flat so why on earth should the grip be flat?

Same principles apply to your feet. Your feet are not flat so sneakers are made with arches....for high arches you can put in an arch support for your feet....the pros of course have it custom made.

Same principle applies to your hand.....it has an arch just like your feet do....the handle should support it the same as an arch support supports your feet.

Maybe a better way to describe it is a "palm support "?

Bolleteri used it in his camp to teach grips as well.

Try it....I'm not a salesman at all...in fact I don't use the wonder wedge. I simply take five pieces of mounting tape stick them together and put it on the handle. If I were a salesman I wouldn't be telling you that because wonder wedge would go out of business.

If you don't like it rip it off and throw it in the garbage....mounting tape only costs a couple of bucks....there's not much to lose.

Fair enough. I guess I was reacting to the claims of a dramatic transformation in performance. Granted, a better fitting grip would help in many ways, but I have doubts that this wedge, by itself, would make for huge improvements in my play. I'd be afraid to try it, 'cause what if it doesn't fix everything about my game? What then?

[novak.20v]

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

Anyone try out any weird or new tennis racquet gadgets ?

Just found this online. Does anyone know of its any good?

Www.gripyou.com

I really don't see the point in that.

[sureshs]

Nadal uses the Wonder Wedgie

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Nadal uses the Wonder Wedgie

Wonder where he keeps it?

[The Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by bugeyed

Fair enough. I guess I was reacting to the claims of a dramatic transformation in performance. Granted, a better fitting grip would help in many ways, but I have doubts that this wedge, by itself, would make for huge improvements in my play. I'd be afraid to try it, 'cause what if it doesn't fix everything about my game? What then?

Well it's not a fix all and it actually can hurt your game.

I cant really play with a conventional grip anymore....it's weird.

But it definitely makes a HUGE change. Whether its a good change or a bad change is for you to decide.

Certainly trying it a few times will not ruin your game.

But if you do try it I 100 percent guarantee you will see the difference in power.
You will be spraying the ball over the fence as there is quite a learning curve

[Ronaldo]

Not sure why the Wonder Wedge ruins an eastern forehand? Can you use the other side of the grip without the appendage?

[The Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Not sure why the Wonder Wedge ruins an eastern forehand? Can you use the other side of the grip without the appendage?

Actually yes you can....but I've never tried it.

Might be difficult in a match.....you would have to spin the racquet to switch grips to eastern......

Then again Federer spins his racquet in between points so it very possible.

Very good point....I guess if you don't mind spinning the racquet the way Fed does you can choose between a conventional grip or the wedge.

[bugeyed]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Not sure why the Wonder Wedge ruins an eastern forehand? Can you use the other side of the grip without the appendage?

I don't see that working. My hand wraps around both sides of the grip. Modifying either side would be noticeable.
BTW I still don't buy the massive increase in power!? Yeah you may be sending the ball over the fence, but that's because the racquet face is at a different angle because of your grip.

k

[Roforot]

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

Well it's not a fix all and it actually can hurt your game.

I cant really play with a conventional grip anymore....it's weird.

But it definitely makes a HUGE change. Whether its a good change or a bad change is for you to decide.

Certainly trying it a few times will not ruin your game.

But if you do try it I 100 percent guarantee you will see the difference in power.
You will be spraying the ball over the fence as there is quite a learning curve

I disagree w/ "over the fence" when I first used it, the balls were dying into the net b/c of the spin.

I would also temper some of the claims of "huge" spin or power gains but would rather say it enables me to comfortably hit shots w/ "huge" spin. Without the ww or power-v grip, I felt uncomfortable w/ western/semi-west. grip esp. if using windshield wiper motions.

The biggest gain actually was with the continental grip. It's much more stable on volleys. I also prefer serving with it.

Replacing a regular grip to add the ww + overgrip nets 10-12g to the racquet and makes it a bit more headlight.

Main negative is that I have to take 2-3 racquets everytime b/c I can't borrow someone else's racquet if I break a string. Of course, it also keeps people from borrowing your racquet.

[sundaypunch]

I can speak from experience with the Wonder Wedge (now Power V grip). It increases the size of the angled 2 and 4 bevels. This gives the continental and semi-western grips a bigger, more stable bevel. The #3 bevel gets tiny so if you use an eastern FH it probably will be a negative for you.

I originally tried it because my daughter was having a problem with her grip rotating from conti to eastern when she served. She didn't like it at first but after a few days she got used to it. It did solve the problem of the racquet rotating in her hand. She loves it now. After using it for a couple of years now she hates hitting with a racquet that doesn't have one.

I gave it a try as I would often use one of her racquets when we played. I also hit with a SW forehand so it was an easy transition. I really like the feel of the racquet with it.

I have since stopped using it. Not because I didn't like it, but because it forces you to hit on the same side of the racquet for all your shots. I use textured poly (MSV Focus Hex). What I found is that the hitting side would be worn smooth and the side with the Wonder Wedge would still be rough and like new.

I wouldn't call it a "gimmick". It really just gives you a more stable feeling for certain grips. Some may not like it. For others it really helps their confidence.

[hoodjem]

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

Check out the pic of the wonder wedge:

I've heard that Fed's grip is not symmetrical, but customized slightly to fit his hand.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

I can speak from experience with the Wonder Wedge (now Power V grip). It increases the size of the angled 2 and 4 bevels. This gives the continental and semi-western grips a bigger, more stable bevel. The #3 bevel gets tiny so if you use an eastern FH it probably will be a negative for you.

I originally tried it because my daughter was having a problem with her grip rotating from conti to eastern when she served. She didn't like it at first but after a few days she got used to it. It did solve the problem of the racquet rotating in her hand. She loves it now. After using it for a couple of years now she hates hitting with a racquet that doesn't have one.

I gave it a try as I would often use one of her racquets when we played. I also hit with a SW forehand so it was an easy transition. I really like the feel of the racquet with it.

I have since stopped using it. Not because I didn't like it, but because it forces you to hit on the same side of the racquet for all your shots. I use textured poly (MSV Focus Hex). What I found is that the hitting side would be worn smooth and the side with the Wonder Wedge would still be rough and like new.

I wouldn't call it a "gimmick". It really just gives you a more stable feeling for certain grips. Some may not like it. For others it really helps their confidence.

With the Wonder Wedge, how did it effect your backhand? Hitting an Eastern Backhand grip, it seems to me like it be be a bit bulky feeling.

-Fuji

[The Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Fuji

With the Wonder Wedge, how did it effect your backhand? Hitting an Eastern Backhand grip, it seems to me like it be be a bit bulky feeling.

-Fuji

I can honestly say that more than any other stroke the wedge helped my backhand the most .

Absolutely no downside. Wayyyy more power, more control, topspin an slice all powered up immensely on the backhand side.

The forehand .....bit of a different story. The forehand was very hard to get used to . It took me a very long time . About 6 months .

They should in my opinion change the name to "power palm arch support" or something . Or "the custom grip"......

There is some customization with the wedge.....you have to cut it down to fit your palm . So there is a bit of tinkering here.

As another poster said.....yes Federer has a custom grip.....all the pros do. This is a poor mans custom grip.

Bosworth did the same thing for Navratilova . He made a custom grip to support the exact shape of her palm. She says she can now hit a one handed topspin down the line which she was never able to do before thanks to the custom grip.

The wedge simply supports the palm of your hand. I think the molding tape I suggested is even better than the wedge because you can customize to fit your palm better than the rubber wonder wedge.

Also you can make it as thin or thick as you want. I use five pieces. But you can use just a couple of pieces and work your way up.

I wish I had thought of the molding tape to begin with....the wedge was too thick and the learning curve is very long . It took me a while to get used to.

Plus everyone's palm is different and some may need thicker and others thinner.

Palms are like your feet they come in all different shapes and sizes . The wedge that is sold online is not the right fit for Everyone. With molding tape you can customize .

[The Dark Knight]

By the way.....if you really want to do this the right way you should go to someone like Roman Prokes in NY or Bosworth in Florida.

They will take a mold of your hand and custom for a grip for your playing style.

You will not believe what a difference your grip makes in your game.

I believe the grip is actually far more important than the strings you use or the racquet you choose.

The angle and the strength of your grip is the beginning of everything . If your grip is not at the right angle or not strong enough to support then your game will be greatly affected.

Hours and hours are spent on the boards about string and racquets. But no one talks about the grip....which is far far more important.

If you don't believe me just try it. You will be blown away by the difference it makes. It may not be a "good" difference but you will automatically see a gigantic difference in the way you hit the ball. You will realize how important the shape of your grip is on the very first hit.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by Fuji

With the Wonder Wedge, how did it effect your backhand? Hitting an Eastern Backhand grip, it seems to me like it be be a bit bulky feeling.

-Fuji

I am a little unorthodox. I use a semi-western FH and extreme eastern 1HBH. I am basically leaving my knuckle on the #4 bevel but just moving it a bit toward a full western FH when I hit a BH. That's what I meant about always hitting on the same side of the racquet.

Most people would probably hit their FH on one side of the racquet then rotate their hand counter-clockwise up to the #1 bevel for and eastern BH.

Either way, it doesn't feel bulky. It definitely will feel strange to you though when you first try it.

[The Dark Knight]

I tried the gripyou.....hated it !

[icorp]

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

I can honestly say that more than any other stroke the wedge helped my backhand the most .

Absolutely no downside. Wayyyy more power, more control, topspin an slice all powered up immensely on the backhand side.

The forehand .....bit of a different story. The forehand was very hard to get used to . It took me a very long time . About 6 months .

They should in my opinion change the name to "power palm arch support" or something . Or "the custom grip"......

There is some customization with the wedge.....you have to cut it down to fit your palm . So there is a bit of tinkering here.

As another poster said.....yes Federer has a custom grip.....all the pros do. This is a poor mans custom grip.

Bosworth did the same thing for Navratilova . He made a custom grip to support the exact shape of her palm. She says she can now hit a one handed topspin down the line which she was never able to do before thanks to the custom grip.

The wedge simply supports the palm of your hand. I think the molding tape I suggested is even better than the wedge because you can customize to fit your palm better than the rubber wonder wedge.

Also you can make it as thin or thick as you want. I use five pieces. But you can use just a couple of pieces and work your way up.

I wish I had thought of the molding tape to begin with....the wedge was too thick and the learning curve is very long . It took me a while to get used to.

Plus everyone's palm is different and some may need thicker and others thinner.

Palms are like your feet they come in all different shapes and sizes . The wedge that is sold online is not the right fit for Everyone. With molding tape you can customize .

I do agree with you on the wonder wedge regarding eastern FH. Do you add 5 pcs of mounting tape to bevels 2 & 4? How does it affect your eastern FH?

Wonder Wedge customer service is excellent BTW but it wasn't for me unfortunately!