Why do so few use 4 1/2" gripsize? - Page 4

Top Jimmy · 12-13-2012, 08:12 AM

Grip is preference and my whole point is the leftover mantra of larger grips sizes from the old days is bogus. There is no right answer, 5/8's works for you, awesome. 1/4 feels better, fantastic.

For me i feel hindered in regards to wrist/forearm rotation and movement with larger grips.

Semi to full western forehand and full eastern one handed backhand. No elbow issues with a 1/4 with an overwrap.

Alex78 · 12-13-2012, 09:24 AM

Here's some pics of me holding a Head MG Radical Pro. I use a Solinco Wondergrip on top of a Head Hydrosorb on this one.

Forehand grip:

Backhand grip (OHB), also used for slice and kick serves:

Straight serve grip, also used for volleying:

cluckcluck · 12-13-2012, 09:28 AM

^^^ Now I feel like I hold the racquet too far at the end of the handle. O_o

Alex78 · 12-13-2012, 09:31 AM

I've noticed that most people hold their racket at the end - I switched as a kid because I sometimes hurt my hand on first serves due to racket twisting. This grip feels rock-solid and I get all the power and control I can ask for.

Alex78 · 12-13-2012, 09:32 AM

Oh, and it's a 4 1/4 grip size on the pics!

superdave3 · 12-13-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbm0912

I've wondered the same. I'd say my hands are average. I'm currently going off the same rule with the finger you are referring to. If anything, I've considered going larger, to help minimize racquet turn in my hand.

I always used a 4 and 5/8 grip, but then found the 4 and 1/2 more comfortable and maneuverable, now that I am in my 60's and had a shoulder injury, I find the 4 and 3/8 better as it seems to make the racquet easier to swing, especially on serves, at least for me.

tlm · 12-13-2012, 01:58 PM

I used to use a 4 1/2 because that is what I measured but now prefer a 4 3/8. Have tried a 4 1/4 and could play with it but it felt a little to small.

Remember that if you use a over wrap it gains one size, so a 4 1/2 with over grip is a 4 5/8.

Maui19 · 12-13-2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlm

I used to use a 4 1/2 because that is what I measured but now prefer a 4 3/8. Have tried a 4 1/4 and could play with it but it felt a little to small.

Remember that if you use a over wrap it gains one size, so a 4 1/2 with over grip is a 4 5/8.

Is that true? I thought it added 1/2 size. This is one of the reasons I went to 4-1/4

tlm · 12-13-2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui19

Is that true? I thought it added 1/2 size. This is one of the reasons I went to 4-1/4

It depends on what over wrap you use but all you have to do is measure it to find out. You need a soft seamstress tape measure to see how much it gains, But most I have measured gain a full size or very close to it.

JackB1 · 12-13-2012, 03:54 PM

[quote=tlm;7061943]It depends on what over wrap you use but all you have to do is measure it to find out. You need a soft seamstress tape measure to see how much it gains, But most I have measured gain a full size or very close to 1 gripsize.

I would say most overgrip add 1/2 a gripsize.

tlm · 12-13-2012, 04:06 PM

[quote=JackB1;7061971]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlm

It depends on what over wrap you use but all you have to do is measure it to find out. You need a soft seamstress tape measure to see how much it gains, But most I have measured gain a full size or very close to 1 gripsize.

I would say most overgrip add 1/2 a gripsize.

Okay you would say, but have you actually measured any?

LeeD · 12-13-2012, 05:34 PM

Wouldn't that depend HOW you applied the overgrip?
Pulled tight as a drum, no overlap but butting the joints, the diameter increase would be small.
Loosely wrapped, overlapped, using the stickiness to hold the OG in place, the diameter gain would be much bigger.

NLBwell · 12-13-2012, 05:57 PM

Thinking about this - flat shots vs spin shots.

For a flat shot, if it is hit on the frame, you are hitting a fast moving ball (horizontally) with a moment arm (distance from centerline of the racket) of maybe 5 inches. That is a lot of torque which must be resisted. A wider radius grip with more surface area being held will help resist the torque and put less stress on the elbow.
For a topspin shot, the racket is moving across the path of the ball. If a ball is hit on the frame moving perfectly vertically (on the side of the rackethead) there is zero torque on the racket. Though it is unlikely to happen exactly like this - though I have done this on several occasions - it is the limiting case. With a more vertical swingpath versus a more horizontal swingpath, the relative forward velocity of the racket and ball will be much lower and the moment arm of the impact point will be much less. There should be much less torque to resist in most cases of a mishit, and so less stress on the elbow and the rest of the arm.
Therefore, for a spin player, there should be less stress on the elbow on mishits and less reason for a larger grip size.

Also, volleys are hit basically with a flat racket face coming almost straight at the ball (unless you are hitting a drop volley with a ton of backspin). Volleyers should get more control on off-center hits with a larger grip.

LeeD · 12-13-2012, 06:08 PM

Interesting.
Today I'd hit myself dizzy, and went over to talk to a player hitting the wall, at SanPablo courts in Berkeley.
He had some red Babs racket, and his trusty red and white pro staff...or something like blade.
I got to hit with him maybe 30 shots.
Both his demo and his own Wilson were 3/8th, no OG.
My two rackets, MicroGelOS and Aero500's, were 5/8ths WITH OG.
We switched.
I couldn't hit anything strong, with spin, or solid.
HE crushed every ball with both rackets, especially the Aero500, said he never ever hit as hard with as little effort. Even when I hit one deep and solid, he casually crushed it hard and heavy spin back to me. He was startled.
He's going to buy 3 of the red Babs.
I'll stick with my big grip rackets, any of them.

Anton · 12-13-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex78

Here's some pics of me holding a Head MG Radical Pro. I use a Solinco Wondergrip on top of a Head Hydrosorb on this one.

Forehand grip:

Backhand grip (OHB), also used for slice and kick serves:

Straight serve grip, also used for volleying:

That seems like too much of a squeeze (white around the nail tips)

Alex78 · 12-13-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anton

That seems like too much of a squeeze (white around the nail tips)

Maybe the white around the nail tips showed because I just got in from the cold... - When swinging the racket, it's all good, and I only get problems with my hand (blisters) with larger grips.

robbo1970 · 12-14-2012, 01:04 AM

(Alex, your grip sizing looks very similar to mine.)

I just find that with the smaller grip I have a lot more control and speed in manouvring the racket head and just feel that I am in total control of any movement in the racket, especially on serves and (surprisingly) on volleys. I can understand that hitting block returns is probably fine with a larger grip, but I just find that I can move my racket and re-direct the ball so much easier with the smaller grip.

All personal preferences though.

TennisCoachIN · 12-14-2012, 06:29 AM

I use grip size 4 1/4. You can always build up with overgrip. I use a Semi-Western grip so for me feels easier to get more topspin. This is just my experience.

Mick3391 · 12-15-2012, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackB1

I use a 4 1/2 grip because I go by the old rule that says while gripping the racquet, you should be able to fit 1 finger in the remaining space between your thumb pad and finger tips. I wear a "large" size Men's glove, but I don't think I have unusually large hands. I just wonder why I seem to be in the minority of people that use anything larger than 3/8?

Is there a benefit to going down to a 3/8 when your proper gripsize shows 4 1/2? Does it allow you to hold the racquet looser? Maybe get more wrist action on serves? I just never understood why 4 1/2 is such a rarely seen gripsize when I know there are many guys with hands at least as big as mine?

I use a 4 1/2 grip, gives my hands much more ability to move and adjust to different shots, and my hands are HUGE.

klementine79 · 12-15-2012, 05:54 AM

Always preferred 3/8s. Just recently though, I've gotten a bit picky about grip size and type. Now I'm enjoying a 4-1/2 with a 3/8s buttcap attached and a leather grip with one og.

I don't like too much flare on the bottom, hence the 3/8s buttcap but do prefer a larger grip (4-1/2) with the thinner leather.

12-13-2012, 09:28 AM	#63
cluckcluck Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Between the baseline and netcord. Posts: 1,501	^^^ Now I feel like I hold the racquet too far at the end of the handle. O_o __________________ Donnay X-Dark Red 94

12-13-2012, 03:54 PM	#70
JackB1 Legend Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 8,318	[quote=tlm;7061943]It depends on what over wrap you use but all you have to do is measure it to find out. You need a soft seamstress tape measure to see how much it gains, But most I have measured gain a full size or very close to 1 gripsize. I would say most overgrip add 1/2 a gripsize. __________________ Wilson Black Blade 104 - NXT Tour / Copoly at 55/51 Last edited by JackB1 : 12-13-2012 at 03:57 PM.

12-13-2012, 05:57 PM	#73
NLBwell Legend Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5,479	Thinking about this - flat shots vs spin shots. For a flat shot, if it is hit on the frame, you are hitting a fast moving ball (horizontally) with a moment arm (distance from centerline of the racket) of maybe 5 inches. That is a lot of torque which must be resisted. A wider radius grip with more surface area being held will help resist the torque and put less stress on the elbow. For a topspin shot, the racket is moving across the path of the ball. If a ball is hit on the frame moving perfectly vertically (on the side of the rackethead) there is zero torque on the racket. Though it is unlikely to happen exactly like this - though I have done this on several occasions - it is the limiting case. With a more vertical swingpath versus a more horizontal swingpath, the relative forward velocity of the racket and ball will be much lower and the moment arm of the impact point will be much less. There should be much less torque to resist in most cases of a mishit, and so less stress on the elbow and the rest of the arm. Therefore, for a spin player, there should be less stress on the elbow on mishits and less reason for a larger grip size. Also, volleys are hit basically with a flat racket face coming almost straight at the ball (unless you are hitting a drop volley with a ton of backspin). Volleyers should get more control on off-center hits with a larger grip. Last edited by NLBwell : 12-13-2012 at 09:07 PM.

12-14-2012, 01:04 AM	#77
robbo1970 Professional Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: UK Posts: 977	(Alex, your grip sizing looks very similar to mine.) I just find that with the smaller grip I have a lot more control and speed in manouvring the racket head and just feel that I am in total control of any movement in the racket, especially on serves and (surprisingly) on volleys. I can understand that hitting block returns is probably fine with a larger grip, but I just find that I can move my racket and re-direct the ball so much easier with the smaller grip. All personal preferences though. __________________ X2 Dunlop Biomimetic 300 / X2 Prince Exo3 93

12-15-2012, 05:54 AM	#80
klementine79 Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: DcMdVa Posts: 3,651	Always preferred 3/8s. Just recently though, I've gotten a bit picky about grip size and type. Now I'm enjoying a 4-1/2 with a 3/8s buttcap attached and a leather grip with one og. I don't like too much flare on the bottom, hence the 3/8s buttcap but do prefer a larger grip (4-1/2) with the thinner leather. __________________ Tommy Haasian GOATmode* * = FedK (tm)