Swingweight?

[tennisnewbie09]

If I have a stock racket that has a 320 swingweight, is there any way for me to reduce the swingweight by adding lead to the handle or some place else? I want to make it more easy to swing but no loose the solid feel of the racket. Thanks for any advice.

[dyldore]

Pretty sure you can't reduce swingweight without removing weight. Reducing the swingweight will also make the racket feel less "solid" on ball contact.

[anirut]

What racket is it?

I've tried cutting out the bumper and screwed up the whole playability. There's a "reason" for it to be of a certain SW.

You can add a bit of weight to the handle area to help make it swing easier, but you aren't reducing the SW, and may, in fact, add to it.

You don't have to dump all the weight in just one spot. Try to distribute it along the handle until you find the right spots. Sometimes a mere 2 grams can make or break a racket playability.

[tennisnewbie09]

Originally Posted by anirut

What racket is it?

It's a Head IG Prestige Pro. I really like this racket, but wanted to make it easier to swing. The TW specs says this racket is 321 swingweight.

Thanks for "weighing" in on this question

[TennisCJC]

It is impossible to reduce SW unless you remove weight from the racket. By the way, a scrawny 14 YO can handle 320 SW so you should be able to adjust to it easily if you give it time.

You can add handle weight and it may actually make it feel easier to swing but it will not really decrease SW.

[T-Vex]

As someone already said: put some lead tapes in the handle. This way you want change your current SW, but you will move the balance for a point or two more towards the handle which can make you feel the racket "swinging easier"

[jman32]

Originally Posted by tennisnewbie09

If I have a stock racket that has a 320 swingweight, is there any way for me to reduce the swingweight by adding lead to the handle or some place else? I want to make it more easy to swing but no loose the solid feel of the racket. Thanks for any advice.

There are a few things you can do:

Use lighter/thinner strings
You can cut off the cap portion of the bumper
Or you can add a lot of lead tape to 12o'clock position, play with it for a month.

This will train your arm and body to play with a heavier racket.

Take the tape off and the stick will play faster.

[sundaypunch]

Cut a little bit off the cap bumper. Take about 1" off each side and start with that. Play it and adjust as necessary. It's about $7 to replace the cap grommets so it is a cheap and easy way to make the IGPP swing easier.

[anirut]

Originally Posted by tennisnewbie09

It's a Head IG Prestige Pro. I really like this racket, but wanted to make it easier to swing. The TW specs says this racket is 321 swingweight.

Thanks for "weighing" in on this question

I assume you already have an overgrip. Try adding 2-4 grams about 6-7 inches from the butt end. Move the weights around the area (or even along the handle).

The top-of-grip rubber band weights 2 grams. I use it to find the "right spots" where to mod my racket. Just move it around, add and remove while playing, until you find it "right" for you. Once you find the spots, mark them, and then add lead tapes under the grip, wind it around the handle simulating the rubber band.

It is certainly better and easier than removing parts of the grommet. Trust me. I've been through a lot of *&^%$ with racket customization.

[tennisnewbie09]

Thanks TW members for weighing in on this issue and helping provide me with advice and experiences.

I'll definitely try those things out and see how it goes. As always, thanks for the feedback and if you have other ideas, please feel free to post and I'll try different things.

[anubis]

Why do you want to reduce the SW?

If it's because you've got too much power, then you likely have too powerful of a racquet and should choose a lower powered racquet.

If it's because it's too unwieldy, then you need a lighter weight racquet, one with a lower SW to start, since you can't reduce that.

[rst]

By the way, a scrawny 14 YO can handle 320 SW so you should be able to adjust to it easily if you give it time........

oh yeah , just give it time. or you can quickly get a lighter racket with soft string and start samcking and slicing right away.

[TennisCJC]

Originally Posted by rst

By the way, a scrawny 14 YO can handle 320 SW so you should be able to adjust to it easily if you give it time........

oh yeah , just give it time. or you can quickly get a lighter racket with soft string and start samcking and slicing right away.

But, the scrawny 14 YO swinging a decent SW will kick your butt as you try to keep up with your feather weight racket. Average Pro racket is 12.6 oz, and very few pros play a SW under 340 grams - most over 350 grams. We aren't ATP pros and I don't advocate rec players using SW 350+ but you should swing as heavy as you can handle - better for your health (stable, less impact shock), better control, and better power. I know some very good female players and their rackets are in the 315-330 SW range. Anyone adult can handle this range. Go lower at your own risk - risk to health, control and power.