Pros and cons of adding weight to the handle

[Fireball]

Besides from obviously increasing the weight of the racquet, how is the performance affected when weight is added to the handle of the racquet?

The racquet will be more HL but the head will still have the same weight and (from what I understand) the SW wont go down either so will the racquet actually be more manouverable?

What about stability, comfort, power and racquet speed etc?

How will the serve and ground strokes be affected?

[LeeD]

The PRO is that you can just try it yourself with little effort. Remove grip, add weight, replace grip, go out and hit.
Handle weight affects different players differently. On all strokes.

[kaiser]

Much easier than that: stick blue tack putty to butt cap, add or remove putty until you have the desired result, remove putty, open butt cap, stuff putty inside, done.

[Torres]

Adding weight in the handle reduces the speed at which the head of the racquet comes through the arc of the swing. It can help with control and help the racquet feel more balanced, at the expense of some RHS.

It's personal preference at the end of the day, and depends on how much you're adding, what the racquet is like to begin with etc.

[TaihtDuhShaat]

Originally Posted by Fireball

Besides from obviously increasing the weight of the racquet, how is the performance affected when weight is added to the handle of the racquet?

The racquet will be more HL but the head will still have the same weight and (from what I understand) the SW wont go down either so will the racquet actually be more manouverable?

What about stability, comfort, power and racquet speed etc?

How will the serve and ground strokes be affected?

More stability, more maneuverable, loopier trajectory, more spin, more flex, more comfort, more dwell time, lower power. Adding weight above the hand on the handle speeds up the racquet.

2nd serves will be curvier, flat serves will be less flat. Groundstrokes will be loopier, with more options due to more spin. This is at the cost of some power. Volleys won't require as much follow through due to higher recoil weight, but will be lower powered.

[stormholloway]

How do people generally add this weight? Do they just fold it over that piece in the middle of the handle or use the cotton ball or glue method?

[LeeD]

Lead tape, you can add it over your grip, above your hand.
WHERE you place the handle weight is most important, as stated in the posts above.

[TaihtDuhShaat]

Originally Posted by stormholloway

How do people generally add this weight? Do they just fold it over that piece in the middle of the handle or use the cotton ball or glue method?

The best way to lead the handle is to wrap it around the pallet under the grip at 7", and place lead or blue tack/silicone in the butt cap.

[netguy]

The WHERE part of adding lead tape was what intrigued me as mentioned here by LeeD.
It certainly made a big difference when I placed lead tape in different places on and in the handle. Finally, I settled by adding it above the handle just underneath the rubber band to compensate for what I added at 10 and 2.
You really have to play around until you find what works for you.

[Torres]

Originally Posted by TaihtDuhShaat

More stability, more maneuverable, loopier trajectory, more spin, more flex, more comfort, more dwell time, lower power. Adding weight above the hand on the handle speeds up the racquet.

2nd serves will be curvier, flat serves will be less flat. Groundstrokes will be loopier, with more options due to more spin. This is at the cost of some power. Volleys won't require as much follow through due to higher recoil weight, but will be lower powered.

Just LOL x10.

[stormholloway]

I'm not really interested in lead at the top of the handle since I'm really just looking to counter balance the weight I'm putting in the hoop. TW suggests cotton to hold lead in place. Anyone tried it?

[TaihtDuhShaat]

Torres, I respect your posts on strings...but you just dont have the experinence to be commenting about this. I simply do.

[kimbahpnam]

I've added about .6oz of weight in my handles, but only because I bought a lighter racquet so I could customize it. Important thing for me was to make it more headlight

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by TaihtDuhShaat

Adding weight above the hand on the handle speeds up the racquet.

Just for clarification, you mean if I add more lead tape in the hoop, that speeds up the racquet? I agree with your finding about adding extra weight in the handle but I find that adding weight above the throat in the hoop, for me, slows my swing speed. It does add power and stability though.

[TaihtDuhShaat]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Just for clarification, you mean if I add more lead tape in the hoop, that speeds up the racquet? I agree with your finding about adding extra weight in the handle but I find that adding weight above the throat in the hoop, for me, slows my swing speed. It does add power and stability though.

No, I mean adding weight in the hoop slows the swing speed. Adding weight at the top of the handle though speeds up the swing speed. Agreed?

[sansaephanh]

Originally Posted by TaihtDuhShaat

No, I mean adding weight in the hoop slows the swing speed. Adding weight at the top of the handle though speeds up the swing speed. Agreed?

So if i add lead weight to a handle, let's say where my 2nd hand goes, it will increase swing speed?

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by TaihtDuhShaat

No, I mean adding weight in the hoop slows the swing speed. Adding weight at the top of the handle though speeds up the swing speed. Agreed?

Yup . How many grams of lead tape would you recommend? I currently using the PSTGT and have actually put silicon in the handle but never actually considered putting lead on the top of the handle to increase swing speed.

[AlpineCadet]

Originally Posted by TaihtDuhShaat

No, I mean adding weight in the hoop slows the swing speed. Adding weight at the top of the handle though speeds up the swing speed. Agreed?

I 100% agree, but it depends on your technique.

[TaihtDuhShaat]

Originally Posted by sansaephanh

So if i add lead weight to a handle, let's say where my 2nd hand goes, it will increase swing speed?

Yes, Measure 7" from the butt end and wrap the lead there under the grip. It will have the max. Effect without stiffening up the impact.

[TaihtDuhShaat]

Originally Posted by parasailing

Yup . How many grams of lead tape would you recommend? I currently using the PSTGT and have actually put silicon in the handle but never actually considered putting lead on the top of the handle to increase swing speed.

I'll check the specs on TW and get back to you tomorrow. It would be better of you could tell me the weight and balance how you have it now. SW would help, but if you don't know it Ill use it off the TW SPECS.