Effect of a leather grip on mobility?

[robbo1970]

Although the leather grip made the racket slightly more headlight, not that noticably though, one thing I really noticed was how the racket took more effort from my hand and wrist in flicking volleys and rolling my wrist over for some topspin shots and under for slicing, particularly on serves.

Has anyone else found this when they switched to a leather grip?

I swear the racket feels less mobile and slower. Has anyone else found this?

[LeeD]

If you are sensitive to 1/2 oz added handle weight, you'd notice the difference.
Balanced by more stability in most shots. You don't get something for nothing, and everything you add get's counted in the final analysis.

[robbo1970]

I do favour/need the lighter weight so I must have been sensitive to that half ounce because it definately felt like I lost some hand speed.

I guess stock form is best for me, but a worthwhile exercise to find out.

[LeeD]

I'm an insensitive clout, as most ex g/f's will attest.
I can play half a set with a 200, then finish out the set with a 500 and little difference in hitting or play.

[robbo1970]

That's fine. I just noticed a negative difference and wondered if anyone else had, maybe someone found it a positive difference.

Easily rectified though.

[LeeD]

"more stability on most shots".. is the plus factor..

[coachrick]

So, it's not really making the racket 'head light' but 'handle heavy'. Those who can notice an increase in stability as a result must REALLY be sensitive. Echoing LeeD, I've played with a half-dozen very different rackets through the course of a two-hour round robin.
(I suspect Lee is more sensitive than he takes credit for, however Most of us guys don't want to admit it )
I think I CAN feel a half-ounce difference in weight added to the handle...it just wouldn't be a major factor. Slap it on top of the hoop and I reckon anyone could feel the difference.

Soaking wet, the leather might be .5 oz heavier, but I'm finding the difference closer to .25 between syn grips and leather.

[LeeD]

I actually play with 4 5/8 grip size WITH an add on overgrip.
An oz here or there would make little difference.
That's what allow my 10 oz rackets to work against "hard" hitters. Big grip, less twist. 10 oz racket, more power if I don't swing fast. Light rackets are big and stiff. If I do, more spin.

[robbo1970]

It was an experiment I wanted to try and I'm glad I did.

I've just switched back to a synth, had a few swings and it feels immediately better.

Its great these days with such a choice of equipment that there really is something for everyone.

[Chotobaka]

Might I add the fact that the small increase in weight from a leather grip is evenly distributed along the handle. Different than adding even this minuscule amount of weight to the butt of the racquet.

[robbo1970]

I think the phrase 'handle heavy' suits the feel very well.

Some might notice that, some might not. I could just feel the difference and prefered the feel with the synth grip so its a happy ending to a worthwhile experiment. I know a lot of players will add a few grams of lead here and there and to them it will make a difference. I was exactly the same. I put on the leather grip, thought no, I dont like the feel of that, put the synth on and thought it was better.

I guess it was more a case of feel rather than too much else.

[Thepowerofchoice]

If you want the "feel" of syntactic grip but want to add extra wight to the handle without having to use lead...try this grip
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...N-WSSHGBK.html

It weigh about the same as leather grip and have a nice soft feel to it.

[USS Tang]

Leather grip is the only way to go. I wrap one around the original grip that comes with the racket from the manufacturer. More stability results. I have no problem changing my grip during a point as I use the continental on all strokes.

[robbo1970]

Originally Posted by Thepowerofchoice

If you want the "feel" of syntactic grip but want to add extra wight to the handle without having to use lead...try this grip
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wils...N-WSSHGBK.html

It weigh about the same as leather grip and have a nice soft feel to it.

Its not the extra weight that I wanted, it was the weight of the standard synth grip that I prefer. Fortunately I have that with these Dunlop Biomimetic Tour grips and the feel of them is really good. Only £2.50 each, so I bought 4 and done with it.

[robbo1970]

Originally Posted by USS Tang

Leather grip is the only way to go. I wrap one around the original grip that comes with the racket from the manufacturer. More stability results. I have no problem changing my grip during a point as I use the continental on all strokes.

You put the leather over the stock synth grip? Wow, that must give a strange feel.

I do know what you mean, the feel of leather under an overgrip is really good, hence its popularity, but it just didnt feel right for me.

[Big_Dangerous]

Originally Posted by USS Tang

Leather grip is the only way to go. I wrap one around the original grip that comes with the racket from the manufacturer. More stability results. I have no problem changing my grip during a point as I use the continental on all strokes.

Wow that's really peculiar. I don't know anyone that plays with a regular synthetic and a leather over it... Do you also use an overgrip?

[NTRPolice]

I re-grip my rackets to leather or I just buy them with leather grips already.

I overgrip the leather with Tourna-Tac and match it with the leather grips seams. Theres some kinda technical term for that...

I cannot use modern leather grips without an overgrip. It's way too slippery. I can only use "aged" leather grips, like on really old rackets.

[USS Tang]

That's right: I put the leather grip on top of the original tacky "over-grip" that comes with the racket. The leather gives me better feel, while underneath the "over-grip" provides a nice cushiony feeling.

[robbo1970]

Originally Posted by USS Tang

That's right: I put the leather grip on top of the original tacky "over-grip" that comes with the racket. The leather gives me better feel, while underneath the "over-grip" provides a nice cushiony feeling.

I see, so effectively you are adding a leather 'overgrip'. Interesting.

I recall another leather grip based thread where a member asked if there were any leather overgrips. I guess if you get a thin leather grip and remove the sticky back, it will do the job.

Glad to hear it works for you and it solves your issue of having the feel of leather in your hand, but with a bit of extra cusioning. Nice custom idea.

Most seem to go the other way. Leather as a base, then an overgrip for tack and traction.

[USS Tang]

One other thought about using a leather grip: when your hand perspires, it tends to get slippery. I have solved this problem by keeping some cornstarch in my pocket and sprinkling it on the handle between points. Cornstarch is nothing more than over-the-counter baby powder. It sucks up moisture like a vacuum cleaner does dust. My friends know when I've been on the courts from the white dots strewn about the surface. (Not to worry: the moisture in the air eventually absorbs the cornstarch.)