Different grip shapes on Head racquets

AggieJason · Jun 16, 2018

I recently acquired 2 Head racquets, a Graphene Touch Speed Pro and a Graphene Touch Prestige MP, both in a 4-1/2 grip size. The Speed grip is more of a rounded shape, the Prestige is kind of an oval shape. The Speed grip feels better in my hand. Why would Head use different grip shapes on these racquets??
Thanks!

CopolyX · Jun 16, 2018

head is just nuts. they have traditional head, rectangular, shape, rounder, & more...why they are based of there different series. Most can be changed...just a little more difficult depending on your path in the good ole USA..

tegg96 · Jun 16, 2018

The Prestige grip is Heads traditional shape grip since the beginning. It is considered more rectangular in shape. It suits a eastern style grip where you drive more directly through the ball. Its code printed on the pallet is TK82.
The Speed line of racquets that were introduced in around 2009 saw the TK82S pallets included on them. These are more a square/round shape, very similar to Babolat's grip shape. They are thought to encourage a easier low to high top spin action, with a semi western grip.
Its all a personal preference on which one you prefer. The unique thing with of all Head racquets is the grip pallets can be swapped out and changed to any shape and size combination you desire. I have swapped many Prestige TK82 to TK82S.
Prestige TK82 traditional rectangular
Radical TK82 traditional rectangular
Speed TK82S square
Extreme TK82S square
Instinct TK82S square

AggieJason · Jun 16, 2018

tegg96 said:
The Prestige grip is Heads traditional shape grip since the beginning. It is considered more rectangular in shape. It suits a eastern style grip where you drive more directly through the ball. Its code printed on the pallet is TK82.
The Speed line of racquets that where introduced in around 2009 saw the TK82S pallets included on them. These are more a square/round shape, very similar to Babolat's grip shape. They are thought to encourage a easier low to high top spin action, with a semi western grip.
Its all a personal preference on which one you prefer. The unique thing with of all Head racquets is the grip pallets can be swapped out and changed to any shape and size combination you desire. I have swapped many Prestige TK82 to TK82S.
Prestige TK82 traditional rectangular
Radical TK82 traditional rectangular
Speed TK82S square
Extreme TK82S square
Instinct TK82S square

So where might I purchase this TK82S grip pallet you speak of??

jdawg02 · Jun 16, 2018

AggieJason said:
So where might I purchase this TK82S grip pallet you speak of??

Head pallets are not sold in the USA you will need to order from R A C Q U E T D E P O T U K

JustTennis76 · Jun 16, 2018

AggieJason said:
I recently acquired 2 Head racquets, a Graphene Touch Speed Pro and a Graphene Touch Prestige MP, both in a 4-1/2 grip size. The Speed grip is more of a rounded shape, the Prestige is kind of an oval shape. The Speed grip feels better in my hand. Why would Head use different grip shapes on these racquets??
Thanks!

While your facts maybe true about different shapes, I have never been bothered by them as a regular recreational 4.5 player. As I put a overgrip, I hardly notice any difference. I have owned many head and wilsons. My game style probably is immune to the grip shapes.

tegg96 · Jun 16, 2018

JustTennis76 said:
While your facts maybe true about different shapes, I have never been bothered by them as a regular recreational 4.5 player. As I put a overgrip, I hardly notice any difference. I have owned many head and wilsons. My game style probably is immune to the grip shapes.

In the smaller sizes eg4 1/4 the shape difference isn't overly obvious, but up at 4 1/2 the difference is substantial. Some people are super sensitive to the grip shape, it can make a big difference in your swing path and feel.
I believe Dominics Theims, Babolat Pure Strike, has a custom grip on it to mimic the Head TK82 shape, as he used to use a Head Prestige.

Centrius · Oct 23, 2019

Do the new Gravity models have the grip shape of the current Prestige ones or the same as the other Head lines? Thanks in advance.

Hankenstein · Oct 23, 2019

Centrius said:
Do the new Gravity models have the grip shape of the current Prestige ones or the same as the other Head lines? Thanks in advance.

Gravity have the round/square shape of Speed/instinct/extreme

Current Prestige have a more rectangular grip shape. If im not completely out in the blue, all Head racquets from 2020 will have the "speed" type round pallet (TK82S)

Centrius · Oct 23, 2019

Hankenstein said:
Gravity have the round/square shape of Speed/instinct/extreme

Current Prestige have a more rectangular grip shape. If im not completely out in the blue, all Head racquets from 2020 will have the "speed" type round pallet (TK82S)

I'm glad to hear that, thank you.

DrWang · Oct 24, 2019

The so called square head grip tk82s is still rectangular in shape. It's not anything close to a square Babolat grip. Works good for one handed backhand. For me, my forehand had lower arcing of the ball on shots. Totally messed up my son's game when he tested a head speed s after playing with a Babolat PA for 3 years. Promptly went back to the PA.

d-quik · Mar 18, 2021

tegg96 said:
It suits a eastern style grip where you drive more directly through the ball

Hmm, awkward

Court_Jester said:
I remember a post not too long ago saying that the shape was chosen for those who use the western grip. Supposedly, that shape is more advantageous for that kind of a grip.

LordRaceR said:
With Head grip shape you can use smaller grip size without twisting problems, and smaller grip is generally better for semi or western forehand and backhand

Different grip shapes on Head racquets

AggieJason

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CopolyX

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tegg96

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AggieJason

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tegg96

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Centrius

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DrWang

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