AggieJason
Semi-Pro
I currently play an L4. What are the pros and cons of going down a size? Is it a common thing for players to use a smaller grip than they "should"?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Going down a grip size
- Thread starter AggieJason
- Start date
Winners or Errors
Legend
Why do you want to change? Do you feel like the grip is too large?
AggieJason
Semi-Pro
Not really. Just curious.
Jakesteroni
Semi-Pro
More whip is the usual answer. I settled with 3/8, use to play 5/8 or 1/2, but I think mine is actually 1/2 with overgrip since I changed my replacement with a Babolat syntec Pro. Pros, CAN but not always depends on person to produce more racket head speed, cons, more wristy, may not suit your stroke. I went to 1/4 and felt my one handed backhand suffered. Really preference. Gotta try for yourself.
The usual recommendations to reduce grip sizes (without changing pallet) are:
- Tourna Pro Thin replacement grip: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Tourna_Pro_Thin_Replacement_Grip_Black/descpageUNIQUE-UTPTRG.html
- Kimony Techni leather grip: http://kimonyusa.com/TechniLeather.html
- Tourna Pro Thin replacement grip: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Tourna_Pro_Thin_Replacement_Grip_Black/descpageUNIQUE-UTPTRG.html
- Kimony Techni leather grip: http://kimonyusa.com/TechniLeather.html
Lavs
Hall of Fame
I have more control with L4. Also I am able to relax my arm more with bigger grip. I can produce just the same amount of spin with both grip sizes. In addition, my OHBH is more consistent with L4 than with L3. Having said that, I used to play a lot with L3 and recently switched to L4 (although I do not have large hands).
PS: Buttcap form can influence to your decision. I do not like Wilson's buttcaps and absolutely love Babolat's ones
PS: Buttcap form can influence to your decision. I do not like Wilson's buttcaps and absolutely love Babolat's ones
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
You get tennis elbow more easily with a grip that's too small
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
The advantage is the racket will be more whippier allowing you to put a little more spin on the ball. The disadvantage is you will loose stability. The larger the grip the more leverage you have to stabilize the racket on miss hits. As long as you don’t have arm problems (or any that may develop) go with what you like.
fuzz nation
G.O.A.T.
Smaller grip sizes seem to have become very much the fashion in the last couple of years, at least on these threads. I coach high school teams and I don't scrutinize everybody's gear up close, but it seems like pretty much all the kids play with grip sizes that are 4 3/8" or smaller, including the boys. And a few of the stronger kids swear by that aspect of a smaller grip that allows them to more easily whup on the ball compared with a larger alternative. So those seem to be more comfortable for them.
If I'm working out with one of the kids and they eventually start shaking their gripping hand between shots to try to work out the fatigue, I usually check whether they've got a really small grip that's forcing them to squeeze too hard. I can absolutely relate there because I've always used rigs with 4 5/8" grips, but whenever I sample something with a 4 3/8" grip or smaller, I usually start feeling as though I'm squeezing a pencil. This is usually the worst for me when I'm trying to hit volleys using relatively firm grip pressure - the smaller grip just doesn't give me the same leverage over the racquet. So that's me.
My larger grips only feel restrictive in terms of my swing speeds when they don't have enough of a flare at the butt cap. If it's nearly flat down at the end of the grip, that frame will feel like it can too easily slide out of my hand when I'm trying to swing fast for strokes or serves with relatively light grip pressure. I don't need that flare to rival a doorknob like Richard Gasguet's racquets, but a little bump down there makes a big difference for me.
