Balance (Head Light/Heavy)

[Hot Sauce]

From TW:

"Balance: Static measure of weight distribution in a racquet and measured from the butt end in inches and/or centimeters. Commonly referenced in "points" head light or head heavy - each "point" represents 1/8 inch. Generally speaking, heavier racquets are head light to maintain maneuverability, while most of today's super-light racquets are head heavy to supply enough mass (which translates into power) to the area of the frame where the ball is being contacted. A 27 inch racquet with a balance point of 12-1/2 inches is 1 inch, or 8 points head light (even balance would be 13-1/2 inches). A 28 inch racquet with a balance point of 15 inches is 1 inch (or 8 points) head heavy. Static balance ultimately affects swingweight (see below), which is a dynamic measure of racquet maneuverability."

I've read it over many times, but I don't understand it. If a racquet scores low in points, does that mean it is head heavy, and vice versa?

 

[CaveMan]

8 pts = 1 inch.

so if you have a racquet that is even in weight, its not going to be head light or head heavy.

if you have a racquet that is 2 pts headlight, then its 1/4 (1/8 + 1/8 ) of an inch towards the grip.

 

[Hot Sauce]

8 pts = 1 inch.

so if you have a racquet that is even in weight, its not going to be head light or head heavy.

if you have a racquet that is 2 pts headlight, then its 1/4 (1/8 + 1/8 ) of an inch towards the grip.

So it is at balance at 1/4 inch towards the grip, meaning that the grip is heavier?

 

[larry10s]

Headlight/headheavy

thinf of it like this. the middle of the racquet is 0(zero) if the balance point is towards the handle the racquet is headlight. if the balance point is towards the hoop the balance is headheavy. to determine HOW hheadlight or headheavy the racquet you measure how far from the center is the balance point. 8 points = one inch . SO 4 points headlight would be a balance point 1/2 inch from center. if you measured that from the butt cap on a 27 inch racquet that would come to 13 inches.4 points headheavy would be 1/2 inch towards the top (hoop). in a 27 inch racquet that woukd be 14 inches from th buttcap. you could then convert inches to centimeters to convert to metric or measure in centimeters and convert to inches. SO the points tell you HOW FAR from the balance point you are and the descriptor headlight /headheavy tells you which direction. hope ths helps.

 

[larry10s]

Headlight/headheavy

CORRECTION the points tell you how far from the CENTER of the racquet the balance point is and headlight headheavy tells you in what direction

 

[fuzz nation]

Basically you're right - the grip end of the racquet is heavier.

Sometimes the balance point of a racquet will be listed in a measurement in inches or centimeters from the end of the butt cap and then you have to do your own math to figure out what kind of balance the frame has. I just happen to know that I'm used to sticks with 8-10 pts headlight balance. Once you get familiar with how different weight distributions in racquets feel when you swing them, you'll have a good idea of what to look for if you're shopping for something. You can also dial in your favorite balance with a frame you already have by adding lead, etc. to one end or the other. Sorry if I'm mastering the obvious there...

 

[larry10s]

with all do respect how do you get to professional and not know this?

 

[Hot Sauce]

with all do respect how do you get to professional and not know this?

Professional is a title for post count. It doesn't correspond to anything else. And thanks to all the people who responded, I believe I fully understand the concepts now.

 

[Bubba]

8 pts = 1 inch.

so if you have a racquet that is even in weight, its not going to be head light or head heavy.

if you have a racquet that is 2 pts headlight, then its 1/4 (1/8 + 1/8 ) of an inch towards the grip.

Add... the balance point (location) is measured from the end of the butt cap.