Can somebody educate on the point system for balancing ...

[HT]

What is the difference in a racquet that is 8pts head light versus a 1pt head light balance? I don't know these terms. I tried reading about it on TW, but i'm still confused. If anyone know these terminology, please share you thoughts.

 

[steebo]

Hi HT, 1 point is 1/8 of an inch; 8points = 1 inch. The difference in a racquet of 1 point and 8 points head light, given both racquets weigh the same, is the 8 point headlight racquet would swing much lighter, also be more maneuverable. Imagine swinging a hammer by the handle, then swing by the metal head, it will swing much easier with all the weight in your hand instead of up top. Hope this helps

 

[gofederer]

I complain about my Tour 90's balance being less than 7 pts HL instead of 9 pts HL as billed, and that's causing a big problem for a guy who has a weak arm like me because of its poorer maneuverability. It feels OK as long as you are playing against much weaker opponents, but when playing serious foes what a difference a few milimeters' balance shift make!

 

[Craig Sheppard]

The technical explanation is that "8 pts head-light" means the balance point of the racquet as been moved 8 points, or 1" closer to the handle than normal. On an even balanced racquet (i.e. 0 pts headlight) that is 27" long, the balance point is at its midpoint, or 13.5". When a racquet is listed as head-light, it means that weight has been redistributed so that there's more weight in the bottom (handle end) of the racquet than the top (head end). To gauge how head-light or head-heavy a racquet is, we use points, where 1 point is 1/8". So a racquet listed as 8 pts head-light has had it's balance point shifted 1 inch toward the handle, which is would be 12.5". The same holds true for head-heavy racquets--8 points head-heavy would have a balance point shifted 1" toward the head, or 14.5" from the handle-end oft the racquet.

-Craig.

 

[HT]

Thanks, guys for you great feedback. Now, I understand the technical part of my racquet even more. But lets say you have a 1 pt head light balance and you want to readjust it to an 8 pts balance. How would you go about adjusting it?

 

[Koz]

you could add lead tape, or some other kind of weight to the handle, to make it more headlight. I'm not sure how to figure out how much weight you'd need to add, to get the desired point value though. However, changing the balance of your racquet by adding weight won't make it any more manuverable. You're still adding weight, so overall manuverability will decrease (Just not a lot, because the weight will be in the handle).

 

[Gaines Hillix]

HT, if you can give me the length, total weight and balance point of your racquet, I can calculate how much weight you'd have to add to your racquet to make it 8pts HL.

 

[matchpoints]

What are the disadvantages of headlight racquets. Less power?

 

[HT]

Gaines, I currently playing with the Prostaff 6.0 85, but I have an extremely long and fast swing. The heavy weight racquet gives me more control. I recently stumbled through the vintage section of TW and saw the Donnay Pro cynetic. All the specs seems were very similar to the PS original, except that it's even heavier. The feedback comment from people also said that it plays very similar to the PS original. The only thing different was the balance. It's only 1pt HL versus 8 pts HL for the PS original. I thought maybe I could adjust it to an 8pts HL or balance the racquet evenly. What do you think?