do Racquet grip sizes really matter??

[tennisfreak15347]

Does the racquet grip size really matter? and what does "(1/4) or (1/8)" even mean? btw, im about to buy my new racket online, but im not sure what grip size to get.

 

[tennisfreak15347]

and is there any way to measure?

 

[crazy8tiger]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/Gripsize/Gripsize.html

 

[Gemini]

Sure grip size matters. It's a matter of comfort and fit from player to player. Someone like Yao Ming, for example, would need a much larger grip than someone like...Gary Coleman. Players like Nadal that hit with lots of spin tend to play with smaller grip sizes than they're actual hand measurement because it allows greater utilization of the wrist in their strokes.

The general rule of thumb in terms of measuring grip size is measure from the tip of your ring (finger right next to your pinky) on your dominant playing hand to the center of your palm. This should give you a good basic starting point for your grip size.

Grip size is a measure of the circumference of the racquet handle (with the grip on). I, personally, use a custom grip of 4-5/16 on my Fischer racquets which is a good bit smaller than my measurement of 4-1/2.

 

[Dave M]

Does the racquet grip size really matter? and what does "(1/4) or (1/8)" even mean? btw, im about to buy my new racket online, but im not sure what grip size to get.

and is there any way to measure?

If you wrap a tape measure around a grip you'll find that it will measure one of the sizes listed, eg "4 and 1/4 inches" is to those in the USA a "4 1/4" grip size.

 

[FlyCatcher]

It depends on what is comfortable to you.

 

[anirut]

I find "grip shape ratio" to matter more, provided the grip size is not way too different from your comfortable size.

I can play comfortably and equally well with any of my adjusted-ratio grips. One is 4 1/2 and the other's 4 5/8.

 

[LafayetteHitter]

I played around with grip size a little recent going between a 3/8 and 1/2. I found the 1/2 to feel more stable whereas the 3/8 seemed to wobble a bit on flat serves. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[ledor]

grip size matters when you are in a pressure point and you start squeezing the racquet handle harder. In a tournament I had the muscles below the thumb cramp up and i couldn't move it for ten minutes. I put an extra grip on it and it felt fine.

 

[spkyEngrish]

Not if it doesn't matter to you...

 

[counter_puncher]

Grip size makes a huge difference. I bought a size too big racket, and it feels way worse than the proper size.

 

[Steve Huff]

Too big, your arm will tire out more quickly. Too small, you're more prone to tennis elbow. Of course, a lot depends on the way you grip the racket too, and the way you swing it. Nothing is really a constant any more. If you're looking for a good quick check, grip the racket tightly. There should be just enough room for you to place your pointer finger into the slot.

 

[symon_say]

For my it did, i play with 3/8" normaly, i send my regular raquet to teh stringer and while it was stringed (the job is done in about 20-30 min) i start hitting with a friend with a 1/2" raquet and it give my wirst pain for just that little time.

As soon as i get my raquet the pain just start to slowly go away.