grip and baseline

[Bach3387]

i am in the market for a new racquet, and i think i know which one i am going to get (nCODE tour 90), but i am unsettled on what grip size to get. i know that you have to measure your hand with a ruler to find out, but after i read that many pros, like federer, use a 4 and 3/8 grip size, i didn't know what i should get.
i am a baseline player with a SW FH and a two handed BH, and i swing pretty fast, but i often am inconsistent and hit balls long. my question is, if i am a baseliner who needs a little more spin and control, should i lean to a smaller grip size or a bigger grip size? like a 4 and 3/8 or a 4 and 1/2. thanks

 

[Rickson]

How tall are you? Are you male or female?

 

[Bungalo Bill]

i am in the market for a new racquet, and i think i know which one i am going to get (nCODE tour 90), but i am unsettled on what grip size to get. i know that you have to measure your hand with a ruler to find out, but after i read that many pros, like federer, use a 4 and 3/8 grip size, i didn't know what i should get.
i am a baseline player with a SW FH and a two handed BH, and i swing pretty fast, but i often am inconsistent and hit balls long. my question is, if i am a baseliner who needs a little more spin and control, should i lean to a smaller grip size or a bigger grip size? like a 4 and 3/8 or a 4 and 1/2. thanks

First off, never base your grip size on what a pro uses. Or for that matter anyone else.

Your grip size is personal. You need to start with the proper grip size for your hand. You are trying to develop racquet control. Later as you get better, you might want to experiment with smaller grips for a more looser motion. But that is a doubled edge sword.

If you play doubles or a game where you will be coming to net, I would suggest you start with a grip size that is right for your hand and maybe add an overgrip to thicken it. Larger grips help significantly with volleying and half volleys and for many their groundstrokes as it promotes stability. You can still loosen the hand up for the serve and serve well.

You always want to buy a racquet with the right grip size for your hand.

For example, I measured my hand and it says I need a 4 7/8 grip. I purchase my racquets with a 4 5/8 grip and put an over rap on it. I do not stretch the overrap tightly as I want it thicker. I like a correct grip size as it comes in very handy for service returns, volleys, etc. and does not interfere with my serve.

 

[Bach3387]

i am a male, and i play singles, and i am 6 feet tall. i am 17 years old and i am a 4.5 player. thanks BB and rickson for the advise, but i tend to stay at the baseline, and the best part of my game is my serve. so if i stay on the baseline and want more spin and control, should i still go with what BB said, or go with something else.
thanks again BB and rickson

 

[Rickson]

4 and 1/2 - 4 and 5/8. 4 and 3/8 will be too small for you unless you have tiny hands for your height.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

Yes. And you may like to experiment with various grip such as 4/3/8, 4/1/2, and 4/5/8, etc. Lets see how you feel as opposed to how we feel!.

Bungalow Bill: Wow! 4/7/8 grip size. You must be a giant. You are a giant on this Forum anyway. Regards from Pakistan.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Yes. And you may like to experiment with various grip such as 4/3/8, 4/1/2, and 4/5/8, etc. Lets see how you feel as opposed to how we feel!.

Bungalow Bill: Wow! 4/7/8 grip size. You must be a giant. You are a giant on this Forum anyway. Regards from Pakistan.

LOL, yeah I know, I rather large hands. I use a 4 5/8 grips with an overgrip. This brings it to about 4 6/8.

 

[RoddickOwnzYou]

Just my 2 cents, but i like to buy my racquet at one grip size smaller than i need it, and throw an overgrip on it. This way, when i wear out the overgrip, i just put another overgrip on...rather than replacing the whole darn thing. I was told my hand size was a 4 5/8, but i use a 4 3/8 with an overgrip, coming about to a 4 1/2. I think its mainly based on what feels good in your hand, but overall, a larger grip would seem to encourage more control as far as my game goes anyways. Try and goto a local shop and feel out racquets with different grip sizes (or better yet demo a racquet in diff grip sizes as i have done). Thats really the only way to know for sure. Good luck!

 

[dantyem108]

Bill, how tall are you. I am thinking about purchasing a racket with a 4 3/4 (nsixone 95) and I am 6'2" 170, do you think that would be ok, if I am use to a 4 1/2 ?? Thanks