Grip size: 4 5/8

R

Robbullx1

New User
Hello.

Why on earth is 4 5/8 grip size not readily available anymore?? Especially Wilson racquets. I used to play as a teenager in the 80s and 4 5/8 was very common. I took a few decades off and now am back playing. I’m mainly a baseliner with I believe I have a semi western grip and hit a topspin forehand.
Someone told me people play with slightly smaller group sizes now because of the current playing styles?

I currently play with the Clash V1 with 4 1/2 grip size and had the grip built up to a 4 5/8 by TW. 4 5/8 is not offered in the clash!
I’m a lanky 54 year old 6’1” tall with some elbow issues.
My level is around a 4.0. When I do the standard grip size measuring test it seems that I am a true 4 5/8 grip size.
Am I missing something here? Should I be using a 4 1/2 grip size now? 4 5/8 feels right to me though. I haven’t tried hitting with 4 1/2 though.

Any information and help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks! Rob
 
The trend has gone to smaller grips because whippy strokes and topspin is the thing now and using a smaller grip allows more wrist action to do it. Not sure if using overgrips is also a thing which also puts people off it because it'll go even bigger after the overgrip. In the Asian countries, even a 1/2 grip is a rarity in stores.
 
Sometimes I'd get a 4 5/8 frame and replace the grip with Wilson Feather Thin. I don't like having a thick, padded grips on my rackets.

It is true that there are less 4 5/8 than before. But Babolat's 4 1/2 feels just as thick as 4 5/8 of other manufacturers. Also, I believe you can still find 4 5/8 from Prokennex.
 
Robbullx1 said:
Hello.

Why on earth is 4 5/8 grip size not readily available anymore?? Especially Wilson racquets. I used to play as a teenager in the 80s and 4 5/8 was very common. I took a few decades off and now am back playing. I’m mainly a baseliner with I believe I have a semi western grip and hit a topspin forehand.
Someone told me people play with slightly smaller group sizes now because of the current playing styles?

I currently play with the Clash V1 with 4 1/2 grip size and had the grip built up to a 4 5/8 by TW. 4 5/8 is not offered in the clash!
I’m a lanky 54 year old 6’1” tall with some elbow issues.
My level is around a 4.0. When I do the standard grip size measuring test it seems that I am a true 4 5/8 grip size.
Am I missing something here? Should I be using a 4 1/2 grip size now? 4 5/8 feels right to me though. I haven’t tried hitting with 4 1/2 though.

Any information and help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks! Rob
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I agree with you here snd the situation in Australia is even worse. I don’t know why a Prince Diablo or Synergy DB26 along with current Dunlop, RF and Tecnifibre sticks only go up to a half. Even with Volkl and Head, you have to buy an extra grip 5 pallet and muck around doing the exchange, it’s a pain or you otherwise end up adding 2 over grips, but then it becomes too rounded.
The companies don’t have to make many, just enough to satisfy demand.
I like the fact that I can order PK from thx US with grip 5, they are fantastic.
The problem I have with many small grips is that they can play havoc with your wrist and elbow.
 
Yes- I did hear that smaller grips were the trend for whippy strokes. Is my top spin forhand considered a whippy stroke? Should I switch to a 4 1/2?
I also heard that smaller grips can contribute to elbow issues as well. If so, I do have elbow issues so that would not be good for me.
4 5/8 is my true size and feels good to me.
It is very frustrating that it is becoming increasingly unavailable on new rackets. It doesn’t make any sense to me at all. Tennis Warehouse put a heat shrink sleeve on my Wilson clash 4 1/2 to make it a 4 5/8 but I would much rather get it from the factory in the right size.
 
An additional note: I’m not willing to switch to a different racquet yet that is offered in a 4 5/8. The Wilson Clash works great for me based on my arm comfort needs- and it’s not available in a 4 5/8. Maybe the Clash V2 will be offered in the bigger size? Doubtful though. I guess I need to figure out if I should even try a smaller grip.
 
Here's an explanation I wrote a while back about the pros of smaller grip sizes. Hope its helpful:

Read most of the posts in this thread and didn't see one with a comprehensive answer. Apologies if I missed it.

Basically, a smaller grip size helps to produce more spin BECAUSE it allows for more free movement of the wrist. The modern and nextgen forehands use the wrist as a major part of the stroke while more classical forehands incorporate the wrist less than their modern counterparts. You can test this for yourself. Grab something small in diameter and something girthy and try to move your wrist around. You'll notice you're wrist is noticeably more free with the smaller one.

This is why you see pros who utilize more spin tend to use smaller grip sizes. Nadal uses a 4 1/4 grip size while Federer uses a custom mold that's between a 4 1/4 and 4 3/8. Federer's grip is larger because he likes to hit spin as well as flat forehands.

Djokovic, who hits flatter than both Nadal and Federer, uses a 4 3/8 grip size but with two overgrips.

This isn't to say that pros using larger grips don't hit spin or those who use smaller grips don't hit flat, but it is a fair generalization. I hope that helps.
 
One off the commentators indicated that to get a Volkl in a 5/8 was necessary to change the pallet. Not true - TW has 5’s available for sale. As far as your arm, the Volkls in most models are extremely arm friendly. In fact, I tried my friend’s clash and found that it bothered my arm while my Volkl V1 MP has zero vibrations.
 
Djinn said:
Here's an explanation I wrote a while back about the pros of smaller grip sizes. Hope its helpful:

Read most of the posts in this thread and didn't see one with a comprehensive answer. Apologies if I missed it.

Basically, a smaller grip size helps to produce more spin BECAUSE it allows for more free movement of the wrist. The modern and nextgen forehands use the wrist as a major part of the stroke while more classical forehands incorporate the wrist less than their modern counterparts. You can test this for yourself. Grab something small in diameter and something girthy and try to move your wrist around. You'll notice you're wrist is noticeably more free with the smaller one.

This is why you see pros who utilize more spin tend to use smaller grip sizes. Nadal uses a 4 1/4 grip size while Federer uses a custom mold that's between a 4 1/4 and 4 3/8. Federer's grip is larger because he likes to hit spin as well as flat forehands.

Djokovic, who hits flatter than both Nadal and Federer, uses a 4 3/8 grip size but with two overgrips.

This isn't to say that pros using larger grips don't hit spin or those who use smaller grips don't hit flat, but it is a fair generalization. I hope that helps.
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Ok thanks for the info. Sounds like 4 5/8 is too big but it feels right to me. I don’t have giant hands just normal long fingers I guess for a skinny dude. I guess I should try hitting with a 4 1/2 maybe.
 
stephenpinkus said:
One off the commentators indicated that to get a Volkl in a 5/8 was necessary to change the pallet. Not true - TW has 5’s available for sale. As far as your arm, the Volkls in most models are extremely arm friendly. In fact, I tried my friend’s clash and found that it bothered my arm while my Volkl V1 MP has zero vibrations.
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I’ll look into the Volkl V1 MP. I thought the Clash had a significantly lower stiffness rating though.
 
Just from personal experience, I'd be careful with this. I'm in the same boat: my hand measures 5" fingertip to crease. I'm also not a giant, just about 6'. I make do with adding overgrips to the largest handle I can get (usually a 4), and building up from a thickish base grip wrapped to be as thick and flat as possible (I usually use Head Hydrosorb Comfort).

It isn't ideal, but it's better than golfer's elbow, which is what I get if the grip is too small. As you suggest yourself, the reasons that people feel it's possible to get more spin etc. because of greater wrist movement are also the reasons that some people experience elbow and wrist issues. If you're comfortable with that grip size, I'd stick with it.
 
tata said:
The trend has gone to smaller grips because whippy strokes and topspin is the thing now and using a smaller grip allows more wrist action to do it. Not sure if using overgrips is also a thing which also puts people off it because it'll go even bigger after the overgrip. In the Asian countries, even a 1/2 grip is a rarity in stores.
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Yes, smaller grips seem to be in. Larger grips prevent tennis elbow, however. Vic Braden used to say in his videos that you should use the largest grip you can handle. McEnroe, Connors, and the Williams sisters all used 4 and 5/8 grips, to mention a few.
 
GravitysElbow said:
Just from personal experience, I'd be careful with this. I'm in the same boat: my hand measures 5" fingertip to crease. I'm also not a giant, just about 6'. I make do with adding overgrips to the largest handle I can get (usually a 4), and building up from a thickish base grip wrapped to be as thick and flat as possible (I usually use Head Hydrosorb Comfort).

It isn't ideal, but it's better than golfer's elbow, which is what I get if the grip is too small. As you suggest yourself, the reasons that people feel it's possible to get more spin etc. because of greater wrist movement are also the reasons that some people experience elbow and wrist issues. If you're comfortable with that grip size, I'd stick with it.
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Thanks for your reply! My elbow issue is Golfers elbow as well. It’s from tennis though! Sounds like I should stick with 4 5/8. Thanks again.
 
I play with a 4 5/8" grip size and get plenty of spin and racquet head speed! With the larger grip, the racquet is much more stable in my hand and I play much better. Especially improved are my serve and my volleys. I REFUSE TO BUY RACQUETS - ESPECIALLY AT THE HIGH PRICES NOW COMMANDED - UNLESS THEY COME IN A 4 5/8" GRIP SIZE. That means that I no longer shop Dunlop or Wilson.
 
A_Instead said:
My new ezone 98 is 4 3/8 as listed on the racket.
With an average thickness pros pros overgrip wrapped not lose or tight.
It measures 4 5/8..
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Useful to know. I've never played a Yonex but I held one in a shop a few days ago and thought the size 4 grip felt surprisingly good.
 
Robbullx1 said:
I currently play with the Clash V1 with 4 1/2 grip size and had the grip built up to a 4 5/8 by TW. 4 5/8 is not offered in the clash!
I’m a lanky 54 year old 6’1” tall with some elbow issues.
My level is around a 4.0. When I do the standard grip size measuring test it seems that I am a true 4 5/8 grip size.
Am I missing something here? Should I be using a 4 1/2 grip size now? 4 5/8 feels right to me though. I haven’t tried hitting with 4 1/2 though.
Click to expand...

Basically same height. I recently switched from 5 to 4. I thought I could build up, if needed. I was switching pallet shapes(old head to new head) so it was a good time to test. I didn't really miss it, after awhile. I can comfortably play down to size 2, but prefer 4. My theory is spin oriented frames will frequently stop at 4 while neutral/flat hitting frames will stop at 4/5. Younger players like spin oriented frames so most newer frames will stop at 4, unless they are widely popular. Easier to build up a size then reduce a size so it also helps reduce stock etc.
 
The way I look at it when it comes to comparing what pros do and the rest of the community including coaches and keen local players is that many pros don’t even get past their late 20’s on tour whereas coaches and district players are still competing in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond. If a pro uses a small grip plus polyester strings and they get tendinitis in their joints, well they just finish their careers and do something else. The local warrior however is out their day in day out playing for years and for these people, they need stable grips, comfortable racquets and soft strings to maintain their longevity.
As far as racquets go, the brands keep changing and evolving with their products. A few years ago you would say that one brand was making comfortable racquets and strings but then went harsh with stiffer offerings and vica versa. I suppose if I really liked a racquet and it only came in a half I could put 2 over grips on top and put up with it for a while but it shouldn’t be this way, especially now that frames are very expensive. It’s up to the manufacturer and retailer to service its customer, not the customer making compromises to buy something that’s not ideal for them. Right now I have an elderly customer who wants to buy a Yonex Astrel 105 in Australia and he needs a 1/2 and they are not even stocking that, so he is not buying one. He says to me that if he is going to spend close to $400 for a new racquet, he wants it to be right. For example I wouldn’t mind buying the new Solinco whiteout or Dunlop CX 200 or Angell K 7 Lime or TF 40 315, but no grip 5, so I am hesitant in buying them, especially if I need 3 or 4 of them,
 
Crocodile said:
The way I look at it when it comes to comparing what pros do and the rest of the community including coaches and keen local players is that many pros don’t even get past their late 20’s on tour whereas coaches and district players are still competing in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond. If a pro uses a small grip plus polyester strings and they get tendinitis in their joints, well they just finish their careers and do something else. The local warrior however is out their day in day out playing for years and for these people, they need stable grips, comfortable racquets and soft strings to maintain their longevity.
As far as racquets go, the brands keep changing and evolving with their products. A few years ago you would say that one brand was making comfortable racquets and strings but then went harsh with stiffer offerings and vica versa. I suppose if I really liked a racquet and it only came in a half I could put 2 over grips on top and put up with it for a while but it shouldn’t be this way, especially now that frames are very expensive. It’s up to the manufacturer and retailer to service its customer, not the customer making compromises to buy something that’s not ideal for them. Right now I have an elderly customer who wants to buy a Yonex Astrel 105 in Australia and he needs a 1/2 and they are not even stocking that, so he is not buying one. He says to me that if he is going to spend close to $400 for a new racquet, he wants it to be right. For example I wouldn’t mind buying the new Solinco whiteout or Dunlop CX 200 or Angell K 7 Lime or TF 40 315, but no grip 5, so I am hesitant in buying them, especially if I need 3 or 4 of them,
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Well stated...
 
I always used 5/8 in my younger days (leather grips) but as I aged and grips went to synthetic materials, I went to 1/2 with one or two overgrips. Bought a Prince Phantom not too long ago and only 3/8 or smaller available. Got the 3/8 thinking I'd have to use at least 2 overgrips but was pleasantly surprised that the grip was close to 1/2 in size. I've read that current grip sizes in Prince and some other brands are running larger than they used to and was wondering if any other posters have noticed this.
 
Crocodile said:
The way I look at it when it comes to comparing what pros do and the rest of the community including coaches and keen local players is that many pros don’t even get past their late 20’s on tour whereas coaches and district players are still competing in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond. If a pro uses a small grip plus polyester strings and they get tendinitis in their joints, well they just finish their careers and do something else. The local warrior however is out their day in day out playing for years and for these people, they need stable grips, comfortable racquets and soft strings to maintain their longevity.
As far as racquets go, the brands keep changing and evolving with their products. A few years ago you would say that one brand was making comfortable racquets and strings but then went harsh with stiffer offerings and vica versa. I suppose if I really liked a racquet and it only came in a half I could put 2 over grips on top and put up with it for a while but it shouldn’t be this way, especially now that frames are very expensive. It’s up to the manufacturer and retailer to service its customer, not the customer making compromises to buy something that’s not ideal for them. Right now I have an elderly customer who wants to buy a Yonex Astrel 105 in Australia and he needs a 1/2 and they are not even stocking that, so he is not buying one. He says to me that if he is going to spend close to $400 for a new racquet, he wants it to be right. For example I wouldn’t mind buying the new Solinco whiteout or Dunlop CX 200 or Angell K 7 Lime or TF 40 315, but no grip 5, so I am hesitant in buying them, especially if I need 3 or 4 of them,
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Yes understood. It’s just very odd to me that I can’t at least special order a 4 5/8 in the Wilson Clash 100. Especially since it’s such a popular and best selling racket. Weird.
 
And to reiterate- I have golfers elbow so it seems I need to stay with a larger grip (4 5/8). I’m told going smaller could make my elbow issue worse.
 
Why don’t you try playing with a 4 size racquet and make up your own mind on whether it is suitable for you? When you start a thread like this, only the guys who still play with big grips will primarily reply to justify what they are using. The silent majority that uses smaller grips will not reply to your thread.

If Wilson doesn’t release a 5 size for possibly their best-selling model, that tells you everything you need to know about how small the market demand is for big grips.

Most players get elbow issues from playing with poly strings at tensions above 50lbs and/or by playing with them for longer than 15-20 hours by which time they are ‘dead’ and transmitting a lot of vibrations/impact shock to the arm. Small grip sizes are probably responsible for very few elbow injuries as just about every player (including me) plays with a smaller grip than they did 30-40 years ago. Poly makes spin generation easier and techniques have changed along with it.
 
socallefty said:
Why don’t you try playing with a 4 size racquet and make up your own mind on whether it is suitable for you? When you start a thread like this, only the guys who still play with big grips will primarily reply to justify what they are using. The silent majority that uses smaller grips will not reply to your thread.

If Wilson doesn’t release a 5 size for possibly their best-selling model, that tells you everything you need to know about how small the market demand is for big grips.

Most players get elbow issues from playing with poly strings at tensions above 50lbs and/or by playing with them for longer than 15-20 hours by which time they are ‘dead’ and transmitting a lot of vibrations/impact shock to the arm. Small grip sizes are probably responsible for very few elbow injuries as just about every player (including me) plays with a smaller grip than they did 30-40 years ago. Poly makes spin generation easier and techniques have changed along with it.
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I'd still be careful, I think GE is often a technique issue (I'm guitly of that for sure). I've never used polyester strings in my life, except possibly on holiday when I've hired rackets and they've come strung with a random unidentifiable string. I use pretty arm-friendly rackets strung with multi or gut. Whatever I do wrong that gives me GE I just do less wrong less often with a bigger grip. I'm hopeful it's possible to solve that problem eventually, and I'd love to because I don't like the feel of a bulked-up grip, but I haven't managed it yet. That isn't about 'justifying' my choice of grip (who's checking?!) just sharing my personal experience that I got GE with a small grip and it went away when I built the grip up. As the OP has also had GE, I'd therefore be cautious about experimenting. However as you say, it is easy to try
 
tata said:
The trend has gone to smaller grips because whippy strokes and topspin is the thing now and using a smaller grip allows more wrist action to do it. Not sure if using overgrips is also a thing which also puts people off it because it'll go even bigger after the overgrip. In the Asian countries, even a 1/2 grip is a rarity in stores.
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We hear this a lot, but it makes no sense upon inspection unless you have small hands. Make a fist and try to rotate your wrist as much as possible. Now open your hand all the way and rotate your wrist. The smaller the grip, the less flexibility there will be in your wrist. The larger it is, the more flexibility you will have.
 
GravitysElbow said:
I'd still be careful, I think GE is often a technique issue (I'm guitly of that for sure). I've never used polyester strings in my life, except possibly on holiday when I've hired rackets and they've come strung with a random unidentifiable string. I use pretty arm-friendly rackets strung with multi or gut. Whatever I do wrong that gives me GE I just do less wrong less often with a bigger grip. I'm hopeful it's possible to solve that problem eventually, and I'd love to because I don't like the feel of a bulked-up grip, but I haven't managed it yet. That isn't about 'justifying' my choice of grip (who's checking?!) just sharing my personal experience that I got GE with a small grip and it went away when I built the grip up. As the OP has also had GE, I'd therefore be cautious about experimenting. However as you say, it is easy to try
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Just curious which sizes you are using?

There is a right size grip for most players. It is rough that the game has changed. They haven't made the grip size I started with for quite sometime and 4 5/8 was on the small side back then. It is normally about unit sales. If they could sell enough units with a 5 inch grip they would. Demand for 4 5/8 inch grips is declining to the point they are phasing it out. There is a right size for most players. Basically it really depends mostly on grip tension. Likely with the smaller grip you were holding too firmly. It could also be the racquet or that the extra build-up reduced/changed vibration. Tyler twists/reverse Tyler twists often help as it conditions and stretches the muscles/tendons involved.

About sizes in General...
Basically they reduced pass my grip size a few times. I simply adapted. Your options will eventually be to quit the games, adapt or overcome. Racquet makers only care about unit sales.
 
Grip sizes have gone up lately. I'm a former, devoted 1/2 + og user who switched to 3/8 a couple years back. I got a new Yonex, Dunlop and Head in 2020-21, all 3/8s, just to realize that they should've been 1/4 instead. These 3/8s are as big, if not even bigger, than my 1/2 Dunlops from 2010-2014. The thing is, back in the hay days of 5/8s, over grips weren't as common as they are now. If you buy a modern racket, you should be just fine with a 1/2, at least with an over grip.

I've now tinkered my frames with ultra thin replacement grips or in some cases I use only two overgrips without a base grip, just to make them a tad smaller.
 
Lorenn said:
Just curious which sizes you are using?

There is a right size grip for most players. It is rough that the game has changed. They haven't made the grip size I started with for quite sometime and 4 5/8 was on the small side back then. It is normally about unit sales. If they could sell enough units with a 5 inch grip they would. Demand for 4 5/8 inch grips is declining to the point they are phasing it out. There is a right size for most players. Basically it really depends mostly on grip tension. Likely with the smaller grip you were holding too firmly. It could also be the racquet or that the extra build-up reduced/changed vibration. Tyler twists/reverse Tyler twists often help as it conditions and stretches the muscles/tendons involved.

About sizes in General...
Basically they reduced pass my grip size a few times. I simply adapted. Your options will eventually be to quit the games, adapt or overcome. Racquet makers only care about unit sales.
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Yes, I think gripping too hard is definintely a part of it. I have found it OK with smaller grips when it's just casual rallying and hitting flat, even a size 3 +og was ok for that, but once the pressure's on in an actual game then I'll regress and pay for it afterwards. And yes, I agree, it also depends how far you're drifting away from the size you're used to. One size is perhaps not a big step. My hand measures a smidge under 5" and I usually build up to at least 4 6/8, which seems fine. However, as both you and @socallefty have pointed out, if there were a large market for bigger grip sizes then presumably they'd sell them, so I'm not expecting it to change.

I've therefore tried adapting to the smaller size, but the trouble is, because it annoys my elbow / wrist, the recovery time means I can only play once a week, and playing once a week makes it hard to groove / adapt. A bit of a vicious circle. However, I have bought a flexbar and am starting to work on the arm regularly, so we'll see if that works. I've also got an eye on Yonex rackets, but I think switching rackets too much isn't going to help my technique either.

Anyhow, apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread!
 
GravitysElbow said:
Yes, I think gripping too hard is definintely a part of it. I have found it OK with smaller grips when it's just casual rallying and hitting flat, even a size 3 +og was ok for that, but once the pressure's on in an actual game then I'll regress and pay for it afterwards. And yes, I agree, it also depends how far you're drifting away from the size you're used to. One size is perhaps not a big step. My hand measures a smidge under 5" and I usually build up to at least 4 6/8, which seems fine. However, as both you and @socallefty have pointed out, if there were a large market for bigger grip sizes then presumably they'd sell them, so I'm not expecting it to change.

I've therefore tried adapting to the smaller size, but the trouble is, because it annoys my elbow / wrist, the recovery time means I can only play once a week, and playing once a week makes it hard to groove / adapt. A bit of a vicious circle. However, I have bought a flexbar and am starting to work on the arm regularly, so we'll see if that works. I've also got an eye on Yonex rackets, but I think switching rackets too much isn't going to help my technique either.

Anyhow, apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread!
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All good! No worries. You didn’t hijack the thread.
Maybe I’ll try a smaller grip but it seems 4 5/8 is probably the right one for me especially in regards to my golfers elbow.
My golfers elbow in particular stems from lack of mobility in my shoulder and probably hitting with an open stance too often and not driving as much with the hips. i’m using my arm and elbow as the primary driver and that’s not good. The strengthening exercises that helped the most in getting me back to where I can play at least twice a week now is: commercial grade grippers (Brand: captains of crush) and supination/pronation exercises with a hammer or a baseball bat. Wrist curls with dumbbells in both directions helped as well but the other ones I mentioned help the most I believe.
Of course it ultimately comes down to fixing my technique and lack of mobility in my shoulder but these exercises I mentioned strengthened all the tissues around the elbow and it now recovers much much faster than before. For some reason the Tyler twist with a Therabar didn’t help me much but I am in the minority on that I think. Seems to help most people. I have used both the green and the hardest one- the blue extensively.
By far though- the high end grippers mentioned above and the pronation/supination with a hammer or bat helped the most in strengthening all those muscles and tissues around the elbow and forearm. Trigger point therapy on the triceps helps with golfers elbow as well. (for tennis elbow trigger point therapy on the biceps helps).
Hope this information helps with people suffering from golfers elbow.
 
Also for some reason I don’t use over grips like I did in the 80s. I like the current grips that come on the rackets so when I buy a new racket from TW - I just have them build up the 4 1/2 grip to 4 5/8 using their heat shrink sleeve and they put the regular grip that comes with the racket back on.
 
Try going down to 3/8, or at least 1/2 if that’s too far.

It might require an adjustment period of several months. But I was a happy 4 1/2 user who changed to 3/8 (mostly because the second hand market for large grip racquets is dire) and now I’d never go back.

I am a 1/2 under the old hand measuring method, but to be honest if a 6’4” pro player can use a smaller grip with no problems then that tells me all I need to know.

That measuring system was devised a very long time ago when tennis and racquets were quite different.

Also, ultimately it is you who controls how tightly you grip the racquet, so you should be able to use a slightly smaller grip with no issue provided you are conscious of how you are gripping the racquet. (Re. smaller grips causing wrist/elbow problems).
 
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GravitysElbow said:
Yes, I think gripping too hard is definintely a part of it. I have found it OK with smaller grips when it's just casual rallying and hitting flat, even a size 3 +og was ok for that, but once the pressure's on in an actual game then I'll regress and pay for it afterwards. And yes, I agree, it also depends how far you're drifting away from the size you're used to. One size is perhaps not a big step. My hand measures a smidge under 5" and I usually build up to at least 4 6/8, which seems fine. However, as both you and @socallefty have pointed out, if there were a large market for bigger grip sizes then presumably they'd sell them, so I'm not expecting it to change.

I've therefore tried adapting to the smaller size, but the trouble is, because it annoys my elbow / wrist, the recovery time means I can only play once a week, and playing once a week makes it hard to groove / adapt. A bit of a vicious circle. However, I have bought a flexbar and am starting to work on the arm regularly, so we'll see if that works. I've also got an eye on Yonex rackets, but I think switching rackets too much isn't going to help my technique either.

Anyhow, apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread!
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On my grip 3's i added a featherthin on top of the base grip and 2 overgrips on top maybe 1 pro sensation or 2

I like a really big grip it is more stable in my hand and i can hold it loose without it twisting

I think mine is like 5 and 1/2 size lol

I use 4's now and 3 pro overgrips

Or swap base grip for shockshield replacement grip which is a bit thicker + 1 pro sensation and 2 pro overgrips on a grip size 4.

This is my ideal

I dont understand how people can use smaller grips and not have the racket twist in their hand when the ball hits it vs tennis elbow from gripping tighter

Ever since i went bigger i dont have these issues anymore but it dramatically affects the balance of my rackets and means i cant put more weight in the head as like 15-25g is added to the handle only with these set ups

I need a grip size 5
 
Robbullx1 said:
Hello.

Why on earth is 4 5/8 grip size not readily available anymore?? Especially Wilson racquets. I used to play as a teenager in the 80s and 4 5/8 was very common. I took a few decades off and now am back playing. I’m mainly a baseliner with I believe I have a semi western grip and hit a topspin forehand.
Someone told me people play with slightly smaller group sizes now because of the current playing styles?

I currently play with the Clash V1 with 4 1/2 grip size and had the grip built up to a 4 5/8 by TW. 4 5/8 is not offered in the clash!
I’m a lanky 54 year old 6’1” tall with some elbow issues.
My level is around a 4.0. When I do the standard grip size measuring test it seems that I am a true 4 5/8 grip size.
Am I missing something here? Should I be using a 4 1/2 grip size now? 4 5/8 feels right to me though. I haven’t tried hitting with 4 1/2 though.

Any information and help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks! Rob
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Get a 4 1/2 and get a head hydrosorb grip those are pretty puffy and comfy and increase the size 1 grip.
 
Yeah, I wish 4 5/8 was more readily available too. Luckily I like racquets that have a high static weight and very head light balance. That allows me to build a 4 1/2 grip up (either heat shrink sleeve or duct tape, depending on what I have) and add a leather grip to maximize bevel feel. Then I generally don't have to worry about adding any extra weight in the handle with silicone or lead tape or whatever.
 
PRS said:
Yeah, I wish 4 5/8 was more readily available too. Luckily I like racquets that have a high static weight and very head light balance. That allows me to build a 4 1/2 grip up (either heat shrink sleeve or duct tape, depending on what I have) and add a leather grip to maximize bevel feel. Then I generally don't have to worry about adding any extra weight in the handle with silicone or lead tape or whatever.
Click to expand...
It changes the balance a lot though i have 3 pro overgrips, using leather grip or heat shrink sleeve adds similar weight to like the overgrips
 
Back in the day I used to play with a 4 3/4 grip, and they were available and easy to find, every racquet company made them. Some companies even made racquets with 4 7/8 grips. Eventually those were phased out like 4 5/8 are now being phased out.
 
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pete101 said:
It changes the balance a lot though i have 3 pro overgrips, using leather grip or heat shrink sleeve adds similar weight to like the overgrips
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Yeah, it does, but like I said, I like racquets that are heavy and very head light (my current racquet is 355g static and 11 points HL). And it helps to maintain bevel feel. I used 3 overgrips back in the day, but then I got a racquet that actually came in grip 5 and realized how much I appreciated the bevel feel, so I no longer go beyond 1 overgrip.
 
I've recently gone down to a 5/8 whereas I used between a 3/4 and 7/8's in prior years. My current racquet needs a lot of handle weight to get the balance point where I like it so I use heat shrink wraps and a replacement grip. I like having bevel feel and overgrips round out the handle too much for me. Fortunately, a replacement grip lasts me two to three months so it's not too much of a hassle to change it out four to six times a year.
 
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pete101 said:
That's crazy i would have thought a v9 blade pro or 98 would have it too?
Click to expand...
EZone 98, EZone 100, PS 6.1 95 v14, Volkl frames, prince frames, prestige pro, prestige tour are the only frames that currently come in 5/8. Radical Pro did but that stopped. Head frames you gotta find pallets
 
I just bought a Head Gravity MP in a 4 5/8" grip size. There were only 3 left (now there are 2) on the TW site. If Head does the same thing it did with the new Speed MP, the upcoming Auxetic v2 version will not be offered in that grip size. I play so much better with a large grip size that there is no comparison - my serves and groundies have more power and accuracy, my volleys are much better because the racquet is stable in my hand. Did I really need another racquet? No. But the Gravity Auxetic v1 close-outs have started and I snapped up one of the last 4 5/8" grip sizes. It appears that in the future I'll be buying ProKennex or Volkl racquets. Now, many racquet models are not even available with a 4 1/2" grip. My Eastern forehand is just not effective with a 4 1/2" grip size or smaller.
 
My latest racquet (Volkl VCell V1 MP) is a 5. I was initially using a Volkl grip and a thin OG. However, I’m now using a Head Hydro
Tour and it winds up being the same size as the aforementioned.
 
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I have large hands, using the finger gap method measurement, 4 5/8 with a leather grip plus an overgrip seems about right. Using the ruler method, my bottom lateral crease to the tip of my ring finger is a hair over 4 3/4. I've tried playing with 4 1/2 grips but it adds forearm strain/fatigue and some loss of feel/control. 4 3/8 feels like a toothpick. there used to be more #5 and even some #6 grips 25 years ago. Unfortunately this trend towards smaller grips limits me to a handful of brands. Building up a 4 1/2 with shrink tube or added overgrips rounds out the grip too much.
 
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