Grip Size Question

[Krulik]

Second post!

This one is kind of a continuation of my "Tall & Athletic" post about which racquet (size, weight) to get.

I think I'm measuring my hand correctly. From the crease in my palm to my ring finger is 5". Does that sound right? I'm 6'5" 215lbs. and my total hand size from base to tip of the middle finger measures 8.25".

What's my grip size?

 

[Shroud]

Second post!

This one is kind of a continuation of my "Tall & Athletic" post about which racquet (size, weight) to get.

I think I'm measuring my hand correctly. From the crease in my palm to my ring finger is 5". Does that sound right? I'm 6'5" 215lbs. and my total hand size from base to tip of the middle finger measures 8.25".

What's my grip size?

Sounds like an L8 which would mean 4 5/8 and 3 overgrips or a 3/8 and a replacement grip and some customization to keep the bevels.

Here is a video that shows my handle its between 5 1/4" to 5 1/2" circumference. It would probably suit you very well

 

[esgee48]

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/lc/Gripsize.html
4 5/8 is the biggest grip size manufactured by a lot of brands. A real 5 means you will need to build the grip up a lot. You can do it at the expense of losing the bevels [not good] or using extra thick replacement grips.

 

[Krulik]

Sounds like an L8 which would mean 4 5/8 and 3 overgrips or a 3/8 and a replacement grip and some customization to keep the bevels.

Wow! So should I just be looking at the 5/8ths frames then and as I progress go get my handle built up? I have the same issue with golf having to utilize a midsize grip with a couple wraps to get it just right. Kinda sucks.

 

[Shroud]

Wow! So should I just be looking at the 5/8ths frames then and as I progress go get my handle built up? I have the same issue with golf having to utilize a midsize grip with a couple wraps to get it just right. Kinda sucks.

Good luck finding 5/8 racquets. Think only Prince is still making them last I looked. But yeah if you could find one it would be a good starting point.

I start with 3/8 myself and go from there but the way I do it it ends up pretty square.

You can buy a 3/8 and a replacement grip but instead of wrapping it cut 7" strips the size and shape of each bevel and attach. Then wrap two overgrips you should still have solid bevels. I recall doing that with some double sided tape. It may take 2 replacement grips to do one handle but I dont think so.

 

[Krulik]

Good luck finding 5/8 racquets. Think only Prince is still making them last I looked. But yeah if you could find one it would be a good starting point.

I've noticed a couple Babolats that have a "5/8" grip size, is that not the same thing?

I also found this link here (https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/increasegrip.html) that shows how to size up a grip if you need to. Is this not the preferred method of doing it?

Sorry for all the questions and stuff.

 

[stephenpinkus]

Good luck finding 5/8 racquets. Think only Prince is still making them last I looked. But yeah if you could find one it would be a good starting point.

I start with 3/8 myself and go from there but the way I do it it ends up pretty square.

You can buy a 3/8 and a replacement grip but instead of wrapping it cut 7" strips the size and shape of each bevel and attach. Then wrap two overgrips you should still have solid bevels. I recall doing that with some double sided tape. It may take 2 replacement grips to do one handle but I dont think so.

Volkl makes 5/8 grips. I just bought a VSense V1 mp

 

[Shroud]

I've noticed a couple Babolats that have a "5/8" grip size, is that not the same thing?

I also found this link here (https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/LC/increasegrip.html) that shows how to size up a grip if you need to. Is this not the preferred method of doing it?

Sorry for all the questions and stuff.

A few manufacturers are still making them it's true. If you can get one go for it but imho starting with a smaller size probably better long term as few 5/8 are around

Nothing wrong with that link except that no one likes the heat shrink and no one uses it because of the weight and how it kills bevels. Do your own research on that

Simple would be to get a 5/8 and add an overgrip or 2 and see how that feels may be ok. And you should add some lead in the hoop to retain balance

 

[Shroud]

Volkl makes 5/8 grips. I just bought a VSense V1 mp

Good Volkl is dead to me was all excited about their vibe control but lol that was the one brand that hurt my arm. Sent that organix 6 to my bud and it hurt his arm too.

 

[stephenpinkus]

I can’t speak to the organix v6. However I can speak to the various V1 MP models. Each seems a little different but all have one lcd, easy on arm. As far as heat shrink sleeves, try the white half sleeve. Half the weight and retains the bevels. As far as finding a 5/8 grip size, the shop where I bought my latest, they had three in stock, two of which had same weight and balance.

 

[Imago]

Sounds like an L8 which would mean 4 5/8 and 3 overgrips or a 3/8 and a replacement grip and some customization to keep the bevels.

Here is a video that shows my handle its between 5 1/4" to 5 1/2" circumference. It would probably suit you very well

Yours is at least by one or two fingers bigger. The proper and healthy distance between the top of the finger and the Venus mount should by one pinky - no squeezing.

 

[TagUrIt]

 

[Shroud]

Yours is at least by one or two fingers bigger. The proper and healthy distance between the top of the finger and the Venus mount should by one pinky - no squeezing.

That is the common wisdom. Though all that is old school has it even been updated to reflect the current grips or is it still bease on continental for everything?

Look at the pros today lots of variation and some have no distance. Its hard to tell people what is healthy. Like in my case this grip came about because of elbow issues and well i dont have to squeeze hard with this grip and its way cushier than a “proper” sized handle. And the shape is a dream if you just use sw grips and conti so its a win for me and way healthier than a normal grip. Plus zero blisters

 

[Big Bagel]

Second post!

This one is kind of a continuation of my "Tall & Athletic" post about which racquet (size, weight) to get.

I think I'm measuring my hand correctly. From the crease in my palm to my ring finger is 5". Does that sound right? I'm 6'5" 215lbs. and my total hand size from base to tip of the middle finger measures 8.25".

What's my grip size?

At 6'5" I have a similar problem finding proper grips. I just measured and have very similar hand size as you too. I normally go for a 4 5/8 grip size, but it is difficult to find racquets in that size. If you don't mind a little extra weight in the handle, what I do is, assuming I can't get a 5/8 grip, I take the grip off, add a heat shrink sleeve, then put the grip back on over it. I actually usually replace it with a leather grip, but that's all based on preference. Then I use an overgrip on top of that.

Like I said, it adds a little weight, but it's all in the handle, so it doesn't effect the swingweight too much, so unless you're a pretty experienced player who has dialed in your racquet spec preference, it will probably be fine. If you can find a 4 5/8 that's great, if not just get a 1/2 (which still isn't always that easy to come by) and add a heat shrink sleeve.

 

[Imago]

Plus zero blisters

Have you seen this?

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ger-whats-your-advice-for-this-player.623423/

 

[Big Bagel]

A few manufacturers are still making them it's true. If you can get one go for it but imho starting with a smaller size probably better long term as few 5/8 are around

Nothing wrong with that link except that no one likes the heat shrink and no one uses it because of the weight and how it kills bevels. Do your own research on that

Simple would be to get a 5/8 and add an overgrip or 2 and see how that feels may be ok. And you should add some lead in the hoop to retain balance

Starting smaller is not a good idea, as that is one of the causes of injuries for some players. It's fine for some, but others get serious problems from having too small of a grip. That's why many people still say you should get the biggest grip you can still hold comfortably.

A lot of people like the heat shrink sleeve, myself included. People on this forum aren't generally fans because so many people obsess way too much about their racquets. One does not effect the bevels that much, and I've found that a heat shrink sleeve and a leather grip usually gives better bevel feel than just a normal synthetic grip, though it does add more weight. But it sounds like he's pretty new to the game so he won't know much of a difference from adding the weight, especially if he hasn't even gotten his racquet yet.

Also, heat shrink sleeve retains bevel feel much better than extra overgrips. Overgrows lose feel very quickly; two is doable, any more than that and I can't stand it. Again, he might be able to handle it since he's new to the game, but that is something that, when he gets better, he will want, whereas the extra weight, assuming it's not too heavy at that point, can actually be a good thing for his game as he gets better.

 

[Shroud]

Starting smaller is not a good idea, as that is one of the causes of injuries for some players. It's fine for some, but others get serious problems from having too small of a grip. That's why many people still say you should get the biggest grip you can still hold comfortably.

A lot of people like the heat shrink sleeve, myself included. People on this forum aren't generally fans because so many people obsess way too much about their racquets. One does not effect the bevels that much, and I've found that a heat shrink sleeve and a leather grip usually gives better bevel feel than just a normal synthetic grip, though it does add more weight. But it sounds like he's pretty new to the game so he won't know much of a difference from adding the weight, especially if he hasn't even gotten his racquet yet.

Also, heat shrink sleeve retains bevel feel much better than extra overgrips. Overgrows lose feel very quickly; two is doable, any more than that and I can't stand it. Again, he might be able to handle it since he's new to the game, but that is something that, when he gets better, he will want, whereas the extra weight, assuming it's not too heavy at that point, can actually be a good thing for his game as he gets better.

You misread my post. By starting smaller i didnt mean to play with that grip! We were talking about grips over 5”. I just meant that when building up its better to start smaller because you have more control of the process. Not to play with a small grip

Tried the heat shrink and never liked the feel myself. Something was just off about it. But i hate leather grips too so everyone is different.

Also if this guy is new messing with removing the butt cap and staples etc is not a fun way to build up a grip imho. Easier to just cut a replacement grip to 7” strips to match bevels and wrap with an og than to mess with removing the butt cap and staples

 

[Shroud]

Have you seen this?

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ger-whats-your-advice-for-this-player.623423/

Yeah I saw that. Iirc the girl
Was letting the pinky hang off or something and they were going to build up the butt or something. What happened?

All my blisters went away and my hand is baby soft so ime bigger grip less blisters. Though i hold loose

Anyhow this guys hands are huge so he needs a bigger grip

 

[Big Bagel]

Also if this guy is new messing with removing the butt cap and staples etc is not a fun way to build up a grip imho. Easier to just cut a replacement grip to 7” strips to match bevels and wrap with an og than to mess with removing the butt cap and staples

Why would he have to remove the butt cap and staples? I just put a heat shrink sleeve on over the butt cap. I know you can take it off before applying the heat shrink sleeve, but then you have to get a bigger butt cap too. To me it's easier to just put the sleeve on over the butt cap. The replacement grip strips isn't a bad idea either, but it won't be as firm as a heat shrink sleeve, and it's easier to mess up. Definitely a decent alternative though.

 

[Shroud]

Why would he have to remove the butt cap and staples? I just put a heat shrink sleeve on over the butt cap. I know you can take it off before applying the heat shrink sleeve, but then you have to get a bigger butt cap too. To me it's easier to just put the sleeve on over the butt cap. The replacement grip strips isn't a bad idea either, but it won't be as firm as a heat shrink sleeve, and it's easier to mess up. Definitely a decent alternative though.

Yeah one could do the tubing over the butt cap. I recall the instructions saying to remove the butt cap so thats what I did.

If you are going up a size the heat shrink will be ok though he is looking at 3 plus sizes. Be interested to see the bevels after 3 heat shrink sleeves.

Yeah it should be a bit softer. Though when you wrap it it gets firmer. Fwiw my handles are not mushy nor are they hard like leather but somewhere in between. I suppose one could just use a leather replacement grip if they like that feel.