Head grip shape causing injuries?

[TennisandMusic]

I've been trying out the new microgel pro and am really liking it's performance except for one thing. The grip shape is very odd to me and I have started to develop "trigger finger" in my pinky! I've never had this before, but with my semi western/westernish grip it feels like I'm "squeezing" the ends of the racquet where it is widest. It just feels plain weird. Going to a more squarish shape becomes instantly more comfortable.

My question is this. Is there a way to remedy this without having the grip remade by some customization shop? It's definitely not the size, it's the shape. It just seems like such a rectangular and fairly "extreme" shaped grip. I'm fairly disappointed that it is the one thing definitely ruining this racquet for me thus far...

 

[Ronny]

you're just not used to the "head grip shape" which is the most common amongst all racquet grips

 

[kingdaddy41788]

It's actually the least common among all racquet grips. So I'm not sure what you mean Ronny.

TennisandMusic, try the Pure Drive (or Pure Drive Roddick, depending on which version of the Microgel Pro you're using). It's essentially the exact same racquet, but the PD has a Babolat (much more squarish) grip shape.

 

[TennisandMusic]

It's actually the least common among all racquet grips. So I'm not sure what you mean Ronny.

TennisandMusic, try the Pure Drive (or Pure Drive Roddick, depending on which version of the Microgel Pro you're using). It's essentially the exact same racquet, but the PD has a Babolat (much more squarish) grip shape.

I've tried the Babolat racquets...the grip is just fine. I have no problem with Dunlop, Babolat, Wilson, Prince or any other grips that I can think of. This is the FIRST one to do this.

My only problem is I like this one better than the Babolats so I am hoping to make it work. But if I can't, I can't.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

you're not the only one... just wrap another grip around it (if it doesnt bug you)

 

[TennisandMusic]

you're not the only one... just wrap another grip around it (if it doesnt bug you)

Well I do use an overgrip. Are you referring to two overgrips or an entirely additional grip? Have to say I've never heard of that. I will try an additional overgrip on my next outing.

 

[kingdaddy41788]

An additional overgrip won't help in changing the shape much, it will just make it a bit larger. I would recommend that you at least demo the Pure Drive Roddick, as it more closely compares to the Microgel Extreme Pro once more (perhaps while you still have the Microgel Extreme Pro so that you can compare them side-by-side). because it's design is based entirely on(read: copied almost exactly from) the Pure Drive Roddick.

Note: If you have the Microgel Extreme (not the Microgel Extreme Pro version) the regular Pure Drive will be more similar to it.

 

[TennisandMusic]

An additional overgrip won't help in changing the shape much, it will just make it a bit larger. I would recommend that you at least demo the Pure Drive Roddick, as it more closely compares to the Microgel Extreme Pro once more (perhaps while you still have the Microgel Extreme Pro so that you can compare them side-by-side). because it's design is based entirely on(read: copied almost exactly from) the Pure Drive Roddick.

Note: If you have the Microgel Extreme (not the Microgel Extreme Pro version) the regular Pure Drive will be more similar to it.

I have the pro and access to the pure drive as well. I have a number of racquets lying around actually but prefer the head for the way it hits. But it's the only one that seems to cause my pinky finger to get slightly "stuck" (also only happens in the morning).

So I am gathering there is no real "easy" way to perhaps fix this other than drop the racquet?

 

[kingdaddy41788]

Well you can pay around $60 to have the grip pallet changed to a Wilson or Babolat pallet if it's what you really really want, but it will look silly with a Babolat or Wilson buttcap on it IMO.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

just an addition overgrip

 

[TennisandMusic]

Well you can pay around $60 to have the grip pallet changed to a Wilson or Babolat pallet if it's what you really really want, but it will look silly with a Babolat or Wilson buttcap on it IMO.

Yeah the cost would preclude the term "easy" if you ask me. No way is the racquet perfect enough to warrant an additional 60 dollars to change the grip pallet. I'll just see what I can do, and I'll also give the Roddick a try since I've only tried the pure drive cortex but not the Roddick version.

 

[kingdaddy41788]

Yeah the cost would preclude the term "easy" if you ask me. No way is the racquet perfect enough to warrant an additional 60 dollars to change the grip pallet. I'll just see what I can do, and I'll also give the Roddick a try since I've only tried the pure drive cortex but not the Roddick version.

Haha true. I'd definitely give the Roddick a shot. It's almost identical to the Extreme Pro. And it feels a lot different from the PD Cortex standard.

 

[Vantage_User]

You can try to modify the grip shape by mask tape, and see how it feels before you go and get a handle remold. There are discussions on how to modify Head's grip shape into more like, say Wilson, Dunlop grip. I couldn't find that discussion, but from what I recalled and I did actually try last week on my PT280, the result is very good.

Basically, I put 3 layers of paper-like mask tape (each) on bevel no.1 and no.4, that are the top and bottom wide bevels (with butt cap Head logo at upright position). Remember to cut the mask tape into the same width of the bevel, otherwise, it will affect the shapeness of the bevel after you put the replacement on.

It works great for me and it adds minimal amount of weight. If you do find the change in weight and balance affect your game, try using a thinner overgrip to compensate it. Hope this help.

 

[TennisandMusic]

You can try to modify the grip shape by mask tape, and see how it feels before you go and get a handle remold. There are discussions on how to modify Head's grip shape into more like, say Wilson, Dunlop grip. I couldn't find that discussion, but from what I recalled and I did actually try last week on my PT280, the result is very good.

Basically, I put 3 layers of paper-like mask tape (each) on bevel no.1 and no.4, that are the top and bottom wide bevels (with butt cap Head logo at upright position). Remember to cut the mask tape into the same width of the bevel, otherwise, it will affect the shapeness of the bevel after you put the replacement on.

It works great for me and it adds minimal amount of weight. If you do find the change in weight and balance affect your game, try using a thinner overgrip to compensate it. Hope this help.

Thanks! (err message is too short) Thanks again!

 

[grass_hopper]

I customized my grip on extreme pro by strip the grip then adding two 1 inch wide clear duct tape made for shipping packages to each side of handle and putting the grip back on. The clear duct tape is very thin and does not add to grip size, however the grip became rounder and more like wilson grips which i like the best. This works every time on Head grips which are shaped more like a 2 by 4 board to me.

 

[babar]

I use a Head LM Instinct which is rectangular in shape. I thought that the newer Head FP racquets had more rounded grip shapes. Does that not extend to the MicroGel racquets? I am just wondering since I was thinking of trying the MicroGel.

 

[alcap26]

I used 8 strips of electrical tape on bevel 1 and 4 the same way as mentioned above and it worked pretty good. I also heard of using balsa wood on those bevels.

 

[vsdtrek]

Hi -

Some guys glue balsa wood on the handle to beef up bevels. I believe I have some on some Volkls I just bought from another TT member and it works great. I think a search using the term "balsa" will bring up how it is done.

 

[Vantage_User]

Correction, it should be bevel no.1 and no.5 not no.4. The two wide bevel with butt cap Head Logo upright. Hope you like this modification.

 

[kaztennis]

I've been trying out the new microgel pro and am really liking it's performance except for one thing. The grip shape is very odd to me and I have started to develop "trigger finger" in my pinky! I've never had this before, but with my semi western/westernish grip it feels like I'm "squeezing" the ends of the racquet where it is widest. It just feels plain weird. Going to a more squarish shape becomes instantly more comfortable.

My question is this. Is there a way to remedy this without having the grip remade by some customization shop? It's definitely not the size, it's the shape. It just seems like such a rectangular and fairly "extreme" shaped grip. I'm fairly disappointed that it is the one thing definitely ruining this racquet for me thus far...

I did get this trigger finger in my pinky too! One thing you can do to prevent this is to hold the racquet lightly. One should not grip the racquet(regardless of type of grips)too tightly but grip little bit firmly when you hit the ball(at impact). This will actually improve groundstrokes and servers,etc and also helps you prevent getting the trigger finger pinky.
You can also try hitting the ball with more top spin and hitting it in front of your body which helps you not get that pinky. I've been there so try giving it a try

 

[stormholloway]

Buy Add-On. Take the Add-On and add it around all the bevels except 3 and 9 o'clock.

People who suggest adding overgrips are just dumb. How would that change the grip shape?

 

[tenniko]

i actually prefer the head grip shape
it enables you to hit more through the ball imo

is there any method of making other grips like the head's?

 

[FedUp]

I had used the flexpoint prestige for some time without any difficulty. The racquet grips that give me the most grief are the volkls. I demoed the DNX 9, 10 m, 10 mp individually over the course of months with recurrence of the same hand pain evertime I picked up one of those racquets. The pain was isolated to the palm area under my fifth digit (pinky).