NEED HELP - Buying new racquet

[jsnoland]

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me in buying a new racquet. Briefly, I'm an advanced beginner, having recently returned to the game after many years. I practiced yesterday with a ball machine, and my biggest problem was hitting the ball too long. I have no trouble generating power, but have some pretty serious control problems.

I would like to purchase a new racquet (ideally without spending a fortune) and was wondering what suggestions anyone may have for me. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[anirut]

What's your current stick?

And, prior to buying a new racket, ask yourself first, "WHY am I hitting long?"

Too much open racket face? Wild swings? No spin to bring the ball down into the court? etc. It sounds like the problem's in stroke techniques than the racket.

 

[jsnoland]

Current racquet is a 15 year-old Prince with dead strings and a torn-up grip that I had lying around the garage. I figured I'd practice with this first and make sure I was committed to getting into the game before buying new gear.

As for technique, I'm certain you're correct - my technique needs a ton of work and I plan to start taking lessons ASAP. Plus I noticed a ton of improvement just from the beginning to the end of yesterday's session with the ball machine.

Bottom line, I have no trouble getting some pace (and in some cases, some decent spin) on my shots, but I definitely need some control. If there is a racquet or racquets that fit this profile, I'd love to give them a try and see if they can help. This in combination with some serious lessons.

 

[anirut]

You can replace the strings and the grip. Saving money for your lessons would be a better option.

BTW, what's the model of the Prince you have? It 'could' be a decent enough racket to learn with. If not, then we'll know that you will need something else and can provide better suggestions.

I hope others'll chime in too. I'm going to sleep now -- it's 03:50 in Bangkok. Goodnight.

 

[jsnoland]

I don't have it with me at the moment, but I want to say it's a Graphite Classic. Good suggestion on re-stringing and re-gripping - I just assumed that because of its age it was probably better to go with a newer racquet. But the reality is that until I have played for a while and have gotten to really know and understand my strengths and weaknesses, I probably would be best served by using this older racquet and focusing on learning technique.

Now why didn't I think of that???? THanks for your help!

 

[Nar57981]

That's a pretty heavy stick, but if your good with it, I'd just say to restring it and get some good group/private lessons, you'll get better, also try out a tweener racquet (ie Prince Shark) just in case...

 

[anirut]

I don't have it with me at the moment, but I want to say it's a Graphite Classic. Good suggestion on re-stringing and re-gripping - I just assumed that because of its age it was probably better to go with a newer racquet. But the reality is that until I have played for a while and have gotten to really know and understand my strengths and weaknesses, I probably would be best served by using this older racquet and focusing on learning technique.

Now why didn't I think of that???? THanks for your help!

And once you get better with your game, don't sell or throw away the racket. Keep it. It'll bring back fond memories when you get older. Or, better yet, if you maintain it in good condition, you can pass it on to your kid(s) to learn with.

 

[Vamz]

I would get your racquet restrung and regripped, play for a month or two, and then get a better idea of what you need in a new racquet. I would not go directly to a tweener, because if you are advanced as you say, you might not like the power and lesser control of a tweener. After that repost the question with more specifics like what you need when it comes to power, control, feel, weight, spin, etc. I am guessing the reason all your balls are flying out is because your strings are so old and have probably loosened up so much. If you regrip and restring, you might find that you won't want a new racquet.

 

[tempura_MAKI]

as far as grip/stringing ideas, I suggest an inexpensive durable string, for the price- prince synthetic gut With duraflex. I would go with a 16g (size) and have the shop string it to your preferred specs. (i.e. 58 lbs is very common, tighter= less power and less spin, looser = more power and spin) A problem you might encounter with the higher tension is that it will minimize your pace/spin a little because it doesnt cup the ball as much... and your topspin may be your only control. just think about it for a while. as far as grip, it depends what you like. The wilson contour grip is great by itself, it is Very tacky and the contour grooves are very comfortable and easy to grip. but if you are looking for more of a base grip for when you use overgrips, the grooves can become annoying. generally grips are personal preference. some tack more than others, and some are thinner, and some absorb more... they all generally do one thing, grip.

 

[jsnoland]

I would get your racquet restrung and regripped, play for a month or two, and then get a better idea of what you need in a new racquet. I would not go directly to a tweener, because if you are advanced as you say, you might not like the power and lesser control of a tweener. After that repost the question with more specifics like what you need when it comes to power, control, feel, weight, spin, etc. I am guessing the reason all your balls are flying out is because your strings are so old and have probably loosened up so much. If you regrip and restring, you might find that you won't want a new racquet.

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated. I took the old racquet to get re-strung and re-gripped, and should have it back by tomorrow. I'll give it a few weeks/months with the old racquet to see how things play out before looking at getting anything new.

One correction, though - I'm defininitely NOT advanced by any stretch, and didn't mean to give that impression...I can get some decent pace on the ball, but I'm definitely closer to a beginner than an advanced player, without a doubt.

 

[jsnoland]

as far as grip/stringing ideas, I suggest an inexpensive durable string, for the price- prince synthetic gut With duraflex. I would go with a 16g (size) and have the shop string it to your preferred specs. (i.e. 58 lbs is very common, tighter= less power and less spin, looser = more power and spin) A problem you might encounter with the higher tension is that it will minimize your pace/spin a little because it doesnt cup the ball as much... and your topspin may be your only control. just think about it for a while. as far as grip, it depends what you like. The wilson contour grip is great by itself, it is Very tacky and the contour grooves are very comfortable and easy to grip. but if you are looking for more of a base grip for when you use overgrips, the grooves can become annoying. generally grips are personal preference. some tack more than others, and some are thinner, and some absorb more... they all generally do one thing, grip.

Thanks much - I went with your recommendations and am having the old racquet re-strung and re-gripped tonight. Looking forward to trying it out with the new strings and grip later this week, and I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again!

 

[jsnoland]

And once you get better with your game, don't sell or throw away the racket. Keep it. It'll bring back fond memories when you get older. Or, better yet, if you maintain it in good condition, you can pass it on to your kid(s) to learn with.

Great advice - I'll definitely do so. I've done that with older sets of golf clubs and skis, and you're right - the memories are fun to reflect on when I come across the old gear in the garage. Thanks for the advice.

 

[anirut]

Great advice - I'll definitely do so. I've done that with older sets of golf clubs and skis, and you're right - the memories are fun to reflect on when I come across the old gear in the garage. Thanks for the advice.

You're welcome. Enjoy your game!