I started playing with the PC600 recently and absolutely loved it. At first, I really enjoyed playing with it (stock leather grip) without an overgrip, I felt the bevels well and this definitely helped my one handed backhand. However eventually I was forced to apply an overgrip due to blisters and slippage in matches. Since then, my game has never been as good as it was without the overgrip. I recently took off the overgrip and started playing lights out again until it starts slipping from sweat. This is a curious problem since grip has never been such a big issue for me. What can I do to keep playing well with this racket minus an overgrip?
PC600 Grip Problem
- Thread starter ragnaROK
- Start date
P
PrestigeClassic
Guest
I have tried Wilson Pro overgrip and didn't like it either. I use Tourna Grip and like it the best of any overgrip. Have you tried it? I think the overgrip might be your problem.
A direct result from use of an overgrip is that the gripsize is increased by one-half of a size. To get around that, you can take off the replacement grip and wrap it very tight. Or you can sand the pallets, but this is an intensive process, and you might be better off getting another frame or set of pallets that is one size smaller and adding lightweight tape to raise the size one-half of a size. However, another frame will bring with itself a lot of new variables.
How sensitive are you to the racket's balance? An overgrip will also change the racket's balance more than anything else. To restore balance by counter-weighing the overgrip, you can add a few grams of lead tape at 3/9 o'clock (the sides), maybe a gram at 12 o'clock. But now your swingweight will also change. But some people are most sensitive to balance over all other types of frame specs, so this might work for you.
Another potential problem about the PC600 specifically is that the replacement grip is often wrapped with very little overlap. In other words, it is not smooth. Have you tried wrapping the overgrip with no overlapping? In other words edges of the overgrip will touch each other. This will help you feel the replacement grip a little more. You can also wrap the overgrip tighter.
A direct result from use of an overgrip is that the gripsize is increased by one-half of a size. To get around that, you can take off the replacement grip and wrap it very tight. Or you can sand the pallets, but this is an intensive process, and you might be better off getting another frame or set of pallets that is one size smaller and adding lightweight tape to raise the size one-half of a size. However, another frame will bring with itself a lot of new variables.
How sensitive are you to the racket's balance? An overgrip will also change the racket's balance more than anything else. To restore balance by counter-weighing the overgrip, you can add a few grams of lead tape at 3/9 o'clock (the sides), maybe a gram at 12 o'clock. But now your swingweight will also change. But some people are most sensitive to balance over all other types of frame specs, so this might work for you.
Another potential problem about the PC600 specifically is that the replacement grip is often wrapped with very little overlap. In other words, it is not smooth. Have you tried wrapping the overgrip with no overlapping? In other words edges of the overgrip will touch each other. This will help you feel the replacement grip a little more. You can also wrap the overgrip tighter.
ragnaROK,
I'm somewhat similar to yourself. Play in humid conditions so leather isn't the best option but I dislike using overgrips - lose too much feel- and not keen on synthetic replacement grips, although I find them less a problem than overgrips.
Two options I use, during the hotter months, are gauze tape and using chalk on the leather grip. The gauze is an acquired taste but it's the thinnest over-wrap you'll find and allows you to retain far more feel than a synthetic. Chalk is the simplest method and people have been using it for decades. Just keep a piece in your pocket and rub it over the grip when necessary (not unlike Lendl and his sawdust).
Not much you can do about the blisters except wait for the callouses to arrive.
I'm somewhat similar to yourself. Play in humid conditions so leather isn't the best option but I dislike using overgrips - lose too much feel- and not keen on synthetic replacement grips, although I find them less a problem than overgrips.
Two options I use, during the hotter months, are gauze tape and using chalk on the leather grip. The gauze is an acquired taste but it's the thinnest over-wrap you'll find and allows you to retain far more feel than a synthetic. Chalk is the simplest method and people have been using it for decades. Just keep a piece in your pocket and rub it over the grip when necessary (not unlike Lendl and his sawdust).
Not much you can do about the blisters except wait for the callouses to arrive.
Thanks for the response PrestigeClassic (fitting you would post something about this racket haha). I have tried wrapping the Wilson Pro Overgrip tightly but very little overlap but this doesnt seem to help. I didnt think of balance as an issue until you brought it up. I don't think of myself as sensative to balance but I could try some extra lead tape to see if that helps.
Sanding and changing pallets like you said seem to be an intensive process and leather grips are expensive. I think its either a problem with the grip (feel or thickness) or balance. I'll try both and see what happens. Thanks.
edit: Andrew, gauze tape sounds like a good idea. Does using chalk hurt the leather grip over time??
Sanding and changing pallets like you said seem to be an intensive process and leather grips are expensive. I think its either a problem with the grip (feel or thickness) or balance. I'll try both and see what happens. Thanks.
edit: Andrew, gauze tape sounds like a good idea. Does using chalk hurt the leather grip over time??
ragnaROK,
As I said, gauze is an acquired taste and, while it works for me, it's not a feel I greatly enjoy (although it is better than a synth overgrip).
Over time your leather grip, being porous (it is, after all, skin) will become clogged with dirt and sweat. So, putting chalk on it will just add to what you do naturally. It doesn't damage the leather but, when the pores become clogged, it becomes a bit more slippery. A rosin bag is another alternative but I find that too sticky.
One other option I just thought of is using a suede-style grip (again, like Lendl). The suede isn't as slippery as a standard leather grip but still allows you the same feel for the bevels.
As I said, gauze is an acquired taste and, while it works for me, it's not a feel I greatly enjoy (although it is better than a synth overgrip).
Over time your leather grip, being porous (it is, after all, skin) will become clogged with dirt and sweat. So, putting chalk on it will just add to what you do naturally. It doesn't damage the leather but, when the pores become clogged, it becomes a bit more slippery. A rosin bag is another alternative but I find that too sticky.
One other option I just thought of is using a suede-style grip (again, like Lendl). The suede isn't as slippery as a standard leather grip but still allows you the same feel for the bevels.
Povl Carstensen
Legend
I would put on a Gamma High-tech replacement grip and a thin overgrip. That would give you approx the same weight and thickness as the leather grip. A bit softer, but high tech is a firm grip.