Racquet W/ 4 5/8 + Grip Size???

[beckham]

Hi, I have a friend that needs a racquet with a 4 5/8 grip size or bigger. He has very large hands and a 4 5/8 grip would most likely not be large enough, however we would be able to build it up to the proper grip size from there. He's looking for specs similar to the following:

Headsize: 95-100 sq. inches
Lenght: 27-27.5 inches
Strung Weight: 10.0-10.7 oz
Balance: 4-6 pts HL
Stiffness: 60-65 RA
Beamwidth: 19-22 mm
String Pattern: 16X20 or 16X19 - he's not to picky.

Do you geniuses have any ideas?? Any feedback would be welcome. I've been looking, and its tough, so I'm hoping you guys will have some ideas -thanks

 

[beckham]

Anyone??? 10 char

 

[movdqa]

Maybe the Babolat junior racquets? I don't know if they come in 4 5/8s though. With such big hands, it would seem like he probably has a large frame and perhaps could use something heavier in the 11-12 oz range which would be a lot easier to find. Something like the AeroPro Drive?

 

[canadave]

With such big hands, it would seem like he probably has a large frame and perhaps could use something heavier in the 11-12 oz range which would be a lot easier to find. Something like the AeroPro Drive?

^^ Yes, this is my thought too. If he's got a big frame to go along with those big hands, there's no point having such a featherlight racquet. 11-12 ounces would be a better range, and in fact, I'd say closer to 12 would be even better, if he's really that big that a 5/8 grip would be too small (again, assuming frame size is proportional to hand size).

 

[LeeD]

Agree with the others, NO need for 11 oz and lighter rackets, if you have big hands, you should be somewhat big yourself.
ANY racket handle can be built up to 4 3/4 easily. Use tape on each of the 8 sides, preserving and angles and corners.
I'm 5'11" and 150 lbs., and use 12.5 oz Dunlop 200's with 5/8 grips. No problems after 7 months at the 4.0 levels, but if I were 40 years younger, it would be nice.

 

[Winners or Errors]

The 10-10.9oz specification is going to kill this search. He needs to go heavier. To build up the grip, he's going to have to start in the 9oz range, and I can't think of any racquets in that range that would have a head light balance. Maybe once the grip was built up... He just needs to look heavier.

 

[gocard02]

Dunlop Aerogel 300 is the closest I've seen:

Head Size:
98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 10.9oz / 309g
Balance: 4pts Head Light
Swingweight: 316
Stiffness: 61
Beam Width: 21.5 mm Straight Beam
Composition: Graphite Multifilament / Aerogel
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: Hydramax Tour
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,8H
One Piece
No shared holes

 

[Venetian]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCVOLKL-B11L.html

 

[vwfye]

i build all my grips up to 4 7/8 so i just buy the biggest grip i can find and then plan on adding.

 

[mutantducky]

maybe an n-blade if you can find one.

 

[beckham]

Dunlop Aerogel 300 is the closest I've seen:

Head Size:
98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 10.9oz / 309g
Balance: 4pts Head Light
Swingweight: 316
Stiffness: 61
Beam Width: 21.5 mm Straight Beam
Composition: Graphite Multifilament / Aerogel
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Fast
Grip Type: Hydramax Tour
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T,8H
One Piece
No shared holes

I suggested this too, and he has now ordered one, I believe it will work-thanks everyone.

 

[louis netman]

Volkl used to have #6 (4 3/4) pallets....don't know what the deal is these days...may want to give them an email...

 

[Chopin]

Hi, I have a friend that needs a racquet with a 4 5/8 grip size or bigger. He has very large hands and a 4 5/8 grip would most likely not be large enough, however we would be able to build it up to the proper grip size from there. He's looking for specs similar to the following:

Headsize: 95-100 sq. inches
Lenght: 27-27.5 inches
Strung Weight: 10.0-10.7 oz
Balance: 4-6 pts HL
Stiffness: 60-65 RA
Beamwidth: 19-22 mm
String Pattern: 16X20 or 16X19 - he's not to picky.

Do you geniuses have any ideas?? Any feedback would be welcome. I've been looking, and its tough, so I'm hoping you guys will have some ideas -thanks

Don't most racquets come in 4 5/8? In all honesty, I can't believe that 4 5/8 with an over-grip or two would not be big enough for nearly anyone. I mean Nadal uses 4 1/4 and even a big guy like Safin only uses 4 1/2 with no grip on the handle and two tourna-grips. Most players now use smaller grips due to western grips. What style does he play? It's becoming increasingly uncommon to see a modern pro use anything bigger than 4 1/2.

How big is this person?

 

[beckham]

He's close to 6'4", with extremely large hands/fingers. He needs atleast a 5 1/4 grip if not larger. Trust me, a 4 5/8 is still not big enough. He has a guy out here who will be able to make it large enough, as long as he can start with a 4 5/8.

 

[canadave]

He's close to 6'4", with extremely large hands/fingers. He needs atleast a 5 1/4 grip if not larger. Trust me, a 4 5/8 is still not big enough. He has a guy out here who will be able to make it large enough, as long as he can start with a 4 5/8.

OK, no way. 5 and a quarter??? :shock: Hey, come on--that's just not possible. I'm 6'5", and have large hands, and I find a 4 5/8 almost too big (I can play with one, but I prefer 4 1/2. Recently I've actually been thinking I might go down to 4 3/8!). If he thinks 5 1/4 *if not larger* (!!!) is the right size, then he's probably not aware of what the "right size" is.

In all seriousness, if he has some physical issue, and thus has huge, gargantuan hands that are completely out of proportion to the rest of his body, then I sincerely apologize. But otherwise, there's no way he's on the right track with that. That's just too big a grip for ANYBODY. He may think that that size grip is "correct", and he may certainly be able to hold it in his hand, but that can't possibly be the correct grip size. Can it? Help me out here, people!

 

[movdqa]

Perhaps the grip you use or the style of holding the racquet makes a difference. I'm only 5'10" and I use a 4 5/8 with an overgrip and that is most comfortable with me.

 

[canadave]

Perhaps the grip you use or the style of holding the racquet makes a difference. I'm only 5'10" and I use a 4 5/8 with an overgrip and that is most comfortable with me.

mmm...perhaps. Even assuming that's true, I can't even fathom a 5 1/4 MINIMUM grip size.

Check this TW page on measuring your grip size:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Features/Gripsize/Gripsize.html

Now look at the photo of the palm with the ruler. That's a 4 5/8 grip (well, maybe a large 4 1/2 at least). The idea is to measure to the tip of your ring finger. Now look at the ruler, find 5 1/4, and imagine how big the palm in the photo would have to be in order to get the tip of the ring finger to that length. That's crazy! :shock:

If the guy really thinks he plays better with that size grip, then hey--more power to him I just think it's more likely that he doesn't realize he's playing with a grip that's too big for him.

 

[Ronaldo]

Balsa wood strips to build-up the grip are best if worried about adding too much weight. Btw, Wilson sold stock Jack Kramer Autographs 30 yrs ago in 5 1/4 H size, 15+ oz.

 

[movdqa]

I grew up using a hammer continental grip instead of a spread grip and it's quite easy to wrap around a 4 5/8s with a hammer grip. I migrated to an eastern forehand and continues with the hammer grip and then went to a semi-western forehand with eastern backhand (for topspin) and continental backhand for slice. I also moved to a spread grip though the spread is moderate.

 

[Chopin]

OK, no way. 5 and a quarter??? :shock: Hey, come on--that's just not possible. I'm 6'5", and have large hands, and I find a 4 5/8 almost too big (I can play with one, but I prefer 4 1/2. Recently I've actually been thinking I might go down to 4 3/8!). If he thinks 5 1/4 *if not larger* (!!!) is the right size, then he's probably not aware of what the "right size" is.

In all seriousness, if he has some physical issue, and thus has huge, gargantuan hands that are completely out of proportion to the rest of his body, then I sincerely apologize. But otherwise, there's no way he's on the right track with that. That's just too big a grip for ANYBODY. He may think that that size grip is "correct", and he may certainly be able to hold it in his hand, but that can't possibly be the correct grip size. Can it? Help me out here, people!

I'm inclined to agree with you. At least 5 1/4? What? If he uses a semi-western or western, there's no way that could be correct. Even if he plays eastern, I still find this hard to believe. I'm saying 4 5/8 with one or two overgrips. How could that not be big enough?

I have piano hands and I only use 4 1/4. A lot of male pros use 4 1/4 or 4 3/8. Mario Ancic (6'5") uses 4 1/4. Nadal 4 1/4. The only person I can think of that uses 5 1/4 is Ivo Karlovic and he's 6'10" with size 18 shoes. I mean, does someone that is approaching 6'4" really have hands this big:
http://www.croatia.org/crown/content_images/Ivo_Karlovic_Texas2_CROWN_2007.jpg

 

[beckham]

OK, no way. 5 and a quarter??? :shock: Hey, come on--that's just not possible. I'm 6'5", and have large hands, and I find a 4 5/8 almost too big (I can play with one, but I prefer 4 1/2. Recently I've actually been thinking I might go down to 4 3/8!). If he thinks 5 1/4 *if not larger* (!!!) is the right size, then he's probably not aware of what the "right size" is.

In all seriousness, if he has some physical issue, and thus has huge, gargantuan hands that are completely out of proportion to the rest of his body, then I sincerely apologize. But otherwise, there's no way he's on the right track with that. That's just too big a grip for ANYBODY. He may think that that size grip is "correct", and he may certainly be able to hold it in his hand, but that can't possibly be the correct grip size. Can it? Help me out here, people!

Yes, your right, his body is out of proportion. We have talked to 4 coaches, two who are our coaches at hs and they all agree that 5 1/4 at least. His fingers are LONG!!!

 

[beckham]

I'm inclined to agree with you. At least 5 1/4? What? If he uses a semi-western or western, there's no way that could be correct. Even if he plays eastern, I still find this hard to believe. I'm saying 4 5/8 with one or two overgrips. How could that not be big enough?

I have piano hands and I only use 4 1/4. A lot of male pros use 4 1/4 or 4 3/8. Mario Ancic (6'5") uses 4 1/4. Nadal 4 1/4. The only person I can think of that uses 5 1/4 is Ivo Karlovic and he's 6'10" with size 18 shoes. I mean, does someone that is approaching 6'4" really have hands this big:
http://www.croatia.org/crown/content_images/Ivo_Karlovic_Texas2_CROWN_2007.jpg

He is 6' 4" weights 150 and wears size 15 shoes. His father is 6' 8" and wears size 18-19 shoes. Its genetic.

 

[canadave]

Yes, your right, his body is out of proportion. We have talked to 4 coaches, two who are our coaches at hs and they all agree that 5 1/4 at least. His fingers are LONG!!!

Ah, okay....I guess if that's the case, then maybe 5 1/4 is in the realm of possibility, at least. Just out of curiosity, has he done the measurement (from the line on his palm to the tip of his ring finger?)

 

[beckham]

Ah, okay....I guess if that's the case, then maybe 5 1/4 is in the realm of possibility, at least. Just out of curiosity, has he done the measurement (from the line on his palm to the tip of his ring finger?)

No, and we are speculating, although the coaches know what they are talking about, so they are probably correct. If you read my previous post, you'll see he has inherited his fathers genes. Its unbelieveable, but true. I'll see if I can get the measurement out of interest.

 

[canadave]

No, and we are speculating, although the coaches know what they are talking about, so they are probably correct. If you read my previous post, you'll see he has inherited his fathers genes. Its unbelieveable, but true. I'll see if I can get the measurement out of interest.

Actually yes, that'd be very interesting to see what the actual measurement turns out to be. If it really is 5 1/4, I would be absolutely astonished, but I'd be very interested in any case in learning what the actual measurement is, if you wouldn't mind posting it here.

 

[caprivi]

Check this TW page on measuring your grip size:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Features/Gripsize/Gripsize.html

Now look at the photo of the palm with the ruler. That's a 4 5/8 grip (well, maybe a large 4 1/2 at least). The idea is to measure to the tip of your ring finger. Now look at the ruler, find 5 1/4, and imagine how big the palm in the photo would have to be in order to get the tip of the ring finger to that length. That's crazy! :shock:

Hmm...I measured myself and I got 5 3/16". My palm isn't really big, I've just got long fingers. Now I know why I preferred 4 3/4" grips when they used to make them. These days I make do with 5/8ths and an overgrip.

 

[gastro54]

5 1/4?!

Almost there - 5/8 w/ a OG is perfect for me

 

[ckledzepplin]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCBAB-BAST08.html

Aero Storm Tour

 

[SFrazeur]

Give the Wilson midplus K Tour / n Tour a looking. It has a more head heavy balance than you specified, but weight can easily be added to the handle from the trapdoor.

-SF

 

[beckham]

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCBAB-BAST08.html

Aero Storm Tour

Thats a good suggestion, except the swingweight is way to high. I told suggested the Dunlop Aerogel 300, as well as several other posters and he has now ordered one. I believe he will like it. Thanks

 

[canadave]

5 1/4?!

Almost there - 5/8 w/ a OG is perfect for me

Actually, it looks in the photo like you might need to move that ruler "up the palm crease" a little bit....I think the line of the ruler is supposed to be along the line where your third finger and ring finger meet, not the line formed in the middle of your ring finger. That may seem like a small distinction, but if you apply it to the photo you posted, it looks like you'd wind up with about 1/4" less distance.

 

[PrinceMoron]

OK, no way. 5 and a quarter??? :shock: Hey, come on--that's just not possible. I'm 6'5", and have large hands, and I find a 4 5/8 almost too big (I can play with one, but I prefer 4 1/2. Recently I've actually been thinking I might go down to 4 3/8!). If he thinks 5 1/4 *if not larger* (!!!) is the right size, then he's probably not aware of what the "right size" is.

In all seriousness, if he has some physical issue, and thus has huge, gargantuan hands that are completely out of proportion to the rest of his body, then I sincerely apologize. But otherwise, there's no way he's on the right track with that. That's just too big a grip for ANYBODY. He may think that that size grip is "correct", and he may certainly be able to hold it in his hand, but that can't possibly be the correct grip size. Can it? Help me out here, people!

I am 6'5" and use Prince Speedport Tours grip 5 with a heatshrink grip, plus 2tournagrips. That is the "correct" size for me, as per the manual. I've got large hands, but the main reason I build the grips up so much is that for me there has to be a correlation between the racket head size and the grip. I learnt with wooden frames like the Snauwaert Gottfried autograph, and then PS 85s. Small heads with a grip 4 seem fine to me, I just play with the racket held in the fingers and less in the palm. Check out Federer's grip when he is serving, it is all fingers, half the palm is empty.

For me a 97" or larger head with a grip 4 just feels awful.

You certainly can't spin the racket in your hand with a grip 6+, but then players with oversized grips are probably playing with an eastern grip, and hitting with a similar grip off both sides.

With a head light modern frame I can get the racket head round through the ball even with a BIG grip size, so there is very little difference in my play between a midplus grip 6+ or an 85 grip 4. The only thing that takes time to adapt is hardening up the hands to avoid blisters going down to a small grip. Other way round is easy. But I would not play with an 85 grip 5 even, would feel like a toothpick.

I have strung pros' rackets at clay court tournaments in the UK - yes we did have one! - and thought I too should be using a grip 3 with an overgrip, but reality soon checked in. When you learnt to play indoors on a wooden floor, small grips and topspin is sth you leave for the modern generation.