unpopular opinion: Head's RECTANGULAR grip ****ty on forehands

[d-quik]

I am using a rectangular grip for the first time and it is hellish on FH (but actually good for serve and a OHBH). I am going to have to do some kind of surgery on the handle to change the shape but. Even when I think of pros who used head (Agassi Djokovic Dimitrov Gasquet Haas Kuerten Wawrinka Murray Safin Berdych) all had way better backhands than forehands. The only exception I think is like... James Blake maybe? Verdasco maybe? Monfils maybe? but I don't know if they are actually Dunlop or head shaped handles or wahtever (I know Djokovic doesn't use head shaped handles either) but this is an overwhelming imbalance of many many palyers with better backhands than forehands in a sport where OVER two thirds of people are supposed to have better forehands. This is a legit anomaly.

 

[Fedinkum]

There is an argument for the Head handle shape if you are open minded.

 

[Power Player]

I am using a rectangular grip for the first time and it is hellish on FH (but actually good for serve and a OHBH). I am going to have to do some kind of surgery on the handle to change the shape but. Even when I think of pros who used head (Agassi Djokovic Dimitrov Gasquet Haas Kuerten Wawrinka Murray Safin Berdych) all had way better backhands than forehands. The only exception I think is like... James Blake maybe? Verdasco maybe? Monfils maybe? but I don't know if they are actually Dunlop or head shaped handles or wahtever (I know Djokovic doesn't use head shaped handles either) but this is an overwhelming imbalance of many many palyers with better backhands than forehands in a sport where OVER two thirds of people are supposed to have better forehands. This is a legit anomaly.

Agassis FH was amazing. This entire post is insane.

 

[d-quik]

This entire post is insane.

so presenting evidence is 'insane'.

I also never said that Agassi's forehand was not amazing.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Agassi had custom grips on his Head's. Most likely a Prince-like grip

 

[rafa_prestige89]

Berdych’s forehand was always way better than his backhand.

 

[Power Player]

so presenting evidence is 'insane'.

I also never said that Agassi's forehand was not amazing.

Its not evidence. They all use custom grips man. Thats common sense.

 

[emhtennis]

I woukd rephrase and say that all those players listed had backhands equal to their forehands. Most of who you listed were #1 or #2 in the world for long stretches. And yes, almost all of them probably had custom grips.

In Agassi's autobiography he talks about his custom grip is a Prince grip but with rounded off bevel edges because of how much he wore them down hitting in his junior days.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[d-quik]

Its not evidence. They all use custom grips man. Thats common sense.

okay so making a simple mistake is now insane. cool

 

[JustTennis76]

You need to take the pros out of comparison for this topic because they are another planet level wise. Let’s bring your topic to the normal rec guy like me who is a 4.5 that got bumped to 5.0. I have been playing with head rectangular handle shape for the last 7 years or so and my opponents tell me my backhand has improved, doesn’t mean my forehand is weaker. It could well be the handle shape because I have 4 prestige pros that have TK82S Wilson shape handle and 4 that have TK82. I can clearly tell my forehand is better with Wilson handle shape.
These things actually don’t bother me much when I am playing a match to be honest as I am more focused on the points.

 

[vsbabolat]

I love the TK82 pallet shape

 

[HEAD Tinkerer]

Classic HEAD is what I am most accustomed to and don't feel any imbalances at either wing.

 

[Deleted member 769694]

I am using a rectangular grip for the first time and it is hellish on FH (but actually good for serve and a OHBH). I am going to have to do some kind of surgery on the handle to change the shape but. Even when I think of pros who used head (Agassi Djokovic Dimitrov Gasquet Haas Kuerten Wawrinka Murray Safin Berdych) all had way better backhands than forehands. The only exception I think is like... James Blake maybe? Verdasco maybe? Monfils maybe? but I don't know if they are actually Dunlop or head shaped handles or wahtever (I know Djokovic doesn't use head shaped handles either) but this is an overwhelming imbalance of many many palyers with better backhands than forehands in a sport where OVER two thirds of people are supposed to have better forehands. This is a legit anomaly.

I dont like the head grip shape either. When i used a head, i liked a 4 1/2 grip size. So i got a 3/8th head and built up the 3 and 9 oclock sides. A 1/2 would be way too big (built up), the 3/8th converted into a perfect 7/16ths for me.

I felt more pressure on my wrist using the stock grip, but loved the racket.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

Eh, it doesn’t make a major difference from going from a blade to a prestige or a pure drive to a gravity.

 

[Lphansen]

Years ago I could not use anything than Head tk76 rectangular shape. And my preferred size was 4 (41/2).
Nowadays I find myself liking the more square Prince shape much better and I am sizing down to 2 or 3..

For me I think that it has to do with a more modern tecnique, needing more RHS. For instance I have a hard time using
rectangular shape on a one handed backhand. That grip does not support my hand the right way!
Smaller sizes frees up my strokes way more than big sizes..

my two cent
lphansen

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Just moved from Babolat Pure Drive back to POG OS. Cannot tell you how much more comfortable the old-school Prince grip feels!

 

[avocadoz]

I love the Head grip shape on volleys the best. It just feels right with the continental grip.

 

[Simplicius]

.
My problem with the TK82 pallets is on the OHBH.
This is the only reason which I prefer the TK82S...

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I prefer the Wilson handle that the 82s is trying to copy due to its versatility.

You can put a thin leather grip on it and make it feel more rectangular, or do a thick synthetic that feels like a prince round handle.

 

[mhkeuns]

Love the Head grip. It actually is my favorite, along with the Prince 93P’s grip.

 

[lelopez]

Don't know about crappy FHs, but I recently demoed the Graphene Touch Prestige mid with Head rectangular handles and they gave me hand pain I had never experienced. This after 30+ yrs playing Wilson racquets. Went back to Wilson and no hand pain. So I'm considering upgrading the pallets on the GTPM to the TK82S. But in terms of playability, or stroke quality, I could not tell a difference.

 

[PT280 Fan]

I hate squarish grips, but as I've recently moved away from my beloved 12+ oz Pro Tour 280s, I've found it very easy to add cushioned splicing tape to the racket's edge side, rewrap and have some seriously nice rectangular grips with easy to find bevels. This shape fits in my hand better, makes the bevels easier to find for the four grips (two backhand grips - one for top and one for slice) that I like to use. This grip works best for me for all strokes.

 

[asifallasleep]

The only thing I loved the Head grip for was 1 handed topspin backhands, hated it for 1 hand slice backhands. Everything else I prefer a Wilson grip.

 

[KYHacker]

Rectangular grip is actually probably better for a more powerful forehand for a rec player for precisely the reason stated in the Feel Tennis video. You need whatever grip provides a relaxed but firm grip on the racquet in your palm. Head and Villa rectangular grip shape do this very well. This is also the reason that Wilson uses a much larger handle flair.

Swinging hard does NOT equal a powerful forehand. Swinging relaxed will generate a much more powerful stroke since the kinetic chain is not broken. Your forehand won’t “feel” as powerful but it will have more power and more spin.

Depending on how your swing mechanics, you may prefer a more octagonal (traditional Prince), more square (Babolat) or more rectangular (traditional Head and Volkl). The sizing will be different, however between the shapes to feel similar in your palm. Also, the more Next-gen, modern, or classic your technique, the smaller or larger your grip size. Classic technique will probably feel better with a grip size one or two sizes larger than if you are trying to hit a Next-gen technique.

All in, for a rev player, the information in the Feel Tennis video is correct. Your biggest forehands come from complete confidence in your shot and that comes with what is intuitive or natural.

I have recently started all of my racquet recommendations on finding the racquet that lets you feel the back side of the handle most naturally in your hand.

 

[HEAD Tinkerer]

Rectangular grip is actually probably better for a more powerful forehand for a rec player for precisely the reason stated in the Feel Tennis video. You need whatever grip provides a relaxed but firm grip on the racquet in your palm. Head and Villa rectangular grip shape do this very well. This is also the reason that Wilson uses a much larger handle flair.

Swinging hard does NOT equal a powerful forehand. Swinging relaxed will generate a much more powerful stroke since the kinetic chain is not broken. Your forehand won’t “feel” as powerful but it will have more power and more spin.

Depending on how your swing mechanics, you may prefer a more octagonal (traditional Prince), more square (Babolat) or more rectangular (traditional Head and Volkl). The sizing will be different, however between the shapes to feel similar in your palm. Also, the more Next-gen, modern, or classic your technique, the smaller or larger your grip size. Classic technique will probably feel better with a grip size one or two sizes larger than if you are trying to hit a Next-gen technique.

All in, for a rev player, the information in the Feel Tennis video is correct. Your biggest forehands come from complete confidence in your shot and that comes with what is intuitive or natural.

I have recently started all of my racquet recommendations on finding the racquet that lets you feel the back side of the handle most naturally in your hand.

I agree and for me, the natural feel of a classic HEAD is better for a good powerful relaxed stroke. That being said, I can confirm that I know a lot of players with smaller palms with very flat strokes that gravitate towards larger classic Wilson grips.

 

[KYHacker]

Yup. I’m moving back to a larger Grip size on my RF97A’s at this moment. As a bonus, the extra weight has made my spin more effective even if there is a little less of it.

 

[Dakota60]

I'm all for the 82S pallets because it fills your hands more completely and feels more stable for a OHBH. With rectangular grips, it just doesn't mould to your hands right for OHBH. Makes sense for DHBHers to use rectangular grips because of the way you'd grip it.

 

[KYHacker]

That’s might be right. I have a 2HBH. I think the biggest issue is making sure that the bevel that you orient into your palm for each grip is large enough to be stable and feel natural. The more you lean toward continental or eastern on either FH or BH the larger the grip size you should probably use. If you are a full western on FH, smaller grip sizes or better and I find the rectangular shape to work better for my myself.

I’m migrating back to what I call a Near Eastern (between eastern and semi-western) and I am definitely finding that I need to move up from 4 1/4 to 4 3/8 or 4 1/2 to get the feel and stability that I need.

 

[teekaywhy]

Hate the head rectangular grips. Hate the PK and Volkl ones even more for same reason.
I've always changed out Head racquets with square shaped pallets. Problem solved.

 

[nCode747]

I like the Head grips while serving, make me feel more certain I had the proper grip. However, Head's gave me bad blisters on my right hand. Had to use that invisible bandage glue which stung like crazy just to play.

 

[sredna42]

Funny OP should think that, the tk82 is the best grip shape of all. My hand locks into it perfectly no matter what shot I'm hitting. I'm actually halfway through attempting to put a tk82 pallet on a prince tt100p. tk82s was not so crash hot though

 

[pfrischmann]

Agassi had custom grips on his Head's. Most likely a Prince-like grip

You can call Roman Prokes. He has Andre's mold.

 

[babar]

I hate squarish grips, but as I've recently moved away from my beloved 12+ oz Pro Tour 280s, I've found it very easy to add cushioned splicing tape to the racket's edge side, rewrap and have some seriously nice rectangular grips with easy to find bevels. This shape fits in my hand better, makes the bevels easier to find for the four grips (two backhand grips - one for top and one for slice) that I like to use. This grip works best for me for all strokes.

How do you apply the splicing tape?
Do you just add to the top and bottom bevels or overlap onto the adjacent bevels also?
How many layers of tape do you use?

 

[David Le]

Eh, it doesn’t make a major difference from going from a blade to a prestige or a pure drive to a gravity.

They all have different grip handles/shapes.

 

[PT280 Fan]

How do you apply the splicing tape?
Do you just add to the top and bottom bevels or overlap onto the adjacent bevels also?
How many layers of tape do you use?

So let me start by sharing this video which was the inspiration for the way that I did it:

I've tried some variations of this method and that my thumb resting bevels were not quite as prominent as I would like so I went a different direction with the splicing tape. I just went to Lowes and looked for some cushioned electrical insulating tape. The kind I got is called 3M 600V max and cost about six or seven dollars for a roll. The kind they have on line 23, 19mm looks to be about the same. In any event, I just cut a strip to match the outer bevels (two - one on each side) and either place it under the original grip or over it (I used overgrips). Originally I bought this to customize my new Prince Beast 98s and was amazed at how easy and problem free it was. I just unwrapped the new grip found a sticky sleeve underneath which held the splicing tape in place, wrapped the grip back on and added an overgrip. The tape itself is almost 1/16th" thick rubber, so I started with 4 1/2 octagonal (Prince) and ended with 4 5/8 rectangular. This turned out to be the best feeling grip I have ever played with, even moreso than my PT280s (better orientation bevels). I found this operation to be more problematic on my Donnay Pro One GTs (acquired in trade) as they had replacement grips with no sticky sleeve underneath. I found the best way of affixing the two strips was on top of the grip and then wrapping the overgrip over the top. These grips were also 4 1/2 to begin with but were considerably more blockish than the Prince grips. That being said, I still find them to be extremely comfortable to play with using the method I've described.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

They all have different grip handles/shapes.

I don’t feel it as much, maybe Head from Wilson because my wilson blade has a more rectangular, blocky feel and the head is more rounded. The head is more comfortable imo.

 

[David Le]

I don’t feel it as much, maybe Head from Wilson because my wilson blade has a more rectangular, blocky feel and the head is more rounded. The head is more comfortable imo.

Wilson grip/handle is like Prince. The current Head grip/handle is more rounded off than the one from the past. If I remember correctly, the last tech with the classic Head grip/handle was the Youtek IG models.

 

[jxs653]

Even when I think of pros who used head (Agassi Djokovic Dimitrov Gasquet Haas Kuerten Wawrinka Murray Safin Berdych) all had way better backhands than forehands. The only exception I think is like... James Blake maybe? Verdasco maybe? Monfils maybe? but I don't know if they are actually Dunlop or head shaped handles or wahtever (I know Djokovic doesn't use head shaped handles either) but this is an overwhelming imbalance of many many palyers with better backhands than forehands in a sport where OVER two thirds of people are supposed to have better forehands. This is a legit anomaly.

Yeah they all had nice backhands but their forehands were not as good? I am not sure about that.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

Wilson grip/handle is like Prince. The current Head grip/handle is more rounded off than the one from the past. If I remember correctly, the last tech with the classic Head grip/handle was the Youtek IG models.

I have only ever owned two head racquets ever, the 360+ prestige mid and gravity pro, so I can’t tell what the old ones felt like lol. I hear all the time hear about the youtek and IG and liquidmetal likes and I have no clue how they felt, but from what it sounds like they are Jesus racquets.

 

[David Le]

I have only ever owned two head racquets ever, the 360+ prestige mid and gravity pro, so I can’t tell what the old ones felt like lol. I hear all the time hear about the youtek and IG and liquidmetal likes and I have no clue how they felt, but from what it sounds like they are Jesus racquets.

That’s a lot of dough you got there kiddo lol The old/classic Head racquets are great and not hallow like the modern ones. I do give props to Head for the current G360+ lines, especially the Prestige.

 

[Shaolin]

I love the Head rectangular grip shape. Didnt at first though, felt like a bar of soap or something in my hand.

I find it great for serving and volleys but like it for groundies too.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

That’s a lot of dough you got there kiddo lol The old/classic Head racquets are great and not hallow like the modern ones. I do give props to Head for the current G360+ lines, especially the Prestige.

I actually kinda like the 360+ feel. Never tried 360 or just graphene. Though I demoed the prestige MP and it felt a little hollow, though it was still soft, but somehow the mid felt better. Overall I’m coming into the fold of head racquets.

 

[David Le]

I actually kinda like the 360+ feel. Never tried 360 or just graphene. Though I demoed the prestige MP and it felt a little hollow, though it was still soft, but somehow the mid felt better. Overall I’m coming into the fold of head racquets.

The Graphene were stiff. Back then, Head tried to modernized their line ups and it was a massive step backwards. The GTouch were going towards the right direction, but the 360/360+ made them better. The Mid was a fun playtest and I did like all of the Prestige G360+ models, but the ones that stood out were the Mid, and Pro. Overall, Head is a good company, they were just stuck in the future and just had to find a way back to the past. Welcome to the club.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

The Graphene were stiff. Back then, Head tried to modernized their line ups and it was a massive step backwards. The GTouch were going towards the right direction, but the 360/360+ made them better. The Mid was a fun playtest and I did like all of the Prestige G360+ models, but the ones that stood out were the Mid, and Pro. Overall, Head is a good company, they were just stuck in the future and just had to find a way back to the past. Welcome to the club.

*cough* Countervail *cough*

 

[Shroud]

I am using a rectangular grip for the first time and it is hellish on FH (but actually good for serve and a OHBH). I am going to have to do some kind of surgery on the handle to change the shape but. Even when I think of pros who used head (Agassi Djokovic Dimitrov Gasquet Haas Kuerten Wawrinka Murray Safin Berdych) all had way better backhands than forehands. The only exception I think is like... James Blake maybe? Verdasco maybe? Monfils maybe? but I don't know if they are actually Dunlop or head shaped handles or wahtever (I know Djokovic doesn't use head shaped handles either) but this is an overwhelming imbalance of many many palyers with better backhands than forehands in a sport where OVER two thirds of people are supposed to have better forehands. This is a legit anomaly.

first time out and drawing conclusions. Good story bro

 

[d-quik]

first time out and drawing conclusions. Good story bro

lmfao your comprehension is feces tier. making an observation and drawing a conclusion are not the same. Learn to read and try to only post when you have something constructive to contribute

 

[Shroud]

lmfao your comprehension is feces tier. making an observation and drawing a conclusion are not the same. Learn to read and try to only post when you have something constructive to contribute

maybe you can't read or something. Look at the title of the original post. That IS a conclusion!!! And its not my fault you missed the constructive part, which to spell it out is that its best not to draw conclusions based on one outing....

And your conclusion is just bogus that they have better bhs than fh. Watch match play and they all run around the BH to hit fhs...

 

[d-quik]

Look at the title of the original post. That IS a conclusion!!!

the title of the original post was an opinion, which is totally subjective and not a conclusion, which is based on empirical evidence. Not the same. You need to relax though, and, like I said earlier, learn to read.

 

[Shroud]

the title of the original post was a question, not a conclusion. In English we use question marks and the end of questions. Conclusions and statements usually end with a period. You need to relax though, and, like I said earlier, learn to read.

learn to read the forum.

this is what the title is:

unpopular opinion: Head's RECTANGULAR grip ****ty on forehands

 

[d-quik]

opinion

opinion and conclusion doesn't mean the same bro lmfao