What Grip Size are you Using?

[louis netman]

...and what is your measured or actual grip size?

I'm looking through the FOR SALE section and see the majority of frames are 3/8 and 1/4.
Back in the day, these would typically be women's and junior grip sizes.

Is everyone sizing down? This may lead to arm problems...

 

[Lorenn]

I'm looking through the FOR SALE section and see the majority of frames are 3/8 and 1/4.
Back in the day, these would typically be women's and junior grip sizes.

Modern grips tend to like slightly smaller handles.
Players often replace the grip handle almost right away to get to the size/feel they like.
Overgrips add some thickness.

 

[TagUrIt]

I was using 4 1/2 w an overgrip for the longest time. Just recently I went down to 4 3/8 w an overgrip and it’s a great fit. Really glad I sized down, no wrist or arm issues and lots more topspin on my shots.

 

[Yamin]

Measure at 1/4 and play with 3/8. Even 1/2 in the past because I hold the racket very far down. Grip sizes or shape seem to be getting larger across all brands so I'll probably be moving down to a 1/4 for my next purchase....

 

[SinneGOAT]

I used to use 1/2, then went to 1/4, now my sweetspot is 3/8. Best of both worlds because not too big and not too small.

 

[DeeeFoo]

I use 1/2, with an overgrip. I could use 3/8 if I had to, but will obviously prefer the 1/2.

 

[Arzivu]

4 3/8 with a thick overgrip (0,7 mm). Good stability and comfort. I do not undertsand this trend towards smaller and smaller grips. In the end, you risk your arm health for just a few more rpms.

 

[Lavs]

4 1/2 gives me the best combination of stability and ability to handle modern forehand (I use extreme eastern / semi western grip)

 

[Chezbeeno]

I use 4 1/2, so shopping in the classified's is a little frustrating lol.

 

[louis netman]

4 3/8 with a thick overgrip (0,7 mm). Good stability and comfort. I do not undertsand this trend towards smaller and smaller grips. In the end, you risk your arm health for just a few more rpms.

Stiff frames, stiff strings, small grips...The sacrifices players make for a few more MPH or RPM.
Indeed. A nice bout of TE will help to change things (not wishing this for even my worst enemy)...

 

[EpitomeOfAwesome]

I'm moving up from 1/8 to 3/8

 

[louis netman]

I use 4 1/2, so shopping in the classified's is a little frustrating lol.

5/8 here with 0.5 size sleeve and 2 OGs directly on the handle---and yes, frustrating to see frames I've wanted to try/buy in 3/8 or 1/4--I've started going 1/2 with leather and OG to help ease the frustration

 

[AmericanTwist]

Used to play with L5 but L4 is my natural size. I use L3 because I can customize the size and feel more and build it up to an L4.

 

[Rorano_Fedalovic]

I am pretty much in the middle of 1/4 and 3/8, used to play 3/8 built up; helps with spin and I actually feel less stress in my arm. get more blisters now though.

 

[Bobs tennis]

I've found you should actually take a tailors tape and measure your actual grip wrapping it around your racket grip

 

[tonylg]

Was L5 with overgrip, but L5 is now difficult to buy in Australia.

Now L4 with two overgrips.

 

[elkwood]

4 5/8 + over grip

 

[beltsman]

4 1/2 with OG.

 

[JustTennis76]

4 3/8 with thick overgrip like yonex supergrap
Used to play with 4 1/2 back in the day with Wilsons but head traditional grip 3/8 fits perfectly.

 

[esm]

It is usually 4 3/8 pallet, replace with Karakal PU grip + 0.70mm OG

 

[TripleB]

When I was younger I used a 4 5/8" grip plus an overgrip. As I got older either my hand shrunk or grips started getting larger because I eventually found the 4 5/8" with an over grip too large and took off the overgrip. I hated being dependent on if I liked the feel of the standard grip of the racquet so I moved to a 4 1/2" plus an overgrip. As I moved into my mid to late 40s even the 4 1/2" plus an overgrip seemed too large (again, either grips got bigger, or my hands got smaller, or I didn't feel the need to grip the racquet as tightly) and moved down to a 4 3/8" plus an overgrip...and that's where I currently reside!

btw: if I do the "measure the hand" technique my hand measures 4 13/16"

TripleB

 

[Ronaldo]

5/8 w/OG Rarely see any larger grips, held a Kramer Auto 5 1/4

 

[papado]

I use 5/8+overgrip and honestly it still feels kinda small. Not sure how you bigger dudes are walking around playing with 3/8 or 1/2 with overgrips. I'm also weird in the sense I'm relatively younger (just turned 30) and I've always played a 5/8 whereas I feel a lot of the younger generation came up on some small grip sizes. Didn't think my hands were that large but I guess maybe so?

 

[louis netman]

I use 5/8+overgrip and honestly it still feels kinda small. Not sure how you bigger dudes are walking around playing with 3/8 or 1/2 with overgrips. I'm also weird in the sense I'm relatively younger (just turned 30) and I've always played a 5/8 whereas I feel a lot of the younger generation came up on some small grip sizes. Didn't think my hands were that large but I guess maybe so?

When you grip on your 5/8, can you get your index finger in the space?

 

[t_pac]

4 1/2 + OG

Need to try a 4 3/8 at some point but fairly sure it'd be too small. Would make buying used frames a lot easier though...

 

[Shroud]

measured its 5 & 3/4".

Start with a 3/8 and add one replacement grip, 3 over grips and some strips of another replacement grip on the even bevels to keep the squarish shape.

I never understood that "small handle more spin" stuff. And no one actually adjusts the balance and sw when using a smaller handle. So how do you know the handle is the reason. It could just be a more head heavy balance...

Edit: my hand measures for a 4 1/2

 

[RF_PRO_STAFF]

If I do the measurement I'm a 4 3/8 but I have always played with a 4 1/4. Prince and Wilson 4 1/4. I've been using overgrips only for the past 1.5 years. I now use Yonex and Wilson 4 1/4 with overgrip.

 

[Hotpockets]

Im supposed to be 1/2 by old school method and here I am using a 1/4 simple because it feels better to me in hand.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

4 3/8 with overgrip is about right for me. But my last 3 rackets, I have bought 4 1/2, taken of the grip and play with just two overgrips (Wilson Pro). The feel is about the same as leather with an overgrip. I can fine tune grip size by combining Comfort and Sensation overgrips (different thickness). And not least, it allows me to play a RF 97 at 340 grams, 32,7 cm balance, instead of 360 grams, 31,5 cm balance. Balance can ofcourse be fine tuned with lead tape on the top and bottom grip bevel if desired.

 

[papado]

When you grip on your 5/8, can you get your index finger in the space?

Nope--I can barely get half a pinky in-between. There is a little space so it's not too crazy small. When I was younger I would build up some of my grips with the shrink sleeves but eventually took those off (the old school Head 5/8's on the prestiges were quite small for the day compared to others).

In reality my hands are probably 'ideally' sized for the 'modern' 5/8 player where 5/8+OG gets you to a still very close grip which mimics the proportions a lot of you guys are doing by sizing down to around a 3/8. I still find it odd that my hands are comparatively that big that I can make a 5/8 seem small but oh well!

 

[MasterZeb]

Things were better back in my day!

 

[graycrait]

"Boomer here" 4&1/2/4/L4 since 1970, now with an OG as well. I just can't sling a racket like a knotted rope using a SW/W grip.

 

[Brady12]

1/2 with babalot skin feel (to make a bit smaller) and a tourgrip. I can play with a 3/8 with a standard grip, pro og + tounagrip.

I prefer to play with a slimmed down 1/2 grip vs the built-up 3/8.

 

[lelopez]

Have played 4 3/8 with OG as far as I can remember. Since the late 80s when I was a junior at least. Have had a few racquets I've bought used over the years that came in at 4 1/2, and while I could probably play with them, I'd shave the handles down to a 4 3/8 size and it always felt better.

 

[socallefty]

Measure 4 1/2, but play with 4 3/8 with a thin overgrip. Grip sizes might feel different between different brands as they have different shapes. I play with Babolat and their grip sizes feel bigger to me than other brands.

 

[Arzivu]

Grip sizes might feel different between different brands as they have different shapes.

For the same grip size, I hear that babolat's feels the biggest and Prince's the smallest. Any idea where the other brands fall among them?

 

[socallefty]

For the same grip size, I hear that babolat's feels the biggest and Prince's the smallest. Any idea where the other brands fall among them?

Babolat does feel bigger than traditional Wilson and Head grip shapes, but Head has changed their grip shape recently and so, I don’t know how it compares anymore. See this article.

Tennis grip shapes and sizes | Tennisnerd.net - Tennis grips

Most players underestimate how important your racquet grip is. Let's take a look at different tennis grip shapes and sizes.

tennisnerd.net

 

[GustoKyrgios]

I don't understand how you can get more spin with a smaller grip. Maybe on the buggy whip forehands. But for most normal forehand strokes, I think the normal grip should give better control and power too.