Your Racquet Grip! [Post PICTURES]

[Steria]

Could you guys in here post pictures of your hand holding your racquet(s), grip size on the racquet, whether you have an overgrip on and how far (in inches) it is from your second lateral crease up to the top of your ring finger? How hard are you supposed to hold the racquet while measuring the gap with your index finger?

By measuring my hand this way (ruler picture above) I get a tiny bit over 11.5 to 11.6 cm, which is 4.527559 to 4.56693 inches.
The picture on TW (picture below) indicates measuring your hand in a little different way with the ruler, making this distance smaller: 11.1 cm which is 4.370079 inches. Which of these methods are correct?

I am interested in seeing how big of a gap people have between their palm and their fingers when holding their racquet properly.
Is the method by snuggly fitting your other hands index finger in between the gap the method you guys use yourselves? And again, how hard are you supposed to hold the racquet while measuring the gap with your index finger?

Lastly, what do you guys think about this statement about having a "smaller grip?": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyBslLwSWEA

I am buying my first "real" racquet, and want to make sure I get a proper grip size.

Thanks,
- Steria

 

[itsstephenyo]

While there are guidelines for choosing the correct grip size, the most important guideline is how it feels in your hand.

I should probably use a larger grip size, but I feel most comfortable with a 4 1/4 or a size 2. The first racquet I ever bought was a 4 5/8 because I had no idea what I was doing and I found my hand getting very tired after hitting.

If you can, head out to your local shop and try different grip sizes. I like mine a little smaller so I can wrap my hand around it a bit more. If I went by the finger gap method, I would be using a 4 1/2, but I feel more comfortable using a 4 1/4.

Edit: I also hold my racquet pretty far down on the handle. When hitting a forehand/backhand (not quite semi western, and a pretty modern 1handed backhand) my pinky is about halfway off the buttcap of the racquet. I know some guys that choke up pretty high on the racquet, to where the buttcap is below all of their fingers. Again, personal preference. This is just the way I personally hold it.

 

[Shroud]

Stephanyo is right...do what feels right to you.

I should be using 4 1/2 by the ruler method but if you measure the grip its 5 1/4" around and I usually buy 4 5/8 and build it up.

I dont understand that link of course. I have a hammer that I swing as a stroke work out and the grip is really small. It feels dreadful and I cant imagine my racket feeling like that. It takes much more effort to grip that than my racket.

Anyhow they say you get more spin with a smaller grip but I dont get that as much as I try. Even if it is something like pulling your arms in on a spinning chair and you go faster, I dont think you should be generating spin like that. Also even if it is true that you can turn your wrist faster with a small grip, isnt that all defeated by the massive tape you seem to have to wrap around your fingers to even hold the racket. If you look at nadal and factor in the tape I bet it feels like a 4 5/8 grip....

I would need to see much more proof then some one just saying in a video that you get more control and spin.

 

[robbo1970]

I personally think all of these old methods for 'determining your grip size' are very out of date.

You have to ignore those and play with what feels comfortable for you in all areas of the court.

Some players will prefer a larger grip and others will prefer a smaller grip. Its what gives you the best control over the racket in your hand.

Personally I prefer a smaller grip. I have small hands anyway, but the smaller grip makes me feel I can move the racket around and change angles much quicker than a larger grip, particularly on reaction volleys. But others will feel differently.

All I am saying is, that those measuring guides are not really worth looking at. Its about how the racket feels in your hand, also remembering that different brands have different pallet shapes too.

If you look at the section here 'coolest pics of pro's', you will see that a lot of pro's use grips that are clearly smaller than the old measuring chart would suggest, because they have decided which size feels best for them. So any normal player should adopt the same approach.

To say that a larger or smaller grip is better for SV is just wrong and misleading. The best grip size for any stroke is the grip that feels best to the person holding the racket.

 

[protestov.tt]

the best size is the size that doesn't force you to hold the handle tight to prevent twisting. If handle is well fixed in your wrist and whist stay relaxed, it provides good feeling of the ball and prevents elbow enjury
As for me, I use 4.1/2 + overgrip

 

[Top Jimmy]

4 1/4 with an over-grip, heaven.

I do miss playing with a straight up leather grip at 4 3/8 though, nothing like it. Don't think my hands could take it anymore.

 

[morandi]

Im 6'2" with large hands and I play with a 4 1/4 with leather and an overgrip. Small grips I find really allow you to use your wrist more freely.