Which string is right for you? part 4

 

Natural Gut strings can be the answer for many needs, but is not for everyone.

To start with, natural gut is, as its name implies, natural. Where other strings are synthetic, they make natural gut strings from cow intestines. Being a natural product means it is susceptible to things like heat and moisture, both of which can reduce the life of the strings.

On the plus side, if you need a string that will not lose tension and be very comfortable on your arm, natural gut is a winner. We’ve seen many players with arm issues switch to gut and find less shock and vibration, which helped them to play with less arm pain. Natural gut is not a cure to arm issues, but can help.

Another thing unique to natural gut is that it will play better the more you use it. It doesn’t lose tension like other strings, so you will not have to cut out unbroken strings. It is often said that gut strings will play their best right before they finally break.

There are some negatives to natural gut. First is the price. It is more expensive than synthetic strings. If you are a big hitter who hits with lots of spin, you may find they wear through too fast.

The other thing with gut is that you can’t just toss your racket in the garage or your car trunk in hot, humid Florida. Heat and moisture will, over time, cause the string to break down, leading to premature breakage. We have heard many stories of hearing a POP from their tennis bag, only to find out their strings had broken. You should keep rackets with gut strings inside in an air-conditioned area when not being used.

To sum up, if you need comfort and less stress on your arm, natural gut could be the right string for you. Stop by the store and we cans help you pick the best string for your game.

Which string is right for you? Part 3

The next string type to consider are polyester strings. Poly strings have become increasingly popular as they have become much less stiff and more playable.

That said, they are still rather stiff, which has its benefits. Many big hitters love poly strings for the control and durability they offer. In addition, for those who hit hard enough to really make them give at impact, they can be quite powerful. 

If you are not a big hitter, poly strings can be very stiff, creating a very firm string bed at impact. This may result in a loss of power, spin and more shock to your arm. Players with a history of arm issues may find poly strings to be rather uncomfortable.

The other negative that we see with poly strings is with the increased durability, many players wait way too long to restring. The result is playing with strings that have lost tension and playability.

Big hitters and frequent string breakers should consider poly strings. With the advances made by many string manufacturers, there is a range of strings to choose from based on your needs. Stop in and we’d be happy to help you pick the best string for your game.

Which string type is right for you? Part 2

The next type of string to talk about is multifilaments. Multifilaments are constructed of many thin filaments, unlike poly and synthetic gut strings, which have a sold core. This gives them benefits sold core strings don’t have.

Because multifilaments are more elastic, they give more at impact. This gives them a larger sweet spot and less shock to your arm at impact. Players with arm issues like tennis elbow often find some measure of relief from multifilaments and the reduced amount of vibration and shock.

The other benefit to the elasticity is the potential for more spin and depth on your shots. The extra give in the stings at impact keep the ball on the stings a fraction of a second longer, which creates more time to impart spin. In addition, the trampoline-like effect of the elasticity can add some depth to your shots and additional power.

Multifilament strings may be a good choice for some, but hard hitters and spin players could face reduced control and durability..

For players who want better feel, some extra pop and spin potential, it would be worth it to give a multifilament string a try. Stop by the store and we’d be happy to answer your questions and help you find the best string for your game.

Which string type is right for you? Part1

When trying to decide on which tennis string is right for your game, a good place to start is knowing there are four basic types of strings. You can also combine two of the types into a hybrid stringing, but we’ll get to those in another post. In the next several posts, we’ll give some pros and cons to each of these types. We’ll do so from our many, many years of stringing rackets for countless people, and the feedback they have given.

We’ll start with the most basic of the types, synthetic gut. Technically, all stings that are not natural gut are synthetic. What we’re talking about is strings made of nylon with a solid core, wrapped by smaller filaments.

Synthetic gut is a sting that does everything ok. Not great. Not horrible. For someone just getting into the game, it’s a great option because those players rarely have a clear idea of what their needs and preferences are. This makes it a very good springboard into other types of strings, as their needs become more specific.

For power, control and feel, it comes in between the other strings, but can play great for someone who wants a combination of those traits. As for durability, again, it comes in the middle among the strings.

Synthetic Gut is a great option for its price, which is less than the other types. Some frequent string breakers like it for having more pop than the more durable options, while not breaking the bank for each stringing.

Don’t overlook synthetic gut as an option worth trying. If you’re looking for more control than a softer, multifilament string, and more pop and better feel than a poly, they’re worth a try.

Replacement grip or over grip?

 

Replacement grip or over grip?

We get asked that question often and there isn’t a one size fits all answer.

The main grip on your racket or pickleball paddle can be replaced with a, you guessed it, a replacement grip. Even if you’re using an over grip, over time, the main grip will lose its cushioning and tackiness. If you feel your grip feels hard or noticeably thinner in your hand, it’s time to get a new grip on there. The added cushioning will improve the feel and if you’re not using an over grip, will reduce slipping on impact.

An over grip, as the name implies, goes over the main grip. Many players like over grips for their ability to absorb sweat and their feel. They’re easy to replace, so for someone with really sweaty hands, over grips can be a tremendous help in providing a more stable hold of the racket or paddle. Over grips will make the handle feel larger, so players with small hands or ones with grips too large for their hands may not like the increased grip size.

Stop by the store and we’d be happy to show you the options and help find the best grip solution for your needs. Best of all, we’ll put them on while you wait.

Are you wearing the wrong shoes?

 

Tennis or pickleball, you need the right shoes. 

A mistake many make is using running shoes in place of a good court shoe. This decision can have some nasty results. 

Running shoes (and walking shoes) are made to go in one direction, straight ahead. For sports like tennis and pickleball, this is a problem with so much of the movement being side to side. A running shoe’s lack of lateral support can lead to rolled and sprained ankles. If you want to see for yourself, grab a pair of running shoes and see for yourself how much the bend and twist with just your hands. A court shoe for tennis and/or pickleball will be much sturdier, with less flexibility, but way more support for the needs of the court. 

The other issue with running shoes is the soles. Again, they are designed for running straight ahead, not for sudden starts and stops. Court shoes have a firmer sole with a tread pattern designed to grip the court for better stopping and acceleration. 

If comfort or weight is your reason for not getting a court shoe, try on some of the newest shoes. While some are a little heavy, many are very light without sacrificing support and performance, and they even look a little like running shoes. Oh… and they look amazing! 

Stop in and we’d be glad to help you pick the right shoe for your feet, your game and your needs. 

Are you getting enough depth control?

 

Power is great, but without control, it’s meaningless.

Are you getting enough control? Not the left/right kind, I mean depth. Are you hitting too many balls long?

One cure for this problem is more topspin. If you hit more flat, or struggle with getting enough spin, there are ways to add depth control through your equipment.

The best way is with your strings. Stringing tighter with your current string will reduce the trampoline effect while reducing depth. You can also switch to a stiffer string. One warning with both options. While adding some depth control, you will also lose some power and add more shock at impact. If going a little tighter or stiffer is not helping, you may need to find a pro to help you add topspin to your shots.

One other possible equipment setup that can cause shots to go long is having a racket with an oversize head. If you’re a hard hitter, you might not need a large head, and going smaller could add some control without sacrificing power or feel.

Stop in and we can help you with some options to improve your control.