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.

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 getting enough depth on your shots?

 

Are you hitting your shots deep enough?

If not, you’re probably giving your opponent short balls that they turn into winners. Hitting the ball deep forces your opponent to cover more ground and keeps them at the baseline where, for most amateurs, it’s tougher to hit clean winners. Hitting deep balls also gives you more time to set up for the return shot.

But how to get more depth?

We see several things that can rob you of depth. Strings can be that cause in several ways. One is stringing your racket too tight. This reduces the trampoline effect at impact, taking away depth and even spin potential. Lower tensions can also reduce shock at impact, reducing stress on your arm.

Another potential cause is using to stiff of a string. While poly strings are great for durability, they are stiff and not very elastic. This again reduces the trampoline effect, making you swing harder without getting the depth you need.

One other equipment related reason you’re not getting the depth you want is your racket. A racket with a small head reduces the trampoline effect, and while good for big hitters, could rob you of more depth and power.

Stop in and we’d be glad to help you pick the right string and tension for your game, and with our Racket Demo Program, a racket better suited to your game.

Want More Comfort

Do you have arm trouble or just want a more comfortable feel when you hit the ball? There are some things that you can do to achieve more comfort, mainly with strings, but also with rackets.
The best way to get a more comfortable feel is through strings and/or tension. Using a more elastic, multifilament string will absorb more of the impact and return it to the ball. You can also reduce tension, which allows the string more give, and ability to absorb impact. 
Where rackets are concerned, most these days are pretty good at reducing shock. Having a racket with the right weight and power for your swing will help make it more comfortable.
Bring in your current racket and we can give you options to make playing tennis easier on your arm.

Want More Control?

Want more control?
First of all, I should be specific about the type of control I'm describing. I'm talking about depth control. The ability to hit the ball consistently deep, but not long.
If this is the kind of control you are looking for, there are a few ways to achieve it though equipment. The first is with rackets. If you are hitting lots of shots long, your racket may be too powerful. A racket with a smaller head, thinner beam or denser string pattern will all reduce depth. This does not come without some cost. With less depth comes less power.
The other way to gain control is with your strings. Going a little tighter on the tension will add some depth control. You can also go to a firmer string. This will decrease the trampoline effect and add control. As mentioned above about rackets, going firmer or tighter on your strings will reduce your power and increase the amount of effort to get the ball deep.
There is another, non-equipment way to add control. Increase your topspin. More topspin will help the ball drop down and in play, keeping you from hitting as many long.
Stop in and we can show you ways to gain control with the least amount of power loss.

Want More Power?

Want more power?
There are three key elements, equipment-wise, that can add depth to your shots. Your racket. Your string. Your tension.
The easiest thing to change is your tension. Going lower will increase the trampoline effect, transferring more energy to the ball, and adding depth and power.
Changing your strings to something softer or thinner will also increase depth and power. Like a lower tension, softer strings will and "spring" to your shots.
Finally, if you want more power, a racket change may be necessary. A larger head on your racket will increase the potential depth on your shots and add power. You can also go to a stiffer racket. Often, the stiffer frames also have the larger heads, which together, add power for those who need it.
Bring your current racket in and we can make some suggestions on how best to increase power to your shots.

What Head Size Should I Get?

"What head size should I get?"
We get asked this all the time. The answer has to do more about how you hit and how much or little power and control you are looking for from the racket.
Basically, the larger the head size, the more depth you will get on your shots with less effort. This is due to an increased trampoline effect from the larger stringbed. This is a good thing for those who don't hit the ball as hard and need that extra depth on their shots.
Players who hit the ball harder will benefit from a smaller head size with reduced trampoline effect. This gives them more consistency and added control.
The best way to determine which head size is best for you is to try several different ones and go with the size that gives you the best combination of power and control.
With the MP Tennis & Sports Demo Program, we'll be happy to help you find the head size that will have you playing your best.

Stringing Over The Range

"Can I get my racket strung above the recommended range?" The first thing to consider when answering this question is why? Many of the people who want their racket string 5lbs or more over the max are trying to get depth control. One line of thought is that if you have to go that far over to gain control, you have the wrong racket. A less powerful racket would play better and do so without having to go to tension extremes to make it work. Another thing to consider is if your racket is under a year old, there is a warranty on it. Stringing over the max recommended tension can void that warranty. If you are looking for more control without going over the recommended range, a poly string may be an answer. Poly strings are stiffer and less powerful. While there are some negatives to poly strings, many players find the extra control they need this way. While not the best thing to do, going a little over the max (less than 5lbs) isn't a big deal and something we see from time to time. Over that, it is not recommended. If control is a problem, stop in and we'd be glad to show you the string options that may work for you.

Common Mistake When Trying Rackets

A mistake some people make when using our racket and paddle Demo Program is being too quick to make a decision.
The beauty of our Demo Program is that you can try many different rackets and paddles. As you go, you can eliminate what isn't working and narrow it down to the ones that you're hitting well.
As you are trying them, we recommend that you hit for an hour or more with each one. This allows you time to get used to the feel and know if its working or not. With new rackets like Wilson's Clash series, this is even more important due to their unique feel.
Another thing to do is to hit with some of the people you most often hit with. It's another way to make sure you'll know how well a given racket or paddle is hitting for you.
Our best advice, take your time and enjoy the demo process. Taking the time to hit with the rackets and paddles enough will ensure you get the right racket for your game

Women's Rackets

"Do you have any women's rackets?"
We get asked this from time to time and the answer usually surprises the person asking. The answer is they are all potentially "women's rackets".
Most of the racket companies don't make a racket specifically for women. Often when they do, it's just a paint job in a "women's color". The racket itself is really no different than the other rackets in their line.
What we recommend is that women (and men for that matter) find a racket that fits their game and their needs. While some women need a lighter, more powerful racket, others can use something heavier and more control oriented. Using our demo program, you can find that racket that fits your game and has you playing your best, even if its not a "women's racket".

Racket Balance, The Right Way

Quite often we will see people testing the balance as seen in the picture. This does not always give you an accurate measure of the balance depending on the design of the frame (headsize, length, shape). A better way to tell is going by the specs provided by the companies or finding the true mid-point in the racket's length and using that point. Sometimes people will give up on trying a racket that could be a very good fit because when the test the balance (wrongly), they think it is too head heavy or light.
Very often, balance is tied to the weight of the racket. If you feel that a change in balance may help you with your current racket, we can custom weight and balance it to your needs (within certain restrictions).
Not sure about balance?
Stop in and we'd be glad to help you find the right combination of weight and balance for your game.

Hot Weather and Your Racket

With warm weather just around the corner, it's a good time to remind everyone about racket care once the hot weather arrives.
First of all, heat is not a friend of your tennis or racquetball racket. A racket left in a hot car or garage will be affected by the heat in a few possible ways.
One of the ways is your strings. Heat will cause them to lose tension faster than normal. This will be felt in a loss of power, added vibration and for tennis players, less spin potential. While they may not break, the reduced performance could be noticeable enough to have you losing more points.
Another problem heat can cause is a premature breakdown of the grip. Particularly, rackets left in a hot garage for a long period of time will often have grips that look as though they have "melted" slightly. This will reduce how well you can grip the racket securely.
The worst thing that can happen to a racket left in a hot car is damage to the frame. Excessive heat can break down the epoxy holding the graphite together, shortening the life of the racket, and in the worst case, racket breakage.
If you must keep rackets in your car, you may want to invest in an insulated racket bag which will protect the rackets from much of the heat. Obviously, the best option is to keep them out of hot cars or garages during the summer months, helping them last much longer.

Should I Get My Racket Restrung?

So, you haven't broken your strings, but you're wondering if you should restring. Here are a few things to consider.
1. How do the strings feel? Do they feel overly soft or "mushy"?
2. How is your power? Are you working harder to generate depth on your shots?
3. How is the vibration? Are you feeling more shock at impact?
4. Have the strings been in there for over a year?
Answering any of the above with a yes, and you should think about replacing your strings. Even when they don't break, they can "go dead", resulting in poor feel, less power and more vibration on impact.
Over time, strings just lose their ability to give at impact and "snap back", creating power, spin, and a consistent feel.  Even lightly used strings will lose this over time the same way a rubber band left stretched out too long will not snap back.
Think your strings may need changing? Stop in and we will be happy to go over your string options and help you pick the best one for your game.

A Unique Reality in Tennis

Tennis has a reality that is unique, and a tough one to accept for some players. The better you get, the more often you will break strings.

In golf, as you get better, you will lose fewer balls. In tennis, as you get better, you tend to hit harder and with more spin. Hitting harder and with more spin will cause more wear and tear on the strings, causing them to break more often. Also, as you get better, the players you will be hitting with will most likely be hitting harder and with more spin. This also will cause more wear on your strings.

There is good news. The harder you hit, the more durable poly strings become a better option. Where weaker hitters will find poly strings very stiff and hard to generate depth with, harder hitters can overcome this and get good results with the added durability of the poly strings.

One thing to keep in mind with poly strings. While they may not break as often, they will go dead after a while.  At some point, you will notice a drop off in performance, signaling time to restring.

Stop in and we will be happy to go over the string options that would be best for your game.

Dampener Questions Answered

Dampeners are a constant source of questions for us here in the store.
Where to put them?
How many to use?
Are there rules?
What do they do?
We'll start with the last one. What they do is limit the vibration of the strings. They do not reduce frame vibration or prevent or cure tennis elbow. By reducing the string vibration, they do add comfort at impact and quiet the "pinging" sound that many people dislike.
You only need one to do the job. Adding more will not add benefits, and, there are rules that dictate where they are placed. Dampeners must be below the bottom cross string. This makes them much less likely to affect a shot by them contacting the ball.
The best place for them is between the middle two main strings and secured up against the bottom cross string. If you have a problem with them coming out, consider using a longer dampener that is woven in and out the mains, hooking in at the two ends. This makes them less likely to come out.
And one last question, "should I use a dampener?"
That one we can not answer. Ultimately, it is a feel thing. Try your racket with and without. Whichever feels better, there is your answer.

Racquetball Rackets and Fan Patterns

Racquetball rackets have come a long way. They are more powerful than ever. The additional power comes from better materials making the frames stiffer and new, more open, fan string patterns.
Those string patterns "fan out" as you go up the face of the racket, creating more space between the strings. This increases the give in the strings at impact, returning more energy to the ball, and more power.

Power is great, but there is a downside. Durability.
All that extra give in the strings puts more stress on the strings and for hard hitters, can cause more frequent string breakage.
If you are a really hard hitter and the softer strings are breaking to quick, switching to a tougher, nylon string can add string life without giving up much power. There is a trade-off. What adds durability takes away power and vice-versa. Every player has to make a decision on which is more important, knowing the pros and cons of each string.
We can help you make a string choice that can get you more of what you need for your racquetball racket. Stop in and we will go over the options and find the best fit your needs the best.

"Should I String Like My Friend?"

Something we hear quite often when people are in to get their racket restrung goes something like this.
"My friend said their racket is strung at 60, so I should be at 60."
This is very often false. Just because someone you play with gets their racket strung at a given tension, does not mean you should do the same. When thinking tension compared to someone else, keep these things in mind.
1) Rackets have different recommended tension ranges. If your racket has a range of 45-55, and your friend's racket is 55-65, stringing both at 55 will give you very different results.
2) The type of string will make a difference. Many players who use poly strings will use lower tensions, which would not be as good an idea for someone using a softer multifilament.
3) The need of the player will dictate the tension for each player. A hard hitter will often string tighter for control. A player needing more power would want to go with lower tensions.
The thing to remember is that everyone has different reasons for why they have their racket strung at a given tension. When trying to find the right tension for you, YOUR game should be the most important factor.
Stop in and we would be happy to help you find the string and tension that will have you playing your best.

Cooler Weather...Different Strings?

Now that the weather has finally cooled off, some of our customers have asked if they should change anything about their strings for the colder temps.
If you live here in Florida year round, you'll be fine with what you use the rest of the year. It just doesn't get cold enough, long enough, to make changing strings or tensions worth it. If the weather were to get really cold (for the Tampa Bay area), you might notice the ball feels "harder" and maybe a little less pop on your shots, but really cold snaps are usually short, and again, not worth restringing for.
If you are a frequent string breaker, you might adapt slightly to the cooler conditions, knowing that any strings will probably not be in the racket long. For the rest of us, unless you are feeling a real difference in your strings in the cooler weather,  you should keep going with your normal strings and tension.
Have questions? Stop in and we'll be glad to help you find the strings and tension best for you.

Better Weather, New Grip

With the weather (hopefully) turning less hot, it's a good time to think about getting your tennis racket ready for the cooler weather that will be here soon (hopefully).
Playing in the summer weather takes a toll on your grip. It has absorbed a lot of sweat during the hot months which will cause the grip to break down and the surface to get worn and slick. This can be a problem when the weather becomes less warm and humid. Your grip may feel even slicker in the drier and cooler conditions. Even if you use an overgrip, the grip underneath will break down from all the sweat it has absorbed and lost some of it's cushioning and feel.
This is a great time of year to re-grip your racket. A new grip will have a tackier feel, which will be less slick as the weather finally turns more pleasant. Stop in and we can replace your grip while you wait and have you back on the court with a much better hold of your racket.