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.