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Replacement grips
How to apply
Add-On grips |
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Replacement grips
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Replacement grips are meant
to replace the original (leather or synthetic) grip that your racquet came with.
Typically, this requires someone with experience to do this for you. Replacing a grip
requires more skill than using overwraps. Replacement grips should cost less
than 20 US dollars. In general, you should replace your grip
throughout the year as frequently as you play tennis each week. The recommended
replacement grip is listed on the inside throat area of your racket. Replacement grips
types: Firm is high-density felt, leather, calfskin, or cowhide, and it's the number-one choice of players who want to feel the ball collide with the racquet. The trade-off is comfort, which is where the
cushioned grip comes in. It's usually made of a spongy foam that provides relief for your hand, but it makes it tougher to feel where the ball lands on the racquet face. |
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Overgrips
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Most racquet grips used to be
made of leather and would become hard to grip when the pores became clogged with dirt from
your sweat. A solution to this problem is the use of an overgrip. Overgrips
are "temporary" grips, and it is not recommended that you attempt to actually
replace a racquet's existing grip. Overgrips fit over the
existing grip (and thus increase the grip size a bit) and absorb the sweat better.
Some overgrips are "tacky" or sticky. Some are even essentially gauze with
tape and some sticky powder. They should be replaced about every five times
of playing or sooner. Otherwise, they get a little icky. Some
overgrips feel rubbery, others cloth like, others a bit powdery. They are about 5 US
dollars for a set of three.
Nowadays there are synthetic grips which are much easier to grip
than leather, thus possibly removing the need for overgrips.
Overgrips can be fitted to provide more 'feel'. Tightly
wind the overgrip diagonally up the replacement grip from the butt end. Secure it by
overlapping the first wrap and taping it down at the end. |
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Grips feel types
'Feel' refers to the adhesive qualities of the grip. There are three types.
Soft: The choice for least friction, and consequently, the least likely to cause blisters. The downside: You relinquish some control because you have to squeeze the handle harder to keep it from twisting on off-center hits.
Tacky: Makes you slightly more blister-prone, but it's a big step up from soft in terms of slip prevention. The tacky grip should provide you with the kind of friction you need to keep your racquet from going airborne on a 90-degree day.
Sticky (dry): Congratulations, you've just reached the top of the adhesive chart. In fact, this feels a lot like flypaper, so it makes gripping the handle easier. A possible downside: The stickiness may hinder your ability to change grips quickly (say, from an Eastern to a Western forehand).
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Grips surface types
If you want to feel the position of the racquet in your hand (for example, you rely on feeling the bevels when you switch from a backhand grip to a forehand grip), a smooth surface is your best bet, followed by perforated, embossed, and ribbed. But if your biggest worry is racquet slippage, reverse the order. Here are the benefits of each.
Smooth: The no-frills version -- no bumps, ridges, or treads. This high-feel, low-cushioning option is preferred by most pros.
Perforated: This one's for heavy sweaters. It has hundreds of pinholes in the outer layer that channel sweat to the more absorbent layers underneath.
Embossed: It's close to perforated, but instead of pinholes, the embossed grip has a tire-tread pattern. It won't absorb as much sweat, but it will move it away from your hand (in much the same way that radial tires keep a car from slipping on wet, twisting roads).
Ribbed: This is the most secure grip because it has corkscrew-shaped ridges in which to place your fingers. It's especially good for players suffering from arthritis and for those who have difficulty maintaining a firm grip.
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How to apply
To put on a replacement grip or an overgrip, start by wrapping the tapered end around the butt of the racquet, then work your way up the handle. Don't overlap or leave gaps as you go. Right-handed players should wrap clockwise; lefties, counterclockwise. This is a semi-skilled job, so you may want to have someone at the pro shop or tennis shop do it for you.
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Add-On grips
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What is Add-On?
Add-On is a pliable, self-adhesive, single-sheet material that provides anyone with an easy, accurate and fast way of building up a grip on any racquet. Add-On will result in a build-up job that is uniform in thickness, enhances the feel of the grip and is durable enough to withstand a wide array competitive sports situations and environments. It's been found ideal for building-up grips on
tennis racquets.
Who uses Add-On?
Whether you're a recreational or professional athlete, club pro or distributor of sporting goods equipment, you'll find Add-On ideal for building up grips. Distributors have found Add-On to be an effective means of controlling their racquet inventories by reducing the grip size increments they need to order and stock. If a customer needs a grip size which is not in stock, they can easily and professionally build up to the desired size and move their existing inventory.
Add-On Grip Build-Up Example Chart
The chart below denotes examples of typical tennis grip sizes built-up using
Add-On.
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