I went to YMCA today and pleasantly found people playing badminton. Anyways, I didn't go there to play badminton, I did weight training, but the sight of people playing badminton is just irresistible to me so I went in to watch them play. One girl there was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to play, I said I didn't have a racquet so she lent me hers and it was a Carbonex 8. And wow, this racquet was everything my pro 3500 wasn't, it's quite flexible, a bit heavy but man, everything I hit was going long and I wasn't even hitting hard. I could never hit backhands baseline to baseline and I've sought the help of several people to help me with my technique but nothing helped. But now I'm quite sure that it is because of my racquet, it's too stiff for me--a light built guy, 5'9.5" and 138lbs, almost underweight if not. I can hit smashes pretty hard but my backhands are pathetic, I guess I could work more on my triceps and forearm muscles to hit harder backhands but for immediate results I think I'll have to switch to a more flexible racquet. What a revelation, all this time (1.5 years) I've been playing with my pro 3500, what a waste. Some people before have told me how stiff my racquet was but I've never really tried a flexible racquet until now. I don't know if this has anything to do with the pro 3500's titanium mesh on the shaft.

Wow... Never know a different racket can bring u that much impact... I guess ppl are different.

Anyways, maybe now it's the time for u to "clean up" ur wallet... :D

whoa... i'm the size as you slientnight! well when i switched from a heavy very flexible racquet to a light medium-flex, and there was a huge difference in power... my shots go half as far :(.... but i found that after changing my technique a little, they were going about the same distance and speed, with better control.

When I first got my hiqua pro 3500, I immediately noticed how much more effort it took to clear the bird than with my old cheap racquet (BK-1045). But at the time I tend to believe that it was because of the string tension difference. With my old racquet, I played with the standard string that it came with (one with the logo). With the hiqua pro 3500, I had it strung with BG70 pro at 20lbs. So there's a huge difference there at least in the string tension. Also the pro 3500 that I got is the 4U version and is labelled as ultra stiff. So the hiqua pro 3500 that I got is light, ultra stiff and relatively strung at high tension compared to my old one. I was ignorant about many things in badminton then (still am, heh heh), but at least now I know that the racquet I am currently using should be more suitable for strong players, not me. What I think I need is a medium flex racquet that is as light or a bit heavier than my pro 3500, any suggestions? By the way, it is true though that with the pro 3500, I noticed better control maybe due to it's stiffness.

You mention that you have a weak backhand, ever try doing the "around the head" shot" where you stretch over and hit forehand on a backhand shot? Judging from your figure it shouldn't be hard to do something like that. Give it a try.

Originally posted by silentlight
What I think I need is a medium flex racquet that is as light or a bit heavier than my pro 3500, any suggestions? By the way, it is true though that with the pro 3500, I noticed better control maybe due to it's stiffness.

I was thinking about... couldn't we just buy a bag of metal twist ties, and wrap them around the head of our racquet? Sure it'll be ugly and not aerodynamic, but it'll make your racquet head-heavy, and you can experiment until you find a weight that suits you.

Anyone tried this? Good idea/bad idea?

Originally posted by bigredlemon


I was thinking about... couldn't we just buy a bag of metal twist ties, and wrap them around the head of our racquet? Sure it'll be ugly and not aerodynamic, but it'll make your racquet head-heavy, and you can experiment until you find a weight that suits you.

Anyone tried this? Good idea/bad idea?

Not sure about metal twist ties but I saw some lead tape for sale at the local sporting goods store and they say it's used to "adjust" the balance of the racquet. Maybe you can get a roll of those and tape the head or handle depending on what you wanna do.

Yes jwu, I do use the around the head shot but only when it's relatively close to me, when it's far to the left corner (I'm right-handed) I prefer the backhand because I'm lazy and also I find it awkward or I just don't know how to properly move to the back left corner while planning to use an around the head shot. Using a backhand stroke in that situation though limits my shot options to drop shots whether straight or cross-court due to my weak backhand--this is where I think a more flexible racquet might compensate for that weakness. Also the other reason that I wanna try other racquets is that I've been having this shoulder pain for some time now and it only hurts when I hit hard like some smashes and clears, by the way I never had this problem with my old racquet. I tend to think that this is due to wrong technique but if I get a more flexible racquet that allows me to hit farther with less effort, that would certainly help my case. I'm more of an arm player as you've probably guessed. About the head heavy thing, the pro 3500 has been described as that yet to me, personally, it feels balanced. And I like that actually, since it gives me the speed I need to play doubles effectively. I have no complaints about the pro 3500's overall weight either, just it's flexibility.

Originally posted by silentlight
Yes jwu, I do use the around the head shot but only when it's relatively close to me, when it's far to the left corner (I'm right-handed) I prefer the backhand because I'm lazy and also I find it awkward or I just don't know how to properly move to the back left corner while planning to use an around the head shot. Using a backhand stroke in that situation though limits my shot options to drop shots whether straight or cross-court due to my weak backhand--this is where I think a more flexible racquet might compensate for that weakness. Also the other reason that I wanna try other racquets is that I've been having this shoulder pain for some time now and it only hurts when I hit hard like some smashes and clears, by the way I never had this problem with my old racquet. I tend to think that this is due to wrong technique but if I get a more flexible racquet that allows me to hit farther with less effort, that would certainly help my case. I'm more of an arm player as you've probably guessed. About the head heavy thing, the pro 3500 has been described as that yet to me, personally, it feels balanced. And I like that actually, since it gives me the speed I need to play doubles effectively. I have no complaints about the pro 3500's overall weight either, just it's flexibility.

Um for backhand, just practice backhand clear with someone or against a wall, I guess there really is no other way around it except maybe learn faster foot work :) .

As for your shoulder, have someone check your form. I had a similar problem serving in tennis. I was swinging my arm awkwardly and putting unnecessary stress on it.

Originally posted by jwu


Not sure about metal twist ties but I saw some lead tape for sale at the local sporting goods store and they say it's used to "adjust" the balance of the racquet. Maybe you can get a roll of those and tape the head or handle depending on what you wanna do.

Lead tape is definetly a better idea jwu... but now i can't lick my racquet?
Seriously though, have you tried this before? I don't want the tape to fly off during a smash and hit someone in the face :rolleyes: or worse... strip the paint off :p

I suppose having twist ties flying off is a lot worse... off to the store...

Originally posted by bigredlemon


Lead tape is definetly a better idea jwu... but now i can't lick my racquet?
Seriously though, have you tried this before? I don't want the tape to fly off during a smash and hit someone in the face :rolleyes: or worse... strip the paint off :p

I suppose having twist ties flying off is a lot worse... off to the store...

No sorry I have not tried the lead tape, just saw it in store. You can always check out the price and tape it on some old racquets and test it out.

I went to SportChek... they only have weighted tape for squash and tennis. The tapes are THICK, about 5-7mm, which i doubt is appropriate for badminton. Probably adds an insane 15grams or something.

I guess I'll buy some electrical tape at the hardware and try that out. I need to cover up that gaping hole on my frame anyway :)

One problem though, how would I get the racquet re-strung if it's covered with tape?