Hey guys, having a crisis here... i play doubles and someone told me my grip is too big. I use the original grip, with the yonex super grip. I was just wandering if i should take off the original grip.. Thnks!
Everyone's different. Some prefer thicker grips, some thinner. I like thinner grip cos it's more agile but there is no rigid rule.
The best thing that I can tell you is: Play with the gripsize you like! 10 month ago, I played with 2x Yonex SuperGrap and 1x Yonex Hi-Soft Grap. You can imagine how BIG that was. Nowadays I play with 1 single Yonex SuperGrap and I prefer it. Maybe you can test a little bit around. But when you say you do only use one SuperGrip plus the original grip, I can't imagine that this is too big. For sure you can try to remove the original grip, but this original grip isn't THAT thick that it makes big differences in thickness. But the feeling is much difference on the bare wood. Not so comfy for me. The last thing you can change then is the grip size and buy a new racket...but would you do that only becuase some people says: your grip is too thick? If you feel fine with your grip size - who fu**ing cares?
Now, I am very curious at why you changed. Presumably you liked both a large grip at one point in time and then at a different point in time, a smaller diameter grip. Why so? What are the improvements you have perceived? For myself, I used to have a larger diameter grip until I followed a coach who learnt his stuff in China. Just comparing the grip size and our hand sizes, I realised my handle was relatively large compared to his. For technique, it seems easier and faster to roll the racquet handle within the fingers if it has a smaller diameter - I don't say this is a hard and fast rule. My grip has the wood, one thin soft grip and then another thin soft grip on top. Generally, it looks as if European players prefer a larger diameter grip (even accounting for a larger hand size).
The most important thing for me was the feeling I get back from the racket. With a thinner grip, I have much more feeling in the hits and at the net and in the racket overall. The next important thing is the better finger action, what you already said. Grip changing is much faster and easier. Another thing is, that I had to improve my technique to play well with a thinner grip. A thicker grip forgive more technical deficits - in my opinion. And the last thing for me: I can work much better with my wrist with a thin than a thick grip. More control and power in the end. But I also saw very good players with a thick grip.
I have ripped off the original grip and use Karakal Nano 60 stuck onto the bare wood. I had to use double sided sticky tape as the grip kept on moving about. I haven't found any problems with smell or the wood of the handle deteriorating. The actual grip size is G4 with the addition of a bulge on the end cap to stop the racket flying out of my hand. I used to have the original grip with a Karakal Super PU on top which is a lot thicker but found that I can get better finger control with a thinner grip.
Thanks guys for your input! I think i will stick to the only one super grap for my grip as i need to switch from backhand to forehand grip faster.
that's like saying that someone told you blue is not your favorite color. unless he's a professional coach coaching you and found out that the only thing that's holding you back is your grip, feel free to ignore it. if it feels right to you, then it's settle. no need to get stressed out over something like that. i used to have the orginial grip plus two overgrips on the handle cos i got used to a tennis grip. then by accident i forgot to put the extra overgrip on a victor sw35 and found out that i can maneuver it a lot better, way better control. since then i only put one overgrip on a G4 handle and never looked back. feel free to try different grips and different number of grips but in the end, stick with whatever feels right for YOU!!!
it's all trial and error. just play around with some grips/overgrips to see what suits YOU best. i play a G4, thin layer of tape on the wood and then a superthin overgrip. so my grip is very thin. YOU might prefer a thicker grip. TEST IT!
Does the G4 or G5 mean the stock grip that comes with a racket or the actual thickness of the wood? As a Lin Dan fan, I always rip off the stock grip when it comes and imitate what he uses. It's convenient because one Yonex towel grip can be used for two rackets. However, now that I play more doubles, I need to grip up to and possibly covering the cone. Another problem with the LD grip is that the wood is exposed, which can lead to long-term problems (structural integrity of the wood). Any brainstorming as for material that can be pre-placed on the bare wood to protect it? Saran wrap seems like such an inelegant solution...
saran wrap works wonders and can be replaced easily when you take off the towel grip, it's also light.