Towel Grip Experience

**Matt Ross** · 08-26-2002, 05:53 PM

Hi all,

I was thinking about going to towel grips, and was wondering if any of you had any experience of playing with them, are they any good? Do you think they are better than say the normal PU grips because of the perspiration absorbtion? If you have used these, what make do you think are the best for making the towel grips? Any advice would be appreciated.

Matt

**cooler** · 08-26-2002, 09:41 PM

matt, i think some players like them while other don't. I know a player who make his own towel grips from used bath towels. He just loves it. I held it and it is better than stuffs buy from stores.

**Totoro** · 08-27-2002, 12:13 AM

towel grip is easy to become stingky because of the sweat... it also don't last so long, after a while it becomes harden and u will be like holding a piece of rough wood... but most national players use it... y? because they can get sponsor and can change a few times a week... at the beginning, the grip feel superb but after a while it is no longer suitable...

**JChen99** · 08-27-2002, 01:48 AM

I used Towel grips for a while and decided to go bak to regular one...
The towel grip after about 3 hrs of play feels very sticky and stinky

In conclusion... unless you are always gonna change it after few hours of play... otherwise... EWWWWW -.-"

**ksooi** · 08-27-2002, 02:12 AM

Hi Matt,

I have only used towel grips in all my years of playing badminton. I have tried other grips but have always gone back to towel grips. You might have to change them regularly but I feel very comfortable with them.(great sweat absorbtion) I usually have several rackets of the same model so I usually rotate their use so the grip is not worn out that quickly.
As for the best make of towel grips, in the 80's I only use Carlton(definitely the best then) but I don't think they make them anymore(can't find them anywhere). Right now I am only using Yonex towel grips.(plain color ones) Victor makes them as well but they seem to be a bit thicker. You would need to get rid of the original grip.(I use Yonex rackets with G4)

Hope this helps.

**ivan** · 08-27-2002, 02:48 AM

Towel grip rulz !!!!!! I have been using them for a long time (probably 5 years), and yes, you do have to change them regularly (I change them about once a month) but the thing is they provide that very touch feel which you never gonna get from pu grip. The one that will make your feel very sticky is the long hair towel grip, get the short hair one

**GRObFURSt** · 08-27-2002, 03:34 AM

if you made it out of your own towel couldnt you just put it in the washingmachine ?

**cooler** · 08-27-2002, 05:33 AM

yes, my friend does put it in the washing machine. Each towel grip lasted him 3 washes before he chuck it away. He has 2 daughters, plus his wife, they go thru lot of towels.

***Mag*** · 08-27-2002, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by cooler
yes, my friend does put it in the washing machine. Each towel grip lasted him 3 washes before he chuck it away. He has 2 daughters, plus his wife, they go thru lot of towels.

I'm a bit curious: as he uses them several times, I take it he doesn't glue them on?

**modious** · 08-27-2002, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by Mag

I'm a bit curious: as he uses them several times, I take it he doesn't glue them on?

Interesting.

**Darren** · 08-27-2002, 07:56 AM

If you like towel grip (and can't be bothered to make your own!) then your best bet is the Ashaway towel grip roll. Costs about £20 and is 20 metres long. This should give you about 30 grips worth.

I use this and really like it, I can't go back to pu types now. You do need to replace it probably every 10 hours of play I would suggest.

Central sports in Coventry sell it so give them a bell!

**Nic** · 08-27-2002, 09:11 AM

I think Yogi makes his own towel grip out of towel, check out his post here

***kwun*** · 08-27-2002, 01:00 PM

thanks Nic for digging that thread out.

i think i will experiment with it. a thin bath towel at a discount dept store can be had for as little as US$5. plus some double sided tape for $3-4. that will make at least 10-15 grips. a definite bargain.

**Nic** · 08-27-2002, 03:01 PM

no problem, kwun.

get the towel and tape from the Dollar Store, only about US1 each. but I am not sure if there is any Dollar Store at your location.

**cooler** · 08-27-2002, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by Mag

I'm a bit curious: as he uses them several times, I take it he doesn't glue them on?

Mag, my answer is a bit late but others here use doublesided tape. I think this fella i know uses something like that too. Glues are for fine furniture/cabinet making

**UkPlayer** · 08-27-2002, 03:28 PM

imo

Towel grips - expensive, smelly, harsh on the hands
Super PU - tacky, easy to grip, clean, comfortable and cheap

***kwun*** · 08-27-2002, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by Nic
no problem, kwun.

get the towel and tape from the Dollar Store, only about US1 each. but I am not sure if there is any Dollar Store at your location.

Nic,

yes. good idea. actually, come to think of it, the lower the quality of the towel usually means that it is rougher, and that's actually good when it comes to badminton grip..