Selecting a Tennis Racquet for the Beginner

Finding a tennis racquet can seem like a daunting task. There are so many brands, types, shapes and sizes! But have no fear; there are some easy steps that a beginner can follow to ensure they will find the best tennis racquet to annihilate the competition.

The Length

The beginner should start with a standard length size of 27 inches. At this length, the player can control the ball but still use a slightly smaller racquet. As the player becomes more and more advanced, he or she should look for a longer racquet that can provide more power.

The Weight

When a person starts playing tennis they need to find a racquet that is not too light. With the advent of graphite, and other seemingly weightless materials, this might go against conventional wisdom. However, the beginner needs to feel the weight of the racquet in his hand for control. If the racquet is too light the player will likely swing too hard and lose control of the shot.

The Grip

How the player holds the racquet sets the stage for the swing, and the overall shot. Therefore, the grip is important to the player because it is the foundation the overall performance of the racquet. When selecting a grip type it is always important to go smaller than bigger. If you feel like the grip is too small, there is always the option to add grip tape and increase the size. Here are two simple ways to find your correct grip size.

1- On your playing hand, your palm has three main creases. Hold your hand flat, with the fingers alongside one another.

2- Measure from the middle crease of your palm, up the line between your middle and ring fingers to a point equal to the height of the tip of your ring finger. Typically women will measure between 4 1/8" and 4 3/8", men between 4 1/2" and 4 3/4".

String Pattern

This is part of the racquet is commonly overlooked by amateur players. There two main types of string patterns - open and dense. Open string patterns are designed to increase ball spin. Open patterns allow for more spin potential, as the ball can embed itself into the strings more, due to their wider spacing. Dense string patterns do not produce as much spin or rebound energy as open string patterns, but will usually last longer and produce more control for the beginner player.

The Size of the Racquet Head

This is an important part for the racquet, as it is what makes contact with the ball (We hope!). Luckily, this is the easiest to remember, ?The newer the player, the bigger the head?. Having a bigger head gives the player a larger surface area to make contact, thusly giving them the best chance to make good contact.

When it is time to buy a tennis racquet, do not feel worried. By following these simple instructions, you are sure to select the best beginner tennis racquets to fit your game.

Greg Wolf is author of this article on Beginner Tennis Racquet. Find more information about Beginner Tennis Racquet here.