Tips: Choosing the right badminton racquet

The tips going to be lengthy if i'm going post everything here. Thus, there will be a few part and this will be the PART 1

There is no such racquet that fit us. The thing is we're the one who need to fit into it. After all, the racquet would only help to increase your game by 10% ..at most. The rest are depending on your skill, court condition, temperature and of course the pressure from audience (or yourself) :p



I'll be focusing on the grip size and the weight of the racquet on this PART 1 post.
Unfortunately we don't have such racquet standard measurement for all brands. As Yonex is the common badminton racquet brand, i'll be taking example from it.

Please take a look into your own Yonex racquet...make sure it is not the imitation one ye.. at the cone (connector between shaft and grip), at least 2 properties engraved there. eg "G5 4U". What this actually mean? G is for grip size and the U is the heaviness. G5 is smaller grip size compare to G4. And 3U is heavier than 4U racquet. Remember it only applicable to Yonex brand.






THE GRIP

What is the best grip size then? myself prefer G5 instead of G4. G4 give you better control and G5 for better power. Be extra careful that sometimes smaller grip size will harm you. Your finger may injure if the grip is too small. Bigger grip size sometimes would make your racquet land into your head opponent! Meaning, it does not suit you. Asian people normally go for G5 and G6 (rare to find) and European people like Peter Gade go for G4. Bigger size people for bigger grip size!

Another thing need to consider, grip size will determine the racquet balance point. Will discuss balance point in the other post later.

THE HEAVINESS

As i mentioned earlier 3U is heavier than 4U. Example Voltric 70, for 3U the range is between 85g to 89g while 4U is between 81g to 84g.In Malaysia it's hard to find Voltric with 4U. so if you trying a new racquet and you find it is too heavy, then consider to use 4U. And if it is too lighter, go for 3U..and if it is already 3U, you should go for another model.

Bear in mind that grip size also determine the racquet heaviness. It is not the racquet getter heavier but the feeling are. G5 would increase the balance point (BT) thus you'll feel heavier. In short, below is the indicator



LIGHT----------------------------HEAVY

G4-4U < G5-4U < G4-3U < G5-3U

..to be continued in PART 2..