Stringing advice and consultation
Looking for advice on your sports racquet and strings? Need a specialist to answer your racquet restringing questions? Call Strings ‘N’ Things in High Wycombe for racquet advice and more – or see if your question is answered in our FAQs below.
When does my racquet need stringing?
Obviously when a string breaks your racquet needs attention. However you should also be aware that every time you hit a forceful shot your strings stretch and then recoil back to their resting position. Over time, depending on how often you play and how hard you swing, the strings become ‘spongy’ and lose their ability to ‘snap’ back resulting in a drop off in performance. However this is a gradual effect and can be difficult to notice so, as a general rule of thumb for club/recreational level players, your racquet should be strung as many times in a year as you play in a week.
What strings should I ask for?
The tension you use will affect the way your racquet performs. In tennis and squash the trampoline effect of the ball on the strings dictates that lower tensions provide greater power and higher tensions provide greater control. In badminton the mass and aerodynamics of the shuttlecock means that racquet head speed rather than string tension is the most important factor in providing power in your shots. In general though, the following rules apply:
Recommended tensions on badminton racquets will typically range from 18lbs-28lbs and on squash racquets from 20lbs-35lbs. Tennis racquets can be anything from 44lbs-66lbs dependant on head size.
What type of string should I use?
In badminton the choice is relatively simple, as most strings have a similar multifilament construction. Performance strings (such as Yonex BG66UM) are thinner and provide better repulsion and feeling but won’t tend to last as long as durability strings (such as Yonex NBG95) that thicker and will often have a hard coating on the outside of the string. In tennis there are more different types of string for you to choose from:
- Natural gut strings are the ultimate for touch and feel but because of the manufacturing processes they are the most expensive.
- Multifilament strings give a less expensive alternative to gut and can be made without a central core to give a soft, gut-like feel. The addition of a central core will stiffen the string, to give more control on big power shots, and will improve its durability.
- Monofilament strings are stiffest and most durable but can be unresponsive and feel ‘dead’.
- Textured and shaped strings can be mono or multifilament and are designed to help the player to impart extra spin on their shots.
- Hybrid strings use a combination of any of the above and are poplar with professional players as it gives them the best combination of power, control and touch.
What type of string should I use?
In badminton the choice is relatively simple, as most strings have a similar multifilament construction. Performance strings (such as Yonex BG66UM) are thinner and provide better repulsion and feeling but won’t tend to last as long as durability strings (such as Yonex NBG95) that thicker and will often have a hard coating on the outside of the string. In tennis there are more different types of string for you to choose from:
- Natural gut strings are the ultimate for touch and feel but because of the manufacturing processes they are the most expensive.
- Multifilament strings give a less expensive alternative to gut and can be made without a central core to give a soft, gut-like feel. The addition of a central core will stiffen the string, to give more control on big power shots, and will improve its durability.
- Monofilament strings are stiffest and most durable but can be unresponsive and feel ‘dead’.
- Textured and shaped strings can be mono or multifilament and are designed to help the player to impart extra spin on their shots.
- Hybrid strings use a combination of any of the above and are poplar with professional players as it gives them the best combination of power, control and touch.
