Would you like to know what factors to consider when buying a new squash racket? As a longtime squash player, I know the trials and tribulations of the sport. From mastering the techniques to buying a new racket, the game can be unforgiving for beginners. If you are interested in buying a new racket and are not sure what to look for, the following will point you to a racket that is right for you.

Today we will go over what to look for in a squash racket, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player. For many of you, this will simply be a repetition of what you already know, although it may be elements that you have not thought of before. For beginners, while all of the following will be essential in your decision-making criteria, the most important thing you can do is visit your local squash courts and request a practice shot.

Let’s start with the weight of the racket.

The weight of squash rackets varies between ~ 120 grams and ~ 210 grams. Most racquets fall in the 140-170 gram range (strung). The lightest squash racket will indicate cutting edge technology and materials that have been used in its construction, this invariably leads to an increase in price.

The lightest rackets are suitable for three types of players. Youth, women and ‘touch’ players. Young people and women will prefer the lighter racquet as it will be easier to transport and will take less effort. Tactile players will prefer lighter rackets as they provide a better feel and allow for greater racket agility. The more experienced players among us will benefit more from a lighter racket.

Heavier rackets, on the other hand, do not require the same level of skill and technique to be effective. The extra weight provides more power during a swing. This added weight on the squash racket provides more momentum to the swing, which means that a player’s shot is less likely to drift. This is a great thing for beginner and intermediate players who want to improve their overall game and increase their confidence with more consistent shots.

The balance of a squash racket varies substantially where its center of balance is located. A racket has a heavy head, a light head, or a neutral head. Neutral is what most people prefer, and the other options often indicate poor balance and poor design. Squash rackets that feel heavy tend to have heavy heads. Rackets that feel powerless are usually light. The only true way to get an idea of ​​how a racquet is balanced is to try it out. Go to your local squash courts and try it before you buy!

The stiffness of the racket depends on the design of the racket, the materials used in the racket, and the strings. Stiffer rackets typically provide a higher degree of precision and power, but require a better understanding of both literal and squash techniques. The stiffness of the racket is often a personal choice. If you notice that you often have sore, bruised hands or tired forearms, try using a softer racket. Also add some softer grip tape.

The shape of the racket head is a key point when choosing a racket for a beginner and a racket for a more experienced player. A hard and fast rule of thumb is that larger racket heads provide a more consistent and powerful hit. Consistent shooting means there will be fewer ‘bad’ shots due to an increase in margin of error, though not necessarily an increase in accuracy.

The strength and durability of the racket are affected by the craftsmanship, the construction material and the player! While many manufacturers use all kinds of sophisticated materials today, the key to a long-lasting racquet is left to the player. Too many hard hits on the wall or the floor will reduce the work of almost all squash rackets. Although it has become commonplace that titanium rackets do not last long. Aside from this, sticking to most typical squash racket manufacturers (Head, Dunlop, Prince, etc.), the durability of your racket should be a moot point.

Stock Squash Racquet Grip is also a moot point. For just a few dollars, you can improve your grip right away and increase it to the thickness and feel you want. Play around with this as grip makes a huge difference to your ability to control the racket!