Alright, so I’ve been messing around with my tennis racket lately, trying to get the grip just right. I decided to try out a leather grip – you know, the kind the pros supposedly use. Figured I’d share my little experiment and what I found out.
Stripping the Old Grip
First things first, I had to get rid of that nasty, worn-out overgrip I had on there. That thing was practically disintegrating. I peeled it off, and let me tell you, it left behind some seriously sticky residue. Took some elbow grease and some cleaner to get the handle all nice and smooth again.
Putting on the Leather Grip
Next up, the main event: the leather grip. I unwrapped the new grip, and it felt pretty stiff, not gonna lie. I started at the butt of the racket, carefully overlapping each wrap as I went up the handle. It was a bit tricky to keep the tension even, and I definitely fumbled a couple of times. Had to unwrap and rewrap a few sections to get it looking decent.
The Feel Test
Once the leather grip was on, I gave it a few practice swings. Immediately, I noticed a much firmer feel. My old grip was all squishy and soft, but this was solid. It felt like I had way more control, like I could really feel the bevels of the handle. Pretty cool, but also…different.
Playing with the Leather Grip
- Pros:
- Control: Like I said, the feel is way more direct. I felt like I knew exactly where the racket face was at all times.
- Feedback: You can really feel the ball impact. It’s a much more connected sensation.
- Durability: These things are supposed to last a long time. I haven’t had it long enough to confirm, but it definitely feels tough.
- Cons:
- Comfort: Okay, this is a big one. Leather is not exactly known for being soft and cuddly. My hand definitely felt it after a while.
- Slippage: When my hand got sweaty, the grip started to feel a little slippery. Not ideal.
My Verdict (So Far)
Honestly, I’m still on the fence. The leather grip definitely gives you a different feel, and I can see why some players would love it for the control and feedback. But the comfort and slippage issues are real. I think I’ll keep playing with it for a while and see if I get used to it. Maybe I will try use an overgrip to solve the cons, I will try it and then share my experence next time.
