Racquet handle sizes

[Twilight]

I've bought a couple of racquets but the size/girth of the handle is always too small for my hand! I use a Yonex Ti-7, but I'm 6'4" and they appear to be built for small oriental people or something!!
I have tried to remedy this by using more than one grip wrap on the handle, but although this sorts out the girth, you lose the rectangular and bevelled shape of the handle which is quite important.
I know that racquets come with different handle sizes, but it appears that a particular model comes with a particular size of handle.
Does anyone know of an alternative good way to solve the girth problem, or whether I can get a racquet with a large handle in the model I like?

[Matt]

I've a very similar problem in that several years ago when suffering with severe tennis elbow someone suggested a thicker grip. It worked so now I am reluctant to go back to the normal size, I build my handle up with a very thin sticky gauze tape (apparently designed for racket handles) then place a single grip tape on top. Although i've lost some of the shape of the handle I can still feel the bevels. Perhaps you could give it a go??

[gjsims]

By building up the handle size using grips designed to be soft you lose a bit of both power and touch. More difficult, but with better results, is to build up the handle by adding very a thin layers of balsa wood. make sure you glue it firmly though!

[Geof]

David, I have always used masking tape to customise the grip.

[gregr999]

David, do you grip the handle in your fingers (preferred) or down in the palm of your hand (as one would do for a tennis racket)? Many players lay the racket diagonally across the palm of their hand & then close their fingers around the grip. Players that do this often use a larger grip than they really need.

I believe that is preferred to lay the racket diagonally across the fingers instead. My racket handle intersects the index finger approx at the middle segment (of the finger) rather than below the base of the finger. Holding the the racket (LOOSELY) in this manner will facilitate easier grip changes and promote a greater relaxation of the hand & forearm. This should result in more control and power that is a bit more effortless. This finger gripping should also facilitate the use of "finger power" to accelerate the shuttle with very little movement of the racket.

If you are not already employing the finger gripping as I've described, give it a try for a while. It will be worth the effort if you stick with it. You may find that you don't need to build up the grip size at all. I'm not quite as tall as you (just shy of 6'), but I have fairly large hands with rather long fingers. I have no problems using standard G3 & G4 grips. It amazes me that many plyers with short stubby fingers use a larger grips size (or build up their handles so much that it resembles a small tennis grip).

[stringerengland]

I agree that the handles fitted to modern badminton racquets are very small. The best way to build up a grip in my opinion is to use heat shrink tubes. These are manufactured by R-A-B Enterprises. Procedure: remove old grip and ensure all the old adhesive is removed from the racquet handle. Slide tubing over the handle and use a hot air gun to shrink the tube into place. This can be tricky procedure until you are used to it. Allow the tubing to cool down. Trim any excess material way from the bottom of the handle/butt. Fit new frip over the RAB tubing. Each grip will enlarge the existing handle by one grip size, i.e a 3.5" grip becomes a 3 5/8" grip. Up to 2 heatshrink tubes can be fitted without the loss of the bevels on the grip. If you live near North London (Wood Green) give me a call to arrange a mutually convenient time and I can fit these tubes for you. (Tel:0208-881 2362) If you live further afield, I would be willing to post these items to you including details how to fit them. A benifit of fitting these sleeves is that renewing grips is much easier than removing old grips attached to wooden handles. I hope this advice is of help. Heat shrink tubes are also available for those players who play Tennis and Squash. Alternatively, for those with plenty of money contact Ray Gooden at RSS in Reading. He can produce handles to any shape and size to suit all suit all racquets. ( The handles are custom moulded to suit individual players requirements)You would have to take the racquet to him or put the racquet in the post.