At SquashSkills we often get asked “what’s the best squash racket?” – particularly from players that are new to the game. We’ve enlisted the help of our friends at Sweatband to guide you through choosing the best squash racket.
A newcomer to squash will accelerate their development if they choose the right squash racket from the outset. As their game evolves, a simple change in string can build longevity into what may at first seem a hefty investment. And, for seasoned players, a replacement racket is an opportunity to review play style in order to make an informed choice
We’ve broken down the six key characteristics to make it easier for you to choose the best squash racket to match your needs.
1. WEIGHT
The general range of overall racket weight is typically between 110g up to 190g, so there’s quite a difference between the heaviest and the lightest.
A lighter squash racket is generally the best choice if your style of play is aggressive, fast and involves snapping through the ball in order to make directional changes (Such as the Dunlop Aerogel 4D Pro GT-X). A heavier racket will aid those with a slower swing who need the extra weight to add power and are able to use it to make the other person do the lion’s share of the leg work.
Juniors and smaller players often go for lighter weights since they’re in better proportion with their own size and weight.
When you make your own selection, remember that the weight advertised does not normally include accessories like strings and grommets. So when choosing the best weight for you, account for additional weight of these extras.
2. BALANCE
The weight of the racket is not always evenly distributed, in some, there is a deliberate uneven distribution of weight resulting from size, shape, material and construction in order to work with each person’s style of play.
A head-light squash racket is best for players who look for quick volleys or like to flick the ball. They’ll also suit someone with established upper body strength (Such as the Head Youtek IG Tour 120).
A head heavy racket adds power to shots, making it easier for players to hit the ball harder with a larger swing.
A balanced racket predictably has a consistent distribution of weight offering the best of both worlds, manoeuvrability and power but at neither extreme.
Historically, pro players used head heavy rackets but the game is getting faster and more aggressive so these days more often they favour the head-light.
3. STRINGS
There’s a lot of science behind strings and most rackets come pre-strung with a fairly basic string that might not be the best choice for you. Consider a restring of your brand new racket, which may sound like madness but can certainly make a difference to your game.
Squash racket strings vary by material, texture and tension and collectively the variance of these factors result in numerous configurations that only a true expert can fully explain. This is where our racket expert comes in handy, who you will find ready to help you in our London Showroom. See the Final Tips section below for more info. You can also find help at your local club if you’re serious about the game.
There’s a wide variety of materials and textures to strings. Higher prices and better quality strings have more grip and you’ll experience a better feel of the ball with them. But be warned they’re also generally thinner and more prone to snapping so need replacing more often.
The higher the tension of your strings the less power you get as there’s little give but the more control you can enjoy so it’s really a playoff between which you need more of.
Restringing is usually neglected until it’s too late. If you play once a week it’s best to do it at least once a year.
4. THROAT SHAPE
Throat shape falls into two types; open/teardrop and close/bridged.
On an open throat or a teardrop style of head, the beam splits out to the head. The primary benefit of this throat shape is that the racket offers a larger sweet spot and more power (See the Prince Peter Nicol Pro 700).
The Salming Forza is the favoured racket by team the core team of coaches at SquashSkills. The downside of an open throat that is enables less control.
A closed throat or bridge racket has shorter strings, which means it gives greater control, a smaller sweet spot and reduced power (See the Dunlop Aerogel 4D Pro GT-X). A more skilled and stronger player will usually favour a closed racket.
5. BEAM AND GRIP
Beams range in thickness from 16mm to 21mm with thinner ones offering more manoeuvrability and so being best suited to the more advanced player (Such as this Dunlop Force Evolution 120).
Grips come in a standard size and are the easiest thing to alter whatever your racket choice. You can buy replacements and add on overgrips to suit the size of your hand, how you hold the racket and your style of play.
6. PRICE
Like all sports, the advances in technology have made for a confusing and sometimes costly marketplace. You can pick up a basic racket for very little but it will most likely prove a false economy in a short space of time. Consider your budget and all the above factors and we’re confident you can get the best squash racket to match your game and last a long time (A solid choice would be something like the Technifibre Dynergy 117).
BEST SQUASH RACKET FINAL TIPS
Now you know a bit more about the different elements of a squash racket and what to keep in mind when selecting your new weapon of choice click here to check out the range of squash rackets in our online store.
We also have a racket expert in our London Showroom who will happily advise you and answer any questions you may have about rackets. We also provide a world-class stringing service for players of all levels, just give our showroom a call or email Brad for more information.
We stock a wide range of rackets in our showroom, but we can’t display every single one that you’ll see in our online store. So if you wish to see a particular model please do call us or drop us an email before coming into the showroom.
We also sell all the accessories, racket bags, court shoes, balls, strings, grips, eyewear and more, including top squash brands such as Salming,Wilson, Head, Dunlop, Prince, Tecnifibre and others!
Once you’ve chosen your squash racket be sure to work on your technique with help from the SquashSkills team!
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