Originally Posted by
LeeD
Good stuff there, TK1, as usual.
I"m 5'11" and 150lbs. and always used a 5/8th. All sorts of players tell me they serve harder and hit harder with smaller grips, so I should change. Then I go hit with them and we hit about the same.
Of course, some 5.5's actually DO hit harder, and they use 1/2 grips, but maybe they hit harder because they're 1.5 levels better, and 35+ years younger.
Even with one overgrip, a 5/8 doesn't feel too big. Certainly not for serves, backhands, or volleys. I"ve had an ongoing problem with forehands for the last 20 years, so maybe it's grip related, maybe not.
For sure, with bigger grips, you can block and volley more solidly.
With smaller grips, seems you need to swing full out or at least swing forwards to hit a solid ball