The beauty of racquetball lies in the fact that you’re able to have fun at your chosen pace. At intense speeds, you get to experience an adrenaline rush and drive like no other as you respond to the fast-moving ball.
Racquetball is a unique game with certain similarities to tennis. Just like handball, racquetball is played indoors within four walls. It involves using a racquet to hit a hard ball back and forth; however, a racquetball racquet has a shorter handle than that of a tennis racquet.
There’s need for a premium racquet to play racquetball whether you’re practicing, engaging in a friendly match, or taking part in tournaments. Since racquetball racquets have shorter handles than
tennis racquets, they give you the control you need to respond fast and hit the ball.
Whatever your experience level in playing racquetball, you need to buy the right type of racquet to play this game. Available in various brands, colors and grip sizes, racquetball racquets are categorized based on weight. You can choose a light, medium, or heavy racquet.
Light racquets generally weigh somewhere between 150 and 165 grams. They’re ideal for beginners trying to develop fast swings. Weighing 170 to 185 grams, medium racquets are the most common on the market; they offer balanced power and control. Heavy racquets, on the other hand, weigh more than 185 grams; they’re ideal for experienced and professional players.
Note that just as you need a good racquet to play, you also need the right
running shoes,
exercise gloves, and apparel. This is a mixed review of racquetball racquets for beginners, intermediate, and professional players. We hope that this guide can help you make an informed decision.
Price
Come up with a budget to help you determine the price range of the racquetball racquet you’re looking for. If you’re looking to save some money, consider models from a previous year and you could get even a high-end racquet at a reasonable price. If you’re a beginner, go for basic light racquets designed for entry-level players. These usually cost anything from $15 to $50.
Medium racquetball racquets cost anything between $50 and $100. Buy this type of racquet if you’ve been playing this game for a while, but still have a long way to go before you can become a pro. On the other hand, professionals should go for the latest models of heavy racquets for fast action and great performance.
You can find a high-end professional racquet in the price range of $90 to $300. Recent racquetball racquets are based on cutting edge technologies to meet the complex needs of advanced players. Whereas beginners and one-time players need to buy economical racquets, advanced players need the best for ultimate performance.
Features
Racquetball racquets are designed for entry-level, intermediate, and advanced users based on various factors to ensure they enjoy maximum performance. A racquet that’s suitable for a professional player can’t suit someone who’s just beginning to learn the ins and outs of the game. Therefore, you need to consider various factors and know what to look for in your racquet based on your level.
Here are some features to look for in a racquetball racquet:
- Type, such as entry-level, intermediate, and professional
- Weight and swing speed for your experience level
- The right balance, such as top, down, or even
- Small or large grip size to fit your hands
- Premium material for durability
- The right head size and string pattern to suit your experience level
The right racquetball racquet will ensure that you can play well based on your speed and experience level – achieve maximum performance.
Construction and Design
Consider the following factors when shopping for a racquetball racquet:
Weight and Swing Speed – A racquet’s weight is directly proportional to the control, power, and maneuverability you’ll experience when playing. Heavy racquetball racquets are ideal for slow swings. Although both beginners and seasoned players require heavy racquets, the former usually engage in slow swings and power heavy games while amateurs play more controlled games.
Balance – A racquetball racquet’s balance influences maneuverability and power. Choose a light, medium, or heavy racquet. Heavy heads offer increased swing speed and weight, and power. On the other hand, light heads are perfect for front court plays as they’re more maneuverable. Buy a racquet with weight focused at the center for an even balance to give you more control and power, and custom use.
Swing Weight – If you’re a beginner, your swing weight is high, hence you need a racquet that offers less control and power. Medium swing weight players need evenly balanced racquetball racquets for easy pick-up and use. Low swing players, on the other hand, require racquets with more power and control.
Grip Size – Choose between large and small grip sizes; a super small grip is usually 3-5/8 inches and offers optimal wrist snap for increased power and performance. An extra small grip ranges in size from 3-7/8 inches to 3-15/16 inches. If you have large hands, opt for a larger grip size. The wrong grip size can cause over- or under- clenching of the handle, resulting in elbow pain.
Performance and Ease of Use
Racquetball racquets come pre-strung or un-strung from the factory. You can easily customize your racquet’s strings as you desire or when they lose their tension, leading to reduced power, feel and, response. Whereas high tension offers stiff string beds for more control, low tension delivers more power due to the trampoline effect.
A new grip increases durability, control, and style, and improves the general feel of the racquet. A dampener, though not necessary, minimizes vibrations for a more solid string bed. If you’re a professional player, you can get your racquet customized to suit your playing style and size. Finally, make sure the racquet is durable, right for your level, and easy to use and maintain.
Choose a racquetball racquet with the right head and grip sizes to enjoy increased power, performance, and control. Make sure the racquet you pick meets your gaming needs and suits your experience level. Find out if one of our recommended racquetball racquets is what you need.
Whether you play racquetball for fun or as a profession, and despite your experience level, there’s a racquet out there to fulfill your need for intensive play. We hope that with our review of the top five racquetball racquets, you’ll be in a position to pick the right product to meet your needs. In case you would like something different, check out our other tennis racquet review, for five of the best tennis racquets!
