Home » RSI magazine » Tips and Techniques » Natural Gut Protection

Natural Gut Protection

I recently installed some natural gut in my racquet. The strings are great, but I was worried about how they would hold up under the conditions here on the Florida coast. I play on green clay surfaces that are constantly damp, and the heat, humidity, and rain here are legendary.

So I relied on an old trick I used 30 years ago in Maryland. After each match, I immediately rub cocoa butter onto the stings. It works to protect the gut from drying out.

Rub the cocoa butter on both hands thickly, then rub your hands all over the strings. Friction heats the cocoa butter so it will coat the strings and protect them.

It wears off after a few warm-up hits. As if that’s not enough, your spouse or significant other will love the new feel of your hands.

Alpha 5-string pack to:

Karl Sanger, Hernando, FL

Editor’s note: Just make certain that you apply the cocoa butter to your strings after you play, unless you like a really slippery grip.

From the August 2004 issue
Permalink