February 2006 Monthly Archive

Give 'em what they want

A longtime tennis camp director says more people are looking to improve their games, and we need to deliver. (Click here to read more...)

Playtest: Tecnifibre Multifeel 16

Tecnifibre Multifeel 16 is a solid-core single-wrap multifilament string, which according to Tecnifibre offers durability, dynamic performance, and comfort at an excellent price-to-value ratio. The durability comes from the central monofilament, which comprises 20 percent of the total volume... (Click here to read more...)

Outlook 2006 -- String: All tied up

The stringbed is forever the playground of infinite possibility. (Click here to read more...)

Raw Racquet Power

When Crawford Lindsey and I were writing Technical Tennis, our biggest single problem was to find a meaningful word or phrase to replace "Apparent Coefficient of Restitution," or ACOR. This is the technically correct phrase used to describe how... (Click here to read more...)

Frames of reference

For spring, manufacturers have perfected their techniques, offering higher quality, better products. (Click here to read more...)

Outlook 2006

Bolstered by gains in participation, equipment sales, and pro tournament attendance, the new year looks to be a winner for your business. (Click here to read more...)

Building the future

In early December, I spent three days with people who may well comprise the most important group involved in tennis in the U.S. — the members of the American Sports Builders Association. These are the people who build and... (Click here to read more...)

It's all about learning

To make the grade as a teaching pro, Ken DeHart says never miss an educational opportunity. (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

Information to help you run your business. (Click here to read more...)

Get your kicks

In tennis footwear, companies are cutting the weight while upping the quality. (Click here to read more...)

Flaunt Your Customization By Creating a Racquet Service Center

Most tennis retailers know that racquet stringing is their highest profit category, yet it is often relegated to "second-class" status in the shop layout. The stringing machine is crammed into an out-of-the way corner, or even in a back... (Click here to read more...)

If you build it …

Court builders, coming off a busy 2005, are optimistic that the new year will bring more of the same. (Click here to read more...)

Popular Appeal

Whether it's high fashion or high performance, the new tennis apparel is hitting all the right notes for your customers. (Click here to read more...)

Partial string jobs

Q: I need some sort of official ruling as to whether or not leaving a string job half done is acceptable practice. It has been demonstrated to me many times that it is not, however, I need some sort of... (Click here to read more...)

Defining swingweight

Q: I thought I knew the definition of "swingweight" until I had someone ask me to tell him. Now I'm wondering, what exactly is swingweight?... (Click here to read more...)

Reducing grip size

Q: Do you have any information on who reduces tennis grips? Is there any do-it-yourself info? I don't even know where to start.... (Click here to read more...)

Positive re-enforcement

Whenever I introduce a client to a new string, I wrap the package insert with all the technical and promotional information around the handle of the racquet. This reinforces what I've said, helps to justify the decision, and often results... (Click here to read more...)

Easy string measuring

Many of my customers have more than one frame of the same type, and I have them pretty well trained to rotate the amount of playing time they put on each frame, so they can bring me all of their... (Click here to read more...)

Balancing act

When the need arises to balance a racquet, I have discovered that my balancing board mounts nicely on my stringing machine. I place the board between the four frame supports and tighten the moveable mounting arms, securing the board base... (Click here to read more...)

Shallow bumperguards

If you or any of your customers play with the Head i.radical OS, you know that the groove between the bumperguard and the grommet strip is shallow, allowing the string to come into direct contact with the court very often.... (Click here to read more...)

Label removal

I have found that if I soak a tissue with Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil and place it in contact with the old label prior to stringing the racquet, label removal becomes very easy. The label absorbs the Avon Skin-So-Soft during... (Click here to read more...)

Serious height adjustment

Because of my height (I'm 6 feet 6 inches tall), my stringing machine was too low even at its maximum height of 48 inches. Rather than prop the machine up on a riser and risk it tipping over, I took... (Click here to read more...)

Wilson nCode racquetball restringing

The Wilson nCode racquetball racquets have the three channel rails at the throat of racquet, and three grooves at the butt of the handle. The handle and alternating strips of the grip are transparent, exposing the string in the handle.... (Click here to read more...)