March 2008 Monthly Archive

A Major Link in the Chain

Sometimes I worry that teaching pros get sick of hearing about various programs touted as the best thing for the future of the game. If a group such as the USTA, TIA, PTR, or USPTA is putting money and... (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

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

Bonding With Members

A good rapport with members and customers is essential to achieving your goals. (Click here to read more...)

Online Solutions

New TennisWorks software aims to drive business for retailers and facilities. (Click here to read more...)

2008 Court Construction and Maintenance Guide

Whether you're a court builder, facility manager, teaching pro, coach, community tennis volunteer or otherwise involved in the tennis business, you'll find our Court Construction Guide — produced with our partner, the American Sports Builders Association — full of... (Click here to read more...)

Building Blocks

In court construction, expect more surface changes, courts specifically for beginning players, and "green" tennis facilities. (Click here to read more...)

'Green-Up' Your Facility

Being eco-friendly means more than just recycling cans and bottles. For tennis facilities, there are plenty of ways to help save the planet. You recycle your aluminum cans and your newspapers. You eschew those plastic bags the grocery stores... (Click here to read more...)

Teaching Aid

As programs for beginners increase, consider putting in courts specifically for teaching tennis. (Click here to read more...)

Solid foundation

Is a post-tensioned concrete court right for your facility? It's time to add that new hard court to your facility. You've been hearing a lot about post-tensioned concrete courts, but you're just not certain. From your research, you've learned... (Click here to read more...)

Playtest: Wilson (K) Gut 16

Wilson (K) Gut is a new multifilament nylon-based string. (K) Gut is made up of nylon microfibers augmented by Fluorofiber (individual fibers of 100% fluorocarbon), which Wilson claims give (K) Gut ultimate performance and extra control. The nylon and... (Click here to read more...)

Fitness for Everyone

A renowned health and fitness expert says the USPTA's new "Tennis — For the health of it!" campaign hits all the right notes for people to stay fit and have fun. (Click here to read more...)

String recommendations

Q: I’m in the process of revamping my string inventory. What strings do you recommend I carry?... (Click here to read more...)

Racquet spec differences

Q: I was comparing the specs on two racquets the other day with a customer, and I couldn’t explain why two racquets with otherwise almost identical specs have such a difference in swingweight. The specs are: Racquet A Racquet B... (Click here to read more...)

Double-back crosses

Q: I’ve heard other stringers make reference to the “double-back cross” method for stringing the Prince Speedport Red, Blue, and Silver. Can you help me understand what this is?... (Click here to read more...)

Fan-pattern racquets

Q: I have an older glide-bar stringing machine and sometimes it’s hard to string the last mains because they fan out too much. Does a floating clamp help with this? How do they work?... (Click here to read more...)

One more ‘poly’

Q: What is the difference between polyurethane and polyester strings?... (Click here to read more...)

Constant-pull calibration

Q: I have a digital scale to calibrate my Babolat Star 3. I have Kevlar string between the scale and the tension head. When tension is pulled to 65 lbs., the scale will briefly read 65 and then the number... (Click here to read more...)

Don't forget decor!

Tennis players seem to enjoy seeing old wood tennis racquets and classic aluminum and graphite models. Add these to your stringing area — perhaps by hanging them from the ceiling — and emphasize your knowledge of tennis gear. These really... (Click here to read more...)

Keeping racquets neat and clean

When I get a racquet to string, aside from checking the obvious (cracks in the frame, broken grommets, etc.), I look to see what I can do to improve some of the aesthetic aspects of the racquet’s appearance: I take... (Click here to read more...)

V-section frame mounting

Some racquets have a “V” shaped profile with the point of the “V” (from which the grommets emerge) on the inside the racquet. This surface can be as much as ½” from the external edge of the racquet. On an... (Click here to read more...)

Built-in dampener mounting

Some of the new frames come with a vibration damper on the middle grommets at the bottom. Using a stringing machine with center frame clamps creates a problem; it’s not a good idea to mount the racquet with the dampener... (Click here to read more...)