February 2009 Monthly Archive

Building On a Solid Foundation

In December, I made the annual trek to the Technical Meeting of the American Sports Builders Association, which was held in New Orleans. I really love this group, and as I’ve said before in this column, these court builders are... (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

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

Grips Program Takes Hold

A unique program uses grip colors to help push new players to higher levels. (Click here to read more...)

Outlook 2009: Manufacturers Gear Up

Despite worries about the economy, the makers of racquets, shoes, apparel and strings are optimistic that their products will strike the right chord with consumers. (Click here to read more...)

RSI/ASBA Facility-of-the-Year Awards

Style and substance. (Click here to read more...)

Playtest: HEAD ETS 16

Head ETS is a wrapped multifilament nylon string. According to Head, the highly elastic multifilament core moves freely within its unique polypropylene outer wrap, providing optimal elasticity and energy transfer for unprecedented power, playability, and perfect sound. The outer wrap... (Click here to read more...)

New Lessons for Teaching Pros

An industry insider says it’s time the USPTA and PTR fully embrace modified tennis for youngsters by requiring knowledge of it for certification. (Click here to read more...)

Hybrid weight differences

Q: I noticed in your playtest report of Pacific Power Hybrid that the total racquet weight was different depending on which string was used in the mains. How is that possible?... (Click here to read more...)

Tying off natural gut

Q: I have had several instances of the main string breaking at the point where the cross string is tied off such as 7H. In two instances it happened in the bag, that is, not during play. I use a... (Click here to read more...)

Guestimating tension range

Q: I have a Snauwaert Graphite Composite and a Wilson Butch Buchholz Signature racquet made for Sears Roebuck & Co. Any idea as to recommended stringing range on these?... (Click here to read more...)

Racquet shortening

Q: How do you shorten a racquet by ¼ or even ½ inches?... (Click here to read more...)

Adding lead tape under the bumperguard

Q: I just received two brand new racquets today. However, after taking grommet strips off to add weight under the bumper guard, I found it impossible to put the grommets back through the racquet holes because some of the grommet... (Click here to read more...)

Ektelon O3 White patterns

Q: The 16×17 stringing pattern you have listed for the Ektelon O3 White racquetball racquet is the optional pattern for this frame. The stock stringing pattern (the one that comes pre-strung) is 14×17. You might want to mention this in... (Click here to read more...)