When to restring or replace your badminton racket

Which is the better option: restring or buying a new racket?

Whatever your level of performance, you will have a decision to make

Restring, or replace your badminton racket?

The answer is never easy, this guide can hopefully help your decision-making process

A guest post by Sophie from YC Sports / Central Sports

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Restringing your badminton racket

If you have had a badminton racket for a while, it’s likely that the strings will become damaged. Even if they haven’t broken yet, it’s likely that they will not be operating at maximum effecicency.

Getting a restring is a very cost-effective way of refreshing your game.  New strings in your badminton racket certainly give it a new lease of life.

The strings are a vital part of the game.  They are the contact point on the shuttle, and much like new tyres on a car, new strings can provide improved performance while keeping all the properties you are familiar with on your existing badminton racket.

As an approximate guide, the number of times you play a week should equate roughly to the number of restrings required over a year.

Playing three times a week would mean a restring three times a year – approximately every four months.

Over time strings will wear, lose tension, and inevitably will break – but when should you consider restringing your badminton racket if they have not broken?

Do you feel a noticeable drop in performance, loss of power and/or control, or a dull hitting sound?

if so then new fresh strings could do the job

The variables

It’s not an exact science to know exactly when to get a new set of strings.  There are many other variables that affect string performance and durability.

The string gauge, the tension, the condition of your garments, your budget, and the number of rackets you use.  All these will influence when to get a re-string.

However, maintaining good quality strings/tension in your badminton racket can vastly help performance.

 

Ask your stringer to check the gromets and to report on the condition of your racket frame

A good one will do this anyway, listen to their advice 🙂

Replacing your badminton racket

So why even bother buying new?

There are many advantages to consider, the biggest of which is probably new badminton racket mechanics.

The manufacturers are always working hard to increase the performance of rackets and the technology is forever improving to allow for this.  Different materials infused with the ever-evolving use of graphite mean an existing racket can be very quickly out-of-date, even after just a few years.

New models are always appearing in the shops and they may have the ability to elevate your game to the next level.

It’s important to try out new rackets

The new technology and specifications may surprise you

Your development is a factor

Another thing to consider is how your game evolves over time, a change of racket is often necessary to complement a changing style.

As a junior player gets stronger, as a beginner/intermediate player starts to improve, or as an older player perhaps begins to slow down, these can all warrant the need for a new badminton racket rather than just a restring.  Essentially a more fit-for-purpose model can be a change for the better.

There is no exact answer for when to buy a new racket, but in order to maximise the best performance for your game, it is worth considering a replacement after a good few years of use – especially if playing more than once a week.  A new badminton racket can be a better option rather than restringing an already battered and bruised older badminton racket.

Contact your local retailer and ask about demonstration rackets or ‘come and try’ days

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So, to restring or replace?

There are advantages to both restringing and replacing your badminton racket…..

• A restring is the far cheaper option and is an effective revamp on your existing racket
• But if your racket is now tired and outdated, or your game now requires a complete change, it is probably better to cut your losses and look to buy new

If you are interested in talking with an expert in our shop either call 024 7645 5149

or email Central Sports and discuss your options plus find out about our demo days

 

 

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