 Tennis Geometrics Power V-Grip (aka WonderPower V-Grip): Impressions
Intro | Delivery | Installation | Wrapping it Up | Impressions
May 2007 Update:
I've retired my Volkl Catapult 4 racquets with the recent upgrade to Prince Tour
Diablo Mids. So, I no longer use the Power
V-Grip (aka WonderPower V-Grip).
A few preambles before my feedback on the Power V-Grip .... I'm an
intermediate player. I use a semi-western forehand, one handed backhand, and
continental grip for serves and volleys. I play at least three times a week. I
prefer playing singles rather than doubles.
Right after installing the Power V-Grip and without having hit
any balls yet, the racquet handle with the Power V-Grip felt good in my hand. It's a good
fit. The altered shape of the racquet now feels more like a triangle versus an oblong with
corners around the perimeter. The increased surface area on Bevels 2 and 4
make it so much easier to find the semi-western grip.
I've now played with the Power V-Grip for over four
months. The biggest benefit I've
noticed with the Power V-Grip is greater STABILITY with my grip on the racquet. The shape and
additional surface on the grip allows you to hold the racquet more securely. The racquet
doesn't buckle or twist in your hand, whether it be hitting on the fore, back, volleys, or
serves.
Forehand: With my moderate to fast swing,
I can drive the ball with a bit more power. Consequently, spins are a bit easier to apply
on the ball.
Backhand: Finding the eastern grip is
much easier with the help of the Power V-Grip. The racquet fits snugly into position. Instead of consciously
thinking about placing the base of my index knuckle on the right bevel, I can focus on the
other aspects of completing a good backhand.
Volley: I'm a baseliner and admittedly
not a natural at net. So, as far as volleys go, no positives or negatives gained
with the Power V-Grip personally.
The
biggest benefit I've noticed with the Wonder Power V-Grip is greater STABILITY with my grip on the racquet. |
Serve: I initially struggled with
my serves. With a continental grip, I have a "Massu-style" serve where I
fully extend and hit the ball when it reaches the apex. My serves are fairly consistent
with good pace and placement. Most serves are flat by preference vs. spin.
The problem in my opinion? The altered grip just
didn't feel comfortable. The grip feels very comfortable for fore and back but not
for the serve. It seemed like I was always hunting for the "right"
continental grip when I prepare to serve.
After trying to cope without any success, I sought the
advice of the experts such as Bungalo Bill and Tim Tennis (TennisGeometrics) at the Tennis
Warehouse message board.
Both were very helpful in offering advice. Armed
with their suggestions, I went to the courts with a hopper full of balls. The first
hopper was a bucket full of frustration. Ball control and direction were
non-existent. =(
The 2nd hopper, however, was very different.
Deriving from some of Bungalo Bill's comments about in-between grips, I decided to move my
grip ever so slightly further down the bevel towards the eastern grip. This made for
a comfortable fit that was immediately noticeable. Why didn't I try that? I
guess I was forcing myself to stick with my grip on the old "narrower" bevel 2
scheme. With a much wider bevel 2, I guess I needed to make a
minor adjustment in the way I hold the racquet.
Check out the image above. Notice how much wider bevel 2
is with the Power V-Grip. With the stock racquet, the base of the index knuckles
would theoretically be centered over bevel 2. With the Power V-Grip, the center of
bevel 2 is now a little further down. It's at a point where it is almost in between
the stock bevels 2 and 3.
This in-between grip didn't feel awkward like the pure
continental grip I've been using. And it was quite evident to me how effective this
grip is after hitting the first few balls. The balls had the pace, went in the
direction I was targeting, and more importantly landed in the service box! The feel
for the rest of the serves was the same. Direction and control were back. A
few more hopper full of balls confirmed that. Whew! Thanks Bungalo Bill.
If you're having problems with the serve with the Power
V-Grip like I did, you may want to give this a try. It won't hurt to try. :)
Verdict: Overall, the Power V-Grip has
improved my strokes with the stability it provides. It has helped stabilize my
forehand, backhand, and serves. Everything else like power and spin that comes
from the added stability is a bonus. I'm hoping it will help push me to pursue
developing volley skills as well.
I will likely get one for my son since he has been
complaining about the racquet twisting in his hand.
If your interest has been even slightly piqued by this,
you may want to give it a try. It really does help. Besides, it is inexpensive
enough that if it doesn't work for you, then it won't be too much of a drain on your
wallet.
This is not the holy grail, mind you. It helps but don't
expect it to elevate your rating from 3.0 to 5.0 overnight. This is just one of a littany
of tweaks that we use to help us better ourselves on the court.
If you are interested in this product, you can reach them
at
Tennis Geometrics Company
1844 Walker Valley Rd.
Charleston, TN 37310
http://www.tennisgeometrics.com
Contact: Edward Fagen (aka Tim Tennis at TennisWarehouse Forum)
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