The main properties of any squash racket are weight, material, balance, string pattern and shape and size of the head.
If you are a beginner, you have probably only a vague idea what they mean and how they affect the playing capabilities of the racquet – so I’ll do my best to explain the differences here.
Weight
This one is pretty simple. The weight of squash rackets is distributed from about 110 grams to more than 200. Lighter rackets are usually more expensive as it requires higher quality materials.
And while the difference in weight might seem really small, you would definitely feel it while playing.
- Heavy racquets (180 grams and more) are great choice for beginners. The weight works for you when you strike the ball (providing a good power) and you can concentrate just on controlling it. The disadvantage is that you can never achieve such control, swiftness and maneuverability as with a lighter racket.
- Light racquets (110 – 135 grams) are better suited for experienced players. Why? Because to achieve high power you have to increase the swing speed while still maintaining a good control – which can be a bit difficult for novice players. They are also more expensive and less durable.
- Medium-weight racquets (135 – 180 grams) – a compromise.
So my advice is – if you are starting with squash, go for a cheaper, heavier or medium-weight racket and upgrade to more expensive, lighter one after you get some experience and skill.
Also it’s a good idea to select a lighter racket for juniors so they don’t have to struggle with additional weight.
Balance
Or – the distribution of weight. We distinguish racquets that are:
- Head heavy – they weight lies more towards the head and the racket feels heavy in your hand, it`s easier to deliver powerful strokes.
- Head light – more towards the handle so the racquet feels lighter and it’s more maneuverable.
- Evenly balanced
But note that balance is mostly a matter of personal preference, some people like head heavy raquets, some others prefer evenly balanced…
Shape and size of the head
- Larger heads (500 sq cm) give you more power (particularly the teardrop-shaped heads with long main strings) and often also a bigger sweet spot so it`s easier to hit the ball with them.
- Smaller heads with a classical, closed shape offer more control and smaller but kind of "higher quality" sweet spot – so they are better suited for advanced players.
Various head sizes, shapes and string patterns
String pattern
It tells you how many main (vertical) and horizontal strings the racket uses. Most squash racquets offer a traditional string pattern like 14×18 or 16×16, but there are exceptions as well.
- Open pattern – for example 14×15, improves power.
- Denser pattern – for example 16×19, offers more control but limits the power.
And there also two types of the shape of main strings – the traditional is parallel but you can find a fan-shape on some rackets.
Material
The most used materials are:
- Aluminium – the cheapest squash rackets are often made of aluminium. They are heavy (around 200 gram) but also very durable and difficult to damage. Their disadvantage are vibrations that are generated when hitting the ball.
- Graphite composits – titanium and carbon are often added to the graphite base. These racquets are lighter and better for playing – but when used badly they can break.
I hope this overview has helped you understand what the key variables of squash racket mean and how to use them when selecting the right equipment. Thanks for reading!