Badminton Rackets - Recommendations

[MrAdaam]

Looking at taking this up fairly seriously so I want to get as much of my own gear as possible. Happy to spend if it will give me a good return on the investment with whatever tech is in rackets these days.

I'm after something that is well known as a brand which is also light, has little drag and will give good power in the shots. Anything suitable for the beginner?

[rykard]

Hi,
first thing is set yourself a budget for all your kit. If you are just beginning don't spend huge amounts on a racket in case you break one, beginners tend to clash rackets more often.

Have a look on sports-direct.com or their store as they do some reasonable deals on rackets, I got 2 carlton from there and a mate has got 2 carlton from there also.

I always have two rackets in case 1 gets broken or a string goes as I can't always get restrings the next day.

Have a wonder over to http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/ and have a look at http://www.badmintonbible.com/ there is a lot of good info on these sites.

above all have fun.

Rich

[MrAdaam]

Hi Rich,
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I really enjoyed last night and will be taking up more sessions on a weekly basis I imagine. Hopefully 2 nights a week. Is there any branding that is better in terms of quality than the rest? I imagine my first racket or 2 will take quite a beating so I'd like something strong.
Thanks, Adam

[Parsnip]

I bought a Yonex Nanospeed based purely on the sales pitch - it gives me an advantage at the molecular level - how could I say no to that?


ETA - I'm still ste with it - apparently the molecular level is the least of my worries.

[CAD Monkey]

Choose a racket that suites your style of play, and you can't really goos wrong with any of the leading brands, Carlton, Yonex, Ashaway etc.

More important if you are starting out, is to get the correct footware and for footwork correct.

[MrAdaam]

I've narrowed a choice down to three rackets -

http://www.sportsdirect.com/head-metalix-pro-badmi...
http://www.sportsdirect.com/wilson-npower-badminto...
http://www.sportsdirect.com/yonex-isometric-zeta-b...

Which one's would you choose and why? Is there any other alternatives for me?

I'm going to get some court shoes to accompany this and some shuttle's but other than that I'm sorted.

[CAD Monkey]

Checkput Directsportseshop, and look in there racket clearance section, there are some good deals to be had.

Probably something like this:

http://www.directsportseshop.co.uk/badminton/badmi...

Edited by CAD Monkey on Thursday 17th March 23:10

[Curry Burns]

I'd look at Carlton Isobalde rackets, my game got dramatically better whilst using the Graphite version of the racket.

[Eviltad]

Curry Burns said:

I'd look at Carlton Isobalde rackets, my game got dramatically better whilst using the Graphite version of the racket.

I'd be Carlton biased too. Mine is a bit of a triggers broom but its lasted me 15 years probably.

[Dan Friel]

Have recently bought this:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/carlton-powertrail-vip...

Recommended.

[Curry Burns]

Curry Burns said:

I'd look at Carlton Isobalde rackets, my game got dramatically better whilst using the Graphite version of the racket.

Sorry to quote myself, but literally the day after I post this, the frame on my Carlton snapped...over use and abuse I reckon. I've already ordered another one, but the Tii version, hopefully a little bit of titainiun will stop me breaking rackets, as that's two in less than 6 months....

[MrAdaam]

Went with a Yonex in the end on 22lb string. Really like the racket for a beginners and looking to get another one soon on a different tension to see where I prefer the tension at - or to have seperate ones depending on how I want to play my game. Got some decent shuttles for the next game as well so we don't have to use tatty rentals.

Looking forward to it.

[arun1uk]

My recommendation would be to get 2 of the same racquet, that way if you break a string you can go to the backup and play exactly the same. Changing racquets has a relatively big impact on your game, and as a beginner, the key is consistency.

whilst there is nothing wrong with sports direct, you might want to check out pwp.com and centralsports.com. These two are the leaders in badminton sales and often have good offers.

I'd keep your strings at 20-22lb as it will give the best compromise between power and control. Generally speaking, the tighter the string, the more control you have. The pros have their racquets strung to 30+lb, because they have the control but also the technique to generate lots of power. Stick with yonex bg65ti string and you'll be fine.

I you need any more advice, I'd be happy to help...

[MrAdaam]

I think that I'll be carrying on with this racket until I hit decent levels of consistency before heading into the more expensive market. Hopefully, by that time I'll be looking at getting 2 rackets around the £50 mark so that I have the option for back up when needed as I will be taking the game a lot more seriously than our current pratice sessions.

[arun1uk]

That sounds like a sensible plan.

In future, check out the site below, as they have great offers for multiple racquets. For example, 2 x Carlton Airblade Ti for £60.
http://www.ibadmintonstore.com/Racket-Offers/Badmi...

Very well priced.

Let me know if you want any technique advice, but most importantly - enjoy it!

[Curry Burns]

Well I used Sports Direct for my new racket, which is a carlton isoblade ti.

Great racket, if a little light feeling.

[MrAdaam]

Well I've been playing a bit more recently and my technique is improving slightly. I can hit 7/10 short shots to just land over the net. I think if anything I am trying to cut them too close at this stage of my game. Smash shots are coming on nicely, just need to work more on my aim so that it does go straight down.
Enjoying it more than anything which is one of the main things.

[Eviltad]

MrAdaam said:

Well I've been playing a bit more recently and my technique is improving slightly. I can hit 7/10 short shots to just land over the net. I think if anything I am trying to cut them too close at this stage of my game. Smash shots are coming on nicely, just need to work more on my aim so that it does go straight down.
Enjoying it more than anything which is one of the main things.

Get some pro or club coaching. Worked well for my game as a junior and my tennis game as a grown up.

[MrAdaam]

I hadn't thought of that - would be the best way I guess though. As a side note to this, does anyone play in Lincolnshire? I have a few people local to me that play but would always like to have a game with someone else.

[Eviltad]

Its the difference between "a knock about" and taking it a little more seriously.