Badminton

My special promotion on badminton restringing at £9.99p will continue into 2010 whilst stocks last. This includes Yonex BG80, BG65Ti, BG68Ti and BG95 Nanogy.

Unlike Banks, this offer is not just for new customers only!

If you have turned to this page I expect you are someone who takes a keen interest in the game and the equipment you use. After 25 years of playing the game I understand the needs of players and the importance of good stringing.

The Yonex stringing machine I use is the seventh machine I have owned over the years and is recognised as the best by far for Badminton racquets. Not for nothing is it the automatic choice of machine for major tournaments throughout the world. A combination of very accurate tensioning, excellent frame support, and Japanese engineering make it a pleasure to work with and produce consistent results.

The Yonex stringing team in action at Birmingham

The concensus of information at the 2009 UK Racquet Stringers Association Badminton workshop was that Yonex BG80 and BG65Ti are still the most popular strings used at international standard. What has changed is a reduction in demand for excessively high tensions. Unless you get your racquets and strings free and can centre your shots every time it is far better to have your frame strung within the manufacturers guidelines. This will be kinder to your pocket and your body.

I know that if you are playing several days a week you need a fast service so if you want your racquet restrung today just telephone 01883 623835 and the chances are I can string it today.

Things to look for when getting a restring:

• Always ask if the grommets / buffer strip on your racquet are okay. It's a false economy to restring with damaged grommets or a worn buffer, because they protect your strings from friction and contact with the frame.
• Your restring should have no more than 4 knots. If it has, take it back and tell the stringer to do it again.
• Only the four outside strings should be noticeably looser than the others. If a central string is very loose, take it back.
• The strings strings at the outside at the 10o'clock and 2 o'clock positions should lie flat and not cross over, take it back.
• Modern racquets are fairly fragile. When a string breaks it deforms the frame slightly and can cause structural damage. In order to minimize further damage, you should seek to have the racquet restrung as quickly as possible.
• Repairs (or 'patching' as it is sometimes called) should only be carried out as a very short-term measure. A broken string means that there has been tension loss over the complete string bed, which will never be regained with a repair.
• Conscientious stringers will keep details of your last restring enabling you to have the same string and tension without guessing.

On a final note, choosing a racquet stringer is best done by asking members of both yours and other clubs who they feel gives the best quality of service. Do not be afraid to ask your stringer questions, if they are the professional you think they are they will clear up any queries.