Choosing your first badminton racket

Most beginners buy a racket because a friend uses it or because it looks good. A better place to start is three numbers on the frame: weight, balance and grip size.

Weight is shown as U. A 3U racket weighs 85 to 89 grams, a 4U racket 80 to 84. Beginners, children and most adults playing doubles do well with 4U. It is easier to swing and lighter on the shoulder.

Balance tells you where the weight sits. Head-heavy rackets give power on clears and smashes but are slower at the net. Head-light rackets are quick for defence and drives. Even-balanced rackets sit between. For a first racket, choose even or slightly head-light.

Grip size is marked G4, G5 and so on; a higher number is thinner. Most adults in India use G5, and you can always add an over-grip to make it thicker.

You do not need an expensive frame to learn. A sturdy graphite racket from ₹2,500 to ₹4,000 is plenty for the first year. Spend the difference on good court shoes. If you can, try before you buy. Our demo session lets you hit with six frames on court, and most players feel the difference within ten shots.