Overgrips, replacement grips and when to change them

Two different things get called a grip, and buying the wrong one is a common mistake.

Replacement grip vs overgrip

A replacement grip is the thicker base layer that goes directly onto the handle, and there is one at a time. An overgrip is a thin tacky wrap that goes over it, and it is meant to be changed often.

The test for when to change

Not how it looks — how it feels. If you find yourself squeezing harder to stop the racket turning, the grip is finished. Players who sweat heavily may change an overgrip weekly; casual players a few times a season.

Thickness and hand size

Each overgrip adds roughly half a grip size. Two overgrips over a base grip makes a noticeably fatter handle, which suits larger hands and reduces feel for smaller ones.

Wrapping

Start at the butt end, overlap by about a third of the width, keep even tension, and finish with the tape supplied. Uneven overlap creates ridges you will feel every shot.