How and when should I restring my squash racquet?

Racquet strings eventually  wear out or break after a long time of using them. When this happens, they require restringing. However, you don’t necessarily have to wait until a racquet string breaks before replacing the strings. Restringing will keep your strings fresh and the racquet’s performance in peak form.

Whatever the reason for restringing a racquet, here are some quick guidelines to consider when choosing a new string. 

1. Racquet String Tension: Unlike tennis, a racquet with higher string tension will reduce its shot power, though a tightly strung racquet gives more control of the ball. For players who are more inclined to use power as their game strategy, a low tension string of 21-24 lbs should be their go-to because it trampolines more, and as such, rebounds the ball off the strings with greater force. In contrast, those who prefer a controlled play pattern should opt for a racquet with higher tension of about 25-28 lbs. 

2. Racquet String Gauge: This refers to the thickness of the string on the racquet. Thicker gauge strings are more durable. They can be used for a longer time before wearing out or breaking, but because of their thickness will not “bite” into the ball as much for cut and spin. The general string gauge for a squash racquet ranges from 1.10mm – 1.30mm.

3. Racquet String Construction: There are various types of strings, but the famous ones are Natural Gut strings and the Synthetic Gut strings. Natural Gut strings are made from cow gut and have tremendous elasticity & playability, and as a result, they are expensive. Most manufacturers and players more commonly use synthetic guts strings for squash racquets because of their affordability. However, it is essential to be careful when choosing a synthetic gut string as there are lots of options for various play options. Check with your professional racquet stringer beforehand.

How often should I restring my squash racquet?

The popular answer to this question would be when they have snapped. However, racquet strings don’t have to snap before you can replace them. There are lots of factors that you should put into consideration when making this decision. 

One factor is how frequently you play squash. If you play three or more times a week, it is ideal to restring at least three times per year. Nevertheless, even if you play less frequently, it is still advisable to restring a couple of times a year because racquets tend to lose elasticity over a long period, even if you don’t use them. 

Another factor is your playing style. Players with a more aggressive style, who like to play more power should look at stringing their racquet more often. String tends to become more trampoline-like as they stretch out and loose their tension. This increases power for a bit but at the expense of control and you will find balls not staying down the wall or flying erratically.

If you’re interested in changing your strings, check out our catalogue of top-quality strings from manufacturers such as Ashaway and Tecnifibre. 

Or, leave your racquet in the hands of a world-class expert in restringing - Larry Howes. Larry’s provided stringing services at major tournaments, including the French Open, the US Open, the

Rogers Cup, the Davis Cup Ties, the Pan American Games, the Women's World Squash Championships, and more. Find out more about Racquet Science’s restringing services here: Stringing Services

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