There comes a time in every squash player's career where they need to get their racquet restrung.
This could be due to your strings snapping completely, or, they may just be dead or deteriorated enough to warrant a new string being put in.
Getting your racquet restrung can be daunting, especially for newer players, as there are so many different options for strings, tension, and density, it's sometimes hard to know which option will suit your game best.
So, I thought I'd cover all of the above in a blog post!
At Control the 'T' Sports, we string a lot of racquets, so, we like to think that we know a thing or two about the benefits, drawbacks, and impacts of different tensions, densities, and string types.
I must have had my racquet restrung at least 100 times over the years, and, now I feel as though I know exactly what I'm looking for.
Before I dive into my string-related advice, I wanted to quickly mention the importance of knowing your own game, as this will ultimately help you decide which stringing specs and types will help you maximize your squash.
You might be a power-focused player who likes to use a bigger swing to strike the ball hard and purposefully. Perhaps you're more of a fast-paced, attacking-style player who takes the ball early, uses a shorter swing, and values control.
Or, maybe you're all about control and like to lift balls and place your shots incredibly accurately to move your opponent around the court and finally hit a pinpoint winner to get the point.
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is very important when choosing all of your gear, and this is especially true for stringing.
It might not seem like it, but the way your racquet is strung can have a huge impact on your game.
It might be difficult to know what type of player you are, especially if you're newer to the sport and just finding your strengths.
For beginner-level players, it can be valuable to ask others (coaches or friends) to analyze your game and give their thoughts. Or, you could video your training and matches and figure it out yourself.
However, there is an aspect of this that I don't think gets mentioned often enough, and that's thinking about what type of player you want to be, which is a factor too.
Perhaps you're working on your power or control and want to maximize this area of your game even though it might not be your strong point yet.
It's something to consider when you're choosing your re-string specs!
Anyway, let's dive in...
Tension
String tension plays a huge role in how your racquet feels and plays, and there many options to choose between.
Many racquets will have a recommended tension printed somewhere on the frame and are generally between 24 and 30 lbs.
The general rule is that a lower tension is geared towards power and a higher tension is geared more toward control.
Looking at the lower tension option first, the strings will essentially be less tight which provides more 'trampoline' effect when you hit the ball enabling you to generate more power from your shots.
So, power is the upside here.
Now, don't take this as gospel as this is where some ambiguity comes into play, but, it's generally believed that the lower string tension comes with the cost of having less control.
Looser strings can dampen the feedback you receive from the racquet, making it harder to feel the exact point of contact with the ball. This can lead to less precise adjustments during play, affecting your overall control.
On the other hand, another aspect of a lower string tension is a larger and more forgiving sweet spot. This means that, if you go to strike a ball hard and miss time it and hit it slightly off-centre, the ball shouldn't go flying in the completely wrong direction.
This could be construed as control, however, I think if we get into the nitty-gritty details, this larger sweet spot does help you crack your strikes in the direction of your target on off-centre hits, but, it is still difficult to accurately guide your balls exactly where you want them to go.
The trampoline can, in theory, have a bit more of an unpredictable impact on the direction of your shots.
Ultimately, when strings are looser, the ball's dwell time on the stringbed is slightly longer when you hit your shot. This extended dwell time can lead to slight variations in the angle of the racquet face or the position of the ball on the string bed, resulting in less predictable shot placement.
Anyway, looking to the pros, France's Gregory Gaultier is renowned for the incredibly low string tension he uses. I don't know how true this is, but, I've heard on more than one occasion that Gaultier used to have his strings strung at just over 14 lbs, which is unbelievably low.
So, Gaultier certainly valued the ability to hit the ball hard, and, to play at that level, he must still have been able to control his shots incredibly well. So, to sum up, looser strings don't necessarily mean you'll struggle to control your shots, but, it might feel slightly more difficult at times.
Looking now to stringing at a higher tension, this is generally believed to provide players with more control and precision.
The tighter string bed provides a firmer feel with quick feedback on contact with the ball, making it easier to place shots accurately.
This is particularly beneficial for players who rely on their ability to control the ball and place it precisely where they want it on the court.
However, as you may have guessed, a higher tension will reduce the trampoline effect of the strings, resulting in less power. Plus, it also requires more physical effort to generate power, which can lead to quicker muscle fatigue in the grand scheme of things.
Similar to what I mentioned above, these points shouldn't be taken to the extreme. Just because your strings are tight does not mean you won't be able to hit the ball hard, it just might take a little more effort and energy on your part.
There are many other factors that have an impact on this such as your racquet's weight, weight distribution, frame material, and, the type of strings you use (which we'll get onto in the second half).
When choosing your string tension, it can be very tough at first to figure out what you like and, unfortunately, this comes with time and trying out different tensions to discover what feels right for you.
At first, I'd advise sticking to the recommended tension that your racquet comes with, but, trying out higher and lower tensions within that range to see how the different tensions feel during play.
Density & String Pattern
String density refers to the number of main (vertical) and cross (horizontal) strings on a racquet.
I believe that 14x18 is the most common string pattern that a racquet comes with. This is slightly more on the denser side but it's still a pretty neutral option that brings in some of the benefits of a dense pattern and some of the benefits of an open pattern.
But, what are they?
Well, as you now know, a more dense string pattern has more string creating a tighter string bed.
The tighter string bed provides a more consistent and predictable response, allowing for greater control over shot placement. Players who prioritize accuracy often prefer this pattern.
The extra surface area and stiffer string bed generally provide better directional control. Another upside of this option is that, since there are more strings to distribute the impact, they are less likely to move and wear out, which extends their lifespan a little.
This is why most hardball doubles squash racquets feature a very dense string bed, to ensure that strings don't snap due to the harder ball being used.
Again, if we look at the pros, many players use many different options. Ex-World No.1 Paul Coll, for example, uses a HEAD Radical 135 Slimbody squash racquet with a dense, fanned string pattern (as you can see in the image below).
Photo credit: Steve Cubbins
I'll talk a little more about this type of string pattern in a moment, but, the reason Coll uses it is because his strong points are patience, consistency, control, and accuracy.
So, if you're looking to play with this style, basically any racquet with a string pattern of 14x18 or more can be considered a dense string pattern.
But, as you might have expected, the downsides that come with having a denser string pattern are that it can be a little harder to access power and hit your shots with spin.
So, now we look at the open string pattern!
An open string pattern has fewer strings, creating a looser string bed and offering a different set of benefits and drawbacks.
Power and spin are the main two.
An open string pattern has fewer strings, and, similarly to the low string density option I talked about in the first section, the string bed can flex more, acting like a trampoline.
This adds extra power to shots without requiring as much effort from the player.
The wider spacing between strings also allows them to bite into the ball more effectively, enhancing spin potential and making this density option ideal for players who use cut on their drops and drives to make them cling to the side wall and die quicker.
The third, and lesser-discussed, benefit of an open string pattern is that this increased flexibility in the string bed can also provide a softer, more comfortable feel, reducing the risk of arm fatigue or injury.
Racquets such as the Head Speed 120 Slimbody come with a very open 12x17 string pattern and are geared primarily towards power.
I must admit that I've tried out a heck of a lot of racquets in my time, and, it is possible to feel the differences between the densities, but, and that's a big but, it's not as noticeable as many players think.
But, every small decision you make regarding your string tension, density, and type adds up, so, it's still very important to choose an option that suits your game best.
Unfortunately, I will mention that many racquets don't have the option of experimenting with different string patterns. Often you're restricted by the number of grommets around the racquet's head for the strings to go through.
So, if you buy a racquet with a more open string pattern, you may not be able to re-string it into a more dense pattern.
This is something to keep in mind when purchasing a new racquet.
But, if you do appreciate the opportunity to experiment and try some different densities, then some racquet frames and models do offer different densities when getting restrung.
HEAD is the first one that comes to mind as many of their models feature HEAD's 'Adaptive Fanned Pattern'.
This means that, although your new HEAD racquet may come with an open 12x17 (Speed) or 14x17 (Radical) string pattern, it can be restrung with a more dense 16x17 pattern that is geared more toward control (like Paul Coll's racquet in the photo further up).
It's a very cool innovation and allows players even more flexibility when customizing their racquet to suit their style.
This might be one reason that HEAD is so visible on the PSA World Tour!
Types of String
Now, this is possibly the most complicated area to think about when it comes to getting your racquet restrung.
Yes, there are many options for tension and there are quite a few options to choose from for string patterns, however, when it comes to choosing the actual string itself, there is a huge abundance of products and variations out there.
Finding the right one for you can be a real challenge. I must admit that I still can't figure out what my favourite type of string is and I often mix it up and try new options out to see what works for me.
Strings come in various materials and gauges, each offering distinct benefits and drawbacks.
First off, I'll go through the materials, then we can talk about the gauges.
Natural Gut
Natural gut strings, made from cow intestines (lovely I know), are considered the premium option for squash strings due to their exceptional power, comfort, and feel.
They provide excellent pops of power and a very soft feel, reducing arm strain and enhancing playability.
The tension maintenance of natural gut strings is also superb, they hold their tension better than the majority of synthetic strings, ensuring consistent performance over time.
However, there are two big downsides to natural gut strings. Price and durability.
Of course, they are very expensive due to what they are made from, but, they also don't last as long as other types of strings too.
I don't think I've ever tried natural gut strings (and I don't think I know anyone else who has either) in the world of squash, so, I can't really give my opinion on them.
Synthetic Gut
These are a lot more common in the squash world.
Synthetic gut strings are made from nylon and designed to mimic the properties of natural gut. They offer a great balance of playability, durability, and cost.
They suit a very wide range of playing styles, providing decent power, control, and comfort, all in one.
Plus, the cost-effective aspect to this string makes it very popular!
Unfortunately, synthetic gut strings are a little less durable than some other synthetic strings but generally more durable than natural gut.
Polyester
Polyester strings are popular among advanced squash players due to their durability and control. They are stiffer and less elastic than other strings so they can be considered more of an acquired taste, but each to their own.
These strings are ideal for heavy hitters as they are highly resistant to breakage and do a good job of standing the test of time.
The stiffer material also allows for more spin and slice potential, plus, the polyester material is great when it comes to control, however, the only downside is that it can be harsh on the arm, potentially leading to discomfort or injury over time.
Multifilament
Made from multiple strands of fibre, often nylon, woven together to replicate the feel of a natural gut, multifilament strings offer a nice, soft feel and are easy on the arm, providing a good blend of power and comfort.
They hold tension better than polyester but not as well as natural gut and they are generally less durable than monofilament strings due to the multiple strands which can fray over time.
Multifilament and monofilament strings are also very common in the world of squash, and, provide very different benefits to each other...
Monofilament
In contrast to multifilament strings, monofilament strings are made from a single, solid strand of material, typically polyester or nylon.
These strings usually deliver excellent durability and control, as the single-strand construction makes them more resistant to fray and breakage.
Of course, monofilament strings come with a couple of downsides too. They tend to be stiffer and less comfortable on the arm compared to multifilament strings, and, although they generally maintain tension well, they can still lose elasticity over time, leading to a harsher feel that may creep up on you without you realising.
String Gauge
Now we've discussed the different types of strings, it's important to know a little bit about string gauges.
Many different types of string come with one two, three, or sometimes more options of gauge to choose from. Gauge refers to the thickness of the string, typically measured in millimetres.
The most common gauges range from 16 (thicker) to 18 (thinner)
Despite what you might think (if you don't already know about string gauge), thicker strings are generally 16 gauge, and, thinner strings are 17 and 18 gauge.
As you can probably guess, thicker gauge strings are more durable and less prone to breakage, making them suitable for players who hit hard or frequently break strings.
They offer more control due to increased stiffness and reduced string movement, but, they can also be less comfortable and provide less feel compared to thinner gauges.
In contrast, thinner strings offer better playability, providing a softer feel and more power. They also allow for more string movement, which can enhance spin potential and are generally more comfortable on the arm, reducing the risk of injury.
But, again you probably guessed it, they're less durable and more prone to breakage, making them less suitable for heavy hitters and more suitable for players who like to guide their shots in and hit their targets.
Final Thoughts
I hope that wasn't too overwhelming as there certainly is a heck of a lot to consider when it comes to choosing the right options when you come to get your racquet restrung.
However, it's something that all of us have to do at some point, so, it's always handy to know a thing or two about strings.
As I touched on a few times above, price ca be a big factor to consider when choosing a string.
There are many premium strings, and, there are many budget strings (and there are many in the middle).
I know a lot of players who really don't care what string is on their racquet and are happy just buying a reel of the cheapest string they can find, which is absolutely fine of course!
Or, if you're lucky enough to be in a position to afford more premium strings, then that's great too.
The best thing you can do is figure out what type of player you are, and, then experiment with different strings, densities, and tensions until you find that sweet spot that you like most.
Of course, this can take quite a long time as most of us don't snap strings every week (unless you hit your shots incredibly hard, with a lot of cut, or just miss hit the ball a lot), so, it can take months and years to find what you like.
Just make sure to trust the process!
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