How to Choose a Squash Racket: A Beginner's Guide for India
Weight, balance, grip and the right ball — a no-nonsense guide to choosing your first squash racket in India.
How to choose a squash racket: a beginner's guide for India
Learning how to choose a squash racket comes down to four things: weight, balance, grip size and your budget. Get those right and the racket disappears in your hand, letting you focus on movement and timing. Get them wrong and you fight the frame on every swing. This guide keeps it simple for beginners and improving club players shopping in India.
Weight: lighter is easier to start
Squash rackets typically range from about 110g to 170g. Lighter frames (110–130g) are quicker to swing and more forgiving on the wrist, which is why most coaches steer beginners toward them. Heavier frames add stability and power but demand cleaner technique. A composite all-rounder like the Teloon Tour 170 Tornado Composite Squash Racket (₹2399) sits in the friendly middle — light enough to whip through the ball, sturdy enough to survive wall contact while you learn court geometry.
Balance: head-heavy vs even
Balance describes where the weight sits. Head-heavy rackets add power to your drives and are flattering for beginners who are still building swing speed. Even or head-light frames favour control and quick hands at the front — better for advancing players who play a tighter, touch-based game. If you are unsure, start even-balanced; it is the most versatile while you work out your style. As you improve and want more bite, a more refined frame such as the Head Cyber Pro Squash Racket (₹4729) rewards a developing swing with a cleaner, more responsive feel.
Grip size and strings
Squash grips are fairly standard, so most players simply add an overgrip to fine-tune thickness and sweat absorption — re-grip the moment the original goes slick. Rackets ship pre-strung at a sensible tension that is fine for club play; only once you settle in should you experiment with slightly lower tension for power or higher for control.
Don't forget the ball
The right ball matters as much as the racket when you start. Faster balls with a single blue or red dot bounce more and stay warm longer, making rallies last and learning easier. A Dunlop Blue Dot Intro Squash Ball (₹380) or Dunlop Intro Single Dot Squash Ball (₹378) is the sensible beginner choice; save the slow double-yellow-dot competition ball for when your shots have enough pace to keep it alive.
Quick buying summary
| If you are... | Look for |
|---|---|
| A complete beginner | Light (110–130g), even balance, value composite frame |
| Improving club player | Slightly more refined frame, even or head-light, fresh overgrip |
| Power hitter | Head-heavy balance for extra drive |
Look after your racket
A squash racket lives a hard life bouncing off walls, so a little care extends its life. Check the frame for hairline cracks after heavy sessions, keep it in its cover between games, and avoid leaving it in a hot car boot, where the frame and strings can soften. Eye protection is strongly recommended in squash, where the ball travels fast in a confined court — a cheap pair of goggles is worth it for junior and club players alike. Replace strings once they fray or lose tension, since a dead string bed quietly drains both power and control from your game.
In short: pick a light, even-balanced composite racket, add a fresh overgrip, and pair it with a higher-bounce intro ball. That combination flatters new players and leaves room to grow.
Shop the gear
- Teloon Tour 170 Tornado Composite Squash Racket — ₹2399
₹2999 - Head Cyber Pro Squash Racket — ₹4729
₹6779 - Dunlop Blue Dot Intro Squash Ball — ₹380
₹420 - Dunlop Intro Single Dot Squash Ball — ₹378
₹420
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What weight squash racket is best for beginners?
A light frame of roughly 110–130g is best for beginners. It is quicker to swing and easier on the wrist, so you can focus on movement and timing rather than muscling the racket through the ball.
Head-heavy or head-light squash racket?
Head-heavy frames add power and flatter beginners still building swing speed. Even or head-light frames favour control and quick hands for advancing players. If unsure, start even-balanced for the most versatility.
Which squash ball should a beginner use?
Use a faster, higher-bounce ball with a single blue or red dot. It stays lively and keeps rallies going while you learn. Move to a slow double-yellow-dot ball only once your shots have enough pace.