Squash equipment can range from the very simple to the very
complex but there are no hard and fast rules about what you
need to use. Here are some tips that will help you choose
what's right for you.
A squash racket and ball are the most basic items you will
need and it's worthwhile to learn a little about them before
buying your own. Rackets were once made from laminated wood,
mainly ash, and strung with natural gut strings but nowadays
are formed of composite metals like boron, graphite, kevlar
and titanium and strung with synthetic strings. Your average
racket weighs 5.5 oz, has a length and width of 27 and 8.5
inches respectively and has a strung area of 90 square
inches. Balls are made of compound rubber and are
color-coded into several categories based on their speed and
height of bounce. Polycarbon goggles are also worn to let
players shield their eyes from a flying ball or sweeping
racket.
Sporting companies Wilson, Head, Prince and Dunlop all
manufacture rackets as well as smooth and textured racket
string, a variety of balls, squash bags and toweling grips
and overgrip tape to improve a player's grip on his racket.
Wilson also offers a variety of eyewear and Ektelon appears
to be the only manufacturer that offers gloves. Specials
available from Head include backpacks, shoebags and a racket
pack including a bag and at least one ball. Dunlop appears
to be concentrating on developing the squash ball as can be
seen from their innovative Max Blue ball and Max Progress
ball with their instant bounce and longer hang time, which
are perfect for junior players. They also offer a racket for
juniors, goggles and wristbands. But it is Prince that has
the most clothing and equipment on the market, including
eyewear and starter kits for beginners that include a
special 'how to' book on playing squash. They also have the
biggest selection of squash bags and you can choose between
the racket bag, the locker bag, the duffel bag, the wheeled
duffel bag and the backpack. For the professional player,
they have racket stringing machines as well as precision
tuning centers that measure a racket's weight, swing weight
and balance.
Squash is an enjoyable and energetic game that can be played
on both a friendly and a competitive level and thankfully
equipping yourself for it will not break your budget.