How Are Badminton Rackets Manufactured?

Racket and shuttlecock

Badminton's history traces back to 18th century India. The British in that era played a game known as battledore and shuttlecock. Eventually, a net was added to this game, and it moved to England. In 1873, the rules were set and the game was referred as badminton. The game can be played either as singles or doubles, like tennis. Rackets have changed quite a bit since this period.

History of Rackets

In the early days of the game, until fairly recently, badminton rackets were made of wood. The development of the badminton racket mirrors that used in tennis. Originally, the strings were made from animal gut. The wooden rackets were somewhat heavy and the strings not that durable. This lead to the evolution of the aluminum racket and synthetic strings, such as nylon. Eventually, aluminum racket frames were replaced with carbon fiber and graphite, and the strings became multi-filament, ballast and even gold and platinum fibers.

Racket Head Design

A racket will weigh between 75 and 95 grams. The major components of the racket are the head, shaft, strings and grip. The traditional head shape of the racket is oval. However, the majority of rackets today have isometric head shapes. The isometric head design has become more popular due to the larger "sweet spot" it creates. Carbon fiber and graphite are the materials of choice that compose the head.

Shaft, Grip and String Design

Strings for the racket are mostly synthetic now, typically of a multi-filament core. The tension of the strings will vary based on player preference. The shaft is thin, and its stiffness will also vary based on player preference. Graphite is the most common material used. Grips are made of polyurethane and can be thin or thick, based on the needs of the player. They are placed at the bottom of the shaft, known as the handle.

Building the Racket

The manufacturing of a racket consists of two major parts: the head and shaft. These two parts are attached together by the throat, which is slightly wider than the shaft and located on the bottom of the head. The shaft is quite thin below the throat, until the bottom, where it becomes the handle. When the grip of choice is placed on the handle, it should be wide enough to fit into a closed hand comfortably. The strings will be wound into the head in a design to that used for a tennis racket. The tightness will vary based on the racket design and preference.

Racket Manufacturers

There are many badminton manufacturers in the world. Popular manufacturers include Wilson, ProKennex and Yonex. These manufacturers provide professional-quality rackets to meet the specifications for all players. Also, they are able to specially make a racket based on a player's request. Depending on the quality of the racket, you can expect to pay as much as $300 for a professional model from one of these manufacturers. However, much more moderately priced models are available for the recreational player, even from the most popular manufacturers.

References

• Badminton: Badminton Rackets
• Picky Guide: Guide to Badminton Rackets