August 20, 2025 2 min read
Starting badminton is thrilling, but picking your first racket can trip you up. Newbies often fall into traps that waste money or stall progress. Let’s spotlight five common mistakes—and how to dodge them—so you can hit the court with the right gear.
First, overspending. Dropping $250 on a pro-level racket sounds cool, but it’s usually overkill for beginners. You don’t need any top-of-the-line-tech wizardry yet - $60-90 gets you a solid starter. Second, ignoring weight. Too heavy (90g+) wears you out in 20 minutes; too light (under 80g) lacks the oomph for solid shots. Aim for 82-87g (3U to 4U weights) that are light enough to swing, while strong enough to smash. Third, wrong grip size. G6 (small) cramps your hand if you’re average-sized; G3 (big) dulls finesse. G5’s the sweet spot—test it; your fingers should just touch your palm.
Fourth, picking stiff shafts. Pro rackets with rigid frames demand perfect timing—beginners need flexibility for that extra whip on imperfect hits. More flexible shafts forgive mistakes and build confidence, so go for something that has medium flex/stiffness. Fifth, chasing looks over function. That neon-orange frame might pop, but if it’s unbalanced or heavy, it’s a dud. Focus on feel—swing it, grip it, hit a few shots if you can. And if it looks good too, that's a bonus.
Volant Badminton sidesteps these pitfalls. Our Ignite X1 is affordable, medium-weight, and flexible—built for newcomers who want to play, not fuss. We’re not about intimidating specs; we’re about welcoming you to badminton with gear that works.
Skip the hype—Volant’s here to make your first rallies fun, not frustrating. Badminton’s too good to miss out on—grab the right racket and start swinging. What’s your biggest gear question?
Jeff is an ex-international badminton player who represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games (twice as a player & once as a coach), World Championships, All England Championships and multiple Thomas and Sudirman Cups. He was the Australian National Coach, Senior State Head Coach and is the co-founder of Volant badminton & The Badminton Podcast. Jeff is extremely passionate about building the worldwide badminton community & showing the world how incredible our sport really is.
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July 17, 2025 2 min read
Shuttlecocks aren’t cheap, and replacing them constantly stings the wallet. With a little care, though, you can stretch their lifespan and keep your game flying high. Whether you’re using feather or nylon, here’s how to make them last—plus why Volant Badminton’s options are worth your shot.
June 25, 2025 2 min read
Strings wear out—it’s a fact of badminton life. Slack, frayed, or snapped strings kill your shots, so knowing when to restring keeps you sharp. How often depends on your play, and here’s how to figure it out—plus why Volant Badminton’s gear makes it easy.
May 21, 2025 2 min read
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