Summer is waning, but there's still plenty of time to hit the tennis courts, even if for the first time.

For those new to the game, buying a tennis racket may seem daunting, what with all the rackets looking the same lined up at sporting goods stores.

But not all tennis rackets are equal.

Donna Campbell, tennis director at the Kingsbury Club & Spa in Kingston, Mass., said many beginners tend to just “buy what's there,” basing their choice more on a racket's graphics than anything else. They typically end up with a relatively cheap (about $50) aluminum racket that may be too big or too heavy for them, she said.

Probably the most important thing to consider when shopping for a racket is its grip, Campbell said. When you grip a racket, not only should it feel comfortable, your hand should come close to closing all the way around the racket's handle, but not close completely around it.

Most importantly, “it shouldn't move in your hand when you strike the ball,” Campbell said.

Another important factor for a beginner is the racket's head size. Bob Carr, owner of Weymouth Tennis Shop in Weymouth, Mass., said beginners tend to prefer larger heads on their rackets because it gives them more surface area to make contact with the ball.

But it's a trade-off, Carr said. The larger the racket's head, the less control you tend to have. To make sure the racket gives you the proper mix of size and control, Carr suggested testing the racket before buying.

Quality tennis rackets typically range from $100 to $300, with the average racket costing about $180 at Carr's store.

Like other sporting goods, racket preference is subjective - it's all about how it feels to the person holding it. Carr said he typically helps customers narrow down their choices to two or three rackets and then encourages them to take the rackets home for a test run.

“A lot of times people will try a racket for the first day and love it, but the second time they play with it, they didn't like it as much,” Carr said. He often lets customers take the racket home for a week so that they can be sure it feels right.

A.J. Bauer may be reached at ajbauer@ledger.com.