squash or tennis
I would like to pick one to learn this summer? Which is better for networking purposes (esp. in NYC)? Outside NYC, would tennis be better?
I will pick up golf later.
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Learn tennis, but play both. It's more difficult to learn tennis and you're less likely to play when the weather sucks so it's ideal for the summer.
What? Why would you choose the sport which is harder to learn, especially when the opportunities for practice are limited?
Because the summer is an opportunity to learn tennis. If you waste it learning squash you'll have to wait a year to learn tennis, work permitting.
Squash is very easy to learn how to play if you're comfortable with tennis. You'll can get better at squash by playing better players and can practise at any time during the year.
Learning tennis first means you'll pick up both sports. So you can play squash with your finance buddies and mixed doubles tennis with girls in short skirts.
Squash is more intense though. Great sport.
Tennis
Tennis all the way. Squash was easy to pick up having played tennis.
You'll pick up squash in less than 5 sessions if you play tennis. It's that much easier to learn. There are videos on youtube that teach you the kinds of squash serves and shots. They're easy to learn if you know how to hit a moving ball.
Tennis is much harder to pick up without proper instruction.
Tennis all the way. Love it. Past Varsity Tennis D1 player.
Tennis is fantastic. I never tried squash but I heard that there are lots of squash courts in NY and not as many tennis courts.
I have a CFA exam this Saturday as well.. which is why I've made a million posts on WSO in the past hour.
my squash loving roommate was teaching me the rules of squash yesterday in our kitchen. sounded like fun. then he got a ball, dropped it, and it stopped like a deflated basketball. i think i'll stick with tennis...
Check this out for some tips on the basics (less than 10 mins total)
Here are some more videos on other serves / shots / drills (learn the lob serve, you'll give him a lot of trouble): http://www.youtube.com/user/expertvillage/videos?query=squash&view=1
squash is for the dinner table
how can a yung baller tennis playa use his advanced tennis skills 2 network into finance in NYC?
does this networking at sports club while playing squash or tennis work? How does one set this up?
-my 2 cents: tennis is harder to learn and you will need someone to teach you. Squash is way easier to learn. Also in NYC there are a dozen more squash courts, I would expect more people to play squash over there.
Ok guys, I actively play both and most people here obviously only play one or the other.
Tennis - pros: Much better for networking, more popular, more"posh", and has a huge following (US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros etc) . I would also say more rewarding in the end. cons: You can't really practice alone (apart from service), weather dependent (unless indoor courts)
Squash - pros: Much more intense (physically), non-weather dependent, good if your gym has it for easy access. Cons: learning curve is massive, more of a niche sport, can be expensive to find a gym with squash.
Both sports you WILL NEED lessons. Squash uses a grip and swing that is completely different from Tennis. Proper technique and form is critical. Both sport has extremely low luck/chance factor 95 times out of 100 the better skilled player will win.
Contrary to what some people are saying I think Squash is HARDER than Tennis. The reaction times, speed, and anticipation required in Squash are 3 to 4 times faster than Tennis. Squash is not just hitting balls against a wall. If you are completely new to Squash and play a competent opponent you will struggle to even return the ball once.
Tennis is much slower than Squash (except maybe at or above the high intermediate levels where people can hit 95+ mile service and returns at you accurately inside the court) It is semi-easier because of this. If you keep practicing you will get a feel for the ball and you will be able to return it letting you kinda play the game.
In Squash don't expect to be able to play anyone other than complete beginners several months in. Squash is much better exercise and a really demanding cardio intensive sport. You could easily burn 1000 calories in a best of 5 match.
Also I forgot to mention Tennis skills DOES NOT translate into Squash at all (other than knowing how to hit a moving ball)
The Squash grip is completely different (focused on backspin NOT topspin) and racquet speed. You also do not follow thru completely.
Don't think you can easily play Squash without SOME basic instruction if you're moving from Tennis into Squash. It held me back when I did.
Both are great sports and I encourage people to play both. I also play Badminton which is probably the easiest racquet sport to pick up.
Good points from DorianGray... but you haven't answered the OP's question. Which to learn first this summer?
Also with squash having a decent lob serve and the footwork to get back to the T makes you competitive against most beginners & lower/intermediate players in my opinion. It takes a couple of lessons to get to this level if you're already good at hitting a moving ball. In Tennis you have to master a lot more to be able to play better players. If your serve is too weak or you have a lousy backhand you're toast. I feel that the increased speed, anticipation, reaction times and such of squash are only relevant when you're competing with more advanced players. Although I have played guys where I could barely get a shot in after their serve.
I'm only an occasional / recreational player. I'm not at a very advanced level at either sport, but have progressed further with squash even though I've spent less time at it. Maybe it's being able to practice most shots on your own. Perhaps my opinion of this will differ as I get better at both sports. I'm still useless against advanced players (non-professionals).
So what about Golf Vs. Tennis?
Golf will be the hardest in terms of cost, time, and location.
You'll need to hit the driving range and get lessons for several times a month before you are playable.
Clubs are expensive and if you live in New York most likely you don't have a car. I can't see golfing being realistic until you make at least VP.
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