The right pickleball paddle can make a huge difference in your game. But how to choose? It depends on your style of game and skill level. So, what kind of player are you? Are you a rec play regular, transitioning tennis player, or simply a pickleball-curious newbie? Your favorite shots factor in as well. Are you a crafty dinker, baseline banger, all-court warrior or volley crusher?
Think about your answers while I share a pickleball cautionary tale.
My daughter attended an open play pickleball session in New York City. You know, the kind where people put their paddles in a line on the ground or in a rack to determine who’s up next. A woman also in the queue pointed at my daughter’s paddle and said, “I don’t want to play with whoever is playing with that thing.”
Ok, it was a cheapo paddle, maybe made of metal or wood. (Yikes.) But my daughter’s a decent player who doesn’t play a lot and she thought it was fine for the occasional pickleball sesh. Not sure the paddle snob was right to paddle shame, but the woman did have a point. There are so many options at various price points, that we should all be playing with a good pickleball paddle that is easy on our arms and suits our games. (As for price, quality paddles usually start at about $50 and go up… way up. While you don’t have to spend top dollar, say $250, you sure can.)
There are basic specifications that must be met for a paddle to qualify as regulation by USA Pickleball. This is more important to players who want to compete in sanctioned tournaments, but we should all want to play fair. The combined length and width of a paddle must not exceed 24 inches. A paddle cannot be longer than 17 inches. There is no restriction on paddle thickness or weight. Within these parameters, here’s what really matters to you and your game.
Get a Grip
The average pickleball paddle grip is 4 1/4 inches in circumference. If your hand is bigger or smaller than average, adjust accordingly and go with what feels comfortable. Using a paddle with the wrong grip size can put strain on your wrist and forearm, leading to fatigue and possible injury, so it pays to be careful with this measurement.
Grip length is more of a personal preference. Standard grip length is 5 inches but lots of tennis- playing picklers are opting for paddles with slightly longer handles (up to 6 inches). This more racquet-like grip feels familiar to tennis players and helps accommodate a two handed backhand. (Similarly, players transitioning from ping pong to pickle prefer shorter handles that they can ‘choke up ‘on.)
Downside: to accommodate a longer handle, the head size of the paddle becomes a bit smaller because a paddle cannot exceed 17 inches. This translates into a slightly smaller hitting surface and sweet spot, which might not be an acceptable tradeoff for some players, especially those new to the game (even if they are tennis hot shots… ahem.)
This is why it makes sense to demo a few paddles before purchasing one. Many pro shops and online sporting goods stores offer that option, for a low price and often free.
Weighty Issues
Pickleball paddles are divided into three weight classes—low (below 7.3 ounces), mid (between 7.3 and 8.3) and heavy (above 8.3). Generally, the heavier the paddle, the more power. Sounds great, right? Well, lots of power can translate into less control. Also, a heavier paddle isn’t as maneuverable at the net. The best pickleball points usually involve rapid fire exchanges near the kitchen line, so it makes sense to use a paddle that affords you quick reaction time. Beginners should probably stick to midweight paddles that provide a nice balance of power and control. Also, a paddle that’s too heavy (or light) can contribute to muscle strain and overuse injuries such as ‘tennis elbow’ or wrist pain. Experts agree it’s better to play it safe to start, avoiding extremes when it comes to paddle weight and dimensions.
More advanced players might find they can effectively harness the power of a heavier paddle. Proper stroke mechanics allow such paddles to do much of the work. One must swing harder and faster with a lightweight paddle to hit deep or to crush point-ending overheads. That said, Anna Leigh Waters, possibly the most successful pickleball player in the word, reportedly plays with a paddle that weighs just over 7 ounces. Rule of thumb: choose equipment that enhances your strengths and compensates for your weaknesses. Again, demo programs are your friend. Try before you buy.
At Length
Again, newbies should probably stick to paddles of average length—about 16 inches. This allows for a wider face (remember the equation?) with a larger sweet spot that’s much more forgiving as you learn the game. Tennis players and picklers who prefer singles often gravitate towards elongated paddles for the best reach and power through leverage. But miss hits might be a problem for less experienced players. It’s simply more difficult to hit the ball ‘square’ with a paddle that’s less, well, square,
Thick and Thin
Standard thicknesses for paddles are 13 and 16 millimeters. Thicker paddles offer stability when blocking hard shots, and allow for more control by absorbing power and slowing the ball down. The sweet spot on these types of paddles is more generous and easier to find, even when you’re under pressure from your opponents. Thinner paddles allow for fast reaction times and swing speeds which deliver more power to the ball. Keep in mind: Thin paddles might allow for more vibration to travel up the arm, so if you’re prone to injury, keep that in mind.
Composition Class
Pickleball manufacturers are forever tweaking paddles to come up with the best blend of comfort, control, power and spin—and noise level. Unfortunately, the associated vocab sounds like a chemistry class. Let’s simplify: Paddle materials are divided into two categories—surface and core. As for core materials, most paddles are now filled with a polypropylene or polymer core, often in a honeycomb pattern. If you see the word Nomex, another core material that’s becoming less popular, remember this: Nomex equals noise. Paddles filled with Nomex fibers are largely responsible for that infamous “pop, pop” sound that has given PB a bad name in some neighborhoods.
There is more variation in surface materials. Most are finished with carbon, fiberglass or some hybrid of the two. Rule of thumb: carbon (and its chemical cousin graphite) is more rigid, lending control. Fiberglass is less stiff, providing more rebound with translates into power. Spin lovers might look for a surface that has added grit or texture, sometimes called a friction surface, to hold on to the ball longer. Some paddles now boast a ‘foam-injected’ filling which expands the sweet spot, absorbing vibrations and allowing for a soft touch on the ball. (Dink lovers, take note.) Selkirk paddles have a ‘cut out’ space in the paddle’s face, allowing for faster swing speeds.
For the record, my daughter did succumb to paddle pressure. Not exactly, but I convinced her that it’s better for her arm to play with a paddle that’s the right size and weight. She’s also talented enough to give those open players a decent match. She now rocks up to the court with a Disco Country Club pickleball paddle which is affordable, stylish and quite playable. Enough said. And as in all matters of pickleball confrontation, it’s best to let your paddle do the talking.
