As one of our #1 read blog posts, it was time to freshen this bad boy up as paddles continue to evolve. While most information is still relevant, we've added and revised and you can see updates in BLUE. One thing that's become apparent is that pickleball players often spend so much time worrying about the specs and tolerances and seeking heaven-only-knows-what in a paddle where in our opinion, that time would be better put to use stretching, working on footwork, and generally getting limbered up and fit to play.  Unless you are a higher level player, DO NOT OVERTHINK this process for your first go round!  Life is short - get out and play :)
Pickleball is a fun game that is played on a badminton sized, hard surface court with the net lowered to 34 inches at the center. It is played with a perforated plastic baseball (similar to a whiffle ball) and graphite or composite paddles. It is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.
Pickleball is quickly sweeping the nation and becoming a favorite pastime for folks of all ages.  As a premier dealer of pickleball paddles and gear, we have become experts in the sometimes slight, sometimes more pronounced variations between pickleball paddles.  Use our tips for selecting pickleball paddles on our site or here to help you narrow the choices and find the best pickleball paddle for your game.

Basic Tips on how to select a pickleball paddle:

• A heavier paddle has more mass so it can provide more power to a player with a slower swing or a player playing mostly outdoors.
• A lighter paddle is easier to get where you want it quickly and is easier for a faster swing. Popular with indoor players.
• Graphite paddles provide added touch & ball control.
• Composite paddles provide more power.
• Each paddle is manufactured in a single grip size. (Today, there are some manufacturers that offer smaller and larger grip sizes).
• For a beginner, over-hitting is often a problem, so err on the side of a paddle with more control (a lighter or mid-weight paddle)

You can stop there and make your choice based on those criteria and I promise that regardless of the price you pay, you'll end up with a paddle you can learn to play the game with.

If you want to research your pickleball paddle decision further, read on:

Other key paddle differentiators.....

• Handle Shape and Feel

We recommend NOT buying a pickleball paddle just because you like the feel of its handle, although it is tempting to do so.  Many customers hold several paddles in our store and pay attention only to how the handle feels in their hand, ignoring the weight and composition of the paddle itself!  While it is true that some brands have handles that feel "blockier" versus "rounder" or larger versus smaller, and definitely longer versus shorter, any paddle can be re-gripped with a thicker or thinner grip that can often be wrapped up higher toward the throat of the paddle if you'd prefer.  We also specialize in professionally customizing pickleball paddle grips including building up the base of the grip (beneath the wrap), especially for players with larger hands who really need a larger handle circumference.  We then re-wrap your factory grip and you now have a pickleball paddle with a larger grip size!  Modifying the wrap on your paddle's handle is something you can do yourself as well.

• Head Shape, Head Size, and Edge Guard versus Rimless Pickleball Paddles

Unlike tennis racquet's where there can be a tremendous difference in the head size, pickleball paddle sizes (including the head) have tight specs to be approved as legal by the USAPA. This means that the new longer headed paddles on the market tend to be narrower.  How do I choose? Think about your abilities on the court to date, or if playing for the first time, your athletic abilities in general. If you have less speed and poor footwork and are often late getting to the ball, a longer head with more reach might help!  If you have poor eyesight or lack hand-eye coordination, a widebody head style with either a very thin edge guard or a rimless paddle would be worth considering.  In this case you want to minimize the chance of a bad bounce off the edge guard of your paddle and have the largest sweet spot you can find to give you a better chance of a good contact. For the average athlete / player, a standard head size will do just fine!

[ In order for a pickleball paddle to be legal, its total surface area must be 24 inches or less. This includes the length and width of the paddle along with the edge guard and butt cap. The overall length of the paddle tip to tip cannot exceed 17 inches.]

• Textured face versus smooth face

To be legal and approved by the USAPA, applied "grit" or texture on the paddle face is not allowed. However, manufacturers of paddles today use various face materials that do have some weave or texture on many (but not all) paddles. The new fiberglass faces, for instance offer a less smooth surface. Why should you care?  If you are a player who uses more of a slice motion for spin technique, a textured paddle can enhance that action you put on the ball.  As a beginner, it's not going to be a priority for you, so don't overthink this one. We do find that former tennis players who were "spin-hitters" are the ones who carry this technique into their pickleball game.

• Cost

We would be remiss not to address the gorilla in the closet...price!  As you have probably noticed, there are paddles starting as low as $15 and the price extends to around $160.  Like anything, our advice for beginners is to find a price in the middle that you are comfortable with and you will most likely end up with a paddle just fine for learning the game and getting you through your first couple of years.  We offer some paddles in the $40-$50 price range that work for nearly any player. If you're a "I only want to do this once" kind of person, go for a paddle in the $60-$90 range and you'll have a paddle that will grow with your game. If you are an advanced player already, you probably aren't reading this post!  However, if you are the person who likes to start with the very best, go for a top-of-the-line paddle in the $100-$160 range and know that you've got the best technologies and the most cutting edge design on the market!

[Buying a prior season's colorway or graphic in a paddles is a great way to get into a higher end paddle at a lower price. We typically have closeouts from each brand that fall into this category.]

For our local customers, stop in and we are happy to help with the pickleball selection process in person.  You are also encouraged to sign out pickleball paddles using our Pickleball Paddle DEMO Program.
For our out-of-town customers, feel free to call us to discuss options that are best for your pickleball game at 1-800-2-724-9439.  Yes, we really pick up the phone to talk to you!
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