Many people see pickleball and assume it is a simple game to play. But once you play more than a few games, you will realise that the paddle really does change everything in how you play the game. This paddle impacts every level of your game; from control to power, consistency and confidence. Everything about how you play pickleball will be influenced by what you are holding in your hand.

With pickleball growing around many clubs, leagues and competitive circuits, choosing a paddle is not just a casual thought at the end of the process of becoming a player. For some players, it impacts the way they perform, and for other clubs and leagues, it impacts fairness and safety, and it also impacts community growth over the long term. So choosing the right pickleball paddle is now a decision of strategy rather than a matter of personal preference.

The goal of this guide is to help you evaluate paddles for pickleball from three different settings -recreational, league and competitive – without promoting hype, jargon or shortcuts.

Why Paddle Choice Matters More Than Most Players Realize:

The way that you select your paddle is a crucial element in how well you will be able to play Pickleball. Pickleball is a game of skill, and as such, is played in a manner that allows for fewer mistakes (this means there is much less room for error). The Pickleball court is fairly small and the reaction time for Pickleball shots is also very short. Plus, due to the speed of play, shot consistency is paramount, meaning that power does not prevail in Pickleball.

If you choose an incorrect Pickleball paddle, you may find that you will experience friction while playing:

• When trying to return a shot, you may notice that your shot goes too far or falls short of your intended target (or vice versa).

• It may also become more difficult for you to maintain control of the ball when hitting shots from the net.

If you continue to use a paddle that feels uncomfortable to you, you may become fatigued much earlier than you would if you were using an appropriate paddle.

If you continue to make a number of mistakes while playing with a paddle that is not the right fit for you, then your confidence may suffer.

Conversely, if a player has the correct paddle, he/she is able to improve their game. Choosing the right paddle will increase the overall skill level of a player and decrease their chance of being injured.

For clubs/leagues, having a standardized and informed approach to choosing the right paddle will create a better experience for the players they serve as they manage large groups of individuals.

Paddle Face Materials: Feel vs. Power

The paddle face provides the best combination of feel and power. Each material will create a dramatically different sensation for the player.

For example, graphite faces are designed for a great deal of feel and responsiveness, making them very common among players who value placement and control when playing dinks and drops.

On the other hand, fiberglass (composite) faces are more forgiving and provide greater power from your base; therefore, they are ideal for players who want more depth and pop out of their paddles off of the baseline.

Finally, carbon fibre faces combine durability with exceptional precision. They have become more popular in competition due to their consistency and great spin potential.

When clubs provide their players with demo paddles made from different paddle face materials, players can discover the paddle face materials that will work best for their individual style instead of guessing.

Core Materials: The Hidden Engine

The core of a paddle helps determine the manner in which the paddle responds to impact.

Polymer cores are the most commonly used type of core. They have been designed to provide a good balance of power, control, and reduced vibration, which makes them an excellent choice for leagues and clubs containing a wide range of players at different skill levels.

Nomex is a firm, loud, and rigid core that provides the player with the most power but offers less forgiveness. Players who tend to drive their paddles aggressively toward their target and who have developed a high skill level usually prefer using nomex cores.

Aluminium cores concentrate on providing the player with control and a soft feel; however, aluminium based paddles do not provide the same level of power compared to polymer or nomex based paddles. As a result, they are typically recommended to new players developing their feel for the game.

Understanding how each type of core behaves will enable clubs to help guide a player who is entering the sport toward a paddle that is capable of supporting long-term development and growth, rather than providing an immediate solution.

Be applicable in recreational play or vice-versa.

Quality Paddle Material: What You Pay For

Many paddles available today are made from composite materials designed to enhance both the performance of the paddle and the longevity of the paddle itself; however, not all composite materials are created equal.

While many amateur and league players may prefer the look and feel of the most recent offering of composite paddles, there is a considerable difference in quality and performance with respect to these types of paddles. There is also a major difference in price from beginner paddles to the professional models, but not necessarily in performance; therefore, paddles should be based on player preference and their level of experience.

While most paddles can be purchased either with or without grips, the best paddle of all is one that has a grip option that fits the player’s hand comfortably. Most competitive players believe that the ability of their paddle to grip the ball allows them to play longer hours and practice more often.

When it comes to grip size, comfort is the key. There are only two sizes of grips available, the standard and the small. Therefore, to find the right grip size for most players, most leagues will be required to provide either the standard-size grip or the small-size grip. Most players are not aware that their own level of experience and ability to develop good hand strength dictate the appropriate grip size; therefore, most leagues will encourage players to select the appropriate grip to enhance their ability to hold on to their paddle.

The best way to select the appropriate paddle shape based on the player must be determined by how a player intends to use the paddle and the level of competition he/she intends to participate in.

Compliance and Standards: Protecting Fair Play

To ensure that clubs and leagues maintain fairness and equitable opportunities amongst their members, it is essential that nothing but compliant paddles are being used as per the requirements of each governing body.

To avoid providing an unfair advantage or breaching trust in the pickleball community, clubs and leagues should only allow paddles that conform to the governing body’s standards of surface texture, size, and composition.

Pickleball clubs and leagues should consider using the following strategies to create an equitable environment for all participants:

1. Utilize demo programs that introduce players to a variety of paddle styles;

2. Recommend a balanced, moderate weight paddle for newer players;

3. Provide education for players on how to progress through the ranks of the sport rather than just going after the latest fads;

4. Ensure compliance with the league’s paddle restrictions.

If a club or league implements these strategies, it will result in a significant reduction in the number of disputes, injuries, and players that drop out while increasing the overall satisfaction of all players participating within that club or league.

Paddle Choice – Prioritizing Functionality

Higher level players will be more selective in their choice of paddles. They will choose paddles based on how the weight, grip size and face material affect their ability to control their game.

While marketing is a key factor in the marketing of paddles, at the elite level of play, fundamentals are still more important than the noise created by marketing. Control, consistent performance, and confidence in yourself create winning players, not inflated power #’s.

Therefore, clubs that promote competitive pathways must also help educate their athletes rather than endorse a particular paddle. Education will allow players to make knowledgeable decisions based on their playing statistics and the experience of other players.

Cost and Durability – The Long Game

Paddles are consumable items. Over time, both the face material will show wear and tear, the cores of the paddles will fatigue and paddles will perform differently.

For clubs, durability is important. By investing in higher quality paddles, clubs will create fewer replacement cycles over the long-term and, therefore, reduce overall costs.

To players, paddles should be viewed as the tools of their trade, not as trophies. A paddle with a medium price point that suits a player’s style will outperform a more expensive paddle that does not fit a player’s style.

The Psychological Aspect of Paddle Selection

Confidence is one of the most under-appreciated aspects of pickleball.

If a player has confidence in his paddle, he will make better decisions during the game and be less hesitant to execute their game plan.

If a player is insecure in his equipment, he will think too much about his decisions and make mistakes. 

By helping to educate players on how to pick the right paddle, clubs are indirectly helping to improve their player’s mental aspect of their game and, ultimately, their performance.

Understanding the Overall Scheme of Pickleball Equipment

Equipment choices will continue impacting the quality of play as pickleball advances into a professional sport. The infrastructure of pickleball includes not only the court surface and net but also the paddle that players use during the match.

By investing in proper equipment, leagues and clubs will provide players with an environment where they can develop quickly, compete fairly, and remain active participants in the sport.

Key Takeaway: Select Your Paddle Intentionally

When selecting a paddle, it is not about popularity or sponsorship; rather, it is about aligning the player with the context and purpose.Players at the recreational level simply want to have a good time using their paddle.

Leagues need to provide their players with fair competition and the equipment used by all players should be the same.

Competitive players need to have accurately designed paddles for performing under duress.

Pickleball is expected to continue growing in popularity and by making well-considered decisions regarding paddle selection, successful organizations will be able to differentiate themselves from those with little or no organization.

While pickleball is easy to learn, the pursuit of excellence (on and off the court) will require players to make deliberate decisions starting with the paddle in their hand.