Pickleball paddles are made out of three main materials: wood, composite, or graphite. Wood paddles are the heaviest paddles, and they are also the least expensive. New players or players who are unsure of investing in equipment may be tempted to purchase a wood paddle.
What is the difference between a 13mm and 16mm pickleball paddle?
The difference in thickness (16 mm vs 13 mm) made a big difference in how the paddles played. The 16 mm was softer, easier to control and stable. The 13 mm was more powerful, had a harder feeling and was less stable.
How do I know what size pickleball paddle I need?
Your paddle grip size is then determined by the length between the tip of your ring finger and the bottom lateral palm crease. The length should fall somewhere between 4 inches and 5 inches.
Do expensive pickleball paddles make a difference?
Typically, the cheapest paddles are wooden, and the most expensive are graphite. The effect and experience of overall performance are affected. If your budget allows for it, try to avoid purchasing a wooden pickleball paddle as they are clumsy and offer less benefit than the graphite and composite types.
How do you pick the right pickleball paddle?
If are an aggressive player that likes to attack the ball, then you’ll like thinner polymer core paddles. If you prefer control over power, then you’ll like thicker 16mm polymer core paddles. If you want something in the middle, then you’ll like polymer core paddles at or around 14 mm thick.
What type of pickleball paddle is best for beginners?
The Halo line of paddles with T700 Raw Carbon is the paddle of choice for beginner to Pro level Pickleball players alike, who are looking for optimal spin and control in their paddle. This is the paddle of choice for several pro players including Parris Todd.
What shape pickleball paddle is best?
Wide Body — this is the most popular pickleball paddle shape and has a generous sweet spot. Oversized — Smaller, but has a more powerful sweet spot. Tear Drop — balanced, and comparable to racquet sport paddles. Standard — longer handle, more torque. Impact — increases reach and maximizes baseline power.
What does a thicker pickleball paddle do?
The thicker a paddle, the more it will absorb the ball’s energy. If a paddle comes in 13mm and 16mm thicknesses, 13mm will be the “power” and 16mm will be “control”. Some brands like Gearbox, Prokennex, and Diadem only have one thickness per paddle.
Is graphite or wood better for pickleball paddles?
A paddle surface that is made from graphite is durable and powerful, so you will have an easier time hitting the ball. Graphite paddles are ultra-light and ultra-stiff. Players looking for control and more energy to get the ball across the net prefer graphite pickleball paddles.
How do you determine your paddle size?
Figuring out the right size (length) of paddle is surprisingly straightforward. The wider your boat is, the longer your paddle needs to be. Your height is also a factor, especially for a narrower boat: Taller paddlers need longer paddles.