Paddles Paddles! So Many Paddles

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Paddles, Paddles…how do you choose? When I started playing pickleball, I used the standard of gold…only kidding. It with a wooden, heavy pickleball paddle.  Here is a picture of that bad boy.

How to scare an advanced player

Quickly, I realized that the more seasoned pickleball players were using esthetically more appealing paddles, and I purchased a BLASTER. I believed I bought it at Wal-Mart. Cheap and did the trick. Don’t be conned into purchasing an expensive paddle if you are brand new to pickleball. I suggest you learn the sport first before you invest in an expensive paddle.

Blaster Pickleball Terry

Sadly, I left my BLASTER at a facility and it was lost forever. I then moved into a PADDLETEX WAVE.

I didn’t know anything about the paddle. The person I bought it from just placed it in my hand and said, “Try this.” I thought okay, and I bought it for a whopping $150.00. What the heck?! I just paid $150.00 for a paddle that I knew nothing about?!

Years later and much more educated about paddles, I now go around with a LL Bean canvas bag that contain about 10 different paddles. I have low end to high end. I pass them out at my clinic on Fridays at the Y Berlin, and let  interested buyers demo my more expensive ones.

My canvas bag by Pickleball Terry

 

There are many brands on the market today. Selkirk, Onix, Head, Paddletek, Gamma, Golden, Vulcan, Third Shot Drop, Nuipopo, just to name a few. The pros will use whatever paddle they are being sponsored by. So, let’s just get this out there… no one paddle will instantly make you a 5.0 player.  That takes years of practice. (Having a natural athletic ability doesn’t hurt.)

What are paddles made from: (This is from the Third Shot Drop website. Jack the (owner) taught me everything about paddles.) 

Most paddles begin with a honeycomb core that has a surface material (also referred to as the skin or face) glued to both sides of it.  These 2 materials determine the COMPLETE BALL RESPONSE OF YOUR PADDLE.  After the core and surface are assembled, an edge and handle are attached.  It is then finished by wrapping the handle to form your grip.

Simple, right?  WRONG!  The catch is that there are a variety of cores, surfaces, paddle shapes, thicknesses, weights, grip shapes, and grip sizes to choose from.

Overwhelmed yet?  We sure were when we started learning that there were all these different options and, worse yet, no one was telling us accurate facts about them.  That’s how Third Shot Drop began!

First, we had to figure out how paddles really worked.  Then, we had to sort through the “information” and learn what was correct and how to make it all make sense.

1 MINUTE LESSON IN PADDLE MATERIALS

Honeycomb core – There are 3 popular materials currently being used:

  • Aluminum– the softest (most touch)
  • Polymer– medium (most neutral)
  • Nomex– the hardest (most power)

The core determines about 75% of the paddle’s performance.

Surface (face, skin) – The 3 materials most used for paddle surfaces are:

  • Carbon Fiber (aka Carbon Fiber weave) – softest
  • Composite (aka Fiberglass) – medium
  • Graphite (aka non-woven Carbon Fiber) – hardest

The surface is used to fine tune how your paddle responds to the ball.

Finishing touches – These choices are what make your paddle fit you and your game precisely.

They are customizations that are not generally available in all aspects from most manufacturers.  However, it is these factors that will immediately improve your game and help step up your confidence and skill level.

  • Grip shape– Most common are
    • oval
    • octagon (tennis)
    • square
  • Grip size – Should fit your hand/finger length; Sizes range from 4” to 5 ½” circumference
  • Paddle weight– Weights range from 7 ounces to 11 ounces. Although it’s a matter of personal preference, many pros recommend heavier weights for improved balance and control.
Okay, if you are reading this and got this far, you already know more than I knew the first 3 years of playing pickleball.
If you have played with me on the courts, you know that I have been playing with a Gearbox G6 Joey Faris special edition.
It is not a honeycombed paddle.  Instead it is constructed with Patented SST. Patented SST uses an advanced proprietary molding process utilizing high strength unidirectional carbon fiber, that is meticulously hand laid and arranged at very precise angles. The angle configuration of these carbon fiber is critical and directly related to the paddle’s overall durability and playability. I love it! More here.

I also use the Vulcan V550 , a hybrid. Good for power and control. I prefer a 5 inch long handle and 4 1/4 gripe. Jack, from Third Shot Sports recommended a heavier paddle to take most of the force of hitting the ball therefore saving my elbow, so my paddles will weigh 8.0 ounces and up.

 

Pickleball Terry

Z5 Onix – Order here

Onix  Styker – Order here

Selkirk – Order here

Paddletek – Order here

Good info about fair play.

SHARE THE BALL by: Gregg Whitfield

SHARE THE BALL by: Gregg Whitfield

From the blog: Picklebilly.com

HERE ARE WORDS OF WISDOM WHEN PLAYING RECREATIONAL PICKLEBALL WHICH IS WHOLLY DIFFERENT THAN TOURNAMENT PLAY.  FOLLOWING THIS ADVICE WILL HELP HONE YOUR SKILLS AND GET YOU INTO BETTER PHYSICAL SHAPE.

IF YOUR OPPONENT IS A BETTER PLAYER, RESET THE POINT AND WORK ON PLACEMENT VERSES HITTING WINNERS. REALLY GOOD PLAYERS CAN EXTEND THE POINT TO HAVE LONGER RALLIES. HIT THE BALL TO CHALLENGE YOUR OPPONENTS WITHOUT HITTING IT SO HARD THAT IT DOESN’T GIVE YOUR OPPONENT A CHANCE ON RETURNING THE BALL. KEEP YOUR SHOTS CHALLENGING; NEVER BE CONDESCENDING BY HITTING BALLS THAT ARE TOO EASY.

INSTEAD OF TARGETING THE WEAKER PLAYERS, HIT THE BALL TO THE BETTER PLAYERS SO YOU GET LONGER RALLIES. IT IS A LOT OF FUN TO HAVE EXTENDED POINTS WITH LONGER RALLIES. YOU WILL GET MORE EXERCISE, TRY DIFFERENT ANGLES, AND HAVE MORE FUN ALL THE WHILE YOU ARE DEVELOPING YOUR PLACEMENT AND FINESSE.

FINALLY, FOR RECREATIONAL PLAY, BE INCLUSIVE TO ALL PLAYERS ON THE COURT BECAUSE THEY CAME TO PLAY.

WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING IN TOURNAMENTS OR MATCHES THAT REALLY MATTER TO YOU, IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT STORY.  GO AHEAD AND UNLEASH YOUR SKILLS. GO FOR THE KILL SHOTS, AND YOUR BEST ANGLE SHOTS AND HIT ALL BALLS TO THE WEAKER PLAYER SO YOU CAN WIN.


You will not find one particular paddle brand taking on the courts in Sarasota. I see a plethora of different designs. A couple of years ago, I thought Selkirk was going to dominate, but they lost ground as more companies started competing for a piece of the paddle pie.

Pickleball TerrySimone Jardine – Prince

Corrine Carr – Vulcan

Kyle Yates – Paddletek

Sarah Ansboury – Head

Don’t rush out and buy the most expensive paddle because someone told you it was going to make you a winner.  I see great players with entry level paddles dominating on the court. Please take your time and once you think you are ready to advance to a better paddle, think about what you want from it. Control? Power? A longer handle for two-handed backhands? Nomex core? A little education goes a long way.

There are now over 300 paddle companies. Check to see that the paddle you want to buy is USA Pickleball approved. Click here.

Also, where is it made? What is the warrantee? Is this the best price or could I do better on Amazon or at Dicks?

If you have more questions, feel free to shoot me an email. Dinkpickleball@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading,

Pickleball Terry
PPR Pickleball Coach

Pickleball Terry

 

 

 

 

 

 

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