How to Choose
THE RIGHT
PADDLE
FOR YOU
With over 50 manufacturers and 500 + models to choose from , the question most players ask is , “ How do I go about finding the best paddle for my game ?”
By Wayne Dollard
PICKLEBALL MAGAZINE
There is no doubt that the right paddle will allow you to play the way your game is designed for . At the same time , the wrong paddle will cost you hundreds of points and missed opportunities . This article addresses the pros and cons of the various paddle types and gives recommendations as to what you should be looking for based on your skill level .
While there are more than 50 “ Approved ” manufacturers for pickleball , the selective group of manufacturers in this issue make up 99 percent of the tournament paddle market , including Babolat , Diadem , Electrum , Engage , Franklin , Gamma ,
Gearbox , Head , Onix ( Escalade Sport ), Paddletek , Prolite , Selkirk , and Pickleball Pro .
Seven years ago , when we started Pickleball Magazine , every new manufacturer produced the same plastic honeycomb core paddle with a fiberglass surface face . Today , 13 manufacturers have made their way through this cloud of cloned paddles through innovation and amplified qualities based on tour player needs . Here are some things for you to consider when choosing a paddle .
WEIGHT
So let ’ s start this off with discussing paddle weight . The sport ’ s governing body , the USA
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OCTOBER 2021 | MAGAZINE 13