Pickleball Magazine 2021 Product Guide | Page 17

is a space larger than ½ ", then it ’ s probably too big .
Too large or small grip circumference can cause discomfort in the form of “ tennis elbow ” and hinder your play . The length of the grip can also make a difference . If you place your index finger on the back of the paddle or like to slide your hand up the grip for more control , then try a paddle with a shorter grip length . If you like to hit a two-handed backhand or if you have overly large hands , a longer grip will work better for you .
CORES Solid Core , Honeycomb and Thickness
Gearbox started the solid-core paddle revolution that a few other manufacturers have since taken advantage of joining . The majority of solid-core paddles are around ⅜ " in thickness as opposed to a standard / conventional paddle checking in at around ½ " deep . Solid-core paddles offer a lot more power than conventional honeycomb paddles . The power tradeoff is a loss of some control . In response , solid core manufacturers are making some models with softer graphite and carbon-fiber faces to bridge the control gap with the thicker paddles .
While less than 10 % of paddle cores are solid , the overwhelming majority are still made with some sort of honeycomb-style material . But not all honeycomb-shaped polymer cores are equal . Have you ever wondered how a manufacturer could produce two paddles of identical size , yet one weighs half an ounce more ? The answer is the thickness and the size of each hexagonal honeycomb . By placing the holes closer together , or by using a thicker honeycomb , the paddle will become heavier and generally more powerful . Hole size will also impact sweet-spot size and , ultimately , paddle feel and control .
Two years ago , Selkirk released its Amped paddle line . The first ⅝ " thick paddles on the market raised the bar with a $ 150 price tag . Consumers flocked to the new trend of thicker paddles due to increased feel and control . Today , most major manufacturers are producing ½ " and ⅝ " models to address player needs .
SURFACE MATERIAL
The surface of a quality paddle , referred to as the “ skin ” or “ face ,” is generally made of one of two materials : fiberglass ( reinforced plastic polymer ) or a graphite / carbon fiber blend . Fiberglass offers more power than the softer materials , but the more-expensive graphite and carbon-fiber faces are now becoming the preferred standard for tour players because of the added feel and control .
Paddle surfaces are often finished with paint , screen print or vinyl , which can add a small amount of texture ( for spin ), weight ( for power ) or hardness ( for power ). The USA Pickleball Association has applied very stringent limits to the amount of texture that can be on a paddle surface ; however , you will feel the spin difference using a gritty Electrum or Franklin “ Ben Johns ” paddle .
Finding Your Paddle
So which paddle is the best one for you ? The paddle you play the best with — and feel most confident with .
If you ’ re not sure what to look for , first determine what type of player you are . Be honest . It ’ s not who you want to be — it ’ s who you really are . Type-A individuals may lean toward more of an aggressive type of playing paddle having some weight and pop , while a “ B ” personality may want a lighter , softer paddle for better touch . Your personality does matter .
Since weight is so important , check the weights of every paddle you demo . You ’ ll probably see a trend . Lighter paddles offer better control over your dinking and soft game , but will make it tougher to drive the ball hard when needed . Heavier paddles offer more power because of the extra mass behind the ball , but this may cause you to lose a few quick-volley exchanges . Experiment and find what gives you a well-balanced game .
Make sure your paddle has enough power for you to easily get your serves and returns deep in the court without having to swing too hard . If your balls are landing short too often , try a more powerful paddle . If you are popping up your dinks a lot , try a model made more for control . This power versus control equation is key , but also the one element that ’ s different for everyone , so find what works best for you and your game .
Next , make sure to demo at least one graphite / carbon fiber and one fiberglass / polymer paddle . You ’ ll feel a significant difference when dinking and driving from the baseline .
In summary , every paddle plays differently and it ’ s your job to find out which one works best for you . The technology has arrived and there are many great paddle manufacturers out there . Go to a demo day at a major tournament or ask your local pro to arrange one . Your game will improve , and you ’ ll enjoy pickleball at a higher level . •
OCTOBER 2021 | MAGAZINE 15