a wider sweet spot . That ’ s not to say that pros don ’ t use wider paddles . Many do .
If you play a lot of singles , you want to consider a longer , narrower shape that will help you reach that extra inch when covering volleys at the net . These longer paddles often provide more power , with a sweet spot more toward the top that former tennis players desire ; however , a narrow paddle means a narrow sweet spot , which can make doubles play more challenging . Also , when it ’ s windy , it may be tricky for you to find the center of the paddle .
GRIP SIZE
Next , you must consider handle size and length . This is often overlooked when purchasing a paddle , but it ’ s an important piece of the puzzle . The handle is your connection to the paddle and control over the paddle face , so having the right grip is critical to controlling your shots .
Hold the paddle like you are shaking hands with it ( the continental grip ). With your normal relaxed grip , you should have a little space between your fingertips and your thumb pad ( about ¼ " to ½ "). If your fingertips almost touch or touch your thumb pad , your grip is too small . If there 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 twohanded backhand or if you have overly large hands , a longer grip will work better for you .
CORES — SOLID CORE , HONEYCOMB
AND THICKNESS
Solid-core paddles have been around for over a decade with the majority being around 10 mm thick as opposed to a standard / conventional paddle checking in at around 13 to 16 mm deep . Solid-core paddles offer a lot of power but the power tradeoff is a loss of sweetspot size and control .
While less than 5 percent 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 .
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OCTOBER 2022 | MAGAZINE 65