touch ; however , a grit paint has become common over the past two years . The carbon fiber paddles generally have a slight texture ( regulated by USA Pickleball ) to add spin and control . These paddles are easy to spot on courts because they are usually comprised of a sleek black carbon face with minimal graphics to allow more spin from the carbon .
Paddle surfaces are often finished with UV or silkscreen graphics , which can add a small amount of texture for spin . USA Pickleball has applied very stringent limits to the amount of texture that can be on a paddle surface .
WEIGHT IS GOOD USA Pickleball has not set limitations on paddle weight . While the average paddle is around
7.7 ounces ( oz .), weight can vary substantially among paddles and players . Over the past few years , touring players have learned that heavier paddles provide significantly more power and control than lighter models .
Paddles coming from the factory have a general weight range of 7.6 to 8.0 oz ., however weight can be customized using lead , tungsten or other weighted tape to increase whip / power ( top of the paddle ), enlarge the sweet spot ( side of the paddle ), or provide better hand stability ( bottom of the paddle head ). The addition of weighted tape is universal across the sexes . You ’ ll find many female pros playing with paddles weighted well above 9 oz .
If you ’ re afraid to add head weight to your paddle because it might slow your reflexes , you ’ ve probably got this all wrong . Manufacturers and virtually all touring pros agree that the added weight allows for less effort to hit stronger , more accurate shots . They also agree that heavier paddles have larger sweet spots and are better for blocking , driving and serving . To the contrary , lighter paddles have to be gripped tighter and swung harder . For many people , these two factors can contribute to arm problems . So , unless you have an extremely debilitating arm injury , side with a heavier paddle .
DIMENSIONS
USA Pickleball has set the approved dimensions by a calculation of the combined length and width of a paddle , which is not to exceed 24 inches . For example , a narrow paddle might be 7.25 " wide by 16.75 " long . Likewise , a wider paddle might be 8 " wide by 16 " long . Speaking in generalities , pros often choose paddles that are a little longer and less wide , whereas beginners and intermediate players should side with a shorter paddle with 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 might 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 , which 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
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SPRING 2023 | MAGAZINE 17