On the Court

Has Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America, caught your attention recently? Are you feeling overwhelmed by how many choices there are regarding paddles? Well, I’m here to tell you what the best paddle types for Pickleball are and how to pick them. The best kind of paddle is subjective. There are hundreds of paddle types that are all geared toward different play styles. It is hard to pick the best paddle due to personal bias. So, instead of telling you the best paddle, here’s how to decide the best one for you! Paddle Type Most pickleball paddles fall into three shape categories: standard, oversized head, and elongated. There are specific dimensions that paddles have to stay within to be legal for play. These are width, length, surface, etc. The shape categories each push these limits to the extreme in their desired direction. Normal-shaped paddles like an ONIX Z5 create a nice, even feel with the sacrifice of any specific advantage. On the other hand, oversized head paddles offer a larger sweet-spot area that makes hitting the ball back with gusto a possibility most of the time. Finally, elongated paddles like the Selkirk Invicta have a more extended handle and paddle face at the expense of some width. The shape of pickleball paddles can dictate how you play the game to some point, and you want something that will suit how you approach the ball. Paddle Surface The surface is what many people notice first when they’re looking for the best …