Pickle ball Paddles : History, Types & Brands

Pickleball Paddles are equipment which are used in the Pickleball game by the players. Team members through ball towards each other with the help of Pickleball Paddles. Arlen Paranto first introduced the Pickleball paddle in 1970. Pickleball paddles. Fiberglass, composite, graphite, carbon fiber, and wood are popular types of materials used in pickleball paddle construction. Each type offers distinct characteristics, such as durability, power, control, and feel.

Some of the top brands in the market include Butter Pickleball, Courtside Tennis and Pickleball, Diadem, Honolulu Pickleball Company, Komodo Pickleball, Luxury Pickleball, Pickleball Apes, Pro XR Pickleball, Six Zero Pickleball, Vatic Pro Pickleball, Baden, Wilson, Joola Ben Johns, Franklin, Onix, Lilly Pulitzer, and Holbrook. These brands are known for their high-quality construction, innovative designs, and excellent performance on the court. Players can choose from a diverse selection of paddles offered by these reputable brands to enhance their pickleball experience. Lets discuss this points in details:

What are Pickle ball paddles?

A pickleball paddle is a crucial piece of equipment for playing the game of pickleball. The pickleball paddle has two main parts. First part is the face and the other is the grip. The face is a smooth or slightly textured surface without any hole in it. But the handle is like that of any other racquet sport. There are many differences between pickleball paddles but the main are the face shape, weight, and the paddle thickness. Normally pickleball paddles weigh between 6 and 14 ounces but mostly the majority weigh 7 to 9 ounces.

When choosing a pickleball paddle the weight of the paddle is a very important consideration. The lighter paddles allow for quick reaction times and are also very easy to maneuver. The other side’s heavier paddles provide more strength, power and stability. And the players who rely on power and strength may prefer heavier paddles while those who prefer fitness games usually choose lighter paddles. Below picture shows pickleball paddles weight in Oz:

The pickleball paddles come in a large variety of sizes and shapes. The standard paddles have a wider face and short handle. But the elongated and blade paddles have narrow faces and a long handle. The standard paddles offer a larger spot and much more power. On the other hand elongated paddles provide best reach and support. But the choice totally depends on your personal experience, preferences and playing style. The paddle thickness is also very important. The 13mm paddles are perfectly thinner for greater control and maneuverability. And the 16mm thicker paddle offers great power on each swing.

The handle or grip size is also very valuable in pickleball paddle. The grip size affects control and comfort during play. The grips are usually available in different sizes. The sizes range from 4 inches to ¾ inches. Generally as a rule, larger hands should use larger grips and the smaller hands should use smaller grips.

The one thing that affects pickleball paddle performance characteristics is “core”. Commonly the core materials included Nomex, polymer and aluminum. Normally Nomex cores are very light weight and provide more strength, power and responsiveness. The Aluminum cores provide great support, control and a good balance of power. The Polymer cores are known for their softness and quietness. So they are very soft play.

The surface texture of pickleball paddle totally depends on its material. The surface texture can be made of graphite, composite and fiber. It plays a great role in spin and control. Sometimes paddles have a smooth and soft surface but the others feature may have a rough and textured surface to increase spin production. Its totally depends on your playing style and proficiency which surface texture you preferred.

What is the history of pickleball paddles?

The first composite paddles were introduced in the 1970s by Arlen Paranto and it was the largest leap in the technology. The ping pong paddles were the first repurposed paddles, which led to wooden paddles that were made specifically for pickleball. But this paddle was not tough and long lasted, and they consistently broke during play. So the durable wooden paddles didn’t take long for more to be introduced. Which is considered to be the first real pickleball paddle. These paddles were so simple and relatively heavy but they provided a great support and a solid foundation for the sport to grow.

In the 1980s, this sport continued to grow, the demand for lighter and more durable paddles became evident. And then the introduction of composite materials like graphite and fiberglass, extremely revolutionized the pickleball paddle market. All these materials provided many advantages over traditional wood, including light weight, smooth, increased durability and playability.

In the 1990s, the manufacturers started using honeycomb structures made from Nomex, aluminum and polymer materials to create stronger, lighter and much more responsive paddles. So the honeycomb core is the next major innovation in pickleball paddle technology. This honeycomb core structure improved the paddle “sweet spot”. And today the honeycomb core remains a key feature of high level pickleball paddles. When the 21st century arrived, the pickle ball industry saw that the competition and innovation increased day by day. And now the players had access to a large variety of paddle sizes, colors and shapes.

What is the importance of the right pickleball paddle?

The right pickleball paddle plays an important role when it comes to spin. The right pickleball paddle allows players to add extra twists and create unpredictable shots for opponents to return. All the paddles are not created equally. The market is flooded with choices. You just choose the right pickleball paddle according to your ability and playing types.

The textured surface and composite material paddles are known for their spin enhancing properties. The grip of all these types of paddles are much better and the players control the spin very softly and easily. A right pickleball paddle maximizes your spin potential, complements your playing style and also elevates your performance on the court.

A well chosen paddle enables you to spin your way to victory with the best style. And also increase your spin capabilities. So choose wisely and let your paddle be an extension of your strategy and skills on the court. The best pickleball paddle enhances your game because it has the power to elevate your performance and also take you to new heights.

What are the types of pickleball paddles?

Pickleball paddles come with different surface material and these materials affect the types of paddles. The most common types of surface material for best pickleball paddles list are given below:

• Fiberglass
• Composite
• Graphite
• Carbon fiber
• Wood

Below figure shows detailed description of each type of Pickleball Paddles with reference to surface material:

You can add special features to your paddles like custom paddles or Diadem paddles, below table shows the difference and description of Custom pickleball paddles and Diadem Pickleball paddles:

Custom or Personalized Paddle	Diadem pickleball paddle
Custom pickleball paddle or personalized pickleball paddle are created & designed according to the specific requirements and preferences of the player. It allows players to personalize their equipment that suits their playing style. It can be made with different material, shapes, weight and sizes.	These paddles are unique and awesome for their amazing features and mostly for their aerodynamic channel edge guard. This edge guard is for fast energy return to the ball. These generate high speed and power. The weight of these paddles are 8.0 ounces. The core structure is honey comb and polypropylene.

Now we briefly discuss types of pickleball paddles on the basis of shapes:

Widebody Paddle Shape

The widebody paddles have very wider surface area, allowing for a larger and greater sweet spot. This type of paddles are very easy to use. So mostly the intermediate players are often choose widebody paddles. Because this type of paddles provide more and more forgiveness for off center hits. These are very useful for those players who prioritize consistency, grip and control in their shots.

Traditional Paddle Shape

The traditional paddle shapes are rectangular and square in design. These paddles provide a proper balanced distribution of weight. These are also suitable for all around play. These paddles are mostly for the beginners to develop their skills because they offer great control and power.

Teardrop paddle Shape

The teardrop paddle shapes are very unique. These paddles are narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. This design is very valuable because it shifts the weight towards the bottom of the paddle and it provides great power for the shots. These paddles are suitable for those players who want to add strength and power to their game.

Specialty Paddle Shape

The specialty paddle shapes are very valuable and unique and these shapes have emerged in the market. These type of paddles include hexagonal paddle, elongated paddles and so on. These shapes are especially for specific playing styles and preferences. The elongated paddles provide extended reach and strength and the hexagonal provide amazing performance characteristics.

All these are ideal paddle shapes and designs. So choose the best paddle shape according to your playing skills and enjoy it. Some other paddle shapes are S2 shape, Epic shape, Invikta shape, Max shape, and XL shape also.

The grip also has great significance in pickleball paddle. A fresh grip can boost your pickleball game in many ways. If the grip has high traction so you have a strong hold on the handle, which gives you more power and control behind your shot. On the other hand if your grip loses its traction, there is a great risk of errors and miss hits in the game. The thickness and cushion of your grip is also very important. Because the power and overall control depend on it.

Weight is one of the most important things in pickleball paddle. Mostly the pickleball paddles weigh around 7 and 9 ounces and some can range from 6 to 14 ounces. So within this spectrum, paddle weights have some categories. These are lightweight, mid weight and heavy.

Lightweight paddles

Lightweight paddles weigh between 7.0 ounces and 7.8 ounces. If you have great speed and control in your game then you choose these paddles. The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of Lightweight paddles:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Its very easy to hold, and good for control and placement	These are not ideal in windy condition
It’s good for doubles, and Its minimize fatigue	Generate more stress and vibration when hitting shots.
It can easily make heavier with lead tape	These also generate less power
It gives the players quick hands and much more speed at the net	These may rattle and causing trouble

Midweight Paddles

Midweight paddles weigh between 7.8 ounces to 8.3 ounces. These paddles are best for all types of players. These paddles give players great control, power and balance. The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of Midweight paddles:

Advantages	Disadvantages
It allows for a balance play style, increased capability of shots, and Its good for blocking	It does not allow specialized play style.
Its good for blocking & best for single matches	And typically not good for playing techniques.

Heavy Paddles

The heavy paddles weigh above 8.3 ounces. This heavy paddle is wonderful because this weight generate more power and strength. The following table shows the advantages and disadvantages of Heavy paddles:

Advantages	Disadvantages
This is ideal in windy conditions	It decrease hand speed at the net
This is very stable for hard shots	It also decrease the control
This is best for strong people & best for strong people	It may cause pain in wrist, arm and shoulder
This is very stable for hard shots & allows for hard hitting shots	It is less useful in double matches

How are pickleball paddles made?

Paddles are crafted using a handful of different materials and designs. The process in which they are made will totally depend on where and how they are completely manufactured. Today, most of the paddles on the market are manufactured in China. The mostly used materials for pickleball paddles are graphite, composite, polymer and aluminum. The thermoformed paddles are very wonderful and their manufacturing process is not so easy. Below list shoes the process of making pickleballs:

• Material Selection: The manufacturing start with the core material just like aluminum and polymer.
• Heating: Now heat the core until it is pliable.
• Molding: When the material is hot, it’s processed into the desired shape and size.
• Cooling: Now the paddle is cooled to retain its new shape and form.
• Finishing: After this surfaces are added for grip. The technological advancements in paddle manufacturing are very unique and valuable. The pickleball paddle industry is innovating day by day. The recent advancement is aerodynamic designs. Now discuss shapes of pickleball paddles.
• Shapes of pickleball paddles: The shapes of pickleball paddles are very important .Pickleball paddles come in different shapes and sizes. Most standard paddles have a short handle and a wider face. These standard paddles provide a larger sweet spot and more power also. On the other hand the blade and elongated paddles have a longer handle and a narrow face. These types of blade paddles provide full control and better reach.

What are the popular pickleball paddles academy ?

The pickleball academies and camps are becoming more and more popular. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. There are 15 best pickleball camps in the US are given below in figure:

There are a number of pickleball academies all over the world. The Pickleball academy of Southwest Florida and Bobby Riggs Center is also well-known. On the other hand UPA and ACE academies are also very popular.

How to hold a pickleball paddle properly?

The pickleball paddle is a very interesting sport. To start pickleball sometimes feels intimidating. If you don’t know how to hold a pickleball paddle correctly then you control your swing and hit the ball properly with full force.

Learning the proper tricks and techniques to hold your paddle correctly is so simple and easy to understand. There are different ways to hold a pickleball paddle properly. Following list shows the types of holding pickleball properly:

• Eastern Forehand Grip: The Eastern forehand grip is very popular. You can use this grip technique by holding the paddle with the knuckle of your index finger and your palm should be aligned to the flat surface of the paddle. The most amazing advantage of using the eastern forehand grip is that it gives you great control over your shots. It is best for forehand shots.
• Continental Grip: The continental grip is another one of the most popular grip techniques in pickleball. You can use this grip by holding the paddle with the knuckle of your pointer finger resting against the top level of grip. The advantages of using the continental grip is that it is very much effective for overhead shots. This grip technique reduces strain on your arm.
• Western Grip: The western grip is a versatile and unique grip technique in pickleball paddle. Some advanced and matured players use this grip for advanced techniques. You can use this grip technique by holding the paddle just like the eastern forehand grip and after this rotating your hand then your palm is perpendicular to the flat surface of the paddle. The best advantage of using this grip technique is that it provides an extraordinary level of top spin. It also made a powerful shot and better the spinning and bouncing of pickleball in the air.
• Modified Eastern Grip: The modified eastern grip is a very useful technique because it mixes many advantages of both eastern forehand and western grip. You can use this grip technique by holding the paddle in an eastern forehand grip and then rotate your wrist easily. So it is angled towards the ground. The advantages of using this grip is that it provides the same control like eastern forehand grip. This is the best grip to use if you want to hit shots with maximum spin.
• Backhand Grip: The backhand grip is a technique that is used very strategically in the pickleball sport. You can use this grip technique by holding the paddle in an eastern forehand grip and after this rotating your wrist easily until the face of the paddle is inverted. The advantage of the backhand grip is that it is the top class grip for backhand shots.

The following figure shows the Pickleball paddle grip method of all types, you can choose your favourite as per your skills:

You should keep some of the strategies in mind while holding pickleball paddle. First is that you should hold the paddle loosely. This will improve the control over the ball and help to prevent injuries. You can use both hands also while serving.

How long does pickleball paddle last?

The lifespan of pickleball paddle mostly ranges from one to five years. But it mainly depends on usage, cleaning and the level of care it receives.

How to take care of pickleball paddle ?

The regular cleaning routine of the pickleball paddle is very good. It prolongs the lifespan of your pickleball paddle. Follow the enlisted steps if you want to take care of pickleball paddle:

• Avoid extreme temperatures
• Avoid getting the paddle wet
• Clean the handle with care

What is the best brand of pickleball paddles?

Here are a list of some of the best brands of pickleball paddles:

• Butter pickleball
• Courtside tennis and pickleball
• Diadem
• Honolulu pickleball company
• Komodo pickleball
• Luxury pickleball
• Pickleball Apes
• Pro XR pickleball
• Six zero pickleball
• Vatic pro pickleball
• Baden
• Wilson
• Joola Ben Johns
• Franklin
• Onix
• Lilly pulitzer
• Holbrook

How to choose pickleball paddles?

It is crucial to select a paddle that aligns with your playing style. The paddle you choose must amplify your strength and also control your weaknesses. But it’s too hard to find that paddle with so many different options. And in this era, every brand claims that their paddles are perfect for everyone. When choosing your paddle, you should focus on a few listed steps:

• Choosing right paddle shape
• Choosing best core material
• Choosing the right paddle weight
• Choosing best face material
• Choosing right length of the handle
• Choosing the best grip that fits your hand, size and play style.

The following table shows the best pickleball paddles choice for beginners players, intermediate players, kids & women.

For Beginners	Vactic pro prism flash, V7, HuDef Viva Pro, Hudef Apex Pro, Ronbus R-Series, ONESHOT Beginner Bundle, Head Redical Elite, Diadem Hero
For Intermediate	Big Dill Flight Pro XL, SLK Omega Pickleball paddle, Onix Composite Z5 Pickleball paddle, Selkirk SLK Evo Hybrid Max, Volair Mach 1 Forza, ACE Diamond, Vatic Pro Prism Flash, Hudef Apex Pro, Neonic Force.
For kids	The Kraken Youth Pickleball paddle, Pet Vibe Youth Pickleball paddle, Vulcan V300 Youth Pickleball paddle.
For women	Vulcan V540 Hybrid, Engage Encore MX, Wilson Juice Energy, Vanguard Power Air, Ben Johns Perseus, CRBN Power Series, Gamma Obsidian, Luxe, Selkirk Amped S2 X5 Fiberflex.

Where to buy pickleball paddles?

You can buy pickleball paddles for all skill levels at Dick’s sporting goods, Amazon, Walmart and so on.

How much does a pickleball paddle cost?

Pickleball paddle range in different prices under $20 to more than $200. A low price pickleball paddle range under $50 and a high price pickleball paddle would be $150 above. The three categories are given below:

• Budget paddle: These paddles cost between $20 and $50 dollars.
• Mid-Range paddles: These paddles cost between $50 and $100.
• High-End paddles: These paddles cost over $100.

What are the professional pickleball paddles ?

The professional players use a large variety of paddles mostly based on their style of play. Some of the professionals are given below:

• Collin Johns
• Tyson Mcguffin
• Anna Leigh Waters
• Anna Bright
• Irina Tereschenko
• Ben Johns
• JW Johnson
• Catherine Parenteau
• Jessie Irvine
•  Federico Staksrud
• Riley Newman
• Lea Jansen

Pickleball is a very social sport and all the players love to welcome beginners. Here are some of the basic and important rules for pickleball players .

What pickleball paddles are illegal?

The pickleball paddles are banned from all the matches if they can’t conform to the USAPA’s standard. Some of the courts also ban specific and unique paddles depending on the full requirements of the court itself.

There are few pickleball paddles that have been banned by the USA pickleball association.

• CRBN paddles
• Diller Pikleball paddle
• Aces Classic Graphite Pickleball paddle
• Aces Classic Wood Pickleball paddle

Conclusion

We describe all the pickleball paddles. When choosing the best pickleball paddle it is essential to consider factors such as core material, handle, shapes, weight, size, paddle length and so on. All these factors mostly impact your playing style on the court. So the best pickleball paddle construction for you totally depends on your skill level and also personal preferences. So take your time and choose the best paddle for yourself. If any difficulty comes, then read our blog carefully and increase your knowledge about pickleball paddles.

After reading this much more informative blog many questions arise in your mind.

FAQs

What does paddle mean in pickleball?

Most players want to play with their paddles up in a ready position. If the paddle of the player is so down then the player may have a slow reaction to hit the pickleball.

What is pickleball paddle control?

The control of pickleball paddle mostly depends on thicker core, heavier body, short length and heavier weight.

Is there really a difference in pickleball paddle?

Yes, because the low grade and cheap material paddles are weaker and break easily.Also cheap materials lose their shape. And the best material paddles are very much better than cheap material paddles.

How do I choose a pickleball paddle for beginners?

The right paddle for beginners depends on two factors. First is your height and second is your playing style.

What is the history of pickleball paddle?

The first pickleball paddle is actually a modified ping pong paddle.

What is a pickleball game?

Pickleball is a paddle game which combines elements of badminton, tennis and ping pong using a paddle and plastic ball.

What is pickleball paddle control?

The pickleball paddle control refers to the ability to manipulate the ball to achieve best outcomes.

How many different types of paddles in pickleball ?

The common pickleball paddle materials are fiberglass, graphite, carbon fiber and wood.

How do I know which pickleball paddle to buy ?

The things you need to focus on the paddle are  core material, thickness, surface material, weight and grip size.

What is a standard pickleball paddle?

The standard pickleball paddle has a width between 7 inches and 8 inches and the length is 15 inches to 16 inches.