Advancements in paddle design and construction have continued to improve. Far from the original plywood cutouts, today’s pickleball paddls are stronger, more durable, and manufactured from modern materia.
Telsa’s Elon Musk would be proud to see the space-age designs of some of the best pickleball paddles on the market.
Increased ball control, power and spin make choosing the best paddle a challenge in 2022.
Beginning pickleball players want to choose a paddle with the right balance between sweet spot size and grip comfort. Since everything is more challenging in the beginning, sacrificing performance for comfort is usually my recommendation.
Also, it can help to find a budget friendly version of the best pickleball paddle for a beginner.
What are the size requirements?
Legal pickleball paddle design is govered by USA Pickleball and are not allowed to exceed 24-inches in combined width and length. A paddles length is limited to 17-inches from tip to tip. A 17-inch long paddle may not exceed 7-inches in width.
For every inch less than 17-inches in length a paddle may be 1-inch wider than 7-inches.
The standard-shaped pickleball paddles have the largest sweet spot.
How does a large pickleball paddle sweet spot help?
When you hit the ball in the sweet spot of a pickleball paddle you won’t even feel like you hit anything. Conversely, when you hit the pickleball on either the farthest tip or near the handle you will feel the paddle vibrate. This vibration will quickly fatigue your grip and lead to less accurate shots.
Engage Encore EX 6.0 Pickleball Paddle
I have not personally used this paddle, but the reviews that I have read suggest it is a great overall paddle with an large sweet spot toward the further end of the hitting surface.
Rally Graphite Power 5.0
I plan to purchase this paddle set when I upgrade from my recent WalMart paddle purchase.
Is a light weight pickleball paddle better for beginners?
While beginners may sacrifice power using a light weight paddle, you will gain accuracy and endurance. A light weight pickleball paddle will allow you to practice more and play longer with less fatigue.
Some common overuse injuries pickleball players experience includes pickleball elbow pain.
What is an ergonomic pickleball paddle grip?
An ergonomic grip is contoured to fit the pickleball players hand. Ergonomic pickleball paddle grips are usually softer and have ridges to allow more surface area contact for the pads of your fingers.
A larger hand will require more space between the finger ridges.
For more information on the science behind a pickleball paddle sweet spot watch the video below.
