The ultimate guide to choosing a pickleball paddle - EVERYTHING you need to know!

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This is the ultimate guide to pickleball paddles. I know this video is long, but it's necessary in order to jam everything into one single video!

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[TheTennisCompany]

Great video. I would add a few additional thoughts... Now retired I owned and operated a tennis shop at a club with 3500 members for 35 years. We saw it all. Low-level players wanting to play with Sampras's racquet which is 90% control and has no power while others want a super oversize racquet that can hit 110m mph serve but can't keep the groundstrokes in the court. Keep in mind when deciding on a paddle if want more control you give up power, and if want more power you give up control. Even though most of the game is played at the kitchen line you do need a WIDE variety of shots, including serves, returns, drives, volleys, drops, resets, etc... If you're a person that can supply your own power take advantage of paddles with more control. If you lack power then look at paddles that help in the power department. My tennis business included huge internet presents during our last 25 years. We sold on average 1, 000 tennis frames per month with 80% falling in the category of what we called "tweener" racquets. They provide the all-around experience, good at everything but not great at anything. The all-court paddle is a winner for most players in the 4.0-5.0 range IMO. To me the surface texture is not that important, creating spin is 90% technique. The technology of a paddle that has the MOST influence on a spin will be the paddle thickness. 16-20mm will help dampen the impact allowing the ball to stay on the paddle for a split second longer, which is huge in the tennis world. You play with a poppy powerful paddle the ball leaves the face at a much faster rate making the spin more difficult.

[viz]

Exceptional video and very informative by far!! Because not all are explained from experience but from the heart. The best advice is not more expensive one is YOU! best choice.
You got me from now!
Thank you!!!!

[thinkplanetearth]

Super comprehensive video. What wasn't clear, unless I missed it, was how having a top heavy vs handle heavy would affect your play.

[vproven]

The best all encompassing and thorough presentation on this subject. Thank you.

[KellyBaxter-liyl]

Great info! Worth listening to the entire video. Thank you.

[randyidaho]

I like the Selkirk paddles, and have settled on the S2 AMPED, which was really pushing my budget at $150. I fortunately got a second one on sale at a local sporting goods store a while back for $118. What is up with the new Selkirks at $200! I guess sponsored pros can have them, but for a fixed income retiree $200 is mighty steep.

[joanlucena]

My go to vlogs for pickleball...our area has the most pickleball players here in the Phillippines🥰🥰its quite addicting!just started playing!😅

[chrismaki]

Great video and timely too! I have discovered 12 new courts and a Club where my wife and I have moved to. We have only ever played with old wooden paddles and have been doing my research. I appreciate your price comment as the further I investigated the more expensive my choices became. I am going to stick with more moderately price options and upgrade over time.

[thebuzzah]

Thank you for the information. What is a good way to "try before you buy?"

[alwaysplaythegame]

I've played about 100 games of pickleball and used a 'premium' wooden paddle with an awesome handle for 30osh and a lightweight, cheap and thin poly/graphite paddle for 60ish. I still can't tell which of those two I even like more. I've also tried out a few $100-$200 paddles and everything feels bad for a couple games and then evens out to fine after that. I have no idea if I like standard, elongated, lightweight, heavy, etc. Maybe after another 100 games... ;-)

[wheetypeedy]

Im looking at the paddletex Phoenix Genesis Pro Paddle. It seems to have what i want in it. The price is ok at 119$. It comes in small grip which i need. Since i will be buying online how can be more sure the grip circumference will work. I can return it for just the cost of postage. Im, using a student Vulcan V320 Hybrid Pickleball Paddle. I think after 4 weeks i can tell its super used. I feel a lot of thuds not pops or sweet spot is real small one. Anyway, i was looking at, the weighr of the student paddle and trying to move up a couple of ounces because i feel i need a little more weight. Im i on, the right track? Thank you

[LatiNoble]

Great video. I’m loving the new molded paddles from gear box. Can you maybe do a short video about demos and when it might be a good idea to start demoing paddles.

[fernandohenin]

Great video, Thank you. Based upon your experience, Have you thought about making and selling your own paddle?

[philwaugh]

Great videos... Thanks for all of the great tips, tricks, and information. QUESTION: I've seen numerous references to hybrid paddles. Does hybrid refer to materials, style of play, dimensions, or some other aspect of paddle description? Thanks...

[devinlugar]

Thank you for the amazing video! I’ve been looking for this sort of information everywhere and it was extremely helpful! Keep up the great content👍🏼

[dalevoigt]

You can take the handle grip off and sand down a handle if you need to make it smaller. Of coarse it is way easier to make it larger by wrapping the handle.

[romanhernz]

Great explanation thanks 🙏 for sharing your knowledge!

[larrysuzycannon]

Great video about choosing paddles. Would like your opinion on the shape (oval) of the new Pro Kennex Kinetic Paddle. Coming from a tennis background, this shape appeals to me. Just wondered what opinions out there were about this new shape.

[gkillmaster]

This is the best overall video I've seen on the topic! Thanks a lot! I'm curious what your personal choice for a paddle is today (Nov. 2021)?

[gkillmaster]

I feel like I could benefit for a softer feel. Like if I feel the ball on the paddle a little longer. I have the idea it would increase my sense of touch but I'm not sure this is really the case. Does a "softer" paddle actually help with control and touch, or do you get a kind of trampolining effect resulting in less control. I'm on the verge of ordering a Response Pro and worry it might feel like a plank. Someone referred to it as "medium soft". Thanks for clarification on this subject! Could really use some help with dink touch, but maybe it's mostly me :)