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What Weight Pickleball Paddle Should You Use? (Beginners Guide)

Posted onJanuary 25, 2023January 25, 2023

When you are looking for the right pickleball paddle, there are many different factors to consider. If you want a good game of pickleball, then it is important to find one that suits your needs and style of play. 

This article will discuss how to select the proper weight pickleball paddle so you can crush your competition!

In This Post

  • Importance of Weight:
  • Lightweight Pickleball Paddles:
  • Medium Weight Pickleball Paddles:
  • Heavy Weight Pickleball Paddles:
  • What weight pickleball paddle should I use?
    • For beginners
    • For Intermediate Players
    • For Advanced Players
  • Conclusion:

Importance of Weight:

The weight of the paddle is one of the most important factors. You want to find a happy medium so you can play long rallies without getting fatigued, but you also need enough power behind your swing to make solid contact with the ball. 

A heavy pickleball paddle will have more momentum when it makes contact with the ball. However, the weight may also fatigue your arm, wrist and hand.

Weight in pickleball paddles is usually measured by ounces (oz). If you are a beginner, we recommend choosing a paddle that weighs less than 8 oz. 

This will give you more control over where the ball goes when it makes contact with the racket head which will help improve your game. Once you are more experienced, you can use a heavier pickleball paddle for increased power and speed.

Lightweight Pickleball Paddles:

If you are a beginner or just want to save some money on your pickleball paddle, then buying one of the lightweight paddles is an excellent choice. 

The best thing about these types of rackets is they offer great control and maneuverability which means beginners can hit more shots in the court than if it had been with another type of racket. 

Beginners may also find that these types of rackets are less fatiguing which is very important when you consider how long pickleball matches can last.

Medium Weight Pickleball Paddles:

If you want more power and speed, then choosing a medium weight pickleball paddle will be the perfect fit for your game. These types of rackets offer better momentum which means you can hit the ball harder. 

However, they may also be more fatiguing to your arm and wrist over time unless you are in very good physical condition.

Heavy Weight Pickleball Paddles:

If you are an experienced player who is in excellent physical condition, then using a heavyweight pickleball paddle will give you the edge over your competition. 

The power and speed of these types of rackets allow players to hit much harder shots which can be very difficult for their opponents to return deep into the court. 

However, players must be in great shape or they will quickly get fatigued using these types of rackets over prolonged periods of time which may affect their game negatively.

What weight pickleball paddle should I use?

For beginners

We recommend using a paddle that is less than 8 oz. This will help you with your control and game. Once you become more experienced, it may be beneficial to use a heavier pickleball paddle for increased power and speed.

For Intermediate Players

We recommend a paddle that is between 11-13 oz. This will give you the power to play at your best, but also helps with control of your shots as well as speed on the court.

For Advanced Players

We recommend using a pickleball paddle that weighs more than 14 oz for increased momentum when it makes contact with the ball which can give you the edge over your competition.

When selecting a weight for your pickleball paddle, it is important to remember that everyone has different muscle strengths and body types which may make them more comfortable with certain weights. 

If you do not like heavy paddles or find that they tire out your arm, wrist or hand quickly then select a lighter one. If you are looking for more power and speed on the court, then a heavier one is probably what you should go with.

Conclusion:

Selecting the right pickleball paddle is an important decision. It can be difficult for beginners to know what weight will provide them with the most benefits. 

But understanding how each type of racket affects your game and knowing what you want from a racket in terms of power and speed may help you make this choice easier when it comes time to purchase your next pickleball paddle.

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Avatar Of Kevin K. Shaw
Kevin K. Shaw

Kevin is a pickleball coach and former professional player. He’s been playing pickleball for over 10 years and has won multiple championships. He’s also the founder of PickleballSpots.com

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