Guide for beginners on how to select a paddle
1. **Consider the Material**
Pickleball paddles are made from a variety of materials, each offering different benefits:
- **Wood**: These are the most affordable paddles and are great for beginners who are just trying out the sport. However, they are heavier and may not provide the best playability.
- **Composite**: These paddles are made from a combination of materials like fiberglass and polymer. They offer a good balance of weight and power, making them popular among players of all skill levels. This is what TEMPO paddles are made of, giving the consumer a high quality material paddle.
- **Graphite**: Graphite paddles are lightweight and provide excellent touch and control. They are typically more expensive but are favored by intermediate and advanced players.
2. **Weight Matters**
The weight of your paddle is crucial for your comfort and performance:
- **Lightweight (6-7.5 ounces)**: Easier to handle and better for players who prefer quick, finesse shots. Lighter paddles reduce player fatigue but might offer less drive.
- **Medium weight (7.6-8.4 ounces)**: Provides a good balance of power and control, suitable for players of all levels. Our TEMPO paddles are in this weight range because we wanted to give players a good balance of power and quickness.
- **Heavyweight (8.5 ounces and above)**: Offers more power and drive, ideal for players who want to hit the ball harder. These paddles can be more tiring to use over long periods.
3. **Handle Length**
Selecting your handle length can effect your game in different areas:
- **Small length(4-4.75 inches)**: Gives the player a larger sweet spot but shorter reach-
**Medium length (4.75-5.25inches)**: A balanced mix between handle length and paddle surface.
- **Large length (5.25-6)**: Gives players advantages for two handed backhands and reach around the net. Decrease paddle surface makes shot more controllable but greater risk of possibly shanking the ball. Our TEMPO paddles have the large handle length to give players the advantage on their backhands, and around the net.
4. **Paddle Shape**
Paddle shapes vary, and the shape you choose can impact your reach and sweet spot:
- **Widebody**: The most common shape, offering a large sweet spot.
- **Elongated**: Provides extra reach and power, ideal for players who play more aggressively. This is our paddles, we want to give players the power they are looking for.
- **Tear drop**: Focuses the weight towards the top of the paddle, offering more power but a smaller sweet spot.
5. **Core Type**
The core of the paddle impacts how it feels and plays:
- **Nomex honeycomb**: Very hard and lightweight, providing excellent power and speed.
- **Aluminum honeycomb**: Offers good touch and control with moderate power.
- **Polymer honeycomb**: The softest and quietest, great for control and ideal for communities with noise restrictions. This is what our TEMPO paddles are comprised of.
