What Weight Pickleball Paddle Do The Pros Use?
I like promoting pickleball as a fun activity for people of all ages to do. The sport is fun and can create bonding moments for you, your family, and your friends. However, there is a competitive side. Using the correct equipment will help you be more competitive. So, what weight pickleball paddle do the pros use?
Professional female pickleball athletes typically use paddles that weigh between 7.2 OZ and 8.4 OZ. Professional male pickleball athletes will typically use paddles between 7.6 OZ and 8.6 OZ. However, it is not uncommon to see these professional athletes use heavier or lighter paddles.
Playing pickleball for long enough, you will get used to a certain paddle weight. So, it is essential to get a paddle that you will be comfortable with long term. To help you, I will answer as many questions as I can while also discussing what pickleball paddles the professionals use.
Is It Better To Have A Heavy Or A Light Pickleball Paddle?
It is important to remember that professionals in any sport will use paddles that suit their playstyle; they are often custom-made. What works for one pickleball player, might not work for the other, and the same can be said if you only play pickleball recreationally.
If you are a novice at pickleball, I recommend using a medium-weight paddle. Some people might suggest that you start with a heavier paddle, giving you more control; however, you can alter its weight, which is vital to remember. Here are a few things to note:
- A lighter paddle is best if you are unfit as it puts less strain on your forearms.
- A medium-weight paddle offers a great balance between control, performance, and your fatigue.
- A heavier pickleball paddle might offer more control than the previous two, but it’s not recommended for unfit beginners.
Is A Heavier Pickleball Paddle Better For Tennis Elbow?
If your elbow is hurting, it is best to see a doctor and get professional medical advice. If you want to prevent tennis elbow, using a medium-weight pickleball paddle is one step you can take. A heavy paddle might cause you to overuse the muscles in your forearms, while a light paddle could cause you to overextend your forearms continuously.
However, whether or not you get tennis elbow depends less on the weight of the pickleball paddle than it does on the motion of hitting the ball. To understand this, let’s take a look at what causes tennis elbow:
- Overusing your forearm.
- Overextending your forearm.
- Swinging your forearm too fast
- Any sudden bumps to your elbow can also cause injury.
Tennis elbow is a result of inflamed tendons around the elbow joint and can take up to one year to heal, although it typically goes away after six months if treated correctly.
How Do You Add Weight To A Pickleball Paddle?
We have all been there; you see a paddle that you like, but it is just a bit too light, or perhaps you have been playing for a while and want to test out whether or not you should get a heavier paddle without making the initial investment.
One of the best ways to add extra weight to your pickleball paddle is to use lead tape. This is a perfect solution because you can remove it if you feel that the paddle is too heavy. You can also customize how much weight you add to the paddle. However, there are a few things you need to note:
- The best place to place lead tape on a pickleball paddle is around the edges.
- You want to evenly distribute the weight, which is especially important if you are not covering the entire edge of the paddle.
- Adding weight to the base of the grip might alter the control of the paddle a bit too much; think about a rare wheel drive car.
What Pickleball Paddle Does Tyson McGuffin Use?
Tyson McGuffin uses the Amped Invikta elongated paddle. You can choose either the midweight or a lightweight option. The honeycomb is made from Amped’s X5 polypropylene for maximum power. The sweet spot for the paddle is one of the largest I have seen.
The outer shell is made from Amped’s fiberflex technology. The goal is to have a surface that gives you complete control of every shot while making it easier to spin the ball. Here are some other keynotes about this paddle.
- Durable edge guards
- Lightweight
- Midweight weighs 7.8 to 8.4 OZ.
- The lightweight model weighs between 7.2 to 7.7 OZ.
Buy from Amazon below.
What Pickleball Paddle Does Leigh Waters Use?
Leigh Waters is proof that pickleball is for everyone. As a teenager, she is making so serious waves in the sport, and she is one to watch in the future. That said, what paddle does she use?
As of writing this article, Leigh Waters uses a Paddletek Bantam TS-5. The paddle is built around balance and control. It is lightweight yet powerful with a large sweet spot that offers a generous pop. The surface is a hybrid consisting of epoxy and fiberglass, which gives you more control over how you spin the pickleball.
here are some other keynotes about this paddle:
- Weight: 7 OZ to 7.4 Oz (Lightweight paddle)
- Textured surface
- A high-tech honeycomb core delivers power.
- The textured surface offers accuracy and control
Buy from Amazon below.
What Pickleball Paddle Does Kyle Yates Use?
Kyle Yates is one of the most decorated pickleball players, so it is no surprise that many people try and get his paddle. I must say that the Paddletek phantom EXL is one of the best paddles on the market and can be used by professionals and beginners.
The Bantam EXL uses top-of-the-range paddle technology, such as the textured polycarbonate surface. You will have absolutely no problem learning how to spin the ball. The paddle also has a lot of power with its large sweet spot.
- The paddle is elongated, making it easier to get to the ball.
- It comes in various weights, which you can choose when using their website.
- The edges are protected with shock-absorbent technology.
Conclusion
Yes, the weight of your paddle is essential, and you shouldn’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Because lead tape is available, it is better to avoid getting a heavy paddle at first. Hopefully, I have answered all of your questions, and if you have any more, feel free to look through our website as we upload regular content centered around pickleball.
