As the game of pickleball continues to grow in popularity, so does the demand for quality equipment. One of the essential pieces of equipment for pickleball is the paddle. When choosing a paddle, it is essential to consider the material. Wooden paddles are popular for many pickleball players because they offer a unique feel and performance that other materials cannot match.
However, wooden paddles needn’t be basic. They can have different edging, grips, covers, and handle lengths. All these details will help you get a wooden paddle that suits your grip and playing style.
If you have just started learning to play pickleball, a wooden paddle is the first option many pro players would advise you to choose. Besides their appealing appearances, wooden paddles also have natural flexes and are sustainable over time. Furthermore, they come with various competitive prices.
Pros:
▪ Affordable price: The total cost for the finished product is quite low. This could be because the wooden material is easy to find in nature, and it doesn’t require precious kinds of wood for production.
▪ Long-lasting usage: Natural wood goes through treated technology to become more durable over time. Wooden paddles’ lifespan surpasses that of Composite or graphite ones.
▪ Controlled power ability: The wide surface of the wooden paddle allows you to put more power on your shot without giving out much strength.
Cons:
▪ Heavyweight: The ideal weight for a paddle is around 7~8 ounces, but the weight of a wooden pickle paddle gets about more than 10 ounces. It is much heavier than a composite or graphite paddle.
▪ Inaccurate direction control: Not only does the smooth surface lessen your shot spin power, but the edge texture also reduces the ability to adjust the direction of pickleball.
The holes in wooden paddles are there for a few reasons.
The first reason is to allow liquid to flow out of the paddle. This is important because it prevents the paddle from becoming soggy and heavy.
The second reason is to allow air to circulate inside the paddle. This helps to keep the paddle light and buoyant.
The third reason why wooden paddles have holes is to reduce drag. When paddling, you want the paddle to move through the water with as little resistance as possible. The holes in the paddle help to reduce drag and make paddling easier.