With so many paddle options, choosing the right pickleball paddle can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. We understand your dilemma! Luckily, there are some important factors that can help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect paddle for your game.
In this article, we'll dive into the world of core thickness and explore its impact on the playability of pickleball paddles.
In general, the thickness of a paddle's core determines its characteristics. Thinner cores generally offer more power (Pickleball Corner's Power Paddles overview), while thicker cores offer better control (Pickleball Corner's Control Paddles overview). In the past, a 13mm core was considered average, with thicker cores referred to as "thick" and thinner cores referred to as "thin." However, as the sport has evolved, manufacturers have introduced new materials, and thicker cores have become more prevalent.
Currently, there are a range of cores between 14 and 16mm, with some extreme paddles like the Diadem Warrior featuring a super-thick and extremely controllable 19mm core.
Core thickness affects almost every aspect of a paddle's performance. Regardless of material or thickness, it affects the size of the sweet spot, sound and volume, vibrations transmitted to the hand, and the paddle's performance potential.
Pickleball Paddle Performance:
Core thickness plays a critical role in generating power. As mentioned earlier, thinner paddles tend to generate more power, while thicker cores provide better control.
Sweet Spot of the Pickleball Paddle:
The size of the sweet spot is another important aspect that is affected by core thickness. Thicker cores usually offer a larger sweet spot, minimizing misses, while thinner cores offer a more precise sweet spot that allows for powerful strokes.
Sound of the Pickleball Paddle:
The sound produced during pickleball play can be a topic of discussion, and core thickness contributes to this aspect. Thinner cores tend to produce louder, higher-pitched sounds compared to paddles with thicker cores.
Vibrations:
Vibrations that occur when the ball hits the ground are both an advantage and a disadvantage, so this is an important consideration. With thick-core paddles, vibrations are usually minimized, reducing the risk of elbow and arm injuries. However, the vibrations also provide valuable feedback on off-center hits. Paddles with a thinner core allow more vibration, which provides better feedback, but may transmit more vibration to the wrist and elbow. Players who struggle with conditions such as "tennis elbow" or other common arm injuries may prefer to minimize additional vibration.
While it is important to consider other factors, such as the material and construction of the paddle, knowing how core thickness affects playability is an excellent starting point for finding the ideal pickleball paddle.
As always, if you have any further questions about pickleball, don't hesitate to contact our Pickleball Corner experts at kontakt@pickleballcorner.ch.