Pickleball paddles vary in shape and size, which affects both feel and performance. Among these factors, the handle length of the pickleball paddle plays a crucial role in playability. It determines the placement of the sweet spot on the paddle and the available hitting area.
In general, a longer handle moves the sweet spot further up the paddle face. Since the tip of the paddle moves the fastest during the swing, this results in a faster movement of the sweet spot and therefore more hitting power.
According to USA Pickleball requirements, the combined total length and width of a paddle must not exceed 60.96cm (24 inches). Therefore, paddles with shorter handles can provide a larger hitting area, while longer handles sacrifice a portion of the hitting area to meet the specified dimensions.
Common reasons for choosing a shorter grip:
- Players with small hands prefer a larger hitting surface to avoid misses.
- Players who position their fingers on the paddle face avoid wasting paddle length on unused grip length.
Popular short handle paddles are:
1. Selkirk AMPED S2 X5 FiberFlex Paddle
The Selkirk AMPED S2 X5 FiberFlex Paddle is available in standard and lightweight versions in Regal, Sapphire Blue, Selkirk Red and Amethyst Purple.
2. Selkirk VANGUARD 2.0 S2 Paddle
The Selkirk VANGUARD 2.0 S2 Paddle is available in standard and lightweight versions in Regal, Blue Note and Crimson Black.
3. Selkirk VANGUARD Power Air S2 Paddle
The Selkirk VANGUARD PowerAir S2 Paddle is available in black and red.
Common reasons for choosing a longer grip:
- Ambidextrous players use the grip for backhand or forehand strokes.
- Players looking for extra power and consistency in their sweet spot.
A popular paddle with a long handle is:
Selkirk SLK Halo XL Paddle
The Selkirk SLK Halo XL Paddle is available in Power, Control and Signature versions.
As always, if you have any further questions about pickleball, don't hesitate to contact our Pickleball Corner experts at kontakt@pickleballcorner.ch.