Choosing your first pickleball kit

Most people try pickleball with a borrowed paddle at a club taster session. Many venues have equipment you can hire on the day.

Once you are playing regularly, it is good to have kit of your own. These notes explain what to look at when you choose it.

What you need to start

The two pieces of kit you need are a paddle and a ball. For a first session, Pickleball England says no special equipment is needed. Comfortable clothing and trainers or tennis shoes are enough.

Choosing a paddle

A paddle has a handle and a large, flat hitting surface. The surface and core can be made from different materials. The LTA describes three common surfaces.

Fibreglass gives more power.
Graphite gives more control.
Carbon fibre gives some of both.

Weight makes a difference too. Light paddles, up to about 205g, help with control and quick reactions. Midweight paddles, from 205g to 240g, give a mix of power and control, and the LTA suggests them for beginners. Heavy paddles, over 240g, help generate power.

Cores are usually about 11mm to 16mm thick. A thicker core gives more control, and a thinner one gives more power. Grip sizes vary as well, so it is worth holding a few paddles before you choose.

Indoor and outdoor balls

A pickleball is hollow plastic, covered in holes, and a little larger than a tennis ball. The holes help it fly steadily, so it goes where you aim.

There are two main types. Outdoor balls are heavier, with 40 holes, so the wind moves them less. Indoor balls are lighter, with 26 holes, and suit smooth indoor floors. It helps to ask your club which kind it plays with.

Shoes and small extras

Good court shoes help you move with confidence. Pickleball England's safety tips suggest tennis court shoes rather than running, walking or street shoes, and no black soles. Its safety guidance notes that suitable indoor court shoes help reduce slips, trips and falls.

As you play more, a few extras can help. A replacement grip stops the handle slipping in your hand. A paddle bag keeps your kit together. Some players choose pickleball trainers for extra stability.

Looking after your eyes

Pickleball England has seen players hurt when a ball or paddle struck an eye. It does not make eye protection compulsory. It does strongly encourage every player to wear protective eyewear on court.

Kit for tournaments

USA Pickleball tests paddles and balls and publishes lists of approved equipment. Makers have to meet set tests, and a paddle can lose its approval later if it stops meeting them. If you plan to enter events, check the tournament's own rules on equipment before you buy.

Playing from a wheelchair

Pickleball England's basic rules say a sports wheelchair should be used for wheelchair play. The ball may bounce twice before it is hit. Its adaptive pickleball guide covers more ways clubs can make play work for disabled players.