The Pickleball Experts Interactive Guide to Choosing a Pickleball Paddle
Now that you've chosen a heavyweight paddle, we'll focus on finding the right grip circumference.
Grip Circumference
Picking the right grip size makes a huge difference in your comfort while playing pickleball. A grip that is too small can take too much work to control, while a grip that is too large can cause the paddle to slip out of your hand or cause elbow issues. One important thing to remember is that it is much better to err on the side of picking a grip that is too small because most grips cannot be reduced in size. Small grips, however, can always be made bigger with a thicker grip or overgrip. It is very common among top players to use overgrips to customize the perfect grip size for their hand.
We currently carry paddles with small and medium circumference grips. Our small grips are 4-4⅛" and our medium grips are 4¼"-4⅜”.
2 Ways to Pick a Grip Circumference
- Height: The rule of thumb is that if you’re under 5’3”, you’ll need a small grip. Taller than 5’3” and you will generally need a medium grip. If you’re right on the border, it’s generally better to choose the smaller grip.
- Measure your hand: Look at the palm of your dominant hand. You’ll see 3 major creases running across your palm. Measure from the middle crease to the tip of your ring finger to find the correct grip circumference.
Small Grips - 4-4⅛"
- Allow for more wrist movement, which allows for more spin and control and more powerful serves
- Eases hand switches for players who like to switch while playing
- Can be made larger with overgrips
Medium Grips - 4¼"-4⅜”
- Provides more stability
- Easier on the arm