When do you throw out a pickleball paddle? When it comes to pickleball, you get what you pay for. The cheaper paddle you buy, the faster it will likely break down. But how do you know when it’s time to toss the paddle out?
You should toss a pickleball paddle when it is visibly damaged, has holes in the paddle face, is no longer intact, and when the ball doesn’t go where you want it to. Some damage can be fixed, but the majority of the time a new paddle is always the best path forward.
Cheap paddles are usually made out of painted wood or plastic. But they don’t make them with durability in mind, and they break much faster. If you’re a recreational player, you can get away with a cheaper paddle. But if you’re serious about pickleball, you need a paddle that will stand up to the rigors of regular play.
That means you’ll need a paddle made from a stiffer material, such as graphite, with a better balance of effectiveness and cost. In this guide we’ll take a look at the issues involving pickleball paddles that can’t be remedied and when you should just toss it.
Related – Need a NEW Pickleball Paddle? See the TOP picks here!
- When do you throw out a pickleball paddle?
- Make sure the paddle is made for pickleball
- The plastic or rubber grip has come loose
- The paddle face is scratched or broken
- The paddle no longer serves straight volleys
- There's a hole in the paddle
- When you should just toss the paddle in the trash
- Conclusion
- Need a Pickleball Paddle or Complete Set?
When do you throw out a pickleball paddle?
If the paddle is dented or has a hole in it, it should be replaced. But there are other signs of wear that are, in some cases, acceptable.
The grip, or handle, should be tight enough to hold your hand, but not so tight that it becomes uncomfortable. The same goes for the handle’s grip on the paddle head. The shaft should be straight and have no signs of wobbling or warping.
If any of these apply, it’s time to buy a new paddle. But if the paddle still has a lot of life left in it, you can try to get some use out of it before you toss it. If a paddle is well taken care of, it can last for years.
Make sure the paddle is made for pickleball
There are many types of pickleball paddles, and many of them are designed for different sports. If you’re playing pickleball, you want a paddle made specifically for that sport. The two most common materials for pickleball paddles are graphite and fiberglass.
Graphite is stiffer and more costly. Fiberglass is cheaper and more flexible. It’s also more forgiving if you’re not as skilled or don’t spend as much time practicing your strokes.
A good way to tell if a paddle is made for pickleball is to look at the grip. On a fiberglass paddle, the grip is usually a hexagon or hexagonal shape. But on a graphite paddle, the grip is usually a more traditional oval shape.
Click here to see the most durable graphite pickleball paddles.
The plastic or rubber grip has come loose
The plastic or rubber grip on a pickleball paddle is one of the most important parts. It serves as your hand protection, as well as your grip on the paddle.
If you lose your grip on the handle, you can lose your balance and throw your pickleballs off course.
It’s also important for the grip to be tight enough to provide excellent control of the paddle, but not so tight that it restricts your mobility. If you can’t bend your wrist or fingers, you won’t be able to find the sweet spot while on the court.
The most common signs that the grip has come loose are inconsistent control of your pickleball paddle, and a “thumbprint” shape on the grip.
If you have any of these signs, replace the grip or paddle and try again.
Here’s a great video showing how to repair a pickleball paddle
The paddle face is scratched or broken
Paddle faces are made of polycarbonate or acrylic. It’s a durable material, but it’s not indestructible. If a pickleball paddle face is scratched or broken, it should be replaced.
Most scratches and breaks will only affect the aesthetics of the paddle, but there are a few that will reduce its effectiveness. A scratch reduces the face’s smoothness, and a break in the face means that you’ll have an uneven surface to hit the ball against.
Related – Need a NEW Pickleball Paddle? See the TOP picks here!
Paddles that are designed for indoor play are usually less durable and more likely to have issues with scratches or dents. Indoor paddles are made with softer materials, so they’re more likely to have to be thrown away sooner.
The paddle no longer serves straight volleys
If you’re playing competitively, you need a paddle that will provide consistent and straight volleys. The straightest volleys are the most effective, so you want both accuracy and consistency when serving.
The most common issue that leads to a paddle no longer serving straight is warping. Warp is usually caused by humidity, so you’ll need to keep your paddle in a plastic or moisture-resistant case if you live in a humid climate.
But if a paddle is no longer serving straight volleys, it should also be replaced.
There’s a hole in the paddle
If a ball goes through a hole in your paddle, it’s time to worry. But you’ve most likely trashed the paddle long before that happens. There are no official rules regarding equipment conditions, but a paddle with holes in it should be trashed.
Small dents can develop into large holes or voids in the paddle face that make serves and volleys impossible to predict. This compromises the integrity of the paddle and could lead to a break or tear in the face or shaft.
When you should just toss the paddle in the trash
If a paddle is beyond repair, or you just don’t use it anymore, you should just toss it in the trash.
If you’re not sure whether or not a paddle is worth keeping, try this experiment. Take your used paddle to the park and hit some balls with it. If you have a few hours to spare, take some sandpaper and smooth out some of the rough edges. Then take your paddle and hit some more balls. If you still have some use out of it, keep it. But if not, just toss it out and get a new one.
Conclusion
If you’ve trashed your pickleball paddle and you’re looking for a new one, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered a list of the best pickleball paddles available today, so you can find the perfect one for you.
No matter what your skill level or how serious you are about pickleball, you can find a paddle that meets your needs. These are some of the best pickleball paddles available, so you don’t have to go without a paddle any longer.
About Me
Hi! I’m Marie Spentel. I’ve been an avid Pickleball player for over 2 decades. I worked in several Pickleball leagues and climbed my way up to a 4.5 level rating. These days, I can usually be found practicing court techniques, consulting with others in the industry, and blogging about Pickleball! Read More
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