Young players transitioning from tennis background often face the dilemma of whether to opt for 14mm or 16mm paddles in pickleball. The community on the Pickleball subreddit has shared diverse insights on this topic, shedding light on the preferences based on control, spin, placement, and power.
Summary
- Thicker cores, like the 16mm, are favored for improved feel and control.
- Players with a tennis background often lean towards 16mm for a familiar racket-like feel.
- Demoing different paddles is recommended to determine personal preference.
Thicker Core Preference
Gyphouse emphasized the choice of 16mm paddles for enhanced control, supported by Jersey2559 suggesting that 16mm is optimal for control, aligning with the sentiment that a thicker core provides better feel and placement on shots.
Tennis Background Influence
themoneybadger shared insights from a 5.0 Tennis player, stating that 16mm paddles feel more similar to tennis rackets, offering a softer and more string-like sensation. This underlines how players with a tennis background might gravitate towards 16mm paddles for familiarity and comfort.
Individual Preference and Demoing
ThePurpleCookies stressed the importance of individual preference over a strict better/worse dichotomy, encouraging players to engage in demo programs to explore the nuances of paddle thickness, shape, and weight to find their ideal match.
The discussions on paddle thickness underscore the nuanced choices players face in finding the perfect balance between control, power, and spin, demonstrating the personal nature of equipment preferences in pickleball.