By Coach Vince Geo Serino, Lead Pickleball Coach at PickleChoo — certified through the TAG International Tennis Academy. PickleChoo’s coaching programme was designed by Coach XT (Tan Xu Teng), founder of TAG, a former Singapore Open Men’s Doubles champion and career-high ITF M35+ World #56.
Walk into any paddle shop — or scroll any online store — and the choice is overwhelming: dozens of brands, a wall of specs, and prices from under $50 to well over $300. After coaching hundreds of beginners at our outdoor courts in Singapore, I can tell you the good news: for your first paddle, you only need to get five things roughly right. Weight, grip size, core thickness, surface, and shape. Nail those and almost any reputable paddle will serve you well for your first year of play.
This guide walks through each one in plain language, with the advice I actually give players on court. If you are brand new to the sport, read our Beginner’s Guide to Pickleball in Singapore first, then come back here when you are ready to buy.
1. Weight — the single most important spec
Paddle weight changes how the paddle feels more than any other factor. Most paddles fall into three bands:
- Lightweight (under ~7.8 oz): Quick to manoeuvre and easy on the arm, with excellent control at the net (the “kitchen”). You supply more of the power yourself.
- Midweight (~7.8–8.4 oz): The sweet spot for most beginners. Enough mass to return pace without extra effort, light enough for fast hands at the net.
- Heavy (8.5 oz and up): More power and stability on contact, but slower to react in fast exchanges and more tiring over a long session — and more likely to aggravate tennis or golfer’s elbow.
My advice for beginners: start around 8.0 oz. It is a forgiving middle ground. If you have any history of elbow or wrist strain, lean lighter. In Singapore’s heat and humidity a lighter paddle also means less fatigue across a two-hour session.
2. Grip size — get this wrong and nothing else matters
Grip circumference typically ranges from about 4 inches to 4.5 inches. A grip that is too large stops your wrist from snapping through the ball and can cause you to grip too tightly — a fast route to a sore forearm. Too small and the paddle twists in your hand on off-centre hits.
My advice: when in doubt, size down. You can always build a slightly small grip up with an overgrip, but you can never make a too-large grip smaller. A quick test: hold the paddle in your hitting hand and slide the index finger of your other hand into the gap between your fingertips and palm. It should fit snugly with little room to spare. If you can, try a few grips in person before buying — our coaches are happy to let you handle paddles during a lesson at PickleChoo.
3. Core thickness — control vs. power
Almost every modern paddle uses a polymer honeycomb core. What varies is its thickness, and the two common options behave quite differently:
- 16mm core: Softer, more controlled and more forgiving. Easier to place the ball where you want it. This is what I steer most beginners toward.
- 14mm core: More “pop” and power straight off the face, but less forgiving on touch shots like the dink and the third-shot drop — the shots that win pickleball points.
Because pickleball is won far more often through control and consistency than raw power, a thicker 16mm core helps new players develop the right habits faster. For why control beats power, see our 7 drills and tips to improve faster.
4. Surface material — spin and feel
The paddle face is usually one of three materials:
- Carbon fibre / graphite: A crisp, responsive feel with the best spin potential, thanks to the textured surface. The most popular choice in 2026 and well worth it as you progress.
- Fibreglass / composite: A softer face with a touch more natural “pop,” and often cheaper. A perfectly good starting point.
For a first paddle you do not need to overthink this. A composite face keeps costs down; a carbon-fibre face gives you more room to grow if your budget allows. Spin matters more once you have consistent contact, so it is fine to prioritise the other four factors first.
5. Shape — sweet spot vs. reach
- Standard / widebody: A larger, more forgiving sweet spot. The easiest shape to learn on and my default recommendation for beginners.
- Elongated: Extra reach and a little more leverage for power, but a narrower sweet spot that demands cleaner contact. Better suited to experienced players.
Start wide. A bigger sweet spot means more balls land where you intend them to while you are still grooving your technique — and that makes the game far more fun from day one.
One more thing: USA Pickleball approval
If you think you might play in leagues or tournaments down the line, check that the paddle appears on the USA Pickleball (USAP) approved equipment list. Most reputable paddles are, but it is worth a thirty-second check so you are never turned away at a competitive event. For purely social play it is not essential.
A quick summary for your first paddle
| Spec | Beginner-friendly choice |
|---|---|
| Weight | ~8.0 oz (midweight); lighter if you have elbow/wrist concerns |
| Grip | Smaller rather than larger; add an overgrip to fine-tune |
| Core | 16mm for control and forgiveness |
| Surface | Composite to save money, carbon fibre to grow into |
| Shape | Standard / widebody for a bigger sweet spot |
Honestly, the best paddle is the one that gets you on court often. Do not agonise over the perfect purchase — a sensible midweight, 16mm, standard-shape paddle with a grip that fits will carry you through your entire first year. By then you will know your own game well enough to choose your next one with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a beginner spend on a pickleball paddle?
You do not need to spend a lot to start. A solid entry-level composite paddle is plenty for your first months. Spend a little more for a carbon-fibre face only if you want a paddle you can grow into. What matters far more than price is that the weight, grip and shape suit you — a well-matched budget paddle beats an ill-fitting premium one every time.
Do I need my own paddle to start lessons at PickleChoo?
No. PickleChoo provides paddles and balls during coaching sessions, so you can try the sport — and feel a few different paddles — before you buy. Many players use their first couple of lessons to work out what weight and grip they prefer, then buy with confidence.
Is a heavier paddle better for power?
A heavier paddle does generate more power with less effort, but it is slower to react in fast net exchanges and more tiring — and, for some players, harder on the elbow. Most beginners improve faster with a controllable midweight paddle, because pickleball rewards placement and consistency over raw power.
What grip size should I choose if I am unsure?
Size down. A smaller grip lets your wrist work freely and can be built up with an overgrip, whereas an oversized grip cannot be reduced. If you can, handle a few paddles in person — our coaches will help you find a comfortable fit during a session.
Learn with TAG-certified coaches in Singapore
Choosing the right paddle is a great start — but structured coaching is what truly accelerates your game. Every PickleChoo coach is certified through the TAG International Tennis Academy, Singapore’s leading racket sports coaching organisation since 2001, under a programme designed by Coach XT, who also heads a leading tennis coach Singapore network. TAG’s coaching philosophy carries across racket sports — the same attention to fundamentals that develops competitive tennis players and the Japanese-style tennis coaching at Sanwa X shapes how we teach pickleball.
Come and play at one of our three outdoor venues — PickleChoo Arena (One North), PickleChoo Prime (New Industrial Road), or PickleChoo Apex (Henderson). Walk-ins are welcome, and you can book a lesson or WhatsApp us at +65 9029 8400. New to the sport? Start with our Complete Guide to Playing Pickleball in Singapore.
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