If you're a pickleball player, you know that it's important to keep your paddle in good shape. If your pickleball paddle is past its prime, it's time to get a new one.
Your paddle's lifespan will depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of play you do and its materials. However, if you follow these tips, you can extend its life and keep playing for longer!
1. Loss of Control
When you start playing pickleball, you may find that your paddle is not performing as well as you’d like. This can be a great reason to upgrade, as it will allow you to perform at a higher level and make the game more exciting.
Another reason to replace your paddle is if it’s showing signs of wear and tear. For example, if you live in a very hot climate or regularly store your paddle in a car, it may eventually need to be replaced.
In addition, your paddle may start to lose its power or control. This can be a big problem because it can affect your game and make it more difficult to play.
One way to tell if your paddle is losing its power or control is to feel for where it’s balanced towards. If the weight is leaning more towards the head, it’s probably a good idea to consider replacing it with a heavier paddle.
2. Deadness
When it comes to playing pickleball, a paddle is an essential part of the game. However, the longevity of a paddle can be affected by various factors including the player's playing style and how often they play.
The frequency of replacement also depends on the type of paddle used and its weight. Those with heavy paddles need to replace them more often than those who use lighter ones.
In addition, playing with a paddle that is exposed to extreme temperatures can affect the pliability of the face. Therefore, it is important to store your paddle in a cool and dry place when not in use.
Another indication that your paddle is dead is when you cannot hit the ball as far or the ball goes in an unexpected direction. You will also notice that the paddle sounds less hollow when you hit it with the ball.
3. Damaged Grip
The grip of a pickleball paddle gets damaged when it absorbs dirt, sweat and dead skin cells. Hence, it is important to clean it regularly and wipe off the grip after playing.
Moreover, it is necessary to replace the grip of your paddle whenever it starts to lose traction. This will make your paddle more comfortable to use and will prolong its lifespan.
Apart from that, it is also essential to store your paddle properly. This will prevent it from being exposed to the extreme weather fluctuations.
Extreme cold and hot temperatures can damage the paddle’s surface and handle. Bitter cold could lead to brittleness, while heat would exfoliate the surface and weaken its glue that binds the core materials together.
This will result in the separation of the core and the surface materials. In some cases, these damages may even result in the core breaking off.
4. Damaged Core
Depending on the type of paddle you have, its core can suffer from damage. Polymer cores are prone to breaking down and need replacing regularly.
Composite, graphite and carbon fiber paddles tend to last for years if they are well cared for. However, if you play pickleball more often than once a week or at a higher speed, it will wear down your paddle faster.
It’s important to know how much damage your paddle is causing to its core so you can determine when it needs to be replaced.
In addition, paddles can also break down due to the weather. High temperatures and extreme cold damage the core materials.
Paddles should not be left in the sun or in a car for long periods of time. Keeping your paddle in a cool and dry place can extend its lifespan.
