The Ultimate Guide To Pickleball Paddle Grips

Why is the pickleball paddle grip so important to your game? Well, it is what you hold throughout the duration of your pickleball matches and controls the paddle through your play. Overlooked by many pickleball players, the pickleball paddle grip can make or break your next match! The majority of pickleball paddles originally come wrapped with high-quality grips, which are great. But when was the last time you changed your grip? Over time, pickleball paddle grips will lose their tackiness and comfort and can affect your overall pickleball performance. We are going to look at all aspects of pickleball paddle grips with the goal of ultimately  helping to improve your game. Below, we will take a look at why pickleball paddle grips are important, what size pickleball paddle grip should a player be looking for, pickleball paddle overgrips, pickleball paddle grip length, and caring for your pickleball paddle grip. Let's dive in.

Why Pickleball Paddle Grips Are Important?

The connection between your pickleball paddle and your hand is arguably the most important piece of a pickleball paddle. How can you be your best on the court if you are not comfortable holding the most important piece of equipment? The simple answer is, you can’t. If the grip on your pickleball paddle is slipping, uncomfortable, too large, or too small this will hinder your game and could ultimately impact your win/loss record. Professional and elite pickleball players have their grips down to a science! When they grab their pickleball paddle grip they know the exact feel, tackiness, and thickness it should be so that they feel their best when stepping out onto the court! 

What size Pickleball Paddle Grip Do I Need? 

Pickleball Paddle Grips are broken down into 3 different sizes:

• Thin: 4-4 ⅛’’
• Standard: 4 ¼’’
• Thick: 4 ½’’ 

Determining the right grip size comes down to each individual player. Player height can be a good starting point for picking grip thickness but remember that each player’s hands are a little different!  If you are in one height range, but your hands are a little smaller I might go with a grip size down. 

• Under 5'2": 4" grip
• 5'3" to 5'8": 4 1/8" to 4 1/4" grip
• 5'9" and taller: 4 1/2" grip

Each player is going to be different, so don’t be afraid to try out different grip sizes and ensure your pickleball paddle grip feels right in your hand. Unsure on what size to go with? Check out our Paddle Assurance Program that will give you peace of mind when choosing a different pickleball paddle grip size.

Pickleball Paddle Overgrips

As the name states, an overgrip goes over the top of your grip. Overgrips will go over the top of the standard or stock grip that comes on your new paddle. Overgrips on your pickleball paddle can increase the overall feel, tackiness, absorption, and grip circumference. Pickleball players might use the terms overgrip and grip interchangeably, but they are completely different - Your standard or stock pickleball paddle grip will go directly on the pickleball paddle and cover the core of the paddle. The overgrip will go over the standard or stock pickleball paddle grip! Next time you are looking to switch up your pickleball paddle grips, check out an overgrip to upgrade your pickleball paddle.

Pickleball Paddle Grip Length

Is your two-handed backhand being cut short because of your paddle’s grip? You might have the wrong pickleball paddle grip length! Your pickleball paddle grip length can affect your play and you may not even know it. So what pickleball paddle grip length is best for you? 

• Short ( >5’’) - great for players transitioning from table tennis who often use the index finger on the face of the pickleball paddle.
• Standard (5’’) - works for the majority of pickleball players. Great for beginners and professional players.
• Long (<5’’) - Designed for pickleball players who use a two-handed backhand or players needing more reach at the net and less effort on low to the ground shots.

Pickleball Paddle Grip Care

Over time, dirt and sweat will accumulate on your grip and the more you play, the more dirt and sweat will be on your pickleball paddle grip. Because your paddle grip is the only point of contact between your paddle and you, it is important to clean your grip after you step off the court. To clean your pickleball paddle grip, simply use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe it down then dry it off using a clean cloth. This simple task will help maintain your grip’s sticky and cushioned feel and ultimately, should help increase your performance on the court! Want to learn a little more about pickleball paddle care? Check out our blog post on How to Clean Your Pickleball Paddle!

Next time you are shopping for the perfect pickleball paddle, take into consideration what you are going to be holding onto throughout your play. Think about  the size of your new pickleball paddle’s grip, the length of  the paddle grip, and whether an overgrip could be a good addition to your current pickleball paddle grip. Still undecided, try out our Paddle Assurance Program to pick a pickleball paddle with peace of mind. 

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Looking for the perfect pickleball paddle? There are hundreds of paddles on the market, which is why we have an entire page dedicated to Pickleball Paddle Reviews! If you need more information, give us a call at 1-866-382-3465, email us (experts@justpaddles.com), or utilize our LIVE CHAT to speak with a Paddle Expert today. We’re JustPaddles, and we’re with you from Click to Court!