Pickleball paddles can go bad for a plethora of reasons, and we have identified that natural wear and tear and court damage over time are the significant reasons for pickleball paddles going bad.
After our trusted paddle tester, Mariia, experienced an under-performing paddle during a Pickleball game, we wanted to dive deeper on the topic, can pickleball paddles go bad?
If you’re unsure why your paddle performance is dipping due to a bad paddle, continue reading to find out the most significant reasons your paddle can go bad.
Table of Contents
Why Can Pickleball Paddles Go Bad?
Our trusted paddle tester, Mariia, recently ran into a problem on the Pickleball court during a social game with her buddies using the low-cost MTEN Pickleball paddle. Although she was consistently hitting the ball in the sweet spot, the paddle face was not responding like it usually does.
She mentioned a ‘dead sound’ in various parts of the paddle, and she couldnt get the ball to move in the direction she wanted. Fortunately, she always carries a spare paddle, and she managed to replace her paddle mid-game.
General Wear and Tear
From our experience, general wear and tear is the number one reason that Pickleball paddles go bad. The lifespan of most professionally made paddles varies, but our super Pickleball enthusiasts who play over 3 times a week will notice their paddle losing its optimal response faster than casual players. In the case of Mariia, our tester, her cheaper MTEN paddle lasted for 5 months before it started packing up.
Low-cost And Fake Paddles
As with all sports equipment, typically, the cheaper the product, the lower the quality and shorter the lifespan. However, if a players uses their cheaper paddle once a week or once a month, it could last for many years. We have noticed the cheaper set paddles and fake paddles can break on first use or in less than 10 uses as you can see in the picture below.
Stored And Transported Badly
As most Pickleball paddles contain glue in the paddle core, when you leave your paddle in your car, especially in the heat, the paddle can expand and contract, moving the inner components, and leaving you with a damaged paddle. Leaving your open paddle in the sun for extended periods can have the same negative impact on the paddle construction.
Player Style
If you are a Pickleball player that utilizes a banger or smash style of Pickleball play, your paddle will suffer from wear and tear a lot faster than a player with a softer style of play. Although your paddle may be professionally constructed by reputable brands like Selkirk, Joola, and Head, they still feel the wrath of the constant heavy contact.
Watch here to see why can Pickleball paddles go bad?
FAQ
How do I know if my pickleball paddle is bad?
You know your Pickleball paddle is bad when you stop feeling the optimal response from the sweet spot area. Instead of hearing a nice hollow sound when you tap this area, you will hear a ‘dead sound’. Besides that, if you are hitting the ball in the sweet spot and the ball is not responding as usual, you know it has gone bad.
How do you know if you need a new pickleball paddle?
You know you need a new Pickleball paddle when you are hitting the ball in the sweet spot and the ball is not responding as usual, and has many dead spots on the paddle face, especially in the middle of the paddle.
Read More Reviews: Where To Buy Pickleball Paddles: The Top 4 Stores
