What’s the Best Paddle Core Thickness for Your Game?
Welcome to the new age of pickleball, where there are several hundred different paddle manufacturers and tens of thousands different paddle options. As you start your hunt for the perfect pickleball paddle, you’ll find yourself diving into the world of paddle specs, or specifications.
Weight, face material, core material, paddle length, and other factors are important when choosing the perfect paddle for you. One of the more underestimated specs of a paddle is the core thickness. (How thick your paddle is.)
Core thickness plays a major role in how your paddle will play, so it’s important to know the differences between the different core thickness options out there.
Core thickness is mostly measured in millimeters, and you’ll often see it in the name of the product. (Ex: The Pursuit Pro1 Innovation 15.2)
It can be overwhelming, but let us ease your mind and give you a quick rundown of how core thickness can play a major role in the compatibility of your paddle.
To start, you’ll need to understand in general that the smaller the core thickness, the more powerful and responsive the paddle is designed to be. So when looking through the Engage paddle line, when you see a paddle that has a 12.7mm core, that paddle is designed for maximized power.
Now, don’t feel like you need to be a power player to use a thinner core paddle! Many players that need help in the power department gravitate towards thinner cores to boost their power, but still consider themselves as control-oriented players.
As you see the core thickness number get bigger, you can expect more focus on control and a more dampened feel. Again, don’t get stuck on thinking that the 12.7 doesn’t have control and feel, or that the 15.2 doesn’t offer power. Those thicknesses just have different characteristics that offer ‘more’ in certain categories, but score high marks in all categories. Power, control, and feel.
So, let’s make it simple. If you’re a power player looking for maximum boost, or you’re a player that feels like you need to add some MPH to your serves and drives, we’d recommend going with a 12.7mm option. If you’re a more standard-style of play and like to play a mostly-balanced style of play, we’d point you in the direction of a 15.2mm paddle.
Regardless of your game style, we have a pickleball paddle for you! If you need any help in your paddle journey, you can check our blog tips here! Now, whether you’re slamming your way to the winner’s circle, or dinking your way to the podium, get out there and play!
