- This article will provide you with the top 5 factors to consider when selecting a pickleball paddle for tennis elbow.
In this article, we will offer you the top 5 things to look for in choosing the best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow. If you suffer from tennis elbow and enjoy the game of pickleball, then this article can help you make some wise decisions.
As I am sure, you are aware that the game of pickleball is a fun and exciting sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It is easy to learn and play, and people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy it. However, like any other racket sport, pickleball can also cause some injuries if not played properly.
One of the most common injuries among pickleball players is tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition characterized by pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, which can be caused by overusing the forearm muscles and tendons. It affects the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. It is caused by overuse and repetitive stress of the wrist and forearm movements involved in hitting the ball and can result in pain, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the elbow joint. It can also affect the performance and enjoyment of the game.
Fortunately, there are some ways to prevent or alleviate tennis elbow while playing pickleball. One of the most important factors is choosing the right paddle for your arm. The paddle is the main tool that connects you to the ball, and it can have a significant impact on how much stress and strain you put on your elbow.
Here are 5 Things To Look For in choosing the best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow:
- Weight: The paddle’s weight can affect the power and control of your shots, as well as the fatigue and tension of your arm muscles. A midweight paddle (around 8 oz) is recommended as it can balance power and control without putting too much strain on your arm. A lightweight paddle can cause more vibrations and shock, while a heavy paddle can increase muscle fatigue and tension.
- Balance: The balance of the paddle refers to how the weight is distributed along the paddle. A head-light or evenly balanced paddle is preferred as it can reduce the torque and twisting of the elbow joint. A head-heavy paddle can create more leverage and force, which can aggravate the injury.
- Grip size: The grip size of the paddle is measured by the circumference of the handle. A comfortable and snug grip size is essential as it can prevent over-gripping and squeezing of the paddle, which can lead to more stress and inflammation. A too-small or too-large grip size can also affect the stability and accuracy of your shots.
- Vibration dampening: The vibration dampening of the paddle refers to how well the paddle can absorb and dissipate the impact and vibrations from hitting the ball. A paddle that can protect your arm from further damage has good shock absorption and low feedback. Some paddles have unique cores, materials, or technologies to enhance shock absorption.
- Materials: The materials of the paddle face and core can influence the stiffness, flexibility, durability, and responsiveness of the paddle. Some materials, such as carbon fiber, graphite, polymer, or gel, can offer more cushioning and softness, while others, such as fiberglass, composite, or Nomex, can provide more rigidity and hardness.
According to these criteria, we have compiled a list of the 7 best pickleball paddles for tennis elbow:
ProKennex Ovation Flight:
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
The ProKennex Ovation Flight Pickleball Paddle is a lightweight paddle that weighs approximately 7.8 ounces. It has a length of 16 inches, a width of 7.75 inches, and a thickness of 0.5 inches.
Here are some pros and cons of the paddle:
Pros:
– The paddle’s Kinetic System Technology reduces shock by 43% and vibration by 23%, helping eliminate the epidemic of arm injury and strain in Pickleball.
– The paddle’s elongated shape provides a larger sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball.
– The paddle’s 7-layer carbon fiber face provides excellent ball control, enabling precise shots and spin.
– The paddle’s replaceable edge guard offers protection from accidental paddle-to-paddle contact, safeguarding the paddle’s edges from damage.
– The paddle’s two-handed handle design offers the most reach for a USAPA-approved paddle.
Cons:
– The price of the ProKennex Ovation Flight Pickleball Paddle may be too expensive for some players.
– Some users have reported that the paddle’s neck breaks easily, making it less durable.
PROKENNEX Pro Flight:
The Prokennetix Pro Flight Pickleball Paddle (available here on Amazon) is the next option on our list. This paddle also has a carbon fiber face and a polymer core that can offer a solid and stable performance. It also has a Kinetic System Technology that can reduce vibrations and increase power. The difference between its counterparts is the
Shape – The Pro Flight has a traditional paddle shape that moves the sweet spot toward the tip of the paddle, while the Ovation Flight has an oval paddle shape that keeps the sweet spot right in the middle.
Weight – The Ovation Flight and Pro Flight are about an ounce lighter than other Prokennex models, but it feels like they take off more when you hold them in your hands. A lightweight paddle is easier to maneuver but can come at the cost of a little power. But these paddles do not lack power. Prokennex somehow maintained a lot of power and pop with the lighter weight.
Face Texture – The Ovation Flight has a 7-layer carbon fiber face that provides excellent ball control, enabling precise shots and spin. The Pro Flight has a 7-layer face of complex composite that delivers maximum ball responsiveness, enhanced power, and control.
Overall, both paddles are well-rounded and offer excellent value for money. The Pro Flight is reputed for its thin, lightweight core and exceptional ball control, while the Ovation Flight is reputed for its oval shape form factor and Kinetic System Technology that reduces shock by 43% and vibration by 23%
Onix Graphite Z5:
The Onix Graphite Z5 is a popular pickleball paddle among players of all levels. Here are editors’ notes pros and cons of this paddle:
PROS:
- The Onix Graphite Z5 is a lightweight paddle, weighing between 7.5 to 8.2 ounces, which makes it easy to maneuver and control.
- The paddle has a wide body shape that provides a large sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball.
The graphite carbon fiber face with a rough texture surface gives you excellent control over the ball, enabling precise shots and spin. - The Nomex honeycomb core contributes to the paddle’s exceptional ball control, making it useful for dinking and soft shots.
- The paddle’s edge guard offers protection from accidental paddle-to-paddle contact, safeguarding the paddle’s edges from damage.
The Onix Graphite Z5 is reputed for its outstanding performance on the pickleball court.
CONS:
- The price of the Onix Graphite Z5 may be too expensive for some players.
- Some players may find the grip size of 4.25 inches circumference too small or too large for their hands.
Overall, the Onix Graphite Z5 is a well-rounded pickleball paddle that offers excellent value for money. It’s lightweight, has a large sweet spot, and provides excellent ball control. However, it may not be suitable for players who prefer larger grip sizes or those on a tight budget.
Engage Poach Infinity MX
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
This paddle has a carbon fiber face and a polymer core that can create a soft and responsive feel. It has a variable release technology that can adjust to different swing speeds and angles.
Pros:
The paddle has a 6-layered composite skin that delivers maximum ball responsiveness, enhanced power, and control.
The paddle’s elongated and wide face provides a larger sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball.
The paddle’s textured surface provides more friction on the surface, leading to increased ball spin.
The paddle’s Control Pro Black polymer core offers greater versatility and improved vibration control technology and noise dampening.
The paddle’s two-handed handle design offers the most reach for a USAPA-approved paddle.
Cons:
- Some users have reported that the paddle’s neck breaks easily, making it less durable.
- The sweet spot is narrower than other paddles, requiring more accuracy from the player.
- Overall, the Engage Poach Infinity MX Pickleball Paddle is a well-rounded paddle that offers excellent value for money.
- It has a 6-layered composite skin that delivers maximum ball responsiveness, enhanced power, and control. However, it may not be suitable for players who prefer a wider sweet spot or those looking for a more durable paddle.
Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro:
Where to buy: www.amazon.com
Similar to the other recommended pickleball paddle options, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro:
Pros:
- This paddle has a graphite face and a polymer core that can produce smooth and controlled play. It has a smart response technology that can enhance accuracy and consistency.
The paddle has a 6-layered composite skin that delivers maximum ball responsiveness, enhanced power, and control.
The paddle’s elongated and wide face provides a larger sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball. - The paddle’s textured surface provides more friction on the surface, leading to increased ball spin.
- The paddle’s Tempest SRT honeycomb core contributes to the paddle’s exceptional ball control, making it useful for dinking and soft shots.
- The paddle’s Smart Response Technology offers greater versatility and improved vibration control technology and noise dampening.
- The Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is reputed for its outstanding performance on the pickleball court.
- Cons:
The price of the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro may be too expensive for some players. - Some players may find the grip size of 4.25 inches circumference too small or too large for their hands.
Overall, the Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro is a well-rounded pickleball paddle that offers excellent value for money. It has a 6-layered composite skin that delivers maximum ball responsiveness, enhanced power, and control. However, it may not be suitable for players who prefer larger grip sizes or those on a tight budget.
Gamma Pickleball Paddle:
The Gamma Pickleball Paddle brand offers various paddles with different materials, weights, shapes, and features that can suit other preferences and styles. Some of their paddles have innovative technologies such as Sensa Poly Core, NeuCore Technology, Flush-Fit Bumper Guard, or Honeycomb Cushion Grip that can improve comfort and performance.
Pros:
- The paddle has a large paddle face with a bigger sweet spot, making it easier to hit the ball.
- The paddle’s mid-weight (8.0 oz) allows for fast and efficient movement in pickleball.
- The paddle’s polymer honeycomb core and fiberglass surface make it a balanced paddle for power and control.
- The Gamma Fusion Pro has an edge guard to protect the internal structure of the paddle, preventing any damage from scraping the floor or sudden falls 1.
Cons:
- Some players who prefer lighter paddles may not be comfortable with this weight.
- The Gamma Fusion Pro may not be as durable as other paddles.
- For some players, it doesn’t offer enough spin.
The Gamma Fusion Pro is a strong and sturdy paddle that is a good choice for beginners at affordable prices and excellent features
All in all, our top selection for the best pickleball paddle for tennis elbow is our first choice the ProKennex Ovation Flight
Other Things You Can Do to Avoid Tennis Elbow
Each player may have different needs and preferences depending on their skill level, playing style, physical condition, budget, etc. Therefore, it is advisable to try out different paddles before making a final decision.
Besides choosing the right paddle, there are some other tips that can help you avoid tennis elbow while playing pickleball. These include:
– Warm up properly before playing. This can help loosen up your muscles and joints and prepare them for the game. You can do some dynamic stretches, such as arm circles, wrist rotations, shoulder rolls, etc., as well as some light hitting with your partner or against the wall.
– Using proper technique and form while playing. This can help reduce the unnecessary stress and strain on your elbow and improve your efficiency and effectiveness. You can learn from a coach, a friend, a video, or a book on how to improve your stance, grip, swing, follow-through, etc.
– Taking breaks and resting your arm between games or sessions. This can help prevent overuse and fatigue of your elbow and allow it to heal and recover. You can also apply some ice or heat to your elbow to reduce the pain and inflammation.
– Strengthening and stretching your arm muscles regularly. This can help improve the stability and flexibility of your elbow and prevent further injury. You can do some exercises with a lightweight or a resistance band, such as wrist curls, wrist extensions, forearm rotations, etc.. You can also do some static stretches, such as wrist flexion, wrist extension, elbow extension, etc., after playing or on your rest days.
– Seeking medical attention if the pain persists or worsens. If you experience severe or chronic pain in your elbow that does not improve with rest and home remedies, you may have a more serious condition that requires professional treatment. You should consult your doctor or a physical therapist for diagnosis and advice.
Tennis elbow is a common but preventable injury that can affect many pickleball players. By choosing the right paddle and following some simple tips, you can enjoy the game without hurting your elbow. Remember to listen to your body and take care of your arm.
We’ve come to the end of our guide on the best pickleball paddles for tennis elbow. We’ve discussed some key points to keep in mind when looking for a paddle that can help alleviate tennis elbow. We’ve also highlighted seven of the best options currently available on Amazon, taking into account various factors such as weight, grip size, sweet spot, and price. We hope this guide has been helpful in your search for the perfect pickleball paddle!