Design your paddle

Edge trim refers to colored vinyl tape put over the edge guard to both protect the edge guard and provide cosmetic flair to your paddle. The tape will get nicked when your paddle is scraped on the ground. It is easily replaced. You may choose “no edge trim” when designing your paddle.

Before you choose a pickleball paddle grip size, you should take into consideration some factors such as handle shape, type of grip, and whether or not you will be using an overgrip. Typically, an overgrip will add either half or one whole size (1/16 to 1/8 inch) to the racquet. That’s obviously something you’ll want to keep in mind when looking for a racquet, and if you do choose to use an overgrip, you’ll want to find a paddle that is half to one size lower depending on what kind of overgrip you’ll be using.

There are basically two ways to measure your paddle grip grip size: either through the index finger test or the ruler test, although you will need to have a paddle on hand for the index finger test.

Index Finger Test

With a pickleball paddle, hold it with your dominant hand using an Eastern grip. If you don’t know what an Eastern grip is, it’s where the index knuckle and heel pad rests on the 3rd bevel. So your palm will be placed on the same bevel as the string face.

Once the Eastern grip has been achieved, use the index finger of your other hand to slide it in-between your ring finger and palm. The best paddle grip size for you will be the one where your index finger fits snugly within this gap. Not enough room or too much room means you have a grip that is either too small or too large.

Once you’ve found a snug fit, try the finger test a couple more times just to make sure. This is known as the scientific approach, which requires more than one test to confirm accurate results. Once you’ve found a paddle with a good fit, take a moment to take a deep breath. Smell that? That’s the smell of victory.

Ruler Test

The second way of measuring tennis racquet grip size is with the ruler test. All you’ll need to accomplish this is a ruler and your dominant playing hand. First off, open your hand while having your fingers fully extended and close together. Take your ruler and align it until it’s parallel with your third finger (ring finger) with one end of the ruler in line with the bottom of the palm’s second (or middle) crease.

Your paddle grip size is then determined by the length between the tip of your ring finger and the bottom lateral palm crease. The length should fall somewhere between 4 inches and 5 inches.

How Grip Sizes Are Measured

Why Does Grip Size Matter?

Beyond simply providing you with comfort when playing pickleball, the appropriate grip size can help prevent injury from prolonged use of a grip that is too small or too large.

The problem with a grip size that is too small is that your hand, wrist and arm will have to expend extra energy squeezing the handle to keep the racquet firmly in place. Over time this can contribute to injuries such as tennis elbow. You’ll also likely find that a grip which is too small will frequently slip from your hand which can be frustrating.

Similarly, a grip that’s too large can be challenging to hold and as a result put unnecessary stress on your hand, wrist and arm. In addition, a large grip can be difficult to manage when you need to change grips quickly or when you’re looking to snap your wrist when serving or hitting an overhead because it restricts movement.

The key is to find a grip size that feels comfortable, prevents undue stress on your body and allows for proper range of motion.

Selecting The Appropriate Grip Size

There are two common methods used to help identify the ideal grip size for a player. However, instead of using one, I typically recommend using both to help get the best fit.

First, if you have one handy, grab a ruler or measuring tape. Next, take a look at one of your hands and you’ll notice you have a bunch of lines and creases running through your palm. In the middle of your palm you’ll notice two large or pronounced lines, one on top and one on the bottom, running horizontally from one side of your hand to the other.

Grab your ruler or measuring tape and line it up vertically with your middle finger so that the bottom of the ruler (the part hitting your palm) lines up with the bottom horizontal line in your palm. Once you have it lined up measure to the top of your ring finger.

You should find that the measurement falls somewhere between 4 inches and 5 inches.

Start with the paddle grip size that is closest to what you measured and grab hold of the paddle handle with a continental grip.

At this point you should be able to stick your index finger of the hand not holding the racquet in between the tip of your middle finger and your palm. If it fits then you’re likely right on the mark.

However, keep in mind that it’s not an exact science so grab hold of the racquet grip size that’s bigger and then the one that’s smaller to get a feel for whether or not the grip you’ve identified feels right. For many players you’ll just know by holding on to each paddle. It should feel comfortable, yet secure.

Some players may feel like they are in between sizes. If that’s you, go for the smaller size. There are a bunch of different ways you can build up a grip to make it feel perfect, including the simple addition of an inexpensive overgrip. However, it is more difficult and in some cases not possible to drop the size of a grip.

Many players also like to use a new overgrip every few times they play to keep that nice tacky feel in their hand. If that’s you and you’re on the fence about a larger size definitely go smaller. Overgrips will usually add about 1/16 of an inch to a grip so if you go a bit smaller you freely add that overgrip without it starting to feel too bulky.

So many players are focused on the scale weight of their paddles rather than the swing weight and balance and simple physics. Players mistakenly believe a “heavy” paddle will hurt their elbow or shoulder, when it is actually quite the opposite. Shoulder, wrist and elbow pain are actually caused by using a paddle with the wrong grip size or using a paddle that is too light. A light paddle takes much more effort to swing. It takes much more effort to hit the ball harder. A light paddle causes the player to be jerky in his dinks, placement and third shot drops. A heavy paddle uses simple physics, Force + Mass x Acceleration, to hit the ball consistently and smoothly with maximum control and power. Let the paddle do the work, rather than trying to muscle the paddle through the hitting area. You’ll find your drops are more consistent, your dinks are more effective and your errors are dramatically reduced.

You’ve almost finished designing your custom pickleball paddle. One of the most crucial keys to success in pickleball is playing with the right equipment that fits you. This is what you have done throughout this process. We find that 75% of players are using the wrong grip size. Playing with a grip that is too large or too small ( most common) will inhibit your success making your shots as well as lead to chronic wrist and elbow injuries. We truly believe that the IQ Grip is one of the most important developments in pickleball paddle construction. We have not seen a single player hold a paddle with an IQ Grip that did not want one on every paddle they own. This ergonomic grip helps players feel better connected to their paddle, making it an extension of their hand and arm and body. Grip pressure is lightened considerably and players are able to repeat and control shots much more effectively. We truly believe a custom paddle with an IQ Grip completes the custom fit for each individual player.

IQ Grip performance orthotic inserts improve the contour of your handle to better fit your hand. The design increases cushioning and comfort in the palm region.

• Improves Grip Pressure Distribution
• Reduces injuries due to ovvrgripping
• Optimizes proper grip alignment
• Increases control with less pressure

Ergonomics Offer Support

The design of the IQGRIP takes on the form of your anatomy and leads to a better distribution of opposing forces. Unpleasant pressure points and related discomforts are avoided.

Ergonomics Optimized Handling

The physiological adaptation of ergonomic IQGRIP to your anatomy makes it exceptionally user-friendly and comfortable.

Ergonomics Directs You

Your wrist position, proper grip support, and overall grip pressure can be optimized. Relief by pressure distribution is achieved through modular grip enhancement inserts.

The IQGrip thermoplastic grip inserts are something every player should have to enhance their game

The idea behind the IQGrip is to custom fit the handle to the shape of each player’s hand

Why is this important?  Our hands are not the same shape as the grip on a paddle. Because some parts of the hand touch the paddle directly, others do not. This causes players to grip the paddle tighter than necessary in order to form a direct connection to the handle with each part of their hand. This results in players gripping the paddle 3 to 4 times harder than is optimal. When the IQGrip inserts are installed under the paddle grip, each part of the hand, fingers and palm are making direct contact with their paddle. The result is a more solid grip yet with 25-33% of the grip pressure. Now the grip is secure but with lighter grip pressure. The muscles in the hand, wrist and forearm are not flexed in a tight position all the time. The lighter grip pressure results in a smoother more consistent stroke whether it is on dinks or drives or blocks, enabling the player to place the ball where he wants consistently,

This is one of the most important parts of the game, yet it is often overlooked by many players. Grip pressure controls so much of your game. 

Players choose paddles with different core and surface densities to maximize their feel, while being able to balance it with power. Softer paddles hold the ball a fraction of a second long on the paddle, giving more control and feel. Unfortunately, most players don’t actively realize that altering their grip pressure is the one of the best methods for controlling a ball’s direction and pace. 

Nine times out of 10 the players are gripping way too tight. Players with a tight grip lose feel, sensitivity and control. This ultimately leads to less consistent shot-making. 

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the tightest) most players are 7 to 8. The ideal is between 3 and 4 on all soft shots (dinking and third-shot drops). If players do that, the ball will stay on the paddle for a fraction of a second longer to give them more feel and consistency. 

It’s not hard to tell when your opponent is gripping too tightly on the paddle while dinking because the ball flies off the face like a rocket. These people are drive-dinkers because they hit the ball low and hard. Sometimes these shots are effective, but the problem is that the margin for error is minimal. The shots often drift high across the middle and get picked off, or they wind up in the middle of the net. 

The goal of loosening the grip pressure is to allow each player to change from a solid shot to a higher and softer shot. Always remember that the mark of a good dink is that it should be un-attackable. Oh, and the same grip philosophy applies to the thirdbshot drop.