Pickleball, blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has the appeal that anyone can enjoy it regardless of age or fitness.
That said, when actually trying to start, many people hesitate over what to get first. This article organizes the gear a pickleball beginner should prepare first, in order of what is needed. Leaving detailed choosing to specialist articles, it sums up the big picture so that with this one piece you understand what to buy to get started.
The three basic pieces of gear you need to start pickleball [quick reference]
The gear essential to starting pickleball is just three items. Precisely because it is simple, you can start casually. First, get the big picture from the table.
| Gear | Price range guideline | How a beginner should choose |
|---|---|---|
| Paddle | 2,000 to 15,000 yen | To start, around 5,000 yen and on the light side (around 200 grams) is easy to handle |
| Ball | 300 to 600 yen each | When in doubt, an outdoor one usable indoors and out. A 4-to-6-ball set is good value |
| Shoes | Court shoes you already have are fine | Indoor or court shoes strong on lateral movement. Running shoes are not acceptable |
Put another way, with just these three you can play right away. For wear, easy-to-move-in athletic clothing is enough. Let us look at how to choose each, in order.
Source PLAY PICKLEBALL, How to Start Pickleball: The Gear You Need and How to ChooseCreated from
How to choose a paddle: three criteria to grasp first
A paddle is a board-shaped piece of gear smaller than a tennis racket and larger than a table tennis paddle, with no strings. Since it is the partner that sways the feel of your play, choosing your first one against the following three points makes it hard to go wrong.
PP (polypropylene) is the standard core material
The material of the paddle's center (core) greatly sways the feel of the ball.
The mainstream now is the PP (polypropylene) core, which most paddles use. With a soft touch that is easy to control, it is a versatile material that suits a wide range from beginners to advanced players. There are also Nomex and aluminum cores, but because they are loud on impact or wear fast, choosing a PP core for your first paddle is the safe bet.
A carbon-based face material strikes a good balance
The material of the face where the ball lands also affects feel and spin.
A carbon-fiber face makes spin easy to apply and excels at control, and being light and tough it lasts a long time. Glass fiber is cheap but gives a bit of ground on spin performance. To strike a balance of price and ease of handling, choosing with carbon-based as your baseline makes it hard to miss.
Go on the light side for weight and match the grip to your hand
A paddle's weight is roughly 170 to 250 grams.
For beginners, the light side of around 200 grams is easy to handle and, being less tiring even over long play, is recommended. The grip's thickness and length, too, lower the quality of your play and cause injury if they do not fit your hand, so grip it and check if you can. If you want to compare material, weight, and grip in detail, see, and if you want to keep the price down,the complete paddle-choosing guideand if you want to keep the price down,the way to choose by valueplease also have a look.
Source Pickle One, How to Choose Your First Pickleball PaddleCreated from
How to choose a ball: the difference between indoor and outdoor
Pickleball's biggest feature is the dedicated perforated plastic ball. You use indoor and outdoor balls depending on the playing environment.
| Type | Number of holes / hardness | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor | 26 holes, a bit soft | Hard to crack and quiet. Ideal for indoor spaces like gymnasiums |
| Outdoor | 40 holes, on the hard side | Strong in wind and powerful. Usable indoors but cracks easily |
When in doubt, an outdoor one is easier to use across settings
Because beginners often start on indoor courts, the easy-to-handle indoor ball is also an option.
That said, since outdoor balls can be used indoors too, if you are unsure which to buy, going with an outdoor one lets you use it across settings. Just remember that it cracks easily when hit hard.
Balls have a lifespan
A pickleball's lifespan is cracking.
First a crack forms, and once it splits the bounce and sound go abnormal and it becomes unusable. How long it lasts depends on play intensity, but among beginners it will not crack for a while. In Japan, winter dryness makes them crack more easily, so keeping extra spares in the cold season is reassuring. For the differences by brand,the guide to choosing a ballexplains it in detail.
Source Pickle One, Pickleball Balls: How to Choose and Their FeaturesCreated from
Other things that make play more comfortable to have
In addition to the three basics, there are things that make play more comfortable to have ready.
Choose shoes strong on lateral movement
Pickleball is a sport with a lot of quick sideways movement.
Court shoes that do not slip and are strong on lateral movement are suitable, such as badminton or volleyball shoes indoors and tennis-court shoes outdoors. Choose ones with a flat sole and good grip, and avoid running shoes, which are weak on lateral movement. For details, seehow to choose shoes.
Bag, grip tape, and wear
If you carry your gear, a dedicated bag is handy. When sweat makes the grip slippery, wrapping an overgrip restores an easy hold. For wear, easy-to-move-in athletic clothing is enough, and with a towel and a drink ready you are set. For choosing a bag, seehow to choose a bag or caseand for grips,the grip tape replacement guideas well.
Common mistakes in choosing gear for the first time
We have summed up in three points where people about to assemble their gear tend to stumble. Knowing them in advance prevents wasted spending and rebuying.
Buying an expensive paddle right off the bat
It is not the case that the pricier the paddle, the more you improve.
Competition-oriented premium models have sharp, specialized performance, and a beginner using one right away may find it hard to handle. Building the basics with a light model around 5,000 yen first, then replacing it once your playing style is clear, ends up wasting less.
Substituting running shoes
Cases of starting with I'll just use the shoes I have and spraining an ankle are not rare.
This is because pickleball has a lot of sideways movement, and running shoes, premised on front-to-back movement, are weak on planting sideways. Even if not dedicated, simply choosing shoes that handle lateral movement, such as badminton or tennis shoes, greatly changes safety.
Buying just one ball
Balls are consumables and need replacing once they crack.
Especially in winter they crack easily from dryness, and with just one you could be stopped mid-practice. Buying a 4-to-6-ball set means you can keep going even if one cracks, which is reassuring.
Once your gear is ready: how to find a place and cost guidelines
Once your gear is ready, it is time to find a place to play.
How to find a place to play
Because pickleball is played on a court the same size as badminton, it is often held during open times at gymnasiums and tennis schools.
Searching for pickleball plus a place name, or looking for trial-session information on the Japan Pickleball Association's official site and social media, is the shortcut. Beginner events are held in various places, so first join casually. For how to find facilities, seethe guide to finding courtsand for court specs,the complete guide to court size.
Starter sets and cost guidelines
If assembling items individually is a hassle, a starter set is easy.
A set of two paddles plus four balls runs roughly 5,000 to 8,000 yen, and with a bag about 8,000 to 12,000 yen as a guide. If you are starting with friends or family, choosing a two-paddle set lets you enjoy a game right away. For the initial cost and the cost of keeping at it, seethe complete cost guidewhich works out concrete estimates.
Source PLAY PICKLEBALL, How to Start Pickleball: The Gear You Need and How to ChooseCreated from
You do not need to assemble everything from the start. Many trial sessions lend you a paddle and ball, so joining empty-handed first and checking whether it suits you is the way to start that goes wrong least. Once you feel you can keep at it, buying one light paddle is plenty in time.
FAQ
At minimum, how much does it cost to start pickleball?
The basics are three items, paddle, ball, and shoes; a paddle alone runs 3,000 to 5,000 yen, and a starter set of two paddles plus balls about 5,000 to 8,000 yen. For shoes, using court shoes you already have keeps costs down further.
Is a cheap paddle fine even for a beginner?
Yes. It is not the case that the pricier the paddle, the more you improve. To start, choosing one around 5,000 yen that is light at around 200 grams with a PP core and carbon-based face handles everyone from beginner to intermediate well. Replacing it once your playing style has settled is the order that wastes nothing.
Should I buy an indoor or an outdoor ball?
When in doubt, an outdoor one is recommended. Because outdoor balls can be used indoors too, they work across settings. If you play mostly indoors, the hard-to-crack, quiet indoor ball is also an easy-to-handle option. Since it is a consumable that cracks, buying a 4-to-6-ball set is reassuring.
Are dedicated shoes necessary?
They need not be dedicated, but do get court shoes strong on lateral movement. Badminton and tennis shoes are suitable. Avoid running shoes, which are weak on planting sideways and carry a high sprain risk.
Summary: You need just three things, so start with a trial first
The gear you need to start pickleball is just three things: paddle, ball, and shoes.
Choose a lightweight paddle of around 200 grams with a PP core and carbon-based face, an outdoor ball usable indoors and out when in doubt, and court shoes strong on lateral movement, and you are set. With a starter set, a full set runs about 5,000 to 8,000 yen, and you can start with friends or family right away.
Choosing the right gear not only raises the quality of your play but also ties into injury prevention. That said, there is no need to aim for perfection from the start. Gripping a paddle at a trial session first, then assembling your own gear once you feel the fun, is plenty.
Related Articles Worth Reading
- The Complete Guide to Choosing a Pickleball Paddle | Material, Weight and Grip
- How to choose a pickleball ball | The differences between indoor and outdoor and a comparison of major brands
- How to choose pickleball shoes without failing even as a first-timer | Tips for comfortable play
- How to choose a pickleball bag or case | Recommendations chosen by storage capacity and functionality
- How much does pickleball cost for beginners? A complete guide to initial and ongoing costs
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