\"I started pickleball, but which ball should I choose?\"<\/p>\n
At a glance they're all the same perforated ball. But in fact, indoor and outdoor balls arecompletely different things<\/strong>. Choose the wrong ball and your play feel is thrown off, or the ball wears out quickly\u2014it can ruin a hard-earned practice session.<\/p>\n In this article, we thoroughly explain everything from the differences between indoor and outdoor to the features of major brands, from a player's perspective. If you \"want to choose a ball that suits you and play more enjoyably,\" by all means read on.<\/p>\n In This Article<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pickleball balls are broadly divided into two types: \"indoor\" and \"outdoor.\" They're similar in shape, but the number of holes, material, and hardness are completely different.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The most obvious difference is the \"number of holes.\" Outdoor balls have 40 holes, so they're designed to be less affected by wind. Indoor balls, on the other hand, have 26 holes, so the ball flies slowly and is characterized by being easy to control.<\/p>\n If you play in a gymnasium or on an indoor court, an indoor ball is the only choice. Because the material is soft and the bounce is slow, it's easy to handle even for beginners, and rallies naturally continue.<\/p>\n Honestly, there are demerits too. Because the material is soft, using it on outdoor concrete or asphalt wears it out quickly. Speed is also hard to produce, so those who want to enjoy power-based play may find it lacking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Born to enable stable play in windy outdoor environments is the outdoor ball. Its higher hole count of 40 disperses air resistance, and the hard polymer material supports its durability on asphalt courts.<\/p>\n Because it's hard, the impact when hitting is greater. Since it easily strains the elbow and wrist, be careful about how you grip. Also, using it on an indoor court can damage the floor, so thoroughly use the right ball for the right place.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here's the main topic. Let's compare the major brands beginners often see, all at once.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \"When it comes to pickleball, it's Dura Fast\"\u2014that's how established it is as the industry standard. As a USA Pickleball-approved ball, it's adopted in numerous tournaments, and it has a feel of flying smoothly and reflecting your own play as is. However, some say it's a bit more prone to cracking than other brands, so keeping plenty of spares on hand gives peace of mind.<\/p>\n It's precisely those with a lot of practice who we want to use Onix Pure 2. It uses solid material and tends to last longer than Dura Fast, with impeccable bounce stability too. It's the brand with the best balance of value and quality.<\/p>\n What's ideal for beginners who \"just want to hit a lot\" is Franklin X. The price is reasonable, yet it also comes with the solid quality assurance of USA Pickleball approval. It's perfect for a style of buying in bulk by the dozen (12-pack) and practicing hard.<\/p>\n Organizing everything so far, the points for choosing a ball narrow down to three.<\/p>\n \u2460 Decide the type by where you play<\/strong><\/p>\n Indoor court means indoor ball; outdoor court means outdoor ball. That's the big premise. Get it wrong and the ball wears out easily or the play feel is thrown off, so check this first.<\/p>\n \u2461 Beginners can focus on value<\/strong><\/p>\n You don't need to gather expensive balls from the start. The smart way to choose is to get a feel with a value-friendly ball like Franklin X, then gradually upgrade.<\/p>\n \u2462 If you're entering tournaments, choose USA Pickleball-approved balls<\/strong><\/p>\n If you're thinking of entering matches, choose USA Pickleball-approved balls. Dura Fast 40 and Franklin X are the representatives. Be sure to check for the approval mark before buying.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Choosing a pickleball ball may feel complicated at first. But once you grasp the points, you won't be at a loss anymore.<\/p>\n The best shortcut is to first buy a dozen (12-pack) and actually hit with them. The ball's feel is something you learn with your body\u2014as you keep hitting, the ball that suits you naturally becomes clear.<\/p>\n A1: We don't recommend it. Because indoor balls are made of soft material, using them on outdoor asphalt or concrete wears them out quickly. Always choose an outdoor ball for outdoor courts.<\/p>\n A2: For outdoor balls, it depends on how often you use them, but about 1 to 3 months is a guideline. If cracks appear or the roundness becomes distorted, that's the sign to replace it. Indoor balls last relatively long, but if you see deformation or cracks, replace them without hesitation.<\/p>\n A3: From a value standpoint, Franklin X is recommended. The price is affordable, yet it's a USA Pickleball-approved ball, so the quality is stable too. It's ideal as your first dozen.<\/p>\n A4: Outdoors, highly visible yellow and orange are popular. Indoors, white and cream are also often used. If beginners choose bright yellow, it becomes easier to track the ball with the eye.<\/p>\n A5: If you want to try them first, start with a 1\u20133-ball set, and if you like them, buying by the dozen is recommended. With a dozen, the unit price per ball is often 20\u201330% cheaper, so if you intend to keep at it, buying in bulk is a good deal.<\/p>\n A6: USA Pickleball-approved balls conform to a standard of about 7.3\u20137.5 cm in diameter and about 22\u201326 g in weight. To use one in a tournament, it needs to be an approved ball. For practice, non-approved is fine, but if you're tournament-minded, practicing with an approved ball makes the feel easier to match.<\/p>\n\n
There are two types of pickleball balls<\/h2>\n
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\n \nType<\/th>\n Number of holes<\/th>\n Material<\/th>\n Hardness<\/th>\n Suited court<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Indoor<\/td>\n 26 holes<\/td>\n Softer plastic<\/td>\n Soft<\/td>\n Gymnasium, indoor court<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Outdoor<\/td>\n 40 holes<\/td>\n Harder polymer<\/td>\n Hard<\/td>\n Asphalt, concrete<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n The features of indoor balls and recommended scenes<\/h2>\n
The merits of indoor balls<\/h3>\n
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The demerits of indoor balls<\/h3>\n
The features of outdoor balls and recommended scenes<\/h2>\n
The merits of outdoor balls<\/h3>\n
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The demerits of outdoor balls<\/h3>\n
A comparison of major brands | Dura Fast, Onix Pure, and Franklin X<\/h2>\n
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\n \nBrands<\/th>\n Type<\/th>\n Hole count<\/th>\n Price guideline (per ball)<\/th>\n Recommended for people like this<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Dura Fast 40<\/td>\n Outdoor<\/td>\n 40 holes<\/td>\n About 1,200\u20131,500 yen<\/td>\n Tournament-minded, those who want to use the standard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Onix Pure 2<\/td>\n Outdoor<\/td>\n 40 holes<\/td>\n About 1,000\u20131,300 yen<\/td>\n Durability-focused, those with a lot of practice<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Franklin X<\/td>\n Outdoor<\/td>\n 40 holes<\/td>\n About 900\u20131,200 yen<\/td>\n Value-focused, beginners<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Onix Fuse<\/td>\n Indoor<\/td>\n 26 holes<\/td>\n About 1,000\u20131,200 yen<\/td>\n Intermediates seeking indoor stability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gamma Photon<\/td>\n Indoor<\/td>\n 26 holes<\/td>\n About 800\u20131,000 yen<\/td>\n Beginners who like lightweight balls<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Dura Fast 40 (outdoor)<\/h3>\n
Onix Pure 2 (outdoor)<\/h3>\n
Franklin X (outdoor)<\/h3>\n
How to choose a ball that suits you<\/h2>\n
Summary<\/h2>\n
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FAQ<\/h2>\n
Q1: Can I use an indoor ball outdoors?<\/h3>\n
Q2: How often should I replace a pickleball ball?<\/h3>\n
Q3: Which brand should beginners start with?<\/h3>\n
Q4: What color ball is best?<\/h3>\n
Q5: Should I buy them individually or by the dozen (12)?<\/h3>\n
Q6: What's the difference between a USA Pickleball-approved ball and a non-approved one?<\/h3>\n
Related Articles Worth Reading<\/h2>\n
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Reference Links<\/h3>\n