Choosing the right table tennis equipment can be a challenging task for some people, but the reward is truly worthwhile. Having the perfect equipments, especially ping pong paddles, can speed up your rate of improvement and help you excel in your game in no time.
One important milestone a ping pong player goes through is having to switch from a beginner pre-made, ready-to-go racket to a custom paddle that will allow you to choose your own specifications. Failure to pick out the racket that best suits you could result to poor performance and disappointment. So with all these things in mind, here are some guidelines you should always remember when buying your first custom table tennis racquet.
Things to keep in mind
Typically, a rubber has a short shelf life, so sticking to a pre-made table tennis paddle for a long time may not give you your money’s worth. A custom racket is a better choice for this, so read on and consider these things before purchasing one.
Blade – The first step is to decide on what type of blade to use. Choose an all-around blade for starters. A wide variety of blades is out in the market such as Stiga, Butterfly, Double Happiness or Donic. Since you are still on the process of improving your technique, select a blade that is neither too fast nor too slow.
Handle – The most popular choices for handle types are straight handles, flared handles, conic handles, and anatomic handles. Most table tennis experts say that a flared handle is ideal for hitting forehands, and a straight handle is best for hitting backhands. But for beginners, don’t give these things much of a thought; the important thing is to choose a handle type that you are most comfortable with.
Rubber – Experts recommend all-around, smooth rubbers for beginners. Specialized types of rubbers such as pimpled rubbers with or without sponge are believed to limit the kinds of strokes and spins you can do. Some suggested brands are Sriver by Butterfly and Mark V by Yasaka.
Price – You don’t have to indulge on the most expensive, top-of-the-line racket. As a beginner, your goal is to have a table tennis bat you would be comfortable using and not drain your pocket for a single item. The ideal price range is somewhere around $100-$130. Beyond that, you are actually spending way too much.
Glue – Choose a reliable glue to effectively fasten the rubber to the blade. Let an experienced person or the retailer attach the rubber and blade together for you. Observe how they do it and eventually, you can do it yourself too.
Finally, take good care of your paddle. Store it in a durable casing to avoid potential damage from too much sunlight, liquid spills, dirt, and dust. Ping pong paddles are a player’s best friend when it comes to the sport of table tennis, so keeping them safe to last for a long time is as important as winning the game.
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