The age-old question: do you need gloves to play pickleball?
To be honest, it depends on who you ask. Some avid players swear by their pickleball gloves, while others believe that they get in the way of an optimal game. But one thing is for sure—pickleball isn’t a game you can play without some kind of protection for your hands! Let’s break down the pros and cons of adding gloves to your pickleball wardrobe.
The Benefits of Wearing Pickleball Gloves
The main benefit of wearing gloves is that they provide extra grip on the paddle. This helps keep your hand from slipping off the handle during fast-paced or intense games. It also prevents blisters and calluses from forming on your hands over time, which can make it challenging to hold onto the paddle. Plus, many glove designs come with ergonomic features like padded palms or fingerless fingers that give you maximum control over your shots while providing comfort and support at the same time.
Of course, another great advantage of wearing gloves is that they protect your hands during those inevitable close calls when a ball grazes them mid-game. Even if you don’t think you need them for extra grip, having a layer of protection between your skin and a hard surface can be beneficial in this situation!
The Drawbacks of Glove Wearing
One downside to wearing gloves is that they can make it more difficult to feel the ball as it comes off your paddle. This can lead to misjudging shots or missing out on opportunities to place precise shots due to an inability to accurately judge how hard or soft you need to hit the ball. Additionally, some players find that when their hands become too sweaty (which happens easily enough during long games), their glove may slip off without warning—which obviously isn’t ideal!
Connection with Your Paddle
Some players argue that having any material between them and their paddle limits their ability to connect with it—which could potentially affect both performance and enjoyment of the game. This argument has some validity; after all, if you have difficulty feeling what’s happening when you hit the ball then it stands reason that playing will be less enjoyable overall.
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, whether or not you decide to wear pickleball gloves is completely up to personal preference! The key is finding something that works best for your individual style and skill level so that you are able to perform at optimal levels while still being comfortable during long games. If you do decide to go with gloves, make sure they fit correctly so as not to hinder movement or distract from any connection with your paddle—and remember that practice makes perfect! Whether gloved up or barehanded, happy playing!
One More Thing:
So, you've decided you need a pair of gloves. Where do you go to find out what you need?
Well, don't worry, we've got you covered, literally. We've done the research by reading numerous articles, blogs and the reviews of numerous reviewers on Amazon and we feel we have a good handle on the glove, or gloves so you can hold your own or even play in the cold months. And, yes pickleballers play in the cold months too!
A good place to find gloves is the article we've written on the 5 best pickleball gloves. So tap the button below and read what we've found for you. You and your performance will thank you!
