What Is An Open Throat Pickleball Paddle?
As the sport of pickleball grows around the world, the equipment and gear used to play will only advance and change. When you shop for a pickleball paddle online, you will come across many types of paddle designs and features. In recent years, you may have seen a newer design feature known as the "open throat".
If you're unsure what exactly an "open throat" pickleball paddle is, then follow this guide to learn about the term, the benefits of the paddles, and the best ways to make use of them.
What Does An Open Throat Pickleball Paddle Look Like?
The "throat" of a paddle is the area just above the handle. If you stand a paddle straight up, visualize the handle as the neck and the lower part of the paddle as the upper throat area. When a paddle has an open throat, the paddle features a cut-out opening in the area. Unlike a tennis racket with strings in the holes, the open throat is just open space.
The openings on most pickleball paddles are around the same size and they form a curved shape that matches the angles of the paddle and looks a lot like a small smile.
How Does An Open-Throat Paddle Help With Game Performance?
When you swing a standard pickleball paddle, the whole flat surface of the paddle pushes up against the wind to create maximum resistance. The open throat helps alleviate some of the resistance to create a smoother airflow and swing. If you seek power and speed with your hits, then the open-throat paddle can supply increases a lot easier.
When you purchase an open-throat paddle, you may go through an adjustment period as you adjust to the new flow. Compare both paddles with your regular swings to see the difference and how the paddle can ultimately change your performance for the better.
What Happens If a Ball Hits the Open Throat Area?
In many cases, balls that hit the open throat will lose momentum and not have a proper bounce. The balls may drop straight down so go off in a different direction than you intended. Ideally, you do not want to hit the ball on the lower part of the paddle anyway, so the open-throat design helps you train for more accurate shots.
The more you learn to hit balls with the center of the paddle, the better you will become as you seek to improve your hit speed and other elements like the spin of the ball. Like any new equipment, you will go through an adjustment stage first and then adapt fairly quickly.
To learn more about pickleball paddles, contact a company like Salted City Sports.
