Hi, my name is Jeremy, and I feel like I am at the point where I can start to get more serious about my ping-pong game. I love to play but feel like it is time to go out and challenge other people beside my family. But first, I need to get a real paddle that fits me as a player. I had a few questions:
If I like to play shakehand mostly, but sometimes like to switch to penhold, would I have to get two different paddles to ensure the best performance?
I play mostly with topspin and drive hits, and was wondering what type of surface and what thickness of sponge I should get.
Thank you very much!
Jeremy
I'd recommend using one paddle for playing shakehands, and one paddle for playing penhold. The penholder handle is usually a little shorter than a shakehand handle. Some penholders do use shakehand blades, but they generally cut a little from the bottom of the handle to make it more comfortable to hold and maneuver. But as long as you find it comfortable, there's no reason why you can't use the same blade for both styles.
As far as which type of rubber and what thickness of sponge, this is a pretty common question among new players who are looking to get serious about table tennis. You can find my thoughts on what players who are wanting to upgrade should look for when selecting a new ping-pong paddle here.
Regards,
Greg Letts
