Tennis elbow is one of the most common overuse injuries experienced by racket and paddle sport players.
If you’ve experienced discomfort during or after pickleball, you’ve probably asked the same question many players ask:
Can the paddle make a difference?
The answer is yes—but perhaps not in the way many people think.
A paddle cannot cure tennis elbow.
However, some paddles may feel significantly more comfortable to play with by reducing harsh feedback, improving stability and creating a more consistent contact experience.
The goal isn’t finding a miracle paddle.
The goal is finding a paddle that feels comfortable, predictable and enjoyable to use.
For a complete overview of paddle construction, materials and player suitability, see:
→ How to Choose the Right Pickleball Paddle: The Complete Beginner to Advanced Buying Guide
This guide focuses specifically on the characteristics many players look for when comfort becomes a priority.
What Causes Discomfort During Pickleball?
Several factors can contribute to discomfort around the elbow:
- Repetitive impact
- Poor technique
- Excessive grip pressure
- Frequent off-centre contact
- Equipment that feels harsh or unstable
While technique remains extremely important, equipment can influence how comfortable the playing experience feels.
This is why many players begin looking more closely at paddle characteristics.
What Makes a Paddle Feel Comfortable?
Players dealing with tennis elbow often prioritise:
✅ Stability
✅ Forgiveness
✅ Controlled response
✅ Comfortable weight
✅ Consistent contact
Rather than chasing maximum power, many players benefit from paddles that feel predictable.
The less shock and twisting the paddle produces during contact, the more comfortable it often feels over a long session.
Why Stability Matters
One of the most overlooked paddle characteristics is stability.
Stable paddles tend to:
- Twist less on off-centre contact
- Produce more predictable feedback
- Feel more secure during fast exchanges
This becomes particularly valuable when contact isn’t perfect.
Many players report that stable paddles simply feel easier to trust throughout a long session.
The Importance of a Larger Sweet Spot
A larger sweet spot helps reduce the consequences of slight mishits.
Benefits often include:
- More consistent ball striking
- Better feedback
- Less twisting
- Increased confidence
Many players seeking comfort actively prioritise forgiveness over maximum power.
The more consistently the paddle performs across the face, the easier it becomes to play relaxed pickleball.
Why Many Players Prefer 16mm Paddles
One common trend among comfort-focused players is the preference for thicker paddle cores.
Benefits of 16mm Cores
- Softer overall response
- Better control
- Increased stability
- Larger sweet spots
Many players feel these characteristics create a more forgiving playing experience.
For more:
→ 16mm vs 14mm Pickleball Paddle: Which Is Better?
Does Paddle Weight Matter?
Absolutely.
The ideal weight varies from player to player.
Lighter Paddles
May feel easier to manoeuvre and less demanding over long sessions.
Midweight Paddles
Often provide a balance of:
- Stability
- Comfort
- Control
The best weight is the one that allows you to play comfortably without feeling strained.
Carbon Fibre vs Fibreglass
Surface material can influence feel significantly.
Carbon Fibre
Often associated with:
- Consistency
- Control
- Stable response
Fibreglass
Often associated with:
- More pop
- Faster rebound
- Livelier feel
Many comfort-focused players prefer the controlled feel often associated with carbon fibre constructions.
For a full comparison:
→ Raw Carbon Fibre vs Fibreglass Pickleball Paddles
The Volleyer T700 (And Yes, We’d Probably Mention It)
Let’s be honest.
If you’re reading this article on Volleyer, there is every chance you’re expecting us to mention the Volleyer T700.
And yes.
We would obviously recommend our paddle.
That probably won’t come as a shock.
However, the reason is not because we designed it to be the most powerful paddle on the market.
Instead, the focus was on characteristics many players appreciate:
✅ Stable feel
✅ Consistent response
✅ Comfortable sweet spot
✅ Balanced performance
✅ Confidence on court
Our philosophy has always been simple:
Make the paddle easier to play with, not harder.
Whether that happens to be the T700 or another paddle entirely, those are often the characteristics players should prioritise.
Soft Game Players Often Prefer Similar Characteristics
Interestingly, many of the characteristics associated with comfort also overlap with soft-game performance.
Players who prioritise:
- Dinking
- Resets
- Drops
- Placement
often seek similar qualities.
Further reading:
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Soft Game Players
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Dinking
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Control
Common Mistakes Players Make
Chasing Maximum Power
More power isn’t always more comfortable.
Ignoring Technique
Equipment helps.
Technique remains crucial.
Choosing a Paddle Solely on Marketing Claims
Not all technologies produce meaningful differences.
Changing Everything at Once
Making multiple equipment changes simultaneously often makes it harder to identify what genuinely helps.
What Should You Read Next?
Buying Guides
→ How to Choose the Right Pickleball Paddle: The Complete Beginner to Advanced Buying Guide
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Seniors
Comfort & Control
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Control
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Soft Game Players
→ Best Pickleball Paddles for Dinking
Equipment
→ Raw Carbon Fibre vs Fibreglass Pickleball Paddles
→ Foam Pickleball Paddles: Are They Worth the Hype?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pickleball paddle cure tennis elbow?
No. A paddle cannot cure an injury. However, some players find certain paddle characteristics more comfortable to play with.
What paddle characteristics should I look for?
Many players prioritise stability, forgiveness, comfort and a predictable response.
Is a larger sweet spot beneficial?
Many players appreciate larger sweet spots because they reduce the impact of slight mishits.
Is the Volleyer T700 designed for comfort?
The T700 was designed around consistency, stability and confidence—characteristics many players find beneficial when seeking a comfortable playing experience.
Final Thoughts
The best pickleball paddle for players experiencing tennis elbow is rarely the most powerful or the most heavily marketed.
Instead, many players benefit from paddles that prioritise:
- Stability
- Comfort
- Forgiveness
- Consistency
The objective is not finding a miracle solution.
The objective is finding a paddle that allows you to enjoy the game with confidence and comfort for as long as possible.

