BREAKDOWN OF KEY PICKLEBALL PADDLE FEATURES

Materials

Pickleball paddles are made of wood, composite, or graphite. Each material has its pros and cons.

Wood: Wood is inexpensive. It offers adequate performance and durability. Because it’s the heaviest material, however, it isn’t a desirable option for all players.

Composite: A composite pickleball paddle is lighter than wood and offers a textured surface. This is important once you move up from the beginner ranks and want a paddle that gives you greater ball control. A composite paddle costs more than a wood paddle.

Graphite: High-end paddles are made of graphite (also known as carbon fiber). This material gives you the lightest weight with the most power. The higher price range of this paddle makes it a better option for the serious player.

Paddle size

For competition, USA Pickleball states that the size of a pickleball paddle (including the handle) cannot exceed 24 inches, while the paddle cannot exceed 17 inches. There are no restrictions when it comes to the paddle’s thickness. The average paddle is 8 inches wide by 15 inches long. However, if you prefer, you can get an elongated paddle. This might not be a desirable option if you have larger hands because it means the handle will be shorter.

Edged vs. edgeless

The edge guards on a pickleball paddle help protect it from damage that may occur from swiping it across the ground during gameplay. A player may opt to sacrifice this protection to get an edgeless paddle. These models maximize the playing surface and give the player a larger sweet spot at the expense of having a paddle that’s more vulnerable to damage.

Weight

The ideal weight of a pickleball paddle is a preference. With a lighter paddle, a player needs to swing harder to get a powerful shot, but they have more control. Conversely, a heavier paddle gives a player less control but more power.

The SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Club is hosting a FITTING DAY at the SaddleBrooke Ranch Driving Range Monday August 8th.  Due to the popularity of this event, it is By Appointment Only. Sign up in the Pro Shop or call 520.818.6403.  The Golf Clubs are from the LTDx family and is their most powerful lineup yet. PWR-COR Technology unlocks faster ball speed and extreme forgiveness to achieve Longest Ball Distance.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pickleball pro, choosing a vacation destination with ample pickleball resources is sure to enhance the experience. Vibrant pickleball communities thrive all over the country––especially in warm, dry places––making a pickleball trip the perfect escape in winter months. As the fastest-growing sport in the US, pickleball is a great way to connect with new communities and enjoy fun, low-impact physical activity with your travel companions. But unlike other popular leisure and vacation sports like golf, pickleball is easy to learn and won’t break the bank.

As pickleball grows in popularity throughout the country, tourist destinations have begun to capitalize on the opportunity to use pickleball to attract visitors––building pickleball courts at resorts and hosting pickleball events and tournaments. That means there are lots of options out there for pickleball lovers––whether you’re planning a pickleball-centered trip or just want to make sure you can practice your drop shot while you travel.

SaddleBrooke Ranch is a regional pickleball hub because of its 24 courts available to members of the Pickleball Club and visiting friends and relatives.  It is also used by those who are looking for that perfect retirement spot in sunny Arizona in which to plant roots in a 55+ Active Community.  Those looking for re-sale homes can contact Lynn Baker or Douglas Sedam at SBRanchRealty.com or call 520-829-5219 ext. 3 or we can accompany you to the Sales Office if you are looking to build.  While you look at homes during the day, Lynn can plug you in to a few games of pickleball with friendly club members in the evening under lighted courts.

 Weight. Weight is the most important factor when choosing a paddle. Pickleball paddles can range from 6 to 14 ounces. Most composite or graphite paddles weigh from 6 to 9 ounces. Weight influences how a paddle feels when you pick it up and swing it on the court. For someone without pre-existing injuries, your choice of paddle weight is entirely up to your personal fitness level and comfort.  A heavier paddle will help you to drive the ball, but will provide less control of the ball. However, be aware that the heaviness of the paddle also accelerates fatigue in your arm and can strain your elbow. Conversely, a paddle that is too light may not provide enough drive but will increase ball control.

Grip Size. It is important to play with a paddle that has the correct grip circumference for your hand. Playing with a paddle grip that is too big may cause the paddle to slip in your hand and can lead to elbow problems. For this reason if you are trying to decide between two sizes, try the smaller size first. Smaller grips allow for more wrist action, which aids in putting spin on the ball and enhances control. This wrist action also produces powerful serves and facilitates quick hand changes for those players that switch hands during play. A larger grip will provide more stability, and be easier on your arm, so you can see that it is important to find the “just right” size for your hand. Competitive pickleball players often customize their paddle grips using an over-grip to re-wrap their paddle exactly to fit their personal preference.

FORECADDIE NEWS & UPDATES:

June brought temperatures in the 100’s, and July will hopefully include plenty of rainfall. Please remember to increase hydration. Here in the desert, due to the dry air, perspiration is not evident, and it is easy to get dehydrated without realizing it. Please also remember that the rainstorms in summer usually also have thunder and lightning, so please take shelter and stay safe! Stay in tune with the Forecaddie to keep up to date with everything pro shop and golf course related. In the sections following, you will find all the information relating to this month in golf, as well as contact information for our golf associations and our Greens Committee.

Pro Shop Hours – Open 30 minutes before the first tee time and 1 hour before shotguns. The pro shop closes at 4:00pm. Pro shop staff will carry the pro shop cell phone (520-561-1196) until 6:00. Staff is available until one hour before sunset. First tee time 6-1 to 7-31: 7:00am Last tee time 6-1 to 7-31: 6:00pm Shotguns: 8:00/1:00 Rate Periods: 6-1 to 7-31: Prime 7:00 – 11:52 Midday 12:00 – 1:52 Twilight 2:00 – 3:22 Super Twilight 3:30 – Sunset

A maintenance plan is put into place at the beginning of the year. Variance in weather and agronomic conditions may require changes to the schedule. June/July Maintenance Schedule The entire facility will be closed every Wednesday, June through September, June 6 to June 12 and August 1 to August 7 for heavier maintenance operations. The course has also one additional scheduled closure week September 19 to September 30 to prep for the winter. Since we will not be overseeding the fairways, carts may access the fairways when we open October 1. On the range tee, the natural turf will be rested one week per month, except in December and January when it will be rested for two weeks in those months due to the slowing of the growth rate of the rye overseed. The Bermuda turf is actively growing and coming out of dormancy. The maintenance crew will be applying fertilizers and performing cultivation to support this activity. Changes in the rotation of the course or one-hour delays to the first tee time may occur as needed to support these important procedures. Please support our maintenance staff by filling divots with sand and repairing ball marks on the green. Back Nine morning 9-hole times will not be available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on a year-round

Every month Mike and Ken will conduct a free golf clinic. All residents and their guests are welcome to attend, and there is no cost. Please sign up in the pro shop. The staff have a book behind the counter with all the scheduled clinics that you can sign up for. You are welcome to attend as often and as many as you like! The clinics will cover basic technique and mechanics of each topic and are great for learning a new skill or brushing up a skill that needs some work.

SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Club – About Us

Designed by the Tom Schroeder team, the 18-hole championship course meanders through lush green desert terrain with natural washes and mountain views from almost every direction. Mounds, hollows and bunkers surrounding large, receptive greens offer an enjoyable challenge for novices as well as avid golfers. Join the fun with groups for your skill level:

• Ladies Golf Association
• Men’s Golf Association
• Ranchette Women’s Putters

Driving Range

Set against a scenic backdrop, the driving range and practice facilities at SaddleBrooke Ranch provide a wide array of practice activities to help you master your short and long game.

Pro Shop

You’ll find everything you need for your round of golf at The Pro Shop at SaddleBrooke Ranch, featuring a wide variety of golf attire and equipment from shoes to golf gloves and hats.

The Bistro Viente

Grab a quick bite before your round or enjoy lunch after at the Bistro Viente, located in the adjacent La Hacienda Fitness Club building…featuring snacks, beverages, sandwiches and salads.

 WHEELCHAIR RULES

The USA Pickleball Board collaborated with a committee comprised of selected individuals, both “Standing Players” and “Wheelchair Players” to develop rules specific to wheelchair pickleball. The following rules have been finalized and have been added as “Section 16 – Wheelchair Pickleball” to the IFP Pickleball Rule Book.

16.A. Basic Play

The wheelchair is considered part of the player’s body and all applicable rules that apply to a player’s body will apply to the wheelchair except in non-volley zone as listed below.

All applicable rules which apply to standing players apply to those in a wheelchair except as listed below.

16.B. Two Bounce Rule 

The wheelchair pickleball player is allowed two bounces of the ball on his or her side of the net. The second bounce can be anywhere inside or outside of the court boundaries.

16.C. Service 

• C.1. Server shall be in stationary position, and then allowed one push before striking ball.
• C.2. At the time the server strikes the ball, the server shall not touch with any wheel: any baselines, sidelines, center lines or the extended center or sidelines.

16.D. Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) (two bounce rule applies)

• D.1. When a wheelchair player strikes a ball in the NVZ, on a volley, it is a fault only if the larger-rear wheels contact NVZ.
• D.2. Upon exiting the NVZ, after striking a bounced ball, the player’s larger-rear wheels must return to outside the NVZ boundaries (so no rear wheel contact is made in the NVZ) before hitting a volley, or it is a fault.

16.E. Wheelchair/Standing Pickleball

• E.1. When a wheelchair pickleball player is playing with or against a standing person in singles or doubles, the rules of pickleball for standing players shall apply to all standing players while the wheelchair pickleball rules shall apply to all wheelchair players.

16.F. Singles Wheelchair Pickleball

• F.1. Singles play with one or both players in a wheelchair shall be played on half court. The server and the receiver shall serve, receive and play the entire point from their respective service and receiving court.

May 2022 Golf Course Maintenance:

A maintenance plan is put into place at the beginning of the year. Variance in weather and agronomic conditions may require changes to the schedule. May Maintenance Schedule The driving range tee is planned to be on the artificial turf for one week beginning Monday, May 16th. The natural turf will be rested one week per month, except in December and January when it will be rested for two weeks in those months due to the slowing of the growth rate of the rye overseed. The Bermuda turf is actively growing and coming out of dormancy. The maintenance crew will be applying fertilizers and performing cultivation to support this activity. Changes in the rotation of the course or 1-hour delays to the first tee time may occur as needed to support these important procedures. Please support our maintenance staff by filling divots with sand and repairing ball marks on the green. Back Nine morning 9-hole times will not be available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on a year-round basis to allow maintenance time to complete weekly tasks.

Free Monthly Gold Clinic:

Every month Mike and Ken will conduct a free golf clinic. All residents and their guests are welcome to attend, and there is no cost. Please sign up in the pro shop. The staff have a book behind the counter with all the scheduled clinics that you can sign up for. You are welcome to attend as often and as many as you like! The clinics will cover basic technique and mechanics of each topic and are great for learning a new skill or brushing up a skill that needs some work. The clinic for May will cover bunkers, and will be held on Monday, May 23rd, at 9:00am at the practice bunker.