One of the unique things about pickleball is that you can use different balls depending on if you are playing the game indoors or outdoors.
While you can always use the same pickleball paddle, there are specific indoor pickleballs and outdoor pickleballs (even though you can use either!).
You are watching: Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleballs: Is there really a difference?
This often leads to the big question – indoor vs outdoor pickleballs: what’s the difference?
To help you see the difference and to understand what ball you need for where you are playing, let’s get into examining the differences.
That way you can always have the right pickleball ball for the game!
Before we dive into the differences, it is worth taking a moment to mention what kind of ball is used in pickleball.
Pickleball uses plastic balls that look a bit like wiffle balls.
There are a number of holes in them and this changes depending on whether you are playing pickleball indoors or outdoors.
The good news is that once you know the difference between indoors vs outdoor pickleballs, it is easy to get the right ones every time.
Plus, most of the big manufacturers will make both types, so it is usually easy to buy some of each together.
Some, like Niupipo, even sell sets containing both types of pickleball balls (like this one)!
Let’s look at how you can tell the difference between an indoor and an outdoor pickleball.
An indoor pickleball tends to have larger holes than an outdoor one.
They are usually made from much softer plastic and this makes them easier to control.
However, this softer material and larger holes make for more drag which means that slamming the ball while on indoor courts can be trickier.
It also means they can be a little more durable and less prone to cracking.
There are usually more texture variations to the indoor pickleball and this is to give it more spin.
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In terms of size and weight, indoor pickleball balls are usually the smaller and lighter of the variations.
Watch out for soft spots on the ball once you have been playing with it for a while as the softer material means they can wear out a little quicker.
A great example of an indoor pickleball product is the Franklin Sports X-26 Performance Indoor Pickleballs.
The balls are approved by the USAPA and have 26 beveled holes per ball.
There’s a choice of colors available and their 2.9-inch diameter is within the required size range.
Smooth plastic is the normal option when it comes to outdoor pickleballs.
They also have a specific number of holes – 40 are drilled into each ball.
The idea is that the ball has a heavier weight and therefore can withstand the wind when playing outdoors more than the indoor ball will manage.
Of course, this means they are a lot harder so you really don’t want to be hit by one!
The heavier weight also makes them harder to hit and means they have less drag than the indoor pickleballs.
They come off the paddle quicker and have greater speed due to their weight.
Outdoor pickleball balls tend to be a bit harder to control and this makes for a more difficult game.
People will often start with the indoor version and move outdoors once they master the basics of being a pickleball player.
These types of pickleball don’t tend to have the longest lifespan and seeing them crack is common, so don’t worry if this happens to yours!
Where you play also makes a difference to how long they last – the playing style, temperature, and playing surface all impact this.
Watch out that your outdoor pickleball stays round or this can impact your game. To check, simply hit the ball with a spin and make sure it moves smoothly.
The Big Dill Pickleball Co. Relish Outdoor Pickleballs are the classic 40 hole outdoor pickleballs that are made for the exact specifications needed for outdoor courts.
They feature precision welded seams to increase the strength of the ball and are 2.88 inches in diameter.
According to the official USAPA, there’s a bit of flexibility in terms of the size, bounce, weight, and hardness of the ball.
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There’s even some wiggle room in terms of the number of holes, which can vary from 26 to 40 as long as they are circular and evenly spaced.
Pickleballs must be between 40 to 50 on the Durometer D scale which shows the hardness of the ball.
They need to weigh between 0.78 and 0.935 ounces and have a diameter between 2.87 and 2.97 inches.
Now don’t worry, you won’t get into trouble playing with the ‘wrong’ type of ball between indoor and outdoor variations.
But you might find the game isn’t quite as good as it should be if you don’t have the right ball for the situation.
One thing the USAPA doesn’t specify is the color of the ball.
You can use any color pickleball you want, but it must be a uniform color – the whole ball must be the same shade.
Orange is a common color and you’ll also see white and yellow.
That’s because these colors are easier to spot, especially indoors in a darker gym area.
People often compare indoor vs outdoor pickleballs and wonder if there is a difference.
What we’ve seen here is that there are quite a few differences and these impact how the game is played.
Indoor pickleballs are softer balls, with some texture and lighter in weight.
They are easier to play with on indoor pickleball courts and gyms but can’t hold up to windy outdoor conditions.
Outdoor pickleballs are heavier, with numerous holes in them, and can hurt a lot if you are hit with one!
They can withstand outdoor conditions but don’t tend to last as long due to them having extra weight and being harder.
So now you might be wondering… Can you use indoor pickleball balls outside and outdoor pickleballs inside?
Yes, you can if the conditions are right. You can definitely use indoor pickleballs outside on a calm, still day without any wind.
And you can use outdoor balls indoors if you are good at avoiding being hit by them and there’s nothing breakable in the room!
But getting the right ball for the location you are playing is always the best option. And it can even increase your chances of winning!
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
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