Running a club
Padel booking systems: how UK clubs take bookings in 2026
How padel booking systems work, what to look for, and how a two-court Yorkshire club handles court availability, payments and no-shows.
Articles · Tips
How to choose your first padel racket
Borrow ours for a few sessions first. When you are ready to buy, here is what the jargon actually means.
28/06/2026 · 5 min read
Shape
Round rackets have the sweet spot in the middle and are the most forgiving — nearly always the right first buy. Teardrop is a middle ground. Diamond shapes are head-heavy and power-focused, and punish anything less than a clean strike.
Weight and balance
Most rackets sit between 350g and 375g. Lighter and lower-balanced is easier on the arm and quicker at the net, which is what most club players need.
Budget
Somewhere between £70 and £120 buys a genuinely good beginner racket. Above that you are paying for materials that only help once your technique is consistent. Spend the difference on coaching instead.
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