My sense of humor is questionable at times, and if only appreciated by my audience of one, I’m still satisfied. Recently, I faced the dilemma of choosing a new pickleball paddle. Now, you may call me crazy, but I found many similarities in my search for a second husband and my search for a second pickleball paddle.

I was not choosy with either my first time. My husband was cute, had a job and a cool car and it was love at first site. My first pickleball paddle was chosen by one of my coaches. It was light weight, fit my hand, and I was eager to play. Unfortunately, both fizzled out. Why, because of too much play with too many partners. My approach to choosing my second paddle was as difficult as choosing my second husband.

In my research, I found men and paddles have a great deal in common. They both come in various shapes and sizes and are designed to satisfy specific needs, whether they are wide, elongated, heavy, light, long handle, small handle, narrow or thick. In choosing paddles, and relationships, men know exactly what they want. Women are more realistic. Perfection is seldom achieved.

Speed and spin are important to some men while others want quick release and recovery.  Some paddles are made for swingers and slammers which offer little satisfaction to players.  Players looking for perfection pride themselves with the art and finesse of the game and are experts in the kitchen! What woman would not want a man or paddle who master’s the kitchen. Some brands strive for premium control and power and promise everything from flashy, lobs, slams, corners, control on the line or straight down the middle.

I started my research by networking with other players. Narrowing down paddles was like narrowing down men. In my search for a husband, I went to dating sites, looked at pictures, and read profile after profile. For pickleball paddles I relied on Amazon Prime which offered hundreds of choices. With both men and paddles, size matters! Most importantly, the handle must fit comfortable in your hand. Too large or too heavy could cause wear and tear on your body. If too heavy or too big, you could stress your muscles and joints, your body will become fatigued, and you may no longer be able to play. So, size, weight and thickness are essential. Finances are also a consideration. You never want a man or a paddle out of your league financially. A lifestyle of champaign tastes and beer pocketbooks does not work on the courts or in relationships. Yes, men and paddles have more in common than one might think. And never forget, size matters!