How To Buy The Right Racquetball

When it comes to finding the racquetball that’s right for you, there’s more to consider than picking your favorite color.

Whether you’re a beginner stepping onto the court for the very first time, or an experienced veteran looking to take your game to the next level, there are several factors to consider when choosing the racquetball that best suits your style of play.

The one feature that’s sure to catch everyone’s eye? Color. Each color of the racquetball spectrum represents something different, ranging from the visibility of the ball to how fast it moves.

So, when it comes time to choose which racquetball is right for you, the decision is a little more complex than just picking the most visually appealing.

KNOW YOUR COLORS

Just because a racquetball is available in your favorite color doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you. Get acquainted with all the members of the racquetball family and the qualities each brings to the court.

BLUE

• Standard speed
• Durable
• Most common for indoor use

PINK

• Faster than blue racquetballs
• Brighter color allows for increased visibility on all surfaces
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor play
• Especially visible against glass walls

GREEN

• Faster than blue and pink racquetballs
• Long-lasting construction
• Great court visibility

 PURPLE

• Fastest for indoor use
• Lighter weight
• High visibility

RED

• Intended for outdoor use or indoors with glass walls
• Fastest of all racquetballs
• Great visibility and playability

 

WHAT IF I’M A BEGINNER?

New to the game and still not entirely sure which racquetball is right for you?

Doug Ganim, a three-time world champion and executive director of the US OPEN Racquetball Championships, offers his recommendation for beginners.

“You can’t go wrong with blue,” he says. “It is ideal for beginning-level indoor players and most intermediates."

WHAT ABOUT TOURNAMENT PLAY?

Now that you got some experience under your belt, maybe you’re ready to test your skill at the next level.

Ganim says choosing the right racquetball depends on the type of tournament in which you’d like to compete.

“Most events are indoors, so the green and the purple balls are far and away the best choices,” he says. “These are also ideal for intermediate and advanced-level recreational players. For those wanting to play outdoor events, red and pink are ideal choices for fast speed and maximum visibility against the darker outdoor walls.”

WHEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE A RACQUETBALL?

When it comes to replacing a racquetball, many players will wait until the ball breaks, but Ganim calls that a big mistake.

“A new racquetball has great texture when it comes out of a can, and this is critical for the ball to play well,” he says. “The texture allows the ball to grip the walls and floor properly and consistently. Once the texture wears off and the ball gets smooth or shiny, the bounces tend to become inconsistent as the ball 'slides’ when impacting a hard surface.”

As a result, Ganim suggests players should only use racquetballs that have at least 50 percent of their texture still intact for the best playing experience.

Now that you’ve hopefully settled on the ideal racquetball for you, all you need to do is find the right racquet.