Indoor vs Outdoor Pickleballs

Does it really matter which pickleball you use? The short answer is YES. It makes a huge difference in how fast the ball can be hit, how it bounces off the court, and even how it flies through the air.

There are four main differences between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls: the number of holes, the size of the holes, the hardness of the ball, and the weight of the ball.

Outdoor pickleball balls have more holes to help with wind resistance, allowing the ball to travel in a straighter path. Outdoor pickleball balls can have a maximum of 40 holes, while indoor balls have fewer than 30.

The next difference is the size of the holes. Outdoor balls have smaller holes, which allow the ball to travel faster. When you increase the size of the holes, the balls travel slower, thus slowing the game down.

The third difference is the weight of the balls. As mentioned earlier, with larger holes, the balls are lighter, allowing players to focus on spin and controlling their shots. Outdoor balls are made of thicker plastic to withstand outdoor conditions.

The last difference is the hardness of the balls. Outdoor pickleball balls are harder and made of thicker plastic, which influences speed and bounce. Indoor balls are much softer but are more affected by the environment.

You’ll want to make sure you select the correct ball depending on whether you are playing indoors or outdoors. When I first started playing pickleball, I didn’t think much about it, but trust me, it makes a huge difference. Plus, you’ll quickly find that other people at the courts care if it's an indoor or outdoor ball.

I’d recommend the Selkirk Pro S1 Ball for outdoor play - Amazon link

The Franklin Sports Outdoor are the official outdoor US open Ball - Amazon link

For indoor play I’d try out the Franklin Sports X-25 - Amazon link

Happy Dinking,

-Patrick