Pickleball Paddle Variations and Special Shapes: A Coach Reviews the Purpose of Throat Holes and Hexagonal Faces

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2026年6月26日

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Pickleball Paddle Variations and Special Shapes: A Coach Reviews the Purpose of Throat Holes and Hexagonal Faces

"That person's paddle had a hole near the neck... what's that for?" -- You must be curious about those "unusual shaped" paddles you occasionally see on the court.

I'm Coach Yoshi. I've been playing tennis for 15 years, discovered pickleball in 2026, and have play-tested over 100 paddles, both domestically and internationally. Paddle shapes can basically be explained by three types: Standard, Elongated, and Widebody (the three basic shapes are detailed in the Paddle Shape Guide, and popular intermediate types are explained in detail in the Hybrid Shape guide).

However, there are several unusual and uniquely shaped paddles on the market that don't fit into these categories. This article will explain the "purpose" of these less common shapes, such as those with holes in the throat (neck) or hexagonal faces, based on official manufacturer descriptions. I will try not to make definitive statements, but rather discuss based on what "manufacturers explain."

First, the Big Picture: Paddle Shapes are Surprisingly Free, but There Are Rules

Diagram illustrating the features of special shaped paddles such as throat holes, hexagonal faces, and edgeless designs

Before diving into unusual shapes, let's understand the rules. According to USA Pickleball (USAP) standards, paddle dimensions are specified as follows (USAP Equipment Standards Manual):

Maximum length of 17 inches
Maximum total length + width of 24 inches (including edge guard and butt cap)

Conversely, within these limits, it is said that there are few detailed restrictions on the shape itself. This allows manufacturers to make various innovations, such as changing the aspect ratio, rounding the corners of the face, or adding holes to the neck.

However, there's one important point to note. USAP standards state that the hitting surface (the face that hits the ball) must not have holes, cracks, or delamination. This means that drilling holes in the face is against the rules. The reason why the "throat hole" mentioned later is in the neck and not the hitting surface is precisely this regulation.

1. Shapes with a Hole in the Throat (Neck): Aiming for Airflow

What has become relatively common recently are paddles with a hole or cutout between the handle and the face (the throat).

Engage's Aero (Open Throat Design)

Engage Pickleball, for which our company is the sole authorized distributor in Japan, also has a model with an open throat. This is the Aero (Evolution Aero). Its shape is elongated (16.5 inches x 7.5 inches), with a 16mm core thickness and a Raw T700 carbon fiber face. It features an "Open Throat Design" in the neck (Engage Official).

Engage explains the purpose of this design on its official product page as follows:

The open throat design increases swing speed and improves paddle flex, leading to a combination of greater spin and more power (Engage Official, author's translation)

The key point is that Engage itself explains the effect in terms of improved swing speed and flex, rather than specific percentages of reduced air resistance. While I'd be tempted to claim that "the air passage makes it faster due to aerodynamics," I believe it's more honest to stick to the official explanation.

This Engage Aero is also available in our store. If you're interested in "trying out an unusual shape," please check out our list of unusual/special shaped paddles.

Selkirk, considered the "Originator" of Throat Holes

Selkirk is known as a brand that adopted throat holes early on. The company used a hole in the neck for Project 002 of its research line "Selkirk LABS," calling it "air dynamic throat" (Selkirk Official).

According to official statements, Selkirk's claimed objectives are mainly as follows:

Reduced swing weight (removing material from a previously solid area without sacrificing face area)
Increased head speed by reducing drag as air passes through
Improved maneuverability and quick reactions at the net

On the other hand, Selkirk itself also mentions the trade-off that "the sweet spot becomes slightly smaller due to reduced twist weight," positioning it as a specialized design for advanced players who can consistently hit the center. Furthermore, Selkirk's throat hole models are stated to be USAP approved. This means that a hole in the neck, which is not the primary hitting surface, is treated differently from a hole in the hitting surface.

Note: During this research, I was unable to confirm whether brands like Joola, CRBN, Gearbox, and Six Zero have "neck holes." The examples confirmed were Engage and Selkirk.

2. Hexagonal/Polygonal Faces: An Idea from Table Tennis

Another unusual shape is a paddle with a hexagonal (polygonal) face outline.

A prime example is STIGA's "Aviox Cybershape Carbon Pro." STIGA describes this as a "unique hexagonal Cybershape" (STIGA official). It's not strictly a regular hexagon, but rather a polygon with trimmed corners and a wider top section.

What's interesting is the origin of this shape. It originally emerged as a table tennis racket shape, and STIGA explains that they repurposed it, believing that "if it worked so well in table tennis, it should also suit the rapidly growing sport of pickleball."

According to official statements, STIGA's claimed objectives for the hexagonal face are as follows:

Secures a larger sweet spot than conventional paddles
Allows the sweet spot to be shifted towards the upper part of the blade (a higher position where many players find it easier to hit)
Provides easier control for dinks near the net and drops from the baseline
Easier to achieve more stable shots and power without losing control

In terms of specifications, it features a T700 carbon fiber face, a honeycomb polymer core, and a thickness of 16mm, and is stated to be USAPA (USA Pickleball) approved. The idea of "utilizing the corners to expand the effective hitting area upwards" is quite unique.

Incidentally, STIGA began to be stocked in our store from 2026. The hexagonal "Cybershape Carbon Pro" introduced here is also available in our store. The background of this brand, which is produced by a prestigious table tennis company, is summarized in the STIGA Brand Story, so feel free to check it out if you're interested.

3. Other Irregular Shapes: Edgeless, Special Grips, etc.

While not as prominent as the previous two, several other unusual shapes have been introduced by specialized media. Here's a brief overview, based on what could be verified:

Edgeless face: A type designed to slightly increase the usable hitting area by removing the outer guard. In exchange, durability tends to decrease.
Special grips (angled, pistol grip): Types designed to reduce wrist strain by angling the grip. While it's an innovation on the handle side rather than the face, it still has a strong sense of being unusual.
Narrow head: A type with a narrower face width. Some models are said to emphasize quietness.

While all of these have interesting aims, they are currently not considered mainstream.

Note: Shapes such as "nearly round," "stepped face," and "clearly asymmetrical face" were not confirmed with specific existing models during this research, so I will refrain from making definitive statements here.

"Are Unusual Shapes Worth Buying?" A Coach's Assessment

To be honest, my assessment is that specialized pickleball paddle shapes are not "for everyone."

Both throat holes and hexagonal faces are clearly designed by manufacturers with specific intentions. However, whether their effects can be fully utilized depends on the player's level and style. For example, a throat hole might improve maneuverability but make the sweet spot more demanding. If you're still getting used to the basics, the quirks might outweigh the benefits.

So, my recommended approach is as follows:

First, understand which aspect ratio suits you best using the three basic shapes.
Decide on your preference for power or control using the control vs. power guide.
Then, if you clearly identify a specific dissatisfaction or desire, consider trying an unusual shape.

Unusual shapes are an interesting category for those who have mastered the basics and are looking for their "next step." Rather than jumping directly to a specialized shape, building a foundation with an easy-to-use shape might seem like a detour but is actually the most direct route. A comprehensive guide to paddle selection can be found in How to Choose a Paddle, and information on face materials is in the Raw Carbon Explanation, so please check those out as well.

Summary: "Weird Shapes" Have Good Reasons

Finally, let's summarize the key points:

Within the USAP paddle dimension limits (length within 17 inches, length + width within 24 inches), there is considerable room for shape innovation.
Holes in the throat (neck) are adopted by Engage (Aero / Open Throat Design) and Selkirk (air dynamic throat). Manufacturers explain their aim is to improve swing speed, flex, and maneuverability.
While holes in the hitting surface are against the rules, holes in the neck (non-hitting part) are treated differently, and approved models exist.
Hexagonal faces are exemplified by STIGA (Cybershape). Originating from table tennis, their aim is said to be to expand the sweet spot upwards.
Unusual shapes are interesting but not for everyone. It is recommended to build a foundation with basic shapes first.

If you ever wonder, "What's the purpose of this shape?", be sure to check the manufacturer's official explanation. Behind every shape, there's a clear intention from the creator.

If you're unsure which shape suits you, feel free to contact us on LINE. I'll listen to your play style and level and help you figure it out.