What Is Pickleball? And Why Pickleball Balls Matter More Than You Think

Pickleball is a paddle sport that mixes a little bit of tennis, a little bit of badminton, and a little bit of ping-pong. You play it on a 20-by-44-foot court with a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It’s beginner-friendly, super social, and (warning) wildly addictive.

But here’s the part new players miss: pickleball balls change the game. The wrong ball can feel too fast, too floaty, or weirdly inconsistent—especially when you move from indoor to outdoor play.

If you’re brand-new, this guide explains what pickleball is, how the basics work, and how to pick the right pickleball balls so the game feels “normal” right away.

What is pickleball?

Pickleball is played as singles or doubles. Points are usually played to 11 (win by 2), and in traditional scoring, only the serving team can score. (Some formats use rally scoring, but traditional is still the default for most rec play.)

The rally flow is simple:

• Serve diagonally into the opponent’s service box
• The return must bounce
• The serving team’s next shot must bounce
• After that, both teams can volley (hit out of the air) or play off the bounce

That “must bounce once on each side after the serve” is called the two-bounce rule. It’s one of the reasons pickleball rallies last longer and feel more strategic than you’d expect. For a beginner-friendly breakdown, see Pickleheads’ guide: How to play pickleball.

The kitchen: the rule that makes pickleball feel like pickleball

The non-volley zone (better known as “the kitchen”) is the 7-foot area on both sides of the net. You’re not allowed to volley while standing in it. That one rule creates a ton of the sport’s famous “dinking” battles at the net.

If you want to avoid the most common beginner faults, this is worth a quick read: Pickleball kitchen rules.

What are pickleball balls?

Pickleball balls are lightweight plastic (or polymer) balls with evenly spaced holes. Those holes aren’t decoration—they control how the ball moves through the air, how it handles wind, and how it feels off the paddle.

In general, official ball specs include:

• Diameter: roughly 2.87–2.97 inches
• Weight: roughly 0.78–0.935 ounces
• Holes: typically between 26 and 40

Specs and testing standards live in the official rule/equipment documents (USA Pickleball is the main reference most players use). Check the current docs here: USA Pickleball rules & standards.

Indoor vs outdoor pickleball balls: what’s the real difference?

People love to reduce this to “26 holes vs 40 holes.” That’s part of it—but the bigger idea is this:

• Indoor balls are built for controlled environments: no wind, smoother floors, and consistent lighting.
• Outdoor balls are built to fight chaos: wind, temperature swings, rougher court texture, and glare.

That design difference shows up in a few ways:

1) Hole count and airflow

Most indoor balls use a 26-hole design with larger holes. Most outdoor balls use a 40-hole design with smaller holes. The goal outdoors is steadier flight in wind; the goal indoors is a more controllable pace and feel. (This is also why an “indoor” ball can feel like it’s getting pushed around outside.)

2) Feel off the paddle

Outdoor balls are typically harder and a touch heavier, so they come off the paddle faster and tend to “skid” more on gritty courts. Indoor balls usually feel softer and play a bit slower, which many beginners find easier to control.

3) Consistency over time

Here’s the sneaky part: the best pickleball balls don’t just feel good for the first 10 minutes. They stay consistent deep into a session—bounce height, flight, and durability. A ball that starts great but gets mushy (or starts flying weird) is the kind that quietly adds unforced errors. This “stability over many rallies” matters even more outdoors.

Note: The indoor/outdoor design logic above matches how experienced players describe real-world performance—especially around stability, wind, and court texture. (See the detailed notes in the supporting file.)

Which pickleball balls should beginners buy?

If you’re just starting, don’t overthink brands on day one. Start with the right type:

• If you play mostly outdoors: buy a quality outdoor 40-hole ball.
• If you play mostly indoors (gym floors / wood courts): buy a true indoor 26-hole ball.
• If you bounce between both: keep one tube of each in your bag. You’ll instantly feel the difference.

Want a curated shortlist? Pickleheads keeps an updated guide here: Best pickleball balls.

A quick visibility tip: yellow is popular for a reason

In outdoor light, visibility changes constantly—bright sun, long shadows, busy backgrounds. High-visibility yellow is the default choice for many players because it’s simply easier to track quickly. Green can work too, but it depends on your background and lighting.

When should you replace pickleball balls?

Replace balls when you notice any of these:

• Cracks (obvious, but it happens fast in cold weather outdoors)
• Out-of-round shape (the ball wobbles in flight)
• “Dead” bounce (it looks fine, but plays flat and inconsistent)

Outdoor courts and colder temperatures tend to shorten ball life. If the ball starts introducing random bounces, it’s not “just you”—it’s probably the ball.

Common mistakes with pickleball balls (and easy fixes)

• Using indoor balls outside: expect floaty flight and wind drift. Fix: switch to an outdoor ball.
• Using outdoor balls on a slick gym floor: expect a faster, harsher feel. Fix: use an indoor ball for better control.
• Buying the cheapest ball you can find: expect inconsistency over time. Fix: buy a known, durable ball for regular play.
• Ignoring ball color: you’ll lose track in bright sun or dark backgrounds. Fix: test yellow vs green on your home courts.

FAQ: pickleball balls

Is there a difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball balls?

Yes. Indoor balls are designed for controlled environments and usually have larger holes (often 26-hole). Outdoor balls are typically harder with smaller holes (often 40-hole) to improve flight stability in wind and on rougher courts.

Do outdoor pickleballs have bigger or smaller holes?

Usually smaller holes. Outdoor balls commonly use a 40-hole pattern with smaller, more evenly distributed holes to help reduce wind impact.

What is the official pickleball ball?

There isn’t one single “official” ball for every event. Leagues and tournaments may specify different models, but equipment has to meet the rules/standards set by governing bodies (like USA Pickleball). Always follow your tournament’s posted ball choice.

Do expensive pickleball balls make a difference?

Sometimes. Higher-end balls can be more consistent and durable (especially outdoors). But the biggest upgrade is usually choosing the correct indoor vs outdoor ball first—then worrying about premium options.

How often should I replace pickleball balls?

It depends on how often you play and your conditions. Outdoors (especially cold weather or gritty courts) tends to wear balls faster. Replace when you see cracks, the ball goes out-of-round, or bounce/flight gets inconsistent—even if the ball still “looks fine.”

Can you use outdoor pickleball balls indoors (or indoor balls outdoors)?

You can, but it’s not ideal. Outdoor balls indoors often feel faster and harder; indoor balls outdoors tend to get pushed around by wind and wear down quicker on rough courts. If you play both, keep both types in your bag.

One last takeaway

Pickleball is easy to learn—but it’s hard to enjoy if the ball feels unpredictable. Match your pickleball balls to your environment (indoor vs outdoor), prioritize consistency over a “nice first hit,” and you’ll improve faster with less frustration.