A paddle that fits your hand
$40–$120 to startBeginner composite or graphite paddles in the 7.5–8.3 oz range are plenty. Try a few at open play before spending $200.
Kit
Equipment and gear needed
You can play this afternoon with a paddle, two outdoor balls, and shoes that don’t roll. Everything else is comfort. This list is written for NKY park asphalt and indoor club floors.
Pack list
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Bring these
You can play today with this
Outdoor balls (and a few indoor)
$6–$12 per 3-packOutdoor balls are harder, with smaller holes. Indoor balls are softer. Most NKY park play is outdoor; keep a can in the car.
Court shoes, not running shoes
$60–$130Lateral support and a non-marking gum sole matter more than a fancy paddle. Running shoes roll on side-to-side cuts.
Water and sun protection
What you already ownKentucky summers cook the courts by noon. A bottle, a brimmed hat, and SPF are not optional from June through September.
Worth adding
Comfort and fewer blisters
Clothes you can move in
Athletic basicsBreathable shorts or a skirt, a moisture-wicking shirt, and socks that won’t blister. Avoid black shirts at 2 p.m. in July.
Replacement grip or overgrip
$8–$15Sweaty hands lose paddles. An overgrip every few weeks keeps the handle tacky.
Later, maybe
Not required to start
A paddle bag or tote
$25–$80A tote that holds two paddles, balls, shoes, and a towel is enough. Dedicated paddle bags are a comfort upgrade.
Court glasses or a brim
$20–$60Morning sun at east-facing courts is brutal on serves. Polarized lenses or a cap brim save more points than a new paddle.
Portable net (only if you host)
$80–$180Skip this unless you play on tennis courts that need a net or you set up in a driveway.
Local big-box and sporting-goods stores in Florence, Crestview Hills, and Cincinnati carry starter paddles. Don’t buy a $250 paddle until you’ve played ten times.