What Are the Holes For in Padel Rackets?

Pick up any padel racket for the first time and one thing stands out immediately: the face is full of holes.

It’s one of the defining visual differences between padel and other racket sports, and it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many new players assume the holes are simply there to reduce weight, while others think more holes automatically mean more power. In reality, neither explanation tells the full story.

The holes in a padel racket are a carefully engineered feature. Their size, number and placement all influence how the racket moves through the air, how it feels on contact, and how forgiving it is when you don’t quite catch the ball cleanly. In other words, they play a quiet but significant role in almost every shot you hit.

Speed Starts With the Swing

One of the first things players notice when switching between rackets is how fast or slow a racket feels through the air. That sensation is heavily influenced by aerodynamics.

Because padel rackets have a solid face, swinging a racket without holes would create a huge amount of air resistance. The holes allow air to pass through the face rather than pushing against it, which reduces drag and makes the racket easier to accelerate.

This matters more than people realise. Faster swing speed doesn’t just help on big smashes; it affects reactions at the net, defensive blocks, and even recovery between shots. A racket that cuts cleanly through the air simply feels more responsive, especially during fast exchanges where there’s no time to think.

It’s the same principle used in other sports and engineering disciplines, controlling airflow to improve efficiency, just applied on a smaller, more precise scale.

What this means in real play:

• Faster swing speeds, especially on overhead shots and smashes
• Quicker reactions at the net during fast exchanges
• Less effort is required to generate pace, particularly important during long matches

Why Holes Matter for Weight 

Weight reduction is another obvious function of the holes, but again, it’s more nuanced than “less material equals lighter racket”.

Padel rackets are solid, so without removing material, they would be far too heavy to play with comfortably. Drilling holes into the face allows manufacturers to bring the overall weight down to a usable range, but more importantly, it gives them control over where that weight is removed.

That weight distribution affects balance, and balance affects everything from control to fatigue. A racket that feels easy to manoeuvre at the net but still stable on contact hasn’t got there by accident; the hole layout plays a big part in that.

Over a long match, this also has a physical impact. A racket that’s properly balanced places less strain on the arm and shoulder, which is especially important for recreational players or anyone prone to elbow or shoulder discomfort.

Benefits of reduced weight:

• Improved manoeuvrability, especially in quick rallies
• Less strain on the arm and shoulder, reducing fatigue
• Better control on touch shots like drop shots and soft volleys

The Sweet Spot Is Where Hole Design Really Shines

If there’s one area where hole design makes the biggest difference, it’s the sweet spot.

When the ball hits the racket face, the material flexes. The holes act as controlled “release points”, allowing the face to flex more evenly rather than stiffening or twisting unpredictably. A well-designed hole pattern helps spread that flex across a larger area of the face.

The result is a racket that feels forgiving. Shots hit slightly off-centre still come off the face with reasonable pace and control, instead of dying or vibrating harshly in your hand.

This is why beginners often feel instantly more comfortable with certain rackets, even if they can’t explain why. A generous sweet spot builds confidence, encourages cleaner technique, and makes the game more enjoyable. More advanced players may trade some of that forgiveness for precision, but even then, the way the holes are arranged will influence how connected the racket feels on impact.

Do More Holes Actually Give You More Power?

This is where a lot of marketing myths creep in.

More holes do not automatically mean more power. In fact, power in padel is influenced far more by balance, racket shape, core density, and face material than by the number of holes alone.

What the holes do help with is swing speed and consistency. A racket that moves quickly through the air and rebounds predictably can help you generate power more efficiently, but it’s not the same as raw power being “built in”.

Poorly designed drilling can even have the opposite effect, making a racket feel unstable or hollow. That’s why two rackets that look similar on paper can feel completely different on court.

Padel Hole Patterns

It’s tempting to look at a racket face and see holes as just… holes. But padel manufacturers obsess over the pattern.

Some rackets use uniform spacing for a consistent feel, while others vary the size and spacing depending on where they want the racket to flex more or less. You’ll often see tighter patterns towards the edges for stability, with more open spacing around the sweet spot to enhance forgiveness.

This is also where brand identity starts to show. Higher-quality rackets tend to feel more refined, not because of one single feature, but because all of these small decisions,  including drilling patterns, work together.

How Racket Shape and Hole Design Work Together

Hole design doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s closely tied to the overall shape of the racket.

Round rackets usually combine forgiving hole patterns with lower balance points to maximise control. Tear-drop shapes aim for balance, using drilling patterns that support both touch and attacking play. Diamond-shaped rackets often feature more aggressive layouts designed for experienced players who generate their own control and want maximum attacking potential.

Understanding this relationship makes it easier to choose a racket that complements your level, rather than fighting against it.

A Note on Regulations

Padel racket design isn’t a free-for-all. The International Padel Federation (FIP) regulates hole size and placement to ensure rackets remain safe, fair, and consistent in competition.

These regulations still allow plenty of room for innovation, but they prevent extreme designs that could undermine the integrity of the game. When you buy a quality racket, you’re getting a product that balances creativity with compliance.

Under FIP regulations:

• Rackets must include holes in the face
• Hole diameters in the central area must fall within regulated limits
• Designs must not compromise fairness or safety

What This Means for Your Game

The holes in a padel racket are one of those features you stop noticing once you start playing, but they’re quietly working on every shot.

They help the racket move faster through the air, feel lighter and more balanced in the hand, and remain forgiving when contact isn’t perfect. Most importantly, they’re a reminder that good racket design is about harmony between multiple elements, not just one headline feature.

When you choose a well-designed padel racket, every hole has been put there for a reason.