Your Overgrip Might Be Failing You—Here’s How To Tell

When you’re chasing dinks, ripping drives, or scrambling to return a tough lob, your paddle needs to feel like an extension of your hand. That’s where your overgrip comes in. It’s the unsung hero of control, comfort, and confidence on the court. But like shoes, socks, or even string tension in a racquet sport—it doesn’t last forever.

Knowing when to replace your overgrip is a small detail that can make a big difference. Wait too long, and your performance might start slipping—literally. Let’s break down the three telltale signs that your overgrip is overdue for a refresh.

Source: The Slice Pickleball

1. Slippery Feel And Loss Of Tackiness

The most obvious sign your overgrip needs replacing is when it starts to feel slippery or slick in your hand. A fresh overgrip has a slightly tacky surface that helps you maintain control without needing to squeeze too hard. As that tackiness wears off—whether from sweat, dirt, or just repeated use—you’ll find yourself adjusting your grip more often or losing paddle control mid-point.

Not only is this annoying, but it also forces your hand muscles to work harder to keep a firm hold, which can lead to fatigue or even injury over time.

If you’re wiping your hand between every point or constantly regripping mid-rally, it’s time for a new overgrip.

2. Visible Wear And Fraying

Your overgrip doesn’t need to look like it went through a blender to be past its prime—but visible wear is a clear signal that it’s time for a replacement.

Here’s what to look out for:

• Fraying or peeling edges

• Discoloration or dark patches (usually from sweat and dirt)

• Flattened or compressed areas that no longer cushion your hand

A good overgrip not only offers grip—it also absorbs impact and provides a bit of cushion. Once that cushioning compresses, you lose both comfort and feel, which directly affects your confidence in touch shots like dinks, drops, and resets.

3. Grip Fatigue And Discomfort In Longer Matches

If your hand or forearm starts to feel tired or cramped faster than usual during long games, your overgrip might be the silent culprit. When an overgrip loses its shock absorption and comfort, your body compensates. You might grip tighter, which creates tension in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder—setting the stage for overuse injuries like tennis elbow or wrist strain.

A fresh overgrip can reduce that tension significantly, allowing you to play more freely, more naturally, and with better control through longer rallies.

Bonus Tip: How Often Should You Change It?

The answer varies depending on how often you play and how much you sweat. A general guideline:

• Casual players (1–2x a week): Replace every 3–4 weeks

• Frequent players (3+ times a week): Replace every 1–2 weeks

• Tournament or sweaty players: Weekly, or even more often during multi-match days

Keeping a few spare overgrips in your bag is a low-cost, high-impact habit that most pros swear by.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to overlook something as simple as your overgrip, especially when your focus is on serves, strategy, or footwork. But the truth is, the feel of the paddle in your hand plays a bigger role in your performance than many players realize.

So the next time your shots start to feel just a little bit off, check your overgrip. It might be trying to tell you something.

Fresh grip. Fresh feel. Better results.