Core Truths: How Your Paddle’s Core Affects Dwell Time

You’ve probably heard players talk about “feel” when choosing a paddle—but what they’re really talking about is dwell time, and one of the biggest factors behind it is what’s hiding inside your paddle: the core material. Whether you’re hitting resets, drops, or roll volleys, the right core can give you more control, spin, and confidence in those pressure moments. Let’s break it down.

First, what actually is the core? Most paddles today use a polymer honeycomb core—a grid of plastic cells that’s light, stiff enough to be responsive, but still offers some flex. This polymer base is great for durability and forgiveness, but its real power comes from how it affects compliance, vibration damping, and ultimately dwell time.

Here’s how it works: a softer, more compliant core tends to allow the face of the paddle to flex slightly at impact, letting the ball “sink in” for a few extra milliseconds. That increases dwell time—giving you better control and a little more spin potential. A softer core = longer dwell = more feel.

On the flip side, stiffer cores (like high-density polymer or some advanced composite blends) rebound the ball off the face faster. That can be great for power, but it shortens dwell time, reducing your window for precise placement and spin generation. You might feel faster pop, but you’ll most likely have a more difficult time controlling it.

Then there’s the less common aluminum and Nomex cores—materials with significantly higher stiffness and rebound. These are great for speed but drastically reduce dwell time, which is why they’ve mostly fallen out of favor in the pro-level soft game. They’re unforgiving, primarily due to their stiffness.

Want to optimize for dwell? Look for paddles with:

● Thicker cores (usually 16mm or more), which naturally dampen vibration and increase dwell time.

● Foam-filled edges or perimeter weighting, which reduce torsion and help keep the paddle face stable, even on mishits.

● Textured carbon fiber faces paired with softer cores—this combo maximizes spin and feel without sacrificing control.

Bottom line: if you want the ball to stay on your paddle longer, stop thinking just about the surface. The soul of your paddle is in the core. Choose wisely, and your resets, drops, and dinks will all start feeling just a little more effortless.