Squash is a challenging sport to master, and the challenge, in the beginning, can be even more significant if you don’t have the right equipment.
Once you’ve settled on a racket that’s suitable for your level and what you think your playing style will be, you should spend some time thinking about what balls to invest in. Below, we’ve outlined the best squash ball for beginners.
Yes, even the squash balls are important, and the different types are better suited to different levels of experience.
Generally speaking, you’ll find that Dunlop is the most popular manufacturer of squash balls, and as such, their labeling system is the one you should learn.
There are six different types of ball, and each one has a colorful dot or two to represent the level of experience it’s best for.
Two of these balls are for kids, though, so we’ll only cover four of them in this guide.
But before we get into the different ball types, it’s worth considering how each one is different, since this will give you a good idea of how to make a decision.
How are they Different?
Of course, it’s too simplistic to say that one ball is better than another since there are various factors at play.
Each type of ball will vary in everything from bounce and size to the different brands that produce them.
As a beginner, you want to make sure you pick the right ball because it can make the difference between frustration at not returning the ball in time and enjoyable rallies that flow well despite your lack of experience.
Here are the most important factors to consider when deciding on the best squash ball for beginners:
Bounce
The bounce of the balls is one of the best ways to tell them apart.
With the beginner-friendly balls, which usually feature a single blue dot, you’ll notice that they bounce very high.
This type of ball will stay in the air a long time as a result, which is ideal for beginner play since you will have more reaction time to return a shot.
At the other end of the scale, the pro-level balls – usually indicated with two yellow dots – will have much less bounce.
This means that they will ‘die’ shortly after hitting the wall, limiting the amount of time you have to play a return shot.
Brands
While Dunlop is considered the gold standard by many squash players due to the great bounce and premium feel, it isn’t the only brand that produces top squash equipment.
Here are some of the other top brands and what you can expect from their squash balls:
Wilson
A famous name you might recognize from tennis, Wilson is known for its fast balls, which are easy to use out of the box.
It’s a great brand to consider as a beginner but not as well suited to more advanced players.
Head
Head is another brand synonymous with tennis and is similar in quality to Dunlop.
The balls are very consistent and durable and offer a medium speed, which is ideal for the beginner squash player.
Black Knight
Black Knight is a brand known for its medium to fast speed balls with low bounce.
Generally, they aren’t considered to be one of the best options due to variable durability, but they can be a good place to start.
Size
The balls’ size varies greatly and will largely determine how easy it is to play the ball.
For Dunlop balls, the beginner ball is a significant 12% bigger than the Pro ball, while the Progress ball is just 6% bigger.
The bigger the ball, the more suitable it will be for longer rallies and those new to the game.
Types of Squash Ball
Just because you’re a beginner, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the best ball for you will be the one designed for those new to the game.
While it may help, you might begin to think of it as a crutch after using it for a while, and it might not help you develop your game as well as one of the more ‘advanced’ balls.
With that said, your enjoyment of the game is a huge factor too, and if you only plan on playing casually with friends, then perhaps a more beginner-friendly ball is best.
After all, it can be very demoralizing to see the ball fall like a lead balloon after every shot, especially if you plan on returning it every game.
Single Blue Dot
The single blue dot ball is hands-down the best for starting out, with high bounce and fast speed. By far, it’s the most forgiving of all the balls, since it gives you plenty of time to react and get on the end of shots.
It’s also good for playing enjoyable games with long rallies throughout.
Best For: Complete beginners. Long rallies.
Single Red Dot
The single red dot ball is best for amateur players looking for a good all-round ball and to build confidence in their squash skills.
It’s more challenging to play with than the single blue dot ball, but it still has plenty of bounce and is bigger than the more advanced balls, making it easier to hit.
Best For: Intermediate players. Building confidence.
Single Yellow Dot
The single yellow dot ball is best for experienced or advanced players as it has low bounce and speed.
If you want to get real practice in and take your game to the next level, it’s a great ball to go with.
Slightly easier to play with than the Pro ball but more challenging to the other two is a good ball if you want to play squash competitively someday.
Best For: Experienced players. Real practice.
Double Yellow Dot
The double yellow dot ball is reserved mostly for experts and pro players, as it has very low bounce and speed.
This means you’ll have little time to react once the ball hits the wall, so games will be much more fast-paced and challenging.
However, as strange as it may sound, this can be one of the best balls for beginners too.
If you want to get really good at squash, you might as well start with the top-level ball, as that way you’ll be able to progress more quickly – even if you struggle with it at first!
Best For: Pro players. Expert rallies.