JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into squash

Squash is one of the most demanding racket sports in the world — played on a small indoor court, with a rubber ball, in rallies that demand constant lateral movement and explosive retrieval. The gear list is short, but a few decisions matter early. Here's what you actually need.

By Colin B. · Published May 15, 2026 · Last reviewed June 2, 2026
grayscale photography of person holding racket

Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. HEAD Extreme 120 Squash Racquet — A forgiving graphite racquet that beginners can actually swing — not too head-heavy, balanced enough to learn on.
  2. Dunlop Progress Squash Ball (3-pack) — Dunlop Progress ball — bouncier than the tournament double-yellow, and exactly what a new player needs.
  3. ASICS Gel-Rocket 11 — Court shoes with a non-marking gum sole — the one item you can't borrow from tennis.
Budget total
$100
Typical total
$200
Squash gear is mid-priced compared to tennis. A solid starter kit — racquet, balls, shoes, eye protection — runs $100-200. The ongoing cost is court time: $15-30 per hour at most clubs.

We earn commission on qualifying Amazon purchases — see our affiliate disclosure. Price tiers and budget totals shown above are editorial estimates; actual Amazon prices vary.

At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
RacquetHEADHEAD Extreme 120 Squash Racquet$$ See on Amazon →
BallDunlopDunlop Progress Squash Ball (3-pack)$ See on Amazon →
Court ShoesASICSASICS Gel-Rocket 11$$ See on Amazon →
Eye protectionHEADHEAD Impulse Racquetball & Squash Goggles$ See on Amazon →
Grip & accessoriesTournaTourna Grip Original Overgrip (10-pack)$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Find a court before you spend a dollar. Squash requires an indoor four-walled court — you can't improvise one. Many large gyms (Lifetime, Equinox, YMCA, university rec centers) have squash courts. Most standalone squash clubs charge $15-30/hour for court time. Confirm there's a court within 30 minutes of you before buying anything.

Don't buy the double-yellow dot ball yet. Squash balls are color-coded by bounce, and the double-yellow dot — the tournament standard — is designed for long, heated rallies that warm the rubber to its working temperature. As a beginner, your rallies aren't long enough to heat it up, and it'll feel like hitting a rock. Start with a red dot or single yellow dot (more bounce, far more usable on cold courts).

Eye protection is strongly recommended and required at most clubs and all tournaments. The squash ball hits harder than most beginners expect, and your opponent's racquet backswing is always nearby in the confined court. ASTM F803-rated eye guards cost about $20 and prevent the kind of injuries that end seasons.

The gear

What you actually need

Racquet

A squash racquet is longer than a racquetball racquet but smaller and lighter than a tennis racquet — usually 125-150g and under 27 inches. The variables that matter for a beginner: weight (lighter is more maneuverable), balance (head-light is nimbler; head-heavy adds power), and string tension (lower tension is more forgiving). Stay in graphite, not aluminum — aluminum-frame budget racquets transmit harsh vibration into the wrist and elbow. A graphite or composite racquet in the $50-100 range is where you should start.

Racquet — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Head-light balance

Faster swing, better control, easier on the arm.

Balance
Head-light
Swing speed
Faster
Power
Lower

Best for Beginners and intermediates — especially players transitioning from tennis or pickleball

Tradeoff Less inherent power; you generate pace with swing speed

↓ See our pick
Even / head-heavy balance

More power on contact, slightly heavier feel through the swing.

Balance
Even to head-heavy
Swing speed
Slower
Power
Higher

Best for Players who want to drive the ball from the back corners without a big swing

Tradeoff Slower through the air — can get caught out on fast retrievals

↓ See our pick
Best starter
HEAD

HEAD Extreme 120 Squash Racquet

$$

120g, graphite construction, head-heavy balance that adds power without requiring a huge swing. Around $70-90. HEAD's Extreme line is specifically designed for club-level beginners and intermediates — the sweet spot is forgiving and the weight gives you free power while you develop technique.

What we like

  • Graphite frame at ~$80 is gentler on wrists than cheaper aluminum options
  • Head-heavy balance adds power without requiring a big swing
  • Forgiving sweet spot covers off-center contact

What to know

  • Factory strings run tight — worth asking a pro about restringing at 20-22 lbs
Find on Amazon →
Budget pick
Wilson

Wilson Ultra 300 Squash Racket

$

Around $45. Large 496cm² head, Wilson's standard squash frame, and a price point that makes sense while you're deciding if squash is going to stick. Not as refined as graphite, but adequate for your first months and widely available.

What we like

  • At ~$45, the right spend while you're deciding if squash will stick
  • Large head gives you more hitting zone to make contact

What to know

  • Less refined than graphite — more vibration feedback on mishits
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Tecnifibre

Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 Heritage Squash Racquet

$$$

125g, 100% graphite, around $150. The racquet that most club-level players land on after a few months of serious play. Excellent control, clean feel, and Tecnifibre's string quality is genuinely better than the competition. Wait until your game is consistent before upgrading — but when you're ready, this is the obvious move.

What we like

  • 100% graphite at 125g — refined feel that rewards clean mechanics
  • Tecnifibre string quality is genuinely better than the competition

What to know

  • Stiffer frame punishes mishits — not the right move until you have consistent technique
See on Amazon →
A red and green ball sitting on top of a white table

Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

Ball

Squash balls are hollow rubber and they need to be warm to bounce properly. The dot color tells you how much bounce you get: more dots means more bounce, which means easier for beginners. The double-yellow dot (tournament standard) is designed for sustained, hard rallies that heat the rubber — as a beginner, your rallies aren't long enough to warm it, and it'll feel impossibly dead. Start with a single yellow or red dot. You'll graduate to double-yellow once your game has consistency and your rallies last more than five or six shots.

Best starter
Dunlop

Dunlop Progress Squash Ball (3-pack)

$

The red dot — bouncier and easier to control before your rallies are long enough to warm up a tournament ball. Around $12-15 for a 3-pack. Dunlop makes the ball used at virtually every serious squash club and tournament in the world, so you're in good hands with the brand. Start here, switch to double-yellow once your rallies consistently hit 8-10 shots.

What we like

  • Extra bounce lets rallies develop before your game has consistency
  • Dunlop is trusted at every serious squash club and tournament worldwide

What to know

  • You'll outgrow it once rallies consistently hit 8+ shots — plan to upgrade
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Dunlop

Dunlop Pro Squash Ball — Double Yellow Dot (3-pack)

$

The WSF-approved tournament ball used on the professional tour and at virtually every club match. When your game has enough consistency for the beginner ball to feel too bouncy — usually 3-6 months of regular play — this is what your opponents are using. Buy it when you're ready.

What we like

  • WSF-approved — the ball used on the professional tour and at every club match
  • Low bounce rewards consistent shot-making and teaches proper warm-up habits

What to know

  • Feels like a dead rock until warmed by long rallies — wrong choice before 3 months in
See on Amazon →

Court Shoes

Squash is played on a hard indoor court with explosive lunges, quick pivots, and constant direction changes. You need lateral support and a non-marking gum rubber sole — the last part is non-negotiable, because most clubs won't let you play with a black sole that marks the floor. Running shoes are dangerous: their soft, high heels roll your ankle on lateral cuts. Squash-specific shoes, tennis shoes, or indoor volleyball shoes all work; just make sure the sole is gum rubber.

Best starter
ASICS

ASICS Gel-Rocket 11

$$

Around $65. ASICS's entry-level indoor court shoe — non-marking gum sole, solid lateral support, and GEL cushioning that absorbs the shock of repeated lunges. The forefoot is reinforced for the forward slides squash demands, and it runs lighter than most court shoes at this price.

What we like

  • Non-marking gum sole passes court rules at any club
  • GEL cushioning absorbs the shock of repeated lunges
  • Lighter than most court shoes at this price point

What to know

  • Runs slightly narrow — wide feet should size up half a size
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
K-Swiss

K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2

$$

The court shoe we recommend across all our racket-sport guides. Non-marking sole, dependable lateral support, around $90. Works perfectly for squash if you already own a pair for tennis or pickleball — no need to buy again.

What we like

  • Solid lateral support and non-marking sole for any racket sport
  • Cross-over value if you already play tennis or pickleball

What to know

  • At ~$90, costs more than the ASICS beginner option with less cushioning
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
ASICS

ASICS Gel-Resolution X Court Shoe

$$$

ASICS's serious indoor court shoe — gel cushioning, reinforced lateral support, and a proprietary outsole compound that holds up to 3-4 sessions per week without wearing through. Around $110-130. Worth the step up once squash is a regular habit and you start feeling foot or knee fatigue over long sessions.

What we like

  • Reinforced lateral support built for 3-4 sessions per week
  • Proprietary outsole holds up to heavy use without wearing through

What to know

  • $110-130 is hard to justify until squash is a committed weekly habit
See on Amazon →

Eye protection

Squash clubs vary — some require eye protection, many don't (unlike racquetball, where it's nearly universal). But the squash ball hits harder than most people expect, and your opponent's backswing in a confined court is a real hazard. Most tournaments require ASTM F803-rated eye guards, and the casual clubs that don't often should. At $20, this is a cheap piece of insurance.

Best starter
HEAD

HEAD Impulse Racquetball & Squash Goggles

$

ASTM F803-certified eye protection rated for both squash and racquetball. Anti-fog and scratch-resistant polycarbonate lens, adjustable strap, and a low-profile design that doesn't restrict peripheral vision. The #1 best seller in squash and racquetball goggles on Amazon — there's a reason every club player knows this model.

What we like

  • ASTM F803-certified — meets the standard required at tournaments and most clubs
  • Anti-fog polycarbonate lens does not restrict peripheral vision

What to know

  • Can fog in very humid gyms — keep a cloth nearby between games
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Python

Python Xtreme View Eye Guard

$

The ASTM F803-rated eye guard we recommend for racquetball too — works just as well for squash. Fits over prescription glasses, anti-fog coated, around $20. If you already own these for racquetball, they cross over perfectly.

What we like

  • Fits over prescription glasses — the key reason to pick Python over HEAD
  • ASTM F803-rated and cross-compatible with racquetball

What to know

  • Bulkier fit than the HEAD Impulse if you do not need prescription clearance
See on Amazon →

Grip & accessories

Two items that meaningfully improve comfort: an overgrip (squash handles run thin, and one wrap adds feel and absorbs sweat) and a wristband (indoor courts get hot fast, and sweat running down your forearm onto the grip causes slippage at the worst times). Both under $15 combined.

Best starter
Tourna

Tourna Grip Original Overgrip (10-pack)

$

Tried-and-true overgrip used in every racket sport. Apply one wrap to your factory grip on day one — it improves feel and prevents slippage as soon as your hands start sweating. Replace every 3-4 weeks of regular play.

What we like

  • Works across all racket sports — one 10-pack covers months of play
  • Absorbs sweat immediately and improves grip feel from the first session

What to know

  • Needs replacing every 3-4 weeks of regular play — a recurring but cheap cost
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Nike

Nike Doublewide Wristbands (2-pack)

$

Squash courts get warm, and sweat running from your forearm onto the grip is a real problem in a fast game. A wristband catches it before it reaches your hand. Around $10.

What we like

  • Catches sweat before it reaches the grip — solves a real problem on hot courts
  • At ~$10, an easy add-on to any order

What to know

  • Purely optional — only worth it if you sweat heavily during play
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first month of squash

Squash has a learning curve steeper than most racket sports. Here's what actually happens in your first four weeks — and what to focus on so you don't waste the time.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • A double-yellow dot ball on day one — It won't bounce properly until you're generating long, heated rallies — which takes months to build. The beginner-rated ball isn't cheating; it's the right tool for where you are.
  • A custom string job — Factory strings at standard tension are fine for your first year. Custom setups are for players who can feel the difference — which takes a while to develop.
  • Squash-specific apparel — Any moisture-wicking athletic shorts and t-shirt work. The 'squash-branded' gear is a premium for aesthetics, not performance.
  • A second racquet — Pros carry backup racquets in case strings break mid-match. As a beginner, strings will wear out gradually over months — you'll see it coming and can restring with plenty of warning.
  • A ghost training partner or shot-tracking app — Solo training apps can supplement practice, but you learn squash by playing squash. Real opponents teach you movement and court position faster than any solo drill, especially early on.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Find an indoor squash court near you. University rec centers, large gyms (Lifetime, Equinox, YMCA), and standalone squash clubs are your best bets. · Action
  2. Order a starter racquet so it arrives before your first session. · Buy
  3. Order a 3-pack of beginner squash balls (red dot or single yellow). · Buy
  4. Pick up eye protection — around $20 and required at most clubs and all tournaments. · Buy
  5. Watch a professional squash match — Mohamed ElShorbagy, Ali Farag, or Nour El Sherbini are the marquee current names. The pace and angles are unlike any other racket sport, and watching 20 minutes of pro squash shows you the movement patterns you're building toward. · Learn
  6. Book one lesson in your first two weeks. Squash has specific swing mechanics and court movement that are hard to self-teach. One 30-minute lesson pays off for months of better habits. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

How is squash different from racquetball?

Both are indoor court sports with a front wall, but squash uses a smaller, less bouncy ball, longer racquets, and a slightly smaller court. Racquetball rewards power; squash rewards precision, angles, and fitness. The scoring differs too — squash commonly uses PAR (point-a-rally) scoring where every rally wins a point. Many clubs have both courts and both communities.

What ball should I start with?

Start with a red dot or single yellow dot ball — it's bouncier and easier to control before your game has consistency. The double-yellow dot (tournament standard) requires long, heated rallies to warm up properly, and a beginner's rallies don't generate enough heat. There's no shame in the beginner ball; it's the right tool.

How much does it cost to play squash?

Court fees are typically $15-30/hour at most clubs. Your starter kit — racquet, balls, shoes, eye protection — runs $100-200. After that, the main costs are court time and replacing balls every few weeks of regular play.

Do I need lessons?

One or two lessons early on are genuinely worth it. Squash has an unusual swing arc and specific footwork that's hard to self-teach, and bad habits calcify quickly. Most clubs offer group clinics at $20-30/person — a good low-commitment entry point before you commit to private lessons.

Can I practice squash alone?

Yes — squash is one of the few racket sports where solo practice is genuinely productive, because you're hitting against a wall. Solo drills (straight drive targets, boast-and-crosscourt patterns) are how most club players build consistency between matches. It's not a substitute for play, but it's a real supplement.

Is squash hard to learn?

The basics are approachable in 2-3 sessions — you can rally and keep score. The depth is what makes it hard: movement, angles, reading your opponent, sustained fitness. Most players feel genuinely competitive after 3-6 months of weekly play. It's a sport that rewards investment.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • US Squash — National governing body. Court finder, tournament calendar, ratings system, and junior programs.
  • PSA World Tour — The professional squash tour. Rankings, event schedules, and full match footage — some of the most watchable footage in any racket sport.
  • PSA World Tour (YouTube) — Free professional matches in full. Watch even 20 minutes and you'll understand why squash players talk about the sport the way they do.
  • SquashSkills — The most respected online coaching platform. Some content is free; most requires a subscription. Worth it once you've played 3-6 months and have enough baseline to absorb structured instruction.
  • SquashSkills (YouTube) — Free beginner coaching videos. Start with the swing fundamentals and footwork — they're among the clearest explanations available anywhere.
  • r/squash — Active, helpful community. Good for gear questions, court-finding in specific cities, and technique troubleshooting. More signal-to-noise than most hobby subreddits.
  • Squash Source (YouTube) — Technical coaching from experienced club-level coaches. Good for intermediate skill-building once you've got the basics from SquashSkills.

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