Badminton is a fast-paced racquet sport played on a 44 foot by 20 foot indoor court. Unlike other racquet sports such as tennis or racquetball, badminton does not use a ball as its projectile. In place of a ball, badminton requires a small, feathered projectile called a shuttlecock. The shuttlecocks ability to rapidly decelerate from high speeds makes the game playable on the small court. Your choice of shuttlecock is an important factor in your ability to excel at badminton, the best shuttlecock for you depends largely on what kind of player you are.
Shuttlecock Construction
A shuttlecock's flight patterns are made possible by its construction. In order to reach a high rate of speed immediately after being hit, the shuttlecock has a dense head, made of either foam or cork wrapped in leather. Rapid deceleration is achieved by natural or synthetic feathers that originate at the head and fan out, giving a shuttlecock a cone-like shape. Shuttlecocks are rated for their speed, as determined by the distance it will travel after being hit. Shuttlecocks are available in slow, medium and fast.
Goose Feather
In terms of quality, goose feather shuttlecocks are considered to be the best, according to the website for Arizona Badminton. These shuttlecocks are longer lasting than other natural shuttles, and have a more predictable flight pattern. These are the shuttles used in elite level competition. The major drawback to goose feather shuttles is that they are the most expensive.
Duck Feather
Another natural shuttlecock, duck feather shuttles, are a fine choice for players who want the feel of a natural shuttle, at significantly less cost. While goose feathers are generally the choice of the pros, duck feather shuttles are perfectly appropriate for the club player, or for those making the transition from synthetic.
Synthetic
While generally not used by experienced players, the synthetic shuttlecock in considered to be the best choice for beginners by USA Badminton. Synthetic shuttles, which are made of plastic, are more durable than natural shuttles and are more resistant to the abuse they can be subjected to by new players who do not yet know how to hit correctly. Synthetic shuttlecocks are also the cheapest, making them the ideal choice for physical education classes where they will be bought and used in bulk.
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