Squash has one of the best effort-to-reward curves in sport — brutal exercise, chess-match tactics, all weather-proof and bookable by the hour. It also loses more beginners than it should to three avoidable mistakes. Here is the first-month guide that fixes them.
Mistake 1: the wrong ball
The single biggest beginner-killer. A double yellow dot barely bounces without professional pace — rallies die, fun dies, players quit. Start with a bouncy ball and real rallies: the Dunlop Progress for adults, mini balls for kids. Full system in our ball colours guide.
Mistake 2: the wrong shoes
Running trainers on a squash court are banned (marking soles) and dangerous (no lateral support for lunges). Non-marking indoor court shoes are the one purchase you cannot skip — see court shoes and our shoe guide.
Mistake 3: overspending on the racket
A £150 pro frame punishes beginner technique. What you want: 130–140g, open throat, even balance, £40–80 — forgiving frames that reward developing swings. Browse the affordable end of the squash racket collection; upgrade in a year when your swing has opinions (then read the racket guide).
The full starter kit and honest costs
- Racket: £40–80
- Court shoes: £50–90 (the priority spend)
- Balls: a few pounds — buy two
- Kit and towel: whatever is in the drawer; add court socks
- Eyewear: required for juniors and doubles at most clubs
Total: under £150 for everything, most of it lasting years. Court hire is typically £5–12/hour split two ways — squash remains one of sport's great bargains.
Your first month, structured
Week 1–2: rallies and rails — just keep the ball going; learn to give lets generously (rules primer here). Week 3: book one coaching session — a single hour on grip and swing shape saves a year of bad habits. Week 4: find your club's internal league or box system. Squash improves fastest with slightly-better opponents and a deadline.
FAQs
Is squash hard to learn?
Rallying is easy within two sessions with the right ball. The addiction to getting better — that part is permanent.
How fit do I need to be to start?
Start where you are; the court is the fitness plan. It routinely tops calories-per-hour tables for a reason.
Squash or racketball first?
Either — racketball (Squash 57) is even friendlier on day one and shares the court and shoes; comparison here.
One basket sorts the lot: rackets, balls and shoes — or come in and we will kit you out in ten minutes.