"Ping Pong", sometimes known as "sandpaper table tennis" or "hardbat table tennis" returns to old fashioned equipment, using sandpaper instead of a soft, flexible, grippy rubber on bats. The scoring system can also be slightly different - sets may be played to 15 points with a potential "sudden death" point at 14-all. It's also slightly slower than standard table tennis, and is a great spectator sport.
As of 2024 we hold 3 Classic Table Tennis events in Scotland. The long standing Ronnie Turnbull Quaich held mid December every year, the new Dave Goddard Hardbat (Rubber but no sponge event) held on the same day and the "Wood" competition which was new to 2024.
Ping Pong is great fun for all levels of player, including beginners. Rallies tend to be longer and the reduced spin can be a great leveller - especially during service. So don't think it's a sport for the elite TT player - give it a try and find out for yourself.
(Oh, and just to add to the confusion, the term "hardbat" is also used to refer to non-sponge bats.)
Ping Pong in Scotland is mainly played as a fun variation of standard table tennis. A number of clubs around Scotland have some sandpaper bats. Some also hold Ping Pong competitions for the local members. These include:
Aberdeen DTTA website
Murrayfield Memorial TTC, Edinburgh website
Penicuik TTC, Lothian website
St Andrews TTC, Fife website
Dundee & District TTA
The above links go to external websites and we can accept no responsibility for their content.
As well as these local events, an annual competition brings together Scottish players from home and further afield. All are welcome, be it for fun, for a challenge, or simply for the opportunity to watch the top Scottish ping pongers play. See the Scottish Tournament page for more information and entry details.
Ping Pong on the Internet
For an article discussing the difference between Ping Pong and Table Tennis, click here.
Watch videos of Ping Pong played at St Andrews TTC here.
A thrilling match between Gavin Rumgay and Chris Doran at the 2015 English Open is available here. And I thought that you couldn't spin with a sandpaper bat!