By John Youngblood, Net News Contributor
No one can say there are limited options when it comes to choosing a pickleball paddle. With over 400 distinct manufacturers having produced over 1,540 USAP approved models in the past 18 months, there is quite a selection available. The purpose of this article is to provide some guidance and resources on how to search for a paddle to fit your style of play.
For those coming from tennis, it is important to note that pickleball paddles, as presently constructed, are a disposable commodity. At some point (depending on construction as well as the amount and intensity of play), they will lose their surface texture which impacts spin/performance. The cores of most paddles will also degrade with extensive play. It’s not a question of if, but rather when you will need to replace your paddle.
John Kew is a paddle reviewer and technician whose website offers comprehensive data on many paddles currently on the market. This resource is free, easy to use, and it may help you refine choices in your search. Note: Not all paddles in this database are USAP approved.
Paddles can be broken down into three general categories: Power, Control, and Balanced/All-court/Hybrid.
Power — If you want to style your game based on power, you will be looking for a paddle with a lively core and most likely will come in an elongated or hybrid shape. The construction method known as “thermoforming” helps create a powerful core. The disadvantage of these paddles is that you are trading off control elements for power.
Control — These paddles tend to attract players who want to build their game based on superior control and the ability to execute a game plan featuring precision placement. Generally, these paddles offer a much wider sweet spot than power paddles with greater forgiveness on off-center shots. Most are a standard or wide-body shape and thus offer a bit less reach and have less power compared to the power paddles. Players starting the game often find these wider paddles easier to use as they are learning, but this does not mean they are beginner paddles. Several professional players use control paddles.
Currently, the following are popular choices in the control category: Joola Scorpeus, Spartus Apollo, Bread & Butter Fat Boy, Pikkl Hurricane Pro, Volair Mach 2 Forza, and Ronbus FX.R2.
Balanced/All Court/Hybrid — These paddles are designed to provide a balance of power and control. They tend to come in a hybrid shape, are versatile, and offer strong performance in all areas of the game. Popular all-court paddles are the Joola Hyperion and Perseus, Bread and Butter Loco, Chorus Shapeshifter, Six Zero Double Black Diamond and Ruby, Hudef Mage Pro Gen 2, and Vatic Pro Prism Flash.
For those looking for paddles offering a lot of bang for the buck, Friday Pickle offers hybrid all-court paddles with fun graphics at a price of two for $100. Vatic Pro, Spartus Pickleball, and Hudef Sports also produce excellent options for those looking for the outstanding price/performance ratios.
When purchasing directly from the manufacturer, it is a great idea to seek out a discount code, as they are readily available online and can usually save 10 percent to 30 percent.
Now you should be armed with some paddle search basics, so go forth and enjoy your paddle search!
John Youngblood is the owner of Guts and Glory Tennis in Sugar Hill, Georgia.
