First paddle?
- Thread starter PhxRacket
- Start date
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
I just started Pickleball myself. I'd highly recommend the Juciao Spin 1.0 and the Titanium paddles.
Both comfortable, excellent control fron anywhere on the court, soft with long dwel-time for dinking. The Spin 1.0 has very rough "grit" on it and feels more spin-friendly, while the Titanium paddle a more all-around.
For your first paddle, don't go thinner than the standard 16mm. It may feel too stiff for you, especially after long dinking where the wrist and elbow are almost 100% locked and you push with the shoulder, until you get comfortable with more wristy top-spin dinks. If you're from the USA, you'll have tons of options: 11six24, Neonic and other badget-friendly options.
Also, so far, I like paddles with small cirumference and round-shaped handles. 2 of my paddles feel like L2 tennis size handles with pronounced bevels and I don't enjoy them.
Both comfortable, excellent control fron anywhere on the court, soft with long dwel-time for dinking. The Spin 1.0 has very rough "grit" on it and feels more spin-friendly, while the Titanium paddle a more all-around.
For your first paddle, don't go thinner than the standard 16mm. It may feel too stiff for you, especially after long dinking where the wrist and elbow are almost 100% locked and you push with the shoulder, until you get comfortable with more wristy top-spin dinks. If you're from the USA, you'll have tons of options: 11six24, Neonic and other badget-friendly options.
Also, so far, I like paddles with small cirumference and round-shaped handles. 2 of my paddles feel like L2 tennis size handles with pronounced bevels and I don't enjoy them.
Last edited:
Bud
Bionic Poster
Best paddles for a tennis player
My partner recently took some introductory pickleball classes and has developed a real passion for the game—something she never had for tennis, despite my best efforts. Inspired by her enthusiasm, I decided to try a beginner's class myself, and I now share her enjoyment of pickleball. While I...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
I'd recommend the Pickleball Apes Pro Line Energy for $120. Great first paddle with a long 7" handle.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
I'm just starting pickle ball as well and I'd suggest investing in a reasonably priced carbon fibre paddle 16 mm thick. As a tennis player, you aren't going to need power but you'll be wanting spin and touch.
I think Six Zero double black diamond control paddle is a really good option for it's price point.
bobleenov1963
Hall of Fame
You DO want a paddle with power even though you can provide your own power. I've talked three separate occassions to Federico Staksrud, the current #1 singles PB player, and that's what he always recommends. Because of that, I go with either Joola MOD TA-15 or the Joola Perseus 3S. These two paddles provide excellent power, spin, and control, IMHO.
I bought an Onyx Z5 when I started. Now I have added lead tape all around the head and get some power. But I want a paddle with more power. However, I always see newer models coming out every day and cannot make up mind. I fear that if I invest $300 on a top of the line power paddle, there will be a newer one within a month.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
Vatic Pro Prism v7 16 mm
I’m also a 4.5 tennis player who started playing pickleball. The Prism v7 is widely considered as the best bang for your buck paddle. It has a softer feel, but bear in mind that compared to a stiff tennis racquet, even the softest paddle will not feel plush.
I’m also a 4.5 tennis player who started playing pickleball. The Prism v7 is widely considered as the best bang for your buck paddle. It has a softer feel, but bear in mind that compared to a stiff tennis racquet, even the softest paddle will not feel plush.
tennytive
Hall of Fame
1st generation Paddletek Phoenix Pro, 2016 and still going strong. Short handle so added a butt cap from a goodwill tennis racket ($2.) and the edge guard has come loose so often that for one season I took it off completely which lightened it by 1.5 oz, but subsequently reinstalled it after filling the honeycomb gaps along the edges with shoe goo, and using Gamma guard tape to keep it from coming apart from then on. Weighs 9.5 oz. It's so old, people look at it now and think it's new because "everyone" has a Joola.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
I was in the same boat. There is a difference. Mainly power and spin potential. But I’d say you can find some paddles at around $100 that outperforms paddles 2 or 3 times the cost. I wouldn’t ever spend more than $150 on a paddle.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Got myself some "custom" paddles from a communist factory from the far-East, also 6 Juciao paddles.
The T700 16mm paddles will do the job just fine.
The ones with the "titanium"/paint-polyester weave, eventually, I feel don't offer anything much more spectacular than the T700 16mm paddles.
All in all, in my brief experience with Pickleball paddles, it's more about the grip length and shape, the paddle thickness and the inner contruction of the core + foam added in some places.
For rec-play, no way I'm spending anything more than 100€ for a paddle. In the USA, there are much more options available than in Europe.
Gladly, Pickleball has been picking-up pace rapidly in Europe.
As for space/court, I got myself covered! After crazy-hot Greek Summer passes, I'll resume to Pickleball and Tennis. Have picked-up Padel in-between as well.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/project-pickleball.772684/post-18775784
The T700 16mm paddles will do the job just fine.
The ones with the "titanium"/paint-polyester weave, eventually, I feel don't offer anything much more spectacular than the T700 16mm paddles.
All in all, in my brief experience with Pickleball paddles, it's more about the grip length and shape, the paddle thickness and the inner contruction of the core + foam added in some places.
For rec-play, no way I'm spending anything more than 100€ for a paddle. In the USA, there are much more options available than in Europe.
Gladly, Pickleball has been picking-up pace rapidly in Europe.
As for space/court, I got myself covered! After crazy-hot Greek Summer passes, I'll resume to Pickleball and Tennis. Have picked-up Padel in-between as well.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/project-pickleball.772684/post-18775784
tennytive
Hall of Fame
Also have a Paddletek Bantam EXL but people complained that it's illegal due to the yellow square hiding the ball when I hit it back to them. I changed the yellow to blue which still makes it illegal because I modified the paddle surface, but it's only for rec play anyway. Now it looks more like Kyle Yates paddle which I wanted originally but was out of stock.
Similar threads
- Deleted member 775108
- Pickleball Equipment Talk
