ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I would not be so bold as to challenge your expertise in mass.
European or African swingspeed?
Important and only tip for tennis players playing Pickleball
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I would not be so bold as to challenge your expertise in mass.
European or African swingspeed?
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
We care about:
tennis: baseline power
pball: baseline power AND kitchen pop
Some paddles are powerful without much pop, some are poppy without much power. Stiff light paddles tend to be preferred for pop in kitchen volley firefights … heavier helps with power from baseline … a paddle choice is more of a trade off than a racquet (never heard anyone talk about tennis volley power).
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Judging by GPPD the tennis world is scary and doesn’t agree on much.
My Z5 is classified as a beginner's paddle. Should I move up? The costliest ones are $200+
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Yep … you are a tennis player … that means carbon face.
If you just want to be told what to buy … just buy a Vatic Pro:
Prices after discount:
Vatic Prism Flash - $90 (if you want a the softest most control of the three)
Vatic Pro Flash - $130 (fastest most pop at kitchen)
Vatic Pro V7 - $130 (best from baseline closest to tennis)
All three ranked near top for spin, V7 highest. All three carbon face … you will get WAY more control than from graphite face. V7 and Pro Flash thermoformed edges (newest tech) with foam injected walls. Prism not thermoformed … therefore less power … but has foam walls.
We have all three … wife plays with Pro Flash, I started with Pro V7, recently bought Prism Flash to improve dink/reset/soft game, after a month went back to banging with V7.
Thermoformed and carbon provides a stiffer paddle with more power and spin, carbon adds spin/grip/control.
Look into thermoformed, some core failure issues, and see if it interests you. There are other new thermoformed paddles out ($100-$170) … but I haven’t played them. Some don’t like the extra power of thermoformed … pop up dinks to high, etc … a valid choice in that case is carbon face without the thermoforming. Don’t see how you beat Prism Flash price/value for non-thermoformed.
If you want a $250+ big brand name paddle … both Selkirk and Joola have new paddles out.
Bisquick
Rookie
I laughed when someone said this to me on court after I hit an overhead -guess it has to do with all of them uncoordinated plugz getting into PB.
For $130, I can buy a Wilson paddle rated 4.5 in power.Yep … you are a tennis player … that means carbon face.
If you just want to be told what to buy … just buy a Vatic Pro:
Prices after discount:
Vatic Prism Flash - $90 (if you want a the softest most control of the three)
Vatic Pro Flash - $130 (fastest most pop at kitchen)
Vatic Pro V7 - $130 (best from baseline closest to tennis)
All three ranked near top for spin, V7 highest. All three carbon face … you will get WAY more control than from graphite face. V7 and Pro Flash thermoformed edges (newest tech) with foam injected walls. Prism not thermoformed … therefore less power … but has foam walls.
We have all three … wife plays with Pro Flash, I started with Pro V7, recently bought Prism Flash to improve dink/reset/soft game, after a month went back to banging with V7.
Thermoformed and carbon provides a stiffer paddle with more power and spin, carbon adds spin/grip/control.
Look into thermoformed, some core failure issues, and see if it interests you. There are other new thermoformed paddles out ($100-$170) … but I haven’t played them. Some don’t like the extra power of thermoformed … pop up dinks to high, etc … a valid choice in that case is carbon face without the thermoforming. Don’t see how you beat Prism Flash price/value for non-thermoformed.
If you want a $250+ big brand name paddle … both Selkirk and Joola have new paddles out.
I read the article and it seems to say that paddle thickness doesn't make a difference in power yet all paddle reviewers say thin paddles give more power and thick paddles more control and touch. The article also seems to say that stiffer paddles don't give more power which would mean thermoformed paddles don't give more power.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Do you see a lot of Wilson paddles where you play? I didn’t think so.
You are obviously someone who just needs to be told what to do. I will give you two paths … grasshopper.
1) just buy the new Selkirk 006 $333 or Joola Perseus $250 and be like the other cool kids
2) Just buy a Vatic Pro V7
You are welcome
optic yellow
Legend
What is your opinion on buying a wooden paddle like I used to dominate my rivals on the battlefields of the middle school gym?
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Will be good for your middle school reunion
optic yellow
Legend
more or less of a handicap than using a wooden tennis racquet?
I am not a rich retiree like you to throw money around. That Wilson I mentioned was in a review and was rated at 4.5 for power (only other paddle with that rating was $200 plus).
The 12 Best Pickleball Paddles You Should Be Playing With This Summer
Here's the latest report on America's fastest growing sport.
www.menshealth.com
BEST FOR LEAGUE PLAY
Wilson Echo Energy Pickleball Paddle
My first introduction to Wilson pickleball paddles started with the Echo, and I quickly fell in love with its clean look and balanced design. That paddle is harder to find these days, and after playing with it on and off for all of 2022, I decided it was time to reach for the upgraded Echo Energy in 2023.The Echo Energy has everything I loved about the original Echo. The paddle carries the same PO3 fiberglass composite makeup to ensure a lightweight, durable feel. Inside it still has a PolyCore-X honeycomb core, which I believe to help lessen vibrations and hit a more controlled shot. The measurements of the paddle head are even the same as the Echo. So what's the big difference? Two words: longer handle.
It might not seem like much, but the longer handle has payed off immensely in my gameplay. That's because the long handle gives me generous space to perform a two-handed backhand, which is my best shot in pickleball. (I have a little tennis in my background, and I have a long history of playing baseball and swinging a bat left handed.) Having the extended handle to for a two-handed backhand allows me to send off nasty line drives and put my opponent on their heels. Between the Echo and the Echo Energy, the Echo Energy takes the cake as a paddle that plays to my strengths and gives me the best chance at winning out on the court. It's my favorite paddle to grab when things are about to get intense. Those with tennis and baseball backgrounds, start here.
Weight: 8.1 ounces Dimensions: 8 x 16 inches Grip Circumference: 4.25 inches
| Power | 4.0 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Control | 4.0 out of 5 |
| Serving | 4.0 out of 5 |
| Touch | 4.0 out of 5 |
| Spin | 3.0 out of 5 |
optic yellow
Legend
You don't see a lot of Wilson golf irons anywhere you play but that doesn't make them a bad choice.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I’ve never seen a Wilson paddle in the wild … you could be the first
I searched for a pro spec badminton racket last year and the favorite one used by the pros was a Yonex model costing $260 before shipping.
I then searched for a cheaper one with the same specs and got a Babolat model for $130 including shipping At the clubs where I play, not one other person uses a Babolat. I am getting so much free power that I feel like I am cheating
The problem pointed out is its smaller grip (4 instead of 4 1/4) and its extra long handle which is good for 2 handers but not for me.
Hmm.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
You have stumbled onto one of the highly recommended “first gen” paddles with this one. Popular with higher level players. Thing is … if you are really concerned with the “power rating” you mentioned … for same $140 you can get gen 2 thermoformed power and spin.
Since you apparently don’t want to just be told what to buy
… let me provide help with your paddle research … you are welcome:what about the smaller grip of the selkirk?You have stumbled onto one of the highly recommended “first gen” paddles with this one. Popular with higher level players. Thing is … if you are really concerned with the “power rating” you mentioned … for same $140 you can get gen 2 thermoformed power and spin.
Since you apparently don’t want to just be told what to buy
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
overgrip
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
of course not … Selkirk in the business of selling $333 paddles … not in the business of educating you on equivalent or better paddles for half the cost.
SLK made in China … Selkirk made in US … supposedly
optic yellow
Legend
@ByeByePoly When I get into pickleball I'm going to get an Echo Energy simply to spite you
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
I played pickleball doubles with several of my old high school buddies a couple of weeks ago. Two of them are avid pickleball players. One has a 5.0 pickleball rating and the other 4.5.
The 5.0 guy was obviously using a very light paddle. He was very good at dinks around the net, but when I was at net, I didn’t fear his groundstroke power because he would swing fast but the ball didn’t go very fast.
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
I of course modified my borrowed paddle to be much heavier, but when I put it in the scale afterward, it was still lighter than my 4.5 rated friend’s paddle.
I was much more confident in my net play than in my baseline play.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
I have my hands full with the great one … I am not taking new applicants
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
firefights 14 ft from each other isn’t groundstrokes … point is won or lost based on reflex and speedup skills
If you haven’t seen a fast wiffle from a light paddle from 14 feet you need to get out more.
I play with guys that could put a hole in your chest at the kitchen with a 7.5oz paddle with a ping pong all arm punch backhand. And these are high intermediate players … not 5.0.Have you tried that with tennis rackets?
vex
Legend
More people probably know who Ben Johns is than Cameron Norrie… and it’s only getting worse. Tennis has completely collapsed in my area. It’s crazy how fast it disappeared.
optic yellow
Legend
tennytive
Hall of Fame
I wish I could see you play. Do you have any video(s)?
You can come and visit me and watch me play
tennytive
Hall of Fame
Thanks but gas prices, remember?
I play on Saturdays. Asians and Indian players make up almost the entire number of participants. They're all excellent doubles players and I learn a lot from watching how they play.
By coincidence, only one player has a Babolat racket. All the others use Yonex. I have a Carlton I found at GW and strung myself, maybe that's why they beat me so easily.
When I ask pickleball players if they play badminton they all say no, not since they were kids in gym class. It's a shame. Much better workout, strategy and skill involved to play at a respectable level. Since you have a pro's racket, I presume you're already there.
I play on Saturdays. Asians and Indian players make up almost the entire number of participants. They're all excellent doubles players and I learn a lot from watching how they play.
By coincidence, only one player has a Babolat racket. All the others use Yonex. I have a Carlton I found at GW and strung myself, maybe that's why they beat me so easily.
When I ask pickleball players if they play badminton they all say no, not since they were kids in gym class. It's a shame. Much better workout, strategy and skill involved to play at a respectable level. Since you have a pro's racket, I presume you're already there.
I am already there. I use pro-spec rackets in tennis (Dunlop CX Tour 18*20), table tennis (Tibhar with Andro rubbers) and badminton (Babolat Satellite). I have a beginner/intermediate paddle for Pickleball (Z5) because I am not serious about the sport.
tennytive
Hall of Fame
I play with Paddeteks, 2016 models. If they're good enough for Kyle Yates and Anna Leigh Waters…
They're so old people ask me if I got a new paddle because they've never seen them before.
The most powerful players in our group all use different paddles, there is no magic paddle or everyone would have it.
It's how you play, not what kind of paddle you can afford. And I agree, it's not worth taking it seriously when you can play the others you mentioned.
They're so old people ask me if I got a new paddle because they've never seen them before.
The most powerful players in our group all use different paddles, there is no magic paddle or everyone would have it.
It's how you play, not what kind of paddle you can afford. And I agree, it's not worth taking it seriously when you can play the others you mentioned.
Correct. In pickleball, it is easier than tennis for fatties to make it.
Many male tennis players are not getting it. They play pickle and lose to old fat women and feel bad. When the barrier to entry is low, it allows people with certain skills to shine.
It is somewhat like rec tennis. The lower level means that fat guys with no split step, movement or technically correct strokes can win by their court awareness, placement and control.
PS: I am talking about pickle doubles with random partners. Singles pickle is a lot like tennis and just having handspeed etc will not cut it. But most pickles play only dubs due to the court demand.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
The quickest way to explain pickleball doubles skills difference to a tennis player would be have them stand on kitchen line with three other skilled pickleball players and just play points starting from a dink. The lesson will be quick, enlightening and infuriating.
We warm up with dinks in any case, new or old Pickle player.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
My place does too … and then they think they have warmed up. I need to warmup baseline swings more than dinks, so if I join 3 people already warmed up I just hit a few serves instead of dinks. I hop on treadmill for three minutes and do some stretches before I play. Massage gun on calves and shoulder before I leave the house.
But this isn’t what I meant enlightening the newbie tennis player. Introduce them to volley firefights at kitchen, and getting their dink that was inches too high smashed through them … or into them.
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Lendl playing 4.0 pickleball
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