PLAYING WITH THE PROS
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few months ago, Pickleball Magazine surveyed 1,000
USAPA Ambassadors – asking them how they went
about selecting their own paddle. While only 2%
attributed their choice to “celebrity” endorsement, it is
clear that the top players have influence in marketing the brands
of the major paddle manufacturers.
At the 2018 USAPA National Championships i Indian Wells,
eight of the 50+ paddle manufacturers’ paddles dominated the
medal podium. Of those, the 18 paddles on the page to the right
excelled on the medal stands. These are our 2019 Publisher’s
Picks. It is also important to note that there are dozens of other
models that are exceptionally good, and that also took gold
medals at the Nationals. The models we selected are based on
widespread player success and reputation.
What is a pro player looking for in a paddle – and is this
right for beginners and intermediates? The top singles players
generally look for a little more power to aide their attack game;
whereas doubles players are searching for more control in their
dinking. We tend to see most beginners looking for more power
so that they can blast through their opponents – yes, even in
doubles. As these players move through the intermediate ranks,
they start looking for more control as the dinking game becomes
an essential part of their game. It is worth noting that it is never
too soon to begin working with a pro paddle – as these will
help beginners and intermediate players develop feel, while not
significantly sacrificing power.
The Pickleball Magazine survey also noted that roughly 45%
of all paddles are selected as a result of demo testing. If you
are looking for recommendations, I’d start with these models
and take it from there. Try out graphite and composite
paddles. Experiment with different brands. Lastly,
try out different sizes and weights in your
paddle demos.
Finding the right paddle for your
game will truly make a difference.
Take your time and demo often.
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2019
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To order any of these products, call 888.308.3720 or go to Paddlesandmore.com
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