TMPR SPORTS : FIND YOUR SHAPE .
If you are new to pickleball and are overwhelmed by the number of paddle options on the market , don ’ t lose your temper , just go to TMPR Sports ( tmprsports . com ) online .
TMPR Sports was started by Doug and Diana and their son Taylor Clark , whose initial market research showed that most of the top pickleball players migrate to the sport from tennis or another racquet sport . With that knowledge in hand , the Clarks decided to focus on how to improve on the design of a paddle in a way that would feel more natural to these players . In the process they discovered how the shape of a paddle affects how it performs .
“ We worked with a team of tennis teaching pros to create prototypes and tweaked those models with their feedback ,” Doug Clark said . “ To people used to tennis , our paddles are more comfortable and what you ’ d be used to . We found that pickleball is the only paddle sport that has either rectangular or square-shaped paddles by default , with a few exceptions . It ’ s not just the core that ’ s important , but the shape , which impacts how it performs .”
TMPR ( pronounced “ temper ”) creates paddles that are slightly rounded , resulting in a smaller profile that provides more aerodynamic use and is more accurate than other paddles on the market .
“ Traditional square-shaped paddles have a sweet spot that ’ s close to dead center , so if you hit the ball on the tip or the side , you often experience more vibration and a less controlled shot ,”
Clark said . “ Our designs help decrease that vibration , which also minimizes arm fatigue .”
Within the TMPR product line are four distinct shapes and a fifth one that will be launched soon . The Tantrum is a longer paddle that offers more head weight to help players get more torque on drive shots . The Ascend is specifically designed for tennis players . With a 5.5-inch handle , the Ascend is a longer paddle with a smaller profile face . Designed for players with greater hand / eye coordination , the Ascend is an advanced and aerodynamic paddle for players who already have a developed skill set in racquet sports .
For beginners , Clark recommends the Oculus . “ It ’ s inspired by the shape of a tennis racquet and is very forgiving ,” he said . “ Having said that , advanced players like it as well because it has a very balanced head and handle , offering less strain going from forehand to backhand .”
The Rave is a specialty paddle with an elongated head . The Rave exists mainly for the players who want an extended reach and the momentum it provides . The Rave ’ s sweet spot is elongated , offering an enhanced , extended highperformance area . The Expanse GXT , in contrast , is a widebody paddle scheduled to debut this year that is suited more to those who value defense over offense .
Each TMPR paddle comes in one of three different cores ( 3 series ) and various handle options , so that players can customize their paddle experience from shock absorbing and finessed to driving and agressive . The Luxe core absorbs more shock from striking the ball , providing more control for dinks and drop shots . The GXT series offers players a carbon fiber face , absorbing even more shock for added touch . Lastly , the XT series offers more pop and power .
TMPR offers a demo program where , for $ 20 , you receive a selection of paddles to demo for two weeks . After your two weeks , return the ones you don ’ t want with the included return label and the $ 20 is deducted from the price of your paddle . Find your shape now at tmprsports . com .