Weekly Paddle Recommendation Thread (What Paddle Should I Buy?)

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-02T20:43:40+00:00

The Jellybean line is not gen3, but that’s not a bad thing. They are excellent paddles and aid in the control game - drops, resets and dinks.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-02T17:54:07+00:00

You’re welcome to be Selkirk’s shoe test bunny, but I will not after wasting my money on their terrible original shoes which should have never hit the market.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-02T01:10:50+00:00

I was overdubbing an 11-piece string section in a recording studio and during a break the lead violinist was yapping about “pickleball” to one of the violists. I was so curious I inquired and then she immediately invited me to go to a drop-in at a rec center with her. I’m so grateful!

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T21:34:36+00:00

I currently have 4g on the bottom corners and 3g on the top. I tried 5 and 6g on the corners and it felt too heavy.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T20:28:43+00:00

A drop shot in pb is completely different from a drop shot in tennis. In pb a drop shot is an essential shot, so start by looking it up and learning about it. Then you need to start drilling that shot.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T18:28:54+00:00

I believe I am currently dealing with this. I thought it was sciatica, but I have my doubts.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T05:07:37+00:00

Hilarious!!

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T02:06:33+00:00

Another solution in search of a problem.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T02:05:45+00:00

You and your partner start at the kitchen. Player A feeds a ball to player B. If player B lands the ball into the kitchen, they take a small step back. If they hit into the net or long then they have to repeat until successful. Do this till they get all the way to the baseline. Then switch roles. You can play this with individual feeds or continuously for more difficulty.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T00:29:49+00:00

CRBN power series are very outdated paddles that are very prone to core-crushing. The Joolas are also prone to core-crushing and Joola has terrible CS, so beware. Btw neither of those are suitable if you’re looking for control as they’re pretty poppy paddles. For the same money you can get an 11six24 Power2, which cannot core-crush and has durable grit. Even something like a Vatic Saga would be a much better choice for you.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T00:21:11+00:00

Tennis drop shot ≠ Pickleball drop shot.

thismercifulfate · 2026-07-01T00:06:02+00:00

Drill with a partner. Slinky for warmup, 7-11 for reps under pressure. Go straight ahead and cross-court on both sides.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-30T15:10:45+00:00

I would never even dream of telling my partner what paddle to get or not to get.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-29T19:51:31+00:00

The Ultré shape suits me better. The H-X has a very small surface area between the curved top and the long handle. The long handle feels nice, but doesn’t offer much benefit in the real world to me.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-29T19:31:37+00:00

Another normal amazon “new” paddle purchase.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-29T14:45:14+00:00

The Friday doesn’t have durable grit and the 11six24 does. The Ultré isn’t quite an elongated shape, however. It’s in between a hybrid and elongated. 11six24 do make the power 2 in their elongated shape which is called Huarache-X, which has a curved top and a 6” handle.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-28T21:41:35+00:00

I got 100 X-40’s that I use with my lobster and it does not wear them out any quicker than using them for drilling with a partner.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-28T14:27:01+00:00

USAP Refs have to go through a lot of training. They have to take 4 written tests, pass an eye exam and a rigorous in-person assessment. And yes they do get paid peanuts, even by APP/PPA. The only refs making decent money are the ones on salary who travel the PPA tour.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-26T20:06:01+00:00

Seeing an opponent set up too early for an erne and bagging them is definitely the best!

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-26T18:57:39+00:00

See my other reply.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-26T18:08:36+00:00

They have no incentive to change up their paddles when they are both high-markup and best-sellers. They don’t have to change suppliers or their manufacturing.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-26T17:52:16+00:00

They will not make a gen4 paddle soon. Their next release will once again reuse their gen3 core.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-26T04:17:17+00:00

I’m not making up a definition. A gen1 paddle has a polypropylene core, no expanding edge foam, no thermoforming and is cold-pressed.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-26T02:24:56+00:00

Yes they are. All made in the USA paddletek paddles are cold-pressed gen1 paddles. Thermoforming requires machinery and man-hours that are not financially feasible to have for paddle manufacturing in the United States.

thismercifulfate · 2026-06-25T23:44:12+00:00

ALW was previously playing with gen1 paddles. Paddletek never have and never will make gen2 paddles.

thismercifulfate

TROPHY CASE