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- Verified Buyer
-Talking box packaging: Wow. Hysterical. Not only did the box start talking upon opening, about going to play with the new paddle, but I left open box (with a visible circuit board) & it randomly, out of the blue, started talking to me, from another room the next morning, on behalf of the paddle: “Hey, I’m bored. Come play... blah blah.” LOL. I’m just glad they didn’t hide the circuit board, so I don’t think I’m losing my mind : ) -My new FAVORITE pickleball paddle: I have 4 different types of pickleball paddles & this is my absolute favorite! I love everything about it. I’m so happy to have it-Made in the U.S.A!: a bonus fact -“Groovy Baby” Pop flower design: I LOVE this Pop style design with the magenta pink flower on orange yellow backdrop color-Feel of the paddle is great: both in the hand & in playing with it -Grit: for spinning the ball: There is a noticeable grit on the paddle that feels exactly like fine sandpaper, which is a spray on type of grit. Grit helps you put spin on the ball, with the right technique, making it more challenging for your opponent to return the ball. I tested it out & was able to produce a great spin with this paddle! I’ve studied a bit about paddle grit, but the Play manufacturer claims “New hyper grip surface developed by Play paddles.” At first I thought this might be a ‘spray on’ type grit, which wears off with time compared to raw carbon (which feels more like a rubbing your hand across on metal file ridges than sandpaper). However, I then realized the manufacturer is speaking of a new process to apply grit, so I’ll get to give it a ride & see how I like it (There are all different types of grit on paddles. My other paddles have grit that includes raw carbon fiber, which is ‘molded’ right in to the paddle, & feels like ‘ridges’ of a metal file & is supposed to be longest lasting, but again, Play manufacturer has invented a new grit, so I’m excited to give it a try over time. My ‘kit’ paddle has a molded grit that resembles the ridges in your fingerprint; similar to the raw carbon paddle, but not as strong. Another is uselessly smooth with no grit). (I guess you can ‘resurface’ the grit, if are the ambitious, & ever need to, such as using skateboard resurfacing spray. This may impact ‘rules’ for tournament play). -Core (plus resulting handle thickness): the product info gives two contradictory measurements at this time of this review, showing 14mm in the image diagrams, but saying “16mm” in the verbal description. It is 14 mm. It has a thicker core than my prior ‘kit’ paddles (from carbon fiber sets of a couple paddles, case & ball. Those paddles are much thinner, & ‘pop’ harder & louder, & are harder on the hand/ body, with more of a ‘jolt’). This Play paddle is not quite as thick as my thickest 16 mm paddle, but at 14mm gives a nice ‘soft’/ cushion feel to hitting the ball & great sense of a sweet spot. It gives a great bounce of the ball off the paddle. I prefer a 14mm core, because I discovered that core thickness will determine handle thickness, due to the way handles are usually constructed, from my paddle experience. The face & core of the paddle simply extend down to form the handle, as one piece construction. This extension is then padded & taped. So if you get a super thick paddle, it will give a thicker handle. My 16 mm handle was so thick, I had to dismantle it & file & power sand it down & retape it, & even then, it doesn’t feel right after removing so much padding. If a paddle handle is too thick, it can actually mess up the mechanics of your arm during play, especially with the back hand. Your wrist cannot flip as well from forward to back hand. So I was happy to obtain this 14 mm thick paddle with a handle that feels just right -Cushioned handle grip: has a great feel to it. The perforated keel grip tape truly feels to me to match the high quality claim. It has a truly wonderful cushion to it & a slight ‘stick’/ ‘grip’ to the feel, to stay place during play in warm weather & is not cheap slick smooth. It is sweat absorbent. It has all the features of the best keel tapes you can get-Cover: high quality cushion padded cover to protect your paddle
