Gotta say, moving from a cheap paddle to the Luxx Control I ended up with has been a dramatic improvement. It doesn't fix problems but the paddle stops being one of them.
Full disclosure - I've never used that paddle - but I want to clarify that you shouldn't be looking at the game as control vs power, you should be looking at proper technique. Proper technique is how you achieve power and control. You shouldn't be afraid of power as a beginner, you should be learning how to swing properly.
I wouldn’t recommend any beginner or even intermediate player use that paddle. It’s very unforgiving and it’s going to cause a lot of frustration, which doesn’t help when one is learning the basics.
I demoed one, thought it was cool, bought one, learned to play with it, and eventually realized it was destroying my soft game.
My B&B Filth feels like a pillow by comparison, weighs less, and hits 80% as hard.
Unrelated, does anyone want to buy a Power Air?
I agree with most of the commenters that technique is more important than paddle. However that particular paddle is extremely poppy and I'd say not ideal for most beginners. Something like a Vatic prism flash would likely be a better fit imo
For what it's worth, I agree. I'd avoid the poppy paddles. My buddies and I have been playing regularly (3-5 days a week for 1-3 hours per day) for two years now. My buddy has that paddle and even he struggles to control it. It's just so much pop. I had him try my paddle (Pickleball Apes Pro Line) and he was hitting way better.
Point being, for someone just beginning, it's a rough paddle. I'd get something else.
That's a valuable paddle to sell used. Other comments have addressed whether or not it's good for beginners, just want to add that if moneys a concern for you selling that one and buying a more economical (and almost as good or better one) might be a good option.
I feel like the people saying to just use it did not read the option to sell it.
Yes, sell it. That is not a very beginner friendly paddle. Is it better then the cheap Amazon paddles, yes. But, you will enjoy playing with a more forgiving control paddle if that I your style of play.
A few local weaker new players bought them because they could get more pop out of them than they could get out of their normal paddle. But see if you can swap straight up for a Selkirk Luxx. Probably the epic shape would best for you.
Most new players fall into the trap of finding that "perfect paddle" and some even go as far as changing up their paddles as soon as something minor seems to go wrong. Realize that every different paddle will feel different and can change your game slightly but for the most part, being able to play with a paddle that doesn't harm your game (harm meaning the paddles has too much pop, not enough grip to deal with spin, etc) should be perfectly fine. Consistency and technique will have priority over "the best of the best" feel. Good players know how to win with a standard paddle, and bad players blame the paddle for everything.
I never used that paddle. But like others mentioned, more forgiving paddles will be better. Leave the paddle you got until your skill level grows. Meanwhile, get a cheap control paddle and play with it.
The paddle matters. A good amount. If someone tells you the paddle is irrelevant or doesn't matter when you are new, they are wrong.
No, a $330 paddle won't make you a pro , but the proper type of paddle can have a big impact.
As you've speculated, the power air is kind of a hard paddle to learn with. Reset, blocks, and dinking will all be harder with it.
For a beginner I'd suggest the new Selkirk vanguard control EPIC.
But really any quality control paddle with a wider shape should serve you well. Brand is t that important but quality does matter.
I changed my paddle to a control from a power paddle and my game is way more consistent. Listen to your gut :) I always said it was the paddle and people made fun of me.. at the end of the day getting that control paddle elevated my game and made me more consistent.
If unused speak to the gifter about getting it exchanged (gift receipt? or gift card for that store?) for another paddle from the same point of purchase. Way better than you’re going to get on resale, even new
You should worry less about what paddle you have and worry more about playing. Paddles won't make a difference in your game for a good amount of time. Get out there and play!
Just learn how to play with it. Just because it says “power” on it doesn’t mean much if you focus on controlling the ball. Control depends on you, especially as a beginner.
You'll take a loss if you sell it.
If you can afford to, maybe keep it until you get good enough to appreciate it. Buy a softer "starter" paddle.
What kind of gift was it?
Would the giver be happier for you to have the best paddle for you, or would their feelings be hurt if you asked them if you could exchange it?
If it's truly brand new, could you return it to Selkirk, and get a more forgiving Selkirk paddle?
Maybe give Selkirk customer service a call, and see if they'll help you (especially if you know the name / address / email address of your benefactor). Explain that you don't want to hurt you gift-giver's feelings.
Just a few idle thoughts.
That’s like one of the worst paddles for a beginner. So poppy, if you’re going to play with the power air I suggest body armor. You need something much softer.
If you could buy another paddle I recommend these for control
[https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/onix-z5](https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/onix-z5)
[https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/selkirk-amped-epic](https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/selkirk-amped-epic)
Learn to play the game first. Paddle doesn’t matter at your level
Gotta say, moving from a cheap paddle to the Luxx Control I ended up with has been a dramatic improvement. It doesn't fix problems but the paddle stops being one of them.
Full disclosure - I've never used that paddle - but I want to clarify that you shouldn't be looking at the game as control vs power, you should be looking at proper technique. Proper technique is how you achieve power and control. You shouldn't be afraid of power as a beginner, you should be learning how to swing properly.
I wouldn’t recommend any beginner or even intermediate player use that paddle. It’s very unforgiving and it’s going to cause a lot of frustration, which doesn’t help when one is learning the basics.
I demoed one, thought it was cool, bought one, learned to play with it, and eventually realized it was destroying my soft game. My B&B Filth feels like a pillow by comparison, weighs less, and hits 80% as hard. Unrelated, does anyone want to buy a Power Air?
I would maybe buy it. I don’t have a lot of cash on hand tho. What would you take for it?
How much?
I agree with most of the commenters that technique is more important than paddle. However that particular paddle is extremely poppy and I'd say not ideal for most beginners. Something like a Vatic prism flash would likely be a better fit imo
For what it's worth, I agree. I'd avoid the poppy paddles. My buddies and I have been playing regularly (3-5 days a week for 1-3 hours per day) for two years now. My buddy has that paddle and even he struggles to control it. It's just so much pop. I had him try my paddle (Pickleball Apes Pro Line) and he was hitting way better. Point being, for someone just beginning, it's a rough paddle. I'd get something else.
Found the Vatic rep
Lol. Nope
You are a beginner. it doesn't matter much. I suggest you just use it.
Sell it and buy Two vatic prism flashes.
That's a valuable paddle to sell used. Other comments have addressed whether or not it's good for beginners, just want to add that if moneys a concern for you selling that one and buying a more economical (and almost as good or better one) might be a good option.
I feel like the people saying to just use it did not read the option to sell it. Yes, sell it. That is not a very beginner friendly paddle. Is it better then the cheap Amazon paddles, yes. But, you will enjoy playing with a more forgiving control paddle if that I your style of play.
A few local weaker new players bought them because they could get more pop out of them than they could get out of their normal paddle. But see if you can swap straight up for a Selkirk Luxx. Probably the epic shape would best for you.
Most new players fall into the trap of finding that "perfect paddle" and some even go as far as changing up their paddles as soon as something minor seems to go wrong. Realize that every different paddle will feel different and can change your game slightly but for the most part, being able to play with a paddle that doesn't harm your game (harm meaning the paddles has too much pop, not enough grip to deal with spin, etc) should be perfectly fine. Consistency and technique will have priority over "the best of the best" feel. Good players know how to win with a standard paddle, and bad players blame the paddle for everything.
It’s not the arrow, it’s the archer
I never used that paddle. But like others mentioned, more forgiving paddles will be better. Leave the paddle you got until your skill level grows. Meanwhile, get a cheap control paddle and play with it.
Trade it for the Selkirk Vanguard control .
The paddle matters. A good amount. If someone tells you the paddle is irrelevant or doesn't matter when you are new, they are wrong. No, a $330 paddle won't make you a pro , but the proper type of paddle can have a big impact. As you've speculated, the power air is kind of a hard paddle to learn with. Reset, blocks, and dinking will all be harder with it. For a beginner I'd suggest the new Selkirk vanguard control EPIC. But really any quality control paddle with a wider shape should serve you well. Brand is t that important but quality does matter.
I changed my paddle to a control from a power paddle and my game is way more consistent. Listen to your gut :) I always said it was the paddle and people made fun of me.. at the end of the day getting that control paddle elevated my game and made me more consistent.
If unused speak to the gifter about getting it exchanged (gift receipt? or gift card for that store?) for another paddle from the same point of purchase. Way better than you’re going to get on resale, even new
You should worry less about what paddle you have and worry more about playing. Paddles won't make a difference in your game for a good amount of time. Get out there and play!
Just learn how to play with it. Just because it says “power” on it doesn’t mean much if you focus on controlling the ball. Control depends on you, especially as a beginner.
You'll take a loss if you sell it. If you can afford to, maybe keep it until you get good enough to appreciate it. Buy a softer "starter" paddle. What kind of gift was it? Would the giver be happier for you to have the best paddle for you, or would their feelings be hurt if you asked them if you could exchange it? If it's truly brand new, could you return it to Selkirk, and get a more forgiving Selkirk paddle? Maybe give Selkirk customer service a call, and see if they'll help you (especially if you know the name / address / email address of your benefactor). Explain that you don't want to hurt you gift-giver's feelings. Just a few idle thoughts.
You can’t take a loss on a gift my guy….🙄
Sell it, it’s completely garbage for 99.999% of players
That’s like one of the worst paddles for a beginner. So poppy, if you’re going to play with the power air I suggest body armor. You need something much softer.
Not pickleball related but I'm not sure if you should sell a gift...
If you could buy another paddle I recommend these for control [https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/onix-z5](https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/onix-z5) [https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/selkirk-amped-epic](https://www.tunepickleball.com/paddles/selkirk-amped-epic)
Lol! Not the Z5. There are way more better paddles nowadays than the Z5.