Hammered Paddle Review

Introduction

When I first received the Velvet Athletics Hammered paddle, I noticed it bore the signature of Chip Parmelly. Who, I wondered, is Chip Parmelly? As it turns out, Chip was the 2023 gold medalist at the US Open Pickleball Championships in the 4.0 singles category for wheelchair pickleball.

Curious to learn more, I watched a few of his matches on YouTube. From these observations, I identified the key features that are crucial for wheelchair pickleball players in a paddle:

  1. Control: Control is paramount for wheelchair players as it enables precise ball placement and strategic play. Due to the limited mobility compared to standing players, the ability to direct the ball accurately is vital.
  2. Power: While power is essential in any pickleball game, wheelchair players often depend on the paddle to generate additional power due to reduced leverage from the seated position. A paddle that can deliver strong shots with minimal exertion is advantageous.
  3. Spin: Spin, while important, ranks third in priority. It adds variety to shots and makes returns more challenging for opponents. However, it is secondary to control and power for wheelchair players.

In summary, for wheelchair pickleball players, control is the top priority, followed by power, and then spin.

Performance

For higher-ranked non-wheelchair players, the priorities might differ, with power often taking precedence over control. However, control remains crucial for all players.

The Hammered paddle excels in control and provides more than sufficient power. While it lacks significant grit, the surface somehow allowed me to generate adequate topspin on my shots.

Specifications

  • Core: Polypropylene Honeycomb Core
  • Face: T700 Carbon Fiber
  • Paddle Shape: Wide Body
  • Handle Length: 5.7″
  • Handle Circumference: 4.4″
  • Size: L 16.56″ x W 7.46″
  • Weight: 8.5 oz.
  • Thickness: 16mm (.62″)
  • Textured Effect: 0.04 Grit

Bottom Line

I genuinely like the Hammered paddle and recommend it for beginner to intermediate players. Its strength lies in control and shot placement, with no significant drawbacks noted. At a price of less than $100 ($94.99), this paddle is a great bargain. Moreover, Velvet Athletics is offering a 15% discount with the code INTO15 on their website: Velvet Athletics Hammered Pickleball Paddle.

This paddle’s control and precision make it a valuable addition to any player’s gear, especially those starting or looking to improve their game.