Foamed vs Honeycomb Cores: Not All Cores Are Created Equal

TL;DR

The pickleball video covers several key insights: 1) Try the new Joola Pro IV paddles featuring improved durability and lower swing weights while maintaining exceptional power and pop. 2) Polypropylene honeycomb cores are suitable for paddles when manufactured correctly with proper tolerance control to prevent core crushing. 3) The Neonic Flare PrimeX paddle remains an underrated, high-performing option suitable for players below the 4.8 level. 4) Focus on developing good habits like ready stance, footwork for dinks, and using two-handed returns and blocks.

Joola Event Recap

• Lewis recounts his experience at the Joola event in Las Vegas, praising the Joola team’s approachable nature and focus on building a pickleball community.
• Highlights meeting reviewers, playing with skilled players like BK Pickleball, and interacting with Andre Agassi.
• Discusses Agassi’s impressive fluid movement and control despite his age, attributing it to his elite athleticism.

Joola Pro IV Paddles

• Lewis shares his initial impressions of the new Joola Pro IV paddles, particularly the Perseus 16 and Scorpeus 14.
• Mentions the paddles feeling similar to the Joola 3s in power and spin but with improved stability, lower swing weights, and higher twist weights.
• Addresses Joola’s emphasis on durability improvements in the Pro IV’s core design.
• Notes the availability of UPA-only versions with grittier faces for extra spin.
• Mentions the Joola 3s becoming more affordable as the Pro IVs are introduced.

Paddle Reviews

• Lewis discusses his experience with the Franklin C45 paddle, appreciating its power and pop but wishing for better spin.
• Justin shares his journey of revisiting various paddles, including the Franklin C45, Pegasus Power, HEAD Carbon 2 True Foam, and Supercourt HXTronic.
• Both ultimately return to the Neonic Flare Prime X as their main paddle, praising its unparalleled performance and underrated status.

Joola Agy Paddle Shape

• Discusses the new elongated Agy paddle shape designed by Andre Agassi, available in the Pro IV lineup.
• Lewis found it played similarly to traditionally elongated shapes, with a slight difference in balance point and potential for less stability.

Corus Fire Delisting

• Addresses the USAP’s controversial delisting of the Corus Fire paddles after initially approving them without proper testing.
• Expresses disappointment in USAP’s apparent negligence and lack of proper processes, impacting Corus’s business.
• Commends Matt from Corus for handling the situation professionally and with class.

Tournament Update

• Lewis announces his plans to play 4.5 mixed doubles with Louie at the Texas Open PPA tournament, despite typically playing at a lower level.

New Week New Main

• Sponsored by BOD Pickleball, featuring their hats, edge tapes, and speed caps.
• Lewis discusses switching to the B Tour bag as his new main bag for its capacity and ability to fit his tripod.
• Justin revisits various paddles, including the Franklin C45, Pegasus Power, HEAD Carbon 2 True Foam, and Supercourt HXTronic, before ultimately returning to the Neonic Flare Prime X as his main.

Net Gains

• Sponsored by RANG Fit hydration mix.
• Justin focuses on improving his ready stance, keeping his left hand up, and using proper footwork for forehand dinks.
• Lewis aims to improve his right-side positioning, counters, and blocks, especially against speedups.

Nerd Town

• Discusses the strengths and limitations of polypropylene honeycomb cores used in pickleball paddles.
• Explains that honeycomb cores can be strong and durable when manufactured correctly, with attention to tolerances and prevention of over-compression.
• Anticipates potential marketing claims demonizing honeycomb cores as weaker than emerging full foam cores, but argues that proper manufacturing is key, not the material itself.

Neonic Flare Prime X emerges as their uncontested main paddle recommendation after revisiting options like Franklin C45 and Pegasus Power. While transitioning to full-time consultancy, Justin’s focused on footwork and ready positions for improvement. USAP’s negligent delisting of approved Corus paddles reflects poorly on their processes.