The Rise of PBPRO in the Pickleball Scene
In the ever-evolving world of pickleball, PBPRO has quickly made a name for itself after launching just over a year ago. Their range of paddles, which retail between $90 and $140, showcases an impressive commitment to quality within an affordable bracket. As someone with two decades of experience in racket sports, I was excited when PBPRO reached out to me for a review of their standout model, the Tour Force. While I had heard whispers of PBPRO before, I hadn’t delved deep into their offerings. With my enthusiasm for finding well-rounded paddles at reasonable prices, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to review this model.
After spending two weeks rigorously testing the paddle, both during drills and competitive play, I feel ready to share my analysis of the Tour Force’s features and performance.
Understanding the Tour Force: An All-Court Companion
The Tour Force is designed as an all-court paddle, which means it aims to perform decently across various styles of play rather than specializing in one specific area. Initially, I needed some time to adapt to its unique feel and handling, but once I found my rhythm, my gameplay improved significantly. I particularly appreciated how well I was able to deliver drops from both the baseline and midcourt positions. This versatility stands out as one of the paddle’s biggest advantages.
While the paddle showed great responsiveness during offensive plays, it also has offensive capabilities that can surprise opponents. Weighing in at 8.0 ounces, the paddle boasts a familiar shape and swings gracefully in hand. However, I did notice that my ability to block fast incoming shots or execute my dinks consistently was lacking. This lack of forgiveness could be attributed to the paddle’s design, which sometimes struggles to absorb high pace.
First Impressions: Texture and Spin
Upon unboxing the Tour Force, I noted that its face had a gritty texture, which likely meets USAPA standards for spin. Unfortunately, this texture diminished after my first day of use. Despite this change, I found the paddle still allowed for a decent amount of spin—somewhere in the medium range—which is fairly typical among paddles in this price range.
All in all, I came to the conclusion that the PBPRO Tour Force is an excellent choice for intermediate paddlers. Priced at just $120, it presents a compelling value. While it may not reach the performance benchmarks set by leading paddles in the same class, it holds its own remarkably well and is worth considering for those seeking an all-purpose paddle without breaking the bank.
Design and Specifications: A Classic Approach
When examining the design of the Tour Force, one might not be struck by any revolutionary features. It has a classic composition made from quality materials. This traditional mold includes a length of 15.75 inches and a width of 7.75 inches, granting it a generous sweet spot towards the center. The combination of a carbon fiber face with a thin core contributes effectively to its all-round capabilities.
In terms of balance, the paddle is slightly head-heavy, allowing for a bit more power when countering aggressive shots. The weight distribution can be perceived more intensely than other paddles in the 8.0-ounce range. The handle measures 4.5 inches in length and features a 4.25-inch grip. Players who prefer a thicker grip will find it easy to customize using PBPRO’s tacky overgrips, which I highly recommend.
A Review of Feel and Control
The paddle’s feel is characterized as medium-soft, and it took me about a week of consistent play to unlock its true potential, especially for executing soft shots. I attribute this learning curve to my familiarity with elongated paddles, as adjusting to the wider body took some effort. After that initial adjustment, my ability to control the direction and speed of my soft shots from a variety of positions increased significantly.
The Tour Force excels at producing consistent dinks, both offensive and defensive, when meeting the ideal striking point, providing a comfortable dinking experience. That said, I still found myself less consistent overall. This inconsistency stems partly from the paddle’s lower forgiveness rating, making it challenging to effectively block speed-ups and reset hard-hitting shots without sometimes misjudging their depth.
Tailored Choices and Accessories
What I appreciate about PBPRO as a brand is the clarity they offer in helping players select the right paddle for their needs. They neatly categorize their paddles into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced labels, simplifying the purchasing process for those unsure about where to start. Such transparency is something many other brands could benefit from adopting.
Moreover, PBPRO enhances their aesthetic appeal by offering matching apparel and accessories, which I find ideal for players who care about coordination on the court. The orange PBPRO logo on the Tour Force allows you to easily find coordinating overgrips, shirts, caps, and even skirts. The idea is simple: “Look good, feel good, play good.” They don’t stop there; their product line also includes backpacks, lead tape, and towels.
Gender-Specific Options and the Bigger Picture
It’s noteworthy that the Tour Force is primarily designed for male players, but PBPRO has an equivalent paddle for female players called the Tour Finesse. This model retains a similar construction as the Tour Force but is slightly lighter, catering to the preferences of diverse players in the pickleball community.
Overall, the PBPRO Tour Force stands as a solid all-court paddle for intermediate players. While it may not challenge the top-tier options in performance, it offers great value for the price-conscious athlete. For beginners eager to step up from starter paddles, this model provides an excellent opportunity to enhance their game and grow as a player. Even at an intermediate level, players focused on a blend of control and power will find success with this paddle.
If you find yourself on the lookout for paddles that emphasize either control or power more significantly, exploring PBPRO’s other offerings or different brands might be beneficial. Meanwhile, advanced players with a higher budget might find better performance elsewhere, but they would have to be willing to invest the necessary funds for that enhanced experience.
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