Head is the leading industry known for manufacturing pickleball and tennis equipments. This company has manufactured various models of Head pickleball paddles in the year 2017. If you are looking for a new pickleball paddle from the “Head” brand, then you are at the right place.
In this editorial product review article titled “Head Pickleball Paddles Reviews”, we are going to discuss about the four models of Head Pickleball Paddle(Extreme Pro, Margaritaville(Island Life), Radical Elite, and Extreme Tour Lite) with their pros and cons. After that, we are going to provide essential guidelines for taking care of the Head Pickleball Paddle after purchasing any model of it.
Head Extreme Pro Pickleball Paddle
The Head Extreme Pro pickleball paddle combines multiple key technologies for an unbeatable blend of power and control. It uses HEAD’s signature Composite Hitting Surface (CHS) which is made using a special polymer formula. The CHS surface in the Extreme Pro offers maximized power and comfort across all levels of play. It ensures a great feel, even when hitting the ball off-center. The specifications of the Head Extreme Pro Pickleball Paddle are given below:
- Materials: Polypropylene + Fiberglass
- Thickness: 11.0 mm / 7/16 in
- Weight: 220 g / 7.8 oz
- Length: 408 mm / 16 in
- Width: 199 mm / 7 7/8 in
- Grip Size: 105 mm / 4 1/8 in
Core & Shape
The paddle’s interior features an Optimized Tubular Core (OTC) with a special honeycomb polypropylene design. HEAD engineers carefully perfected this tubular core to ensure the paddle offers the best playability, feel, and sound. This means you can consistently make great shots, and the paddle produces a fantastic sound with each volley or serve.
The Extreme Pro paddle has an innovative Diamond shape which provides a large sweet spot for more bite on the ball during shots. It also allows for terrific ball control and stability even on quick backhand returns or aggressive smashes. The combination of the paddle’s shape and surface gives it an exceptional balance of power and control.
Comfortable Ergo Grip
The Head Extreme Pro Pickleball Paddle utilizes the HEAD’s specialized Comfort Grip System using a durable PU material molded into an ergonomic shape. The grip nicely absorbs vibrations and impact shocks to reduce arm fatigue. The grip simply feels more comfortable during long games compared to standard paddle grips. Its ergonomic ribbed design prevents paddle rotation or slippage during sweaty matches.
Impressions
Weighing 7.8oz, the HEAD Extreme Pro pickleball paddle has a flexible responsive feel. It provides a very comfortable and powerful playing experience for players of all skill levels. The larger sweet spot ensures excellent accuracy, even during fast-paced volleys. It feels very stable and smooth to swing. The composite surface is great for both gentle touch shots and powerful spinning serves. The Extreme Pro paddle strikes a good balance between control, power, and comfort, and it brings an exciting “pop” to your gameplay.
Pros & Cons
- Composite polymer face offers good power and comfort
- Optimized honeycomb core provides great touch and stability
- Diamond shape gives an enlarged sweet spot for more bite
- Lightweight construction with nice pop and spin potential
- Comfortable grip absorbs vibrations well
- Lacks the spin capabilities of other pickleball paddles
- Slightly expensive for a mid-range paddle
Who Is It Best Suited For?
With its enlarged sweet spot and lightweight flexible feel, the Extreme Pro paddle works very well for intermediate players wanting to add more power and spin to their game. Doubles players will also appreciate the excellent control and pop it provides for quick volleys at the net.
Head Margaritaville Pickleball Paddle(Island Life)
If you enjoy Jimmy Buffet songs, beaches, and tropical islands, you’ll find joy in the HEAD’s playful Margaritaville pickleball paddle. Beyond its whimsical design, it also delivers an impressive performance. Underneath the fun graphics, it is essentially a HEAD Radical Tour GR (graphite) paddle. Given below are the specifications of this paddle:
- Face Material: Graphite Polymer
- Core: 13mm Polymer Honeycomb
- Midweight 7.8 – 8.0 ounces
- Paddle Length: 16 Inches
- Paddle Width: 7.875″
- Handle Length: 5″
- Small Grip Circumference: 4.125″
Let’s check out its playing characteristics:
Control-Oriented Design With Power
The Head Margaritaville pickleball paddle (Island Life) weighs approximately 7.8 ounces and features a thicker 13mm Polymer honeycomb core. This design allows for better weight distribution, enabling you to swing more aggressively for increased power and control over your shots. The core provides an ideal weight distribution and dampening for a comfortable responsive feel on each hit.
Despite having a heavier build, the paddle still offers a decent touch and finesse for spins, drops, and dinks near the net. The graphite polymer face provides an excellent ball impact due to its combination of flexibility and stiffness. This makes the paddle appealing to power players who want both precision and touch in their game.
Grip And Shape
HEAD designed this paddle with a focus on maintaining balance and stability during intense gameplay. The rounded edges ensure a smooth transfer and redirection of energy back to the ball. This feature enables you to confidently block fast volleys or counter smashes without the paddle head twisting out of your hand.
The paddle comes with a 5-inch ergonomic handle covered in EVA foam, providing maximum comfort and minimizing vibrations. The foam grip reduces the impact shocks felt across the paddle face, making it gentler on the player’s arm. The grip size is relatively small (around 4 to 4.125 inches in circumference) to enhance control during gameplay.
Impressions
The Margaritaville paddle excels in its lively graphics and playing performance. Despite its heavier build, I appreciated how the paddle maintained good finesse and feel for spins and delicate shots. Powerful smashes were equally enjoyable, providing a satisfying pop and grip on the ball. Controlling volleys at the net was easy, thanks to the flexible graphite face that absorbs pace.
This paddle is easy to grab and start playing with, offering a consistent performance. I suggest it for intermediate players who like powerful shots and want to enhance their net game with drop shots, dinks, and quick reaction volleys. It appears durable for regular, competitive play and should deliver reliable performance for years. I wish I had a margarita in my other hand while listening to some Bob Marley!
Pros & Cons
- Graphite face allows for power and finesse shots
- Polymer honeycomb core dampens vibrations
- Effective weight distribution prevents torqueing
- Midweight build with good control and pop
- Ergonomic foam handle maximizes comfort
- N.A
Who Is It Best Suited For?
This paddle is perfect for players with an intermediate to advanced skill level, particularly those with a strong and powerful swing. It is a great choice for individuals who like a bit of extra weight in their shots to increase pace and depth without compromising touch and control. Moreover, it performs admirably for players engaged in doubles matches.
Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle
The Radical series paddles represent HEAD’s commitment to advanced gear equipped with cutting-edge technologies for competitive athletes. The Head Radical Elite pickleball paddle brings a competitive and aggressive playing style to mid-level players with its fiberglass face and optimized core construction. Let’s check out its specifications:
- Materials: Polypropylene + Fiberglass
- Thickness: 13.0 mm / 1/2 in
- Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz
- Length: 408 mm / 16 in
- Width: 199 mm / 7 7/8 in
- Grip Size: 107 mm / 4 1/4 in
Fiberglass Hitting Surface
The Radical Elite employs a specially developed Fiberglass hitting surface designed by HEAD for their pickleball range. The fiberglass material provides several advantages, including high durability and water & heat resistance. It is also lightweight, allowing for quick reactions during volleys, blocks, and counter smash redirects at the net.
Despite its lightweight build, the Head Radical Elite pickleball paddle provides excellent touch and control for spins, touch shots, and smooth volley drops near the net. This shows the quality of the fiberglass surface specially formulated for delivering a responsive feel across all types of pickleball strokes.
Polypropylene Honeycomb Core
Within the paddle, the established HEAD OTC (Optimized Tubular Core) technology comes into play. This innovative construction creates a robust honeycomb structure using a polypropylene plastic resin. The OTC design maximizes durability and improves shot consistency across the paddle face.
Even if the ball hits slightly off-center, you’ll hardly feel any vibration or loss of control. The core provides impressive stability on each groundstroke, volley, and serve. You can confidently switch to an all-out attacking mode without concerns about the paddle twisting or compromising on control.
New Ergo Grip & Radical Styling
The Radical Elite features HEAD’s newest ergonomic Comfort Grip design. The quality grip material nicely absorbs vibrations which significantly reduces arm and shoulder fatigue even in prolonged matches. The ribbed contour molds comfortably around your hand for a superior feel and hold.
This paddle has a stylish green and black Radical color theme that looks visually appealing and complements the black fiberglass face nicely. It stands out with its signature dynamic diamond shape, providing a larger sweet spot for more aggressive shots.
Impressions
This is one of my favorite HEAD pickleball paddles because it plays really well and looks great. It provides a good balance of power and stability, allowing me to easily execute spin shots and quick reaction volleys with precision. The smashes are powerful and have a strong impact. When facing topspin drives, I can effectively counter and block with the responsive fiberglass face, controlling the pace effectively.
The moderate-sized grip and 8.1-ounce weight felt well-balanced during play. My serves and groundstrokes consistently had a good reach and landed where I wanted them to. If you enjoy playing doubles, this paddle would be an excellent choice. Overall, it’s a high-quality product that meets HEAD’s premium standards. The special feel and performance of the fiberglass face are worth trying out.
Pros & Cons
- Durable and lightweight fiberglass face
- Polypropylene honeycomb core boosts stability
- Signature diamond shape enlarges sweet spot
- Improved comfort grip dampens vibrations
- Trendy cosmetic styling
- Its heavyweight design may not be suitable for all playing styles.
- Fiberglass surface lacks texture for spins
Who Is It Best Suited For?
Intermediate players looking to enhance their game with more power and spin can greatly benefit from using this paddle. The expanded sweet spot enables powerful drives and smashes. Moreover, the fiberglass face enhances touch for executing spinning drops and quick reaction volleys.
Head Extreme Tour Lite Pickleball Paddle
If you prioritize control, finesse, and touch over sheer power in your game, the Head Extreme Tour Lite pickleball paddle is an ideal choice. Its graphite carbon face and precision handling suit these playing preferences well. The specifications of the Head Extreme Tour Lite Pickleball Paddle are given below:
- Materials: Polypropylene + Carbon Graphite
- Thickness: 11.0 mm / 7/16 in
- Weight: 205 g / 7.2 oz
- Length: 408 mm / 16 in
- Width: 198 mm / 7 7/8 in
- Grip Size: 105 mm / 4 1/8 in, 98 mm / 3 7/8 in
Let’s analyze its playing characteristics:
Maneuverable Control-Oriented Design
The Extreme Tour Lite, as the name implies, is the lightest racket in the Extreme series, weighing only 7.2 ounces. Its head-light balance, along with the thin honeycomb core, provides exceptional maneuverability and quickness. You can really feel the lightweight responsive nature on rapid volley exchanges at the net and fast reaction countersmash redirects.
Even though the paddle is incredibly lightweight, it still delivers considerable power on groundstrokes and serves, thanks to its sturdy Graphite Carbon face. This means you will get the benefits of easy and quick maneuverability, combined with a strong pop for aggressive strokes.
Graphite Carbon Hitting Surface
The paddle features HEAD’s high-quality graphite carbon face, which significantly enhances touch and control. The graphite carbon is both stiff and rigid, adding an extra bite to smashes. Simultaneously, it imparts a gentle cushioning effect to the ball, enabling an enhanced sense of touch and finesse when executing spinning drop shots, blocks, and dinks near the net.
The Head Extreme Tour Lite Pickleball Paddle truly stands out in terms of control and touch in the game. The graphite face absorbs speed and effortlessly adds significant topspin. Even during fast-paced volleys, the paddle effortlessly executes reflex blocks by effectively redirecting both speed and spin.
Advanced Foam Core & Spin Technology
To boost power without increasing weight, the Extreme Tour Lite utilizes a strategically engineered foam core. The aerated foam padding significantly increases both pop and stability. The serves come off the paddle’s face with precise penetration. The foam shifts weight towards the rim to maximize power and enlarge the sweet spot.
HEAD also added a specialized SpinOn lacquer coating to the paddle face, creating a significant friction that leads to an impressive potential for generating intense spin. Now, you can finish points more quickly with aggressive topspins and sharp slice serves. The paddle significantly enhances all aspects of control-focused play.
Impressions
This is definitely one of my favorite HEAD paddles if you enjoy playing a game focused on control and finesse. The paddle exceeded my expectations by striking a perfect balance between power and a responsive touch. The smooth graphite face provided a comfortable cushion for the ball’s speed. This allowed me to engage in extended rallies using a variety of strokes—topspins, drops, blocks, quick reaction volleys, and more!
The paddle smoothly maneuvers through the ball, efficiently cradling it to position shots accurately. Serves are delivered with accuracy from the paddle, and volleys are directed wherever you prefer. The paddle ensures you to stay in control, regardless of your opponent’s pace or spin. The foam core and graphite construction together significantly improve how the paddle plays and adds finesse, reaching cutting-edge levels.
I highly recommend the Extreme Tour Lite for singles players who depend on consistency, control, and touch to win tournaments. It requires some skill to handle effectively and will significantly enhance technically sound play.
Pros & Cons
- Premium graphite carbon face for maximum touch
- Strategic foam padding amplifies power
- Head-light design ensures quick ball contact
- The SpinOn coating produces substantial topspin.
- It features a comfortable grip with excellent ergonomics.
- N.A
Who Is It Best Suited For?
Singles players seeking maximum control, precision, finesse, and touch would greatly benefit from this paddle. Its quick handling also suits doubles players well for fast exchanges at the net.
Guidelines for Maintaining the Head Pickleball Paddle
Here are some tips for properly taking care of Head pickleball paddles to make them last longer and maintain optimal playing performance:
Regular Cleaning
- Wipe down your paddle face, edge guard, and grip after playing using a damp cloth to remove dirt, salt, and sweat buildup. This prevents surface deterioration.
- Clean your paddle thoroughly once a month using a paddle cleaner solution and a soft towel. Don’t use harsh chemicals.
- For stubborn stains, try gently rubbing with baking soda paste or a melamine foam pad. Rinse afterwards.
Proper Storage
- Keep the paddle covered in its case when not in use to avoid nicks, dents, and sunlight damage.
- Do not store Head pickleball paddles in extremely cold or hot conditions, such as garages or cars, as temperature extremes can deform their shape.
- Store the paddles either upright with the grip down or lay them flat horizontally. Avoid placing paddles on the rim or leaning them against walls, as the weight can bend the rim over time and potentially damage the frame.
Usage Care
- Avoid using paddles on extremely rough or abrasive playing surfaces, such as old concrete or newly resurfaced courts with loose grit. Opt for smoother courts instead.
- Avoid allowing the paddle to regularly hit or scrape against fences or the ground, as this can chip the edges and damage the materials.
- Maintain proper string tension on sports courts. Loose nets that need frequent pounding can harm the paddle faces and materials.
- If your paddle grips become excessively slippery, sticky, or significantly worn out, replace them for better performance.
- Replace paddles once the surface becomes heavily marked or indented. Worn-out equipment compromises both safety and playability.
By following these basic guidelines, you can properly care for your HEAD paddles. Additionally, perform routine checks for any concerning nicks, chips, or blemishes that may require immediate repairs. This ensures that you maintain optimal paddle health and playing characteristics for a longer period.
FAQs
Head employs high-quality materials such as polymer composites, fiberglass, graphite carbon, and polypropylene in their paddles. The hitting surface is typically made of composite polymer, fiberglass, or graphite carbon, providing a good balance of touch and power. The internal cores use honeycomb polypropylene or polymer to absorb vibrations and enhance stability.
Generally, Head paddles are quite durable for regular recreational play. However, some paddles have exhibited chipping or denting issues after months of aggressive competitive matches, especially on rough surfaces. It is recommended to avoid playing on concrete or newly resurfaced courts. Moreover, it’s a good idea to replace paddles when the surface shows significant wear and tear.
Absolutely! Several Head paddles, such as the Extreme Pro, Margaritaville, and Elite Radical, work very well for beginners and intermediate players. These paddles allow players to smoothly develop consistent strokes with ample power and control as their game progresses.
The Graphite Carbon hitting surface in Head pickleball paddles like the Extreme Tour Lite provides an unmatched touch and finesse for control-focused play. It effectively cushions shots, allowing for great maneuverability and finesse. Paddles that have foam cores also help to improve control.
Several Head paddles utilize special Polymer or Polypropylene honeycomb core technologies. These incorporate hollow tubular cavities that help to minimize weight while boosting vibration dampening for improved comfort and stability.
Conclusion
Overall, as explored in this article titled “Head Pickleball Paddles Reviews”, Head offers a strong lineup of quality pickleball paddles utilizing advanced technologies from their tennis gear range. Whether you want more stability, power, control, spin, or comfort, Head has paddles that are suitable for players at different skill levels and with various playing styles.
In this article, we have discussed in detail about 4 models of Head Pickleball Paddle(Extreme Pro, Margaritaville(Island Life), Radical Elite, and Extreme Tour Lite) that you can buy if you are looking for a Head Pickleball Paddle. We hope after reading this article, you will definitely buy any one model of this paddle and use it for improving your pickleball playing skills. Remember to clean the paddle regularly and protect it from extreme heat or cold to ensure added safety and durability.
