Pickleball Paddle Having Improved Impact Response

A pickleball paddle, comprising:

• a ball striking portion defining a head;
• a first planar face on a first side of the head;
• a second planar face on a second side of the head opposite the first side;
• a core material residing between the first planar face and the second planar face;
• and
• a handle;
• and wherein:
• the first planar face has a control response and a power response;
• the second planer face also has a control response and a power response;
• the control response of the first face is greater than the control response of the second face, while the power response of the first face is less than the power response of the second face.

A pickleball paddle, comprising:

• a ball striking portion defining a head;
• a first planar face on a first side of the head;
• a second planar face on a second side of the head opposite the first side;
• a core material residing between the first planar face and the second planar face;
• a handle;
• and
• a frame arranged to provide stability to the paddle, the frame comprising a hoop portion that at least partially circumscribes the head, a transition portion between the ball striking portion and the handle, and at least one frame member extending into the handle portion;
• and wherein:
• the first planar face has a control response and a power response;
• the second planer face also has a control response and a power response;
• and
• the paddle has a beam flex index using a diagnostic racquet tool of between 25 and 50, inclusive.