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- UPSET FRENZY, Comparing 5 Ball Machines, & Prolite Stealth GS1
UPSET FRENZY, Comparing 5 Ball Machines, & Prolite Stealth GS1
Welcome to Your Pickleball Journey!
Keagan Forst-Jerden & Justin Ancona
March 18, 2024
NEWS
PRO PRESS
PPA Winners of Veolia Desert!
This was probably one of the most unique, “upsetting” and diverse tournaments we’ve had yet! For the people who root for the underdogs to win, YOU GOT IT!
Today, 3/18/24 is Ben Johns’ Birthday! He didn’t take the triple crown home, but at least he went home with a Singles win against Staksrud. People are wondering… when will Ben get back in his groove? Will he?
Judit killed it for her FIRST EVER PPA GOLD! Especially with a soft paddle, that is some true skill to be ripping passing shots like she does! She is on fire! This is the first time Anna Leigh Waters hasn’t won a single gold title in 37 tournaments….
The Anna’s go against each other….. and Anna Bright came out on top with Rohrabacher!!! Anna Leigh & Catherine lost for the FIRST TIME EVER TOGETHER against these 2! Is this the next golden duo?
Matt Wright has won 2 gold medals since Riley Newman “broke up” with him while Riley has won none… Is that saying something? We can’t say, but Andrei Daescu on the other hand has gone undefeated with 2 titles as a SUB… Everyone is speechless on Daescu’s performance this year.
Daescu has officially demolished the PPA tour as an APP player. Not only is he winning as a substitute, but he’s winning with almost anybody he plays with. What is his mindset when he switches partners? What does he do differently that others aren’t? James Ignatowich is out this tournament, and Daescu is winning gold with James’ girlfriend. This is genuinely one of the most table turning tournaments we have seen yet and we know there’s more to come!
PADDLES
WHAT’S NEW
Paddle Stats Spreadsheet - HERE for discounts, and stats!
Give PBJourney a try for 10% off!
Prolite Stealth GS1
The Prolite Stealth GS1 is a standard shaped paddle. Prolite has actually been around for almost 20+ years making paddles!
Our RPM test came out to - 1932
1932 is good for a standard shape paddle! Usually with the leverage of an elongated paddle it helps with spin, but this paddle doesn’t need much help!
Here is the description on their site!
“ Fly under the radar with the unrivaled control and power of Prolite's precision-engineered GS Technology.
The Stealth GS1 pickleball paddle is constructed with a gritty Toray T700 Raw Carbon Fiber to maximize and enhance game-changing backspin and topspin shots. The oversize-shaped paddle is designed with an 8" width, increasing the size of its sweet spot to help you deliver powerful shots on the court. The 14mm Power PolyCore delivers an incredible and unrivaled level of stability and strength. Finally, our diamond grip is wrapped around the paddle's extended handle, so you can play your best nearly without so much as a drop of sweat.
Paddle Specs
14 mm Power PolyCore
Toray T700 Raw Carbon Fiber
Length: 16″
Width: 8″
Handle Length: 5"
No Sweat Diamond Grip
Grip Circumference: 4 1/8″
Weight: 7.9-8.4 oz.
Aero Channel Edge
Manufactured in the USA
USA Pickleball Approved”
This is over $9,000 worth of ball machines we tested!!!!
Machine #1 - Slinger Bag
The Slinger Bag is great for portability, and lightweight compared to others. Large pockets for paddles, shoes, and plenty of other things.
4 main controls - Speed, Spin, Feed Rate, and Height Adjuster.
Speed - 10-45 MPH
Spin - Top Spin/Back Spin
Feed Rate - Between 2-7 seconds
Height of Feed - It has a manual adjuster for the height of the feed.
The slinger comes with a remote control, a ball tube, and an oscillator. Most ball machines come with a built in oscillator. A con to mention, is that the controls are right in front, where the balls shoot out. Just be cautious.
The Slinger is simple, easy, portable, and relatively cheap for $849.99 when you use
Code: PickleballJourney for free shipping ($50 value)
Machine #2 - Simon X
This machine is a military grade ball machine made with stainless steel and aluminum. It makes it quite heavy and one of the bigger ones available. It is still semi easy to wheel around, but the weight of 65lbs makes it a tad of a challenge to get in and out of the car.
The control panel is very easy to change.
Speed - Up to 70mph which is the fastest of all ball machines!
Has a small feature that conceals the direction of the ball! It even has a small ramp/launch angle adjuster to apply a lob shot which is unique in comparison!
Holds a battery for up to 12 hours!
$2,695 for this military grade ball machine with our Code: PBJourney50 is still the highest priced one available, but $50 off! AND - The wheels have a lifetime warranty. The parts have a 5 year warranty, in which is leading the game again for the ball machine market!
Machine #3 - The Erne
This is probably the most popular ball machine on the market! Bold claims of the BEST! Is that true?
The Erne is a clean looking machine, and in our opinion, it is the easiest to transport! One of the lightest at about 50lbs!
The Erne comes with a phone app, that you can use to control the ball machine! It is very easy to use, and pair within seconds. A few of the features are:
8 different Modes.
Ball Movement.
Feed Frequency, Speed, and Spin!
The program mode lets you select where you want the ball to go, using a “map” of the court on your phone!
The price is $1,899, using code: PBJ100 you will get $100 off!
They have multiple colors available!
Watch the rest of our thoughts on the TOP 5 PICKLEBALL MACHINES here!
Subscribe to Pickleball Journey!
DISCOUNTS
WAYS TO SAVE
CRBN 10% Off: PBJourney10
Is there a tiny voice in the back of your head saying “PROTECT YOUR EYES” every time you play pickleball?
Well, CRBN is here to save you money, and your eyesight! These glasses have SO many options, styles, and ways to wear them! Is your budget an obstacle? The SHOP APP will allow you to do payments! These have a 1 YEAR WARRANTY! With our code, the price will come out to about $85, in comparison to other brands of $100-$300! Save your eyesight, and your wallet from hospital bills!
JustPaddles + Pickleball Journey Discount
Do you want a drilling partner who doesn’t talk smack? Here’s the SpinShot with $50 off!!!
RECOVERY
STRETCHES/EXERCISES
“Functional Mobility for Pickleball Athletes
Functional mobility is crucial for pickleball athletes, as it allows them to move efficiently and effectively on the court. Focusing on pickleball stretching exercises can help improve your functional mobility, ultimately enhancing your performance in this fast-paced sport.
Dynamic Stretching Exercises
Based on extensive research and user feedback, we suggest incorporating dynamic stretching exercises into your warm-up routine. These exercises
increase blood flow
improve flexibility
prepare your muscles for the game
And more
Some highly recommended dynamic stretches for pickleball players include:
Leg swings
Arm circles
Hip circles
High knees
Butt kicks
Static Stretching Exercises
After your game or practice session, focus on static stretching exercises to help your muscles recover and maintain flexibility. These stretches, held for 15-30 seconds, target specific muscle groups and can prevent injuries. A few key static stretches for pickleball players are:
Hamstring stretch
Quad stretch
Calf stretch
Shoulder stretch
Triceps stretch”
Thanks to Pickleball Wiki for all this information and these routines! Read more here!
Thanks for reading. Share with your pickle people and we can grow more for big giveaways, exclusive deals, and offers! See you next week!
- The Pickleball Journey Team