Did you know that, according to the American Association of Pickleball Professionals (which a brief Google search confirmed is a real thing), nearly 50 million adult Americans played pickleball last year? Apparently, it’s also true that one-third of golfers play pickleball and approximately 38 percent of them have suffered some sort of catastrophic ligament injury on the court.
(OK, I made up that injury part but it feels like something that might be true.)
Given the growing intersection between golf and pickleball, it seemed inevitable that a golf equipment company would eventually enter the pickleball category. And so here we are with PXG set to release the XP1 and XP2 paddles.
A reluctant observer’s perspective
Full disclosure: I don’t play pickleball. It’s not that I have anything against the “sport” which an e-trade commercial accurately described as “basically tennis for babies, but for adults,” but I have grown particularly accustomed to my ACL and Achilles tendons being in one continuous piece so I’d rather not spend a portion of my limited golf season wearing a support boot.
That said, it’s not lost on me that pickleball is experiencing rapid growth and no small part of that comes from what can generally be labeled as the golf demographic.
Paddle sports have infiltrated the annual PGA Show and country clubs ranging from elite to entirely mid are converting a portion of their tennis courts to pickleball.
And why not?
Part of golf’s allure is a tranquil walk through nature and I can’t think of any better way to complement that than with the rhythmic hollow pops of the paddle hitting the ball like someone relentlessly slapping a flip-flop against a yoga mat—the accompanying grunting a not insignificant upgrade over the incessant whack-fucks of the Malbon-clad golf bros with the 9:07 tee time.
My point? Golf and pickleball are, it seems, hopelessly intertwined.
PXG’s paddle play
With that, it was only a matter of time before a golf brand started making pickleball equipment and if you’re going to make a pickleball paddle, why not make two?
Borrowing from its golf equipment lineup, PXG has released XP1 and XP2 paddles. “As pickleball rapidly becomes the alternative go-to sport, we saw the opportunity to bring PXG’s engineering expertise to the court,” said PXG’s Chief Product Officer Brad Schweigert.
The provided info reads like it’s straight out of a golf R&D presentation. The XP1 paddle offers a standard paddle shape (which I assume means it’s paddle-shaped). It provides a larger sweet spot, making it ideal for players of all skill levels seeking … wait for it: control, forgiveness and consistency.
Translated: it’s kinda like the high-MOI/enhanced forgiveness one.
The XP2 is your better/pro-level player option. It features a more elongated design that shifts the sweet spot towards the top of the paddle. Apparently, that provides greater reach along with more power and ball speed.
Not surprisingly, PXG sent me the XP1. In exchange, I’ll send them any related medical bills that arise from actually using it.
Engineering excellence, paddle edition
As is common with PXG golf clubs, the new XP1 and XP2 pickleball paddles share some common design elements.
Both models feature a polypropylene honeycomb core designed to optimize energy transfer while also managing to dampen vibrations. The hitting area is constructed from a 3K woven carbon fiber that’s lightweight and strong.
According to PXG, the material “enhances paddle rigidity while maintaining maneuverability, resulting in superior energy return and shot acceleration. A precision textured finish enhances grip on the ball to increase spin and directional control.”
If all that engineering jargon doesn’t convince you that the overlap between golf and pickleball extends beyond the audience, I should also add that both paddles feature a streamlined aerodynamic profile that not only reduces drag but also helps to reduce interference on perimeter strikes, which I assume would be a common occurrence for me.
The dawn of a new equipment era?
PXG’s entry into pickleball represents what is likely just the first wave of traditional golf brands expanding into this rapidly growing sport. The parallels between the two industries are undeniable – both feature premium equipment, precision engineering and a demographic that appreciates (and can afford) high-performance gear.
As an aside, I would have guessed that pickleball paddles cost somewhere between $35 and $50. Yeah, nah. Get your credit card ready.
Don’t be surprised when other major golf manufacturers follow suit. The business case is too compelling to ignore: capture additional revenue from your existing customer base while they’re not on the golf course. Callaway, TaylorMade, even Titleist could easily leverage their material science expertise and brand equity to create premium pickleball equipment.
The question isn’t whether more golf brands will enter the pickleball market but rather which one will be next – and how long before we see a “Tour-level” paddle being wielded by a sponsored professional at the next major pickleball championship.
While I may personally remain committed to keeping my tendons intact by staying off the pickleball court, it seems the inevitable convergence of these two sports is only accelerating. Perhaps soon we’ll see hybrid facilities offering both activities, complete with pro shops carrying the latest in both golf and pickleball technology.
For better or worse, the hollow pop of pickleball is becoming as familiar at country clubs as the sweet ping of a well-struck iron. And now, thanks to PXG, you can bring the same brand loyalty from tee to court.
For more information or to order your XP1 or XP2 pickleball paddle, visit PXG.com.
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