I’ve played with a lot of pickleball paddles.
At this point, I’ve probably tested enough paddles that I’m less interested in whether something is simply “good” and more interested in what makes a paddle actually different.
Owl has stood out to me for one particular reason:
Spin.
And I’m not talking about a paddle that produces good spin on a launch monitor or in a marketing video. I’m talking about the kind of spin where you pick up the paddle and immediately start noticing what the ball is doing.
You can see the current Owl paddle lineup here, or keep reading for my personal take on them.
Owl Paddles Have Serious Spin
The first thing I noticed with Owl was how much spin I could generate.
My backhand flicks in particular seem to be better with an Owl than with just about anything else I’ve used.
There’s something about the combination of the surface and the way the paddle interacts with the ball that makes it incredibly easy to create spin.
I suspect the texture is only part of the story.
Owl paddles also have a softer feel, which seems to give the ball a little more dwell time on the paddle face. Instead of the ball immediately bouncing off a hard surface, there’s a sensation that the face grabs the ball for just a little longer.
Whether that’s exactly what’s happening mechanically is something I’d leave to the engineers, but on court the result is pretty obvious:
You can really spin the hell out of the ball.
And there’s something else I’ve noticed that I find particularly interesting.
The spin doesn’t seem to disappear as quickly as I expected.
In fact, Owl paddles seem to get better at generating spin over time.
That’s the opposite of what many players have experienced with textured paddle faces, where the surface gradually wears down and spin performance drops.
The Power Is There Without Feeling Too Poppy
The other thing I really like about Owl is the balance between power and control.
It’s not a dead-feeling control paddle.
There is plenty of power there when you want it.
But it doesn’t have that overly lively feeling where you’re constantly thinking about taking a little pace off your hands.
This is particularly noticeable when you’re playing the soft game.
I don’t feel like I have to concentrate nearly as much on keeping my dinks from popping up.
That matters.
A paddle can have incredible power, but if every soft shot wants to jump off the face, you end up having to fight the paddle.
With Owl, I find myself able to put the ball where I want it without feeling like I’m constantly trying to tame the paddle.
And then when I want to accelerate the ball, there’s enough power there to do it.
That’s a combination I really like.
I’m Not the Only One Saying This
One of the most interesting things about Owl for me has actually been seeing other local players use them.
I’ve referred Owl paddles to players in my area, and the reactions have been remarkably consistent.
One guy basically lives on backspin and slice. Almost every shot he hits has some kind of cut on it. I always joke he he’s not capable of hitting without it!
After switching to Owl, he told me he was getting more spin than he’d ever gotten from a paddle before.
Another player told me he never wants to use another paddle again.
And the thing he specifically mentioned?
The topspin.
He said it was the best he’d ever gotten.
Obviously, that’s anecdotal. I’m not going to pretend that two players prove Owl is objectively the highest-spinning paddle on the market.
But when my own experience lines up with what I’m hearing from players who are actually using these paddles in games, I pay attention.
The Paddle I Keep Coming Back To
This is probably the biggest compliment I can give Owl.
I’ve played a lot of paddles.
Some are more powerful.
Some have different shapes.
Some are better suited to particular styles of play.
Some have characteristics that I really enjoy.
But when I specifically want to generate spin, especially on my backhand flicks, I keep coming back to Owl.
There’s something about the way the paddle grabs the ball that just works for me.
And I think that’s ultimately what makes a paddle worth talking about.
Not whether the marketing department has come up with another impressive-sounding technology.
Not whether the paddle has the newest buzzword attached to it.
But whether you pick it up and think:
“Oh. I can do things with this.”
That’s how I feel about Owl.
Who I’d Recommend Owl To
If you’re a player who relies heavily on spin, Owl is a paddle I’d absolutely put on your list to try.
Especially if you like:
- Heavy topspin
- Backhand flicks
- Slice and backspin
- A softer, controlled feel
- Power without an overly poppy response
- A paddle that can help you create spin without feeling like you have to work ridiculously hard for it
I don’t think Owl is automatically the perfect paddle for everyone.
No paddle is.
But if spin is a major part of your game, I think it’s one of the more interesting options I’ve played.
And based on what I’ve seen from players around me, I’m definitely not the only one who thinks so.
Owl might not be the paddle for everyone. But if you want to put some serious spin on a pickleball, it’s one you might want to try.
If you decide you want to try one, feel free to use my discount code JOEL53415 at http://OwlPaddle.com for 15% off + get free shipping.
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