Details
Keep your opponent on pins and needles with this elongated, poly-core graphite paddle from Gamma.
Middleweight/Small Grip
Middleweight/Small Grip
GAMMA Needle Graphite Pickleball Paddle
The Needle Graphite Pickleball Paddle proves that you don’t have to reduce a paddle’s sweet spot to enjoy excellent reach. At a lengthy 16-5/8” long, you’ll be able to go after any shot without hurting your positioning or power. The hardy graphite face causes balls to fly back off the surface with minimal effort required, while the balance has been carefully tuned to allow for impressive control without becoming top-heavy.The Needle Graphite Pickleball Paddle is 7-1/8” wide, making it slim enough to maneuver with ease while providing a solid amount of surface area to defend against power players. The Sensa Poly Core dampens vibration so you can hold the paddle steady and ensure precise placement. The Needle’s average weight is 7.6 oz, making it quick at the net with plenty of pop. The tacky grip has a small circumference which can be built up if desired.
The Needle Graphite Pickleball Paddle will allow you to slip winning shots right between your opponent’s defenses and take a "stab" at the competition.
Actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8".
Reviews of the Gamma Needle Pickleball Paddle by Pickleball Central Staff:
"I have been playing with the GAMMA Needle for several months, having received a pre-production prototype model to try prior to this new paddle’s release. Ever since I tried the Needle it has become my favorite go-to paddle. It has everything I want in a paddle – good touch and control, power and balance. Plus the extra length of the Needle’s elongated shape give me noticeably more reach; I can make shots that would be mishits with my previous paddle. The slightly textured surface helps me add spin to shots. It’s good looks are an added bonus. I also like the size of the handle, shape of the grip and feel of the grip material. It is extremely comfortable in my hand and feels like just the right length to complement the paddle’s face size.
I am a 4.0 player who came to pickleball from tennis. I like the power game and hitting the ball hard, but as my game has improved I need a paddle that is responsive and more nuanced for the soft game. My prior paddle was a more traditionally shaped 8+ oz. paddle. It served me well, I thought, until I tried the Needle. At 7.6 oz. the Needle still gives me enough power, but is light enough to make quick transitions at the net. I feared that a longer paddle would be top heavy (like some early blade style market entrants were), but the Needle is extremely well balanced. With the Needle I feel just as confident at the net dinking, blocking and reacting quickly to sudden attacks as I do at the baseline hitting power shots and serving. The Needle is the perfect blend of power, touch and control, helping me improve all aspects of my game."
Karen, Marketing (4.0 Player)
"As a teaching pro who runs a pro-shop with over 100 models of paddles, I play with every model. I really enjoyed my demo experience with the new Gamma Needle. It is a light in weight paddle that has a solid sweet spot - a surprisingly large sweet spot for a blade style paddle. The sweet spot is biased a bit higher up on the face, giving great consistent performance on the upper 75% of the face area. Players who are looking for extended reach and players transitioning from tennis will appreciate this sweet spot shape. I find that I can really generate a lot of power on my serve (especially when I connect high on the paddle face), and I served some mean aces with it. Since it is a carbon fiber graphite paddle, it is soft enough that I feel like I can block well with it, but still put the ball away when needed. This paddle is unique. It has a unique shape (a positive), a unique playability (both power & touch), a unique looking grip (stylish), and a unique feel (where you get a comfortable feel for the ball.) I'll defintely be recommending this paddle to players looking to try out a blade shaped paddle."
Peter, Head Pro / IPTPA Certified Teaching Professional (5.0 Player)
"I am a player who enjoys a longer paddle. My hands aren’t huge and I put a finger up on the paddle face, so the additional length helps to make up for me being short on one end. The shape of the Needle is fantastic. A little wider than some other elongated blade style models which means a little bigger sweet spot and fewer edge guard mis-hits. The real difference maker with this paddle is the graphite face. It provides me the control I need. Especially when playing with a performance ball (like the Dura). I don’t need the extra pop off the face, I need to know the ball is going to go where I aim – a novel concept, and this paddle meets this requirement. This is my favorite GAMMA paddle, and if you are looking for the extra reach of an elongated paddle without sacrificing control or touch, it’ll be your favorite, too!"
John, Sales (3.5 Player)
"Let me start by saying that in the past I have had a challenge using the blade and elongated shape paddles. These style of paddles always made me feel like I was compromised at the kitchen line when blocking fast volleys, and they didn't give me confidence on mis-hits. Well the Needle has changed my mind. First off, this paddle plays like a traditional graphite/carbon-fiber paddle in that it has an enormous and consistent sweet spot, without having a "hot spot" that gives you inconsistent ball response at the center of the sweet spot. As someone who prefers graphite faced paddles, this made the paddle instantly feel comfortable during dinks, soft volleys, and blocks. The sweet spot extends very wide on this paddle. Mis-hits didn't feel like mis-hits when I barely got a paddle on a ball. Secondly, it doesn't feel top heavy like a lot of blade paddles. The balance is very neutral, and with its very light weight (around 7.6 ounces on my demo model), I found the paddle very easy to quickly move around in rapid volleys at the NVZ. The length definitely gave me reach to some balls I wouldn't have gotten to otherwise. When I did a demo on the Gamma Razor (Gamma's traditional shape graphite paddle which shares the same core and face material as this Needle), I loved the way it felt, and it became of one my favorite graphite models. The Needle seems to play similar in feel, but with the extended reach. Great paddle!
I tested the paddle with both the DURA and ONIX Pure balls. I was confident in my serves, deep baseline returns, volleys, and dinks. Regardless of the paddle, I sometimes struggle with the consistency of my third shot drop (don't we all?), but I found the consistent sweet spot on this paddle made me confident to keep trying to place them into the kitchen. This Needle plays so good, it is making be consider switching from a traditional shape graphite to a blade shape design. Well done, Gamma!"
Edward, Product Marketing (3.5 Player)
Specifications
Needle Graphite Pickleball Paddle Technical Specifications (RGNPP-10)
Weight Average: 7.6 ounces
Weight Range: 7.5-7.8 ounces
Grip Circumference: 4 1/8” (Small) Actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8".
Grip Style: Cushion, perforated, ribbed
Grip Manufacturer: Gamma Honeycomb
Grip Length: 4 1/4"
Paddle Length: 16 5/8”
Paddle Width: 7 1/8"
Paddle Face Finish: Graphite
Core Material: Sensa Poly Core
Manufacturer: GAMMA
Made in the USA
Weight Average: 7.6 ounces
Weight Range: 7.5-7.8 ounces
Grip Circumference: 4 1/8” (Small) Actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8".
Grip Style: Cushion, perforated, ribbed
Grip Manufacturer: Gamma Honeycomb
Grip Length: 4 1/4"
Paddle Length: 16 5/8”
Paddle Width: 7 1/8"
Paddle Face Finish: Graphite
Core Material: Sensa Poly Core
Manufacturer: GAMMA
Made in the USA
