Honestly, the first time you pick up a Pro Kennex Black Ace Pro, it feels wrong. It’s too thin. In an era where pickleball paddles are getting chunkier—14mm, 16mm, even 20mm cores are everywhere—this thing sits at a razor-thin 11mm.
It feels like you’re holding a weapon from a different decade.
But that’s the point. Pro Kennex isn't trying to follow the "foam-core" crowd. While everyone else is busy trying to make paddles feel like soft pillows, the Black Ace Pro is essentially a graphite-wrapped speed machine designed for people who want to feel the ball, not just "launch" it.
The Elephant in the Room: The 2025/2026 USAP Delisting
Let’s clear this up immediately because it’s the biggest hurdle for anyone looking to buy this paddle right now. On December 28, 2024, USA Pickleball (USAP) dropped a bombshell and delisted the original 11mm Black Ace series from tournament play, effective July 1, 2025.
Why? Because of the new PBCoR standards (the test that checks how much a paddle "trampolines").
Pro Kennex fought back. They argued their power comes from aerodynamics and engineering, not a spring-loaded face. By June 2025, the Black Ace LG (Long Grip) was actually reinstated after passing new tests. However, for the standard Black Ace Pro, the situation stayed messy. If you are a high-level tournament grinder, you need to check the current USAP Approved list daily. But if you're a recreational or club player?
None of that matters. You just want to know if it's going to save your elbow.
✨ Don't miss: Kurt Warner Height: What Most People Get Wrong About the QB Legend
Why Your Elbow Will Thank You
If you’ve spent any time on a court in the last five years, you’ve met someone with "Pickleball Elbow." It’s basically the same tendonitis tennis players have suffered from for a century.
Pro Kennex has a secret weapon called Kinetic Technology.
Imagine a bunch of tiny tungsten micro-beads hidden in capsules inside the frame and handle. When you swing, those beads move. When the ball hits the face, those beads absorb the shock. Instead of that vibration traveling straight up your forearm and into your joint, the beads "catch" the energy.
It works. Honestly, it’s not just marketing. People with chronic pain often switch to Pro Kennex because it’s one of the few brands that actually prioritizes medical science over flashy graphics.
The Raw Performance: Speed Over Forgiveness
This is a Toray Carbon Fiber paddle. It's fast.
Because it’s so thin (11mm) and has an edgeless design, there is almost zero wind resistance. You’ll win hand battles at the kitchen simply because your paddle moves three inches faster than the guy swinging a thick, blocky "control" paddle.
🔗 Read more: Juan Carlos Gabriel de Anda: Why the Controversial Sportscaster Still Matters
- Weight: 7.9 - 8.0 oz (Standard Midweight)
- Core: 11mm Polypropylene Honeycomb
- Face: Single-piece textured Toray Carbon
- Shape: 15.8" x 7.6" (Classic)
But here’s the catch. The sweet spot isn't huge.
If you hit the ball dead center, it’s a rocket. If you hit it near the edge? It’s a dud. This isn't a "forgiving" paddle. It doesn't help you if your footwork is lazy. You have to be a precise hitter to unlock what this paddle can actually do.
Pro vs. LG: Which One?
Most people get confused between the Black Ace Pro and the Black Ace LG.
Basically, the LG has a 5.8-inch handle. That’s massive. It’s designed for tennis converts who use a two-handed backhand. The standard Black Ace Pro has a 5.3-inch handle, which is plenty for most, and it keeps the paddle feeling more balanced.
The LG moves the "sweet spot" further away from your hand. This gives you more leverage (power) but makes it harder to control your dinks. If you’re a singles player, the LG is a beast. If you play 90% doubles, stick with the Pro.
The "Loud" Factor
We have to talk about the sound.
💡 You might also like: Ja Morant Height: Why the NBA Star Looks Bigger Than He Actually Is
The Black Ace Pro is loud. It doesn't have that deep, muffled "thud" of a Selkirk or a JOOLA. It has a sharp, metallic pop. In some sound-sensitive communities, this might actually get you some dirty looks. It’s the price you pay for that "aluminum bat" feel.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of reviewers say this is a "pure power" paddle. I disagree.
I think it’s a reset paddle for experts. Because the paddle is so thin, you have a direct connection to the ball. There’s no "mushy" feeling. When you get a 60mph drive aimed at your chest, you can feel exactly how much you need to soften your grip to drop it into the kitchen.
Beginners find it too "poppy" and can't control it. But once you have soft hands? It becomes a precision tool.
Actionable Advice for Your Next Session
If you’re thinking about pulling the trigger on a Black Ace Pro, keep these three things in mind to actually enjoy the experience:
- Lower Your Grip Pressure: Since this paddle is so reactive, if you squeeze the handle like a death grip, every ball will fly out the back. Aim for a "3 out of 10" grip pressure on your resets.
- Check the Date: If you play USAP-sanctioned tournaments, ensure your specific model is currently listed as "Approved." The delisting drama of 2025 made some batches legal and others not.
- Add Lead Tape (Maybe): Because the sweet spot is slightly smaller than average, a few strips of lead tape at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions can help stabilize the frame and make those off-center hits feel less "dead."
The Pro Kennex Black Ace Pro isn't for everyone. It’s for the player who wants to play until they're 80 without their arm falling off, and who doesn't mind a little extra noise if it means winning the hand battle at the net.