Why I Stopped Using the Proton Flamingo Paddle: Full Review

In this review of the Proton Series 3 Project Flamingo, I'll provide an in-depth analysis based on my personal experience after switching from the JOOLA Mod TA-15. We'll cover control, spin, paddle design, and overall feel. At the end, we'll ultimately decide if the Proton Flamingo is worth it.

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First Impressions of the Proton Flamingo Paddle

Upon switching from the Mod TA-15, the Flamingo immediately impressed me with its outstanding control and spin capabilities. Its exceptionally gritty surface significantly enhances spin performance, setting it apart from most other USAPA-approved paddles, which typically have limited grit due to regulation constraints. This fact alone might make it the best pickleball paddle for spin.

One notable feature of this paddle is its 15mm core thickness, strategically balancing control—usually associated with a 16mm core—and power, typically found in a 14mm core. This unique design places the Proton Flamingo in a distinctive category within the pickleball market.

Adjusting from a standard paddle shape to the elongated design of the Flamingo required some adaptation, primarily because of its shorter handle. While the elongated paddle face created a notably larger and more responsive sweet spot, the handle length ultimately became a critical factor affecting my overall satisfaction.

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Proton Flamingo Pros and Cons

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What I Loved

The grit on the Flamingo paddle is genuinely remarkable—easily some of the best spin potential I’ve ever felt on a USAPA-approved paddle.

The grit on the Flamingo paddle is genuinely remarkable, providing excellent spin potential that far surpasses most competitors, especially regarding long-term durability. Proton has managed to produce a gritty surface that retains effectiveness over extended use, unlike many other paddles. Additionally, the paddle genuinely delivers on its promise of balancing power and control, enabling confident execution of powerful shots and precise placements. The paddle also showcases impressive overall build quality; the edge guard feels solid, securely attached, and shows no signs of  loosening even after prolonged use.

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Areas for Improvement

However, the Proton Series 3 Project Flamingo isn't without its drawbacks. The core feels somewhat discombobulated, evoking the sensation of a crunchy Belgian chocolate wafer. Another thing worth mentioning is consistency. I have a lot of siblings, so it's rare that we buy just one paddle model. In the case of the Flamingo, we bought two—one pink and one blue. I was shocked at how different they felt. The blue one definitely felt more like a wafer and played far less predictably. Some players I talked with told me their Flamingo paddles delaminated after minimal use—fortunately, mine held up fine. Still, it raises the question: is this inconsistency due to the paddles being manufactured in different factories or under varying quality control standards?? For me this raises legitimate concerns about reliability during intense play and long term core quality.

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Moving on, another major issue I experienced was the overall balance of this paddle. The elongated paddle shape further exacerbates ergonomic issues, particularly due to the short handle length, which significantly limits comfort and versatility. A slightly longer handle would notably enhance usability. Moreover, it would be beneficial if Proton introduced additional shape variations beyond the elongated design to better accommodate diverse playing styles.

Finally, the paddle's weight presents another significant drawback; it is notably heavy, and adding lead tape in an attempt to customize the paddle only worsens the problem. The paddle's twist weight makes rapid responses at the kitchen line cumbersome, negatively impacting maneuverability.

I found I had to adjust my play style quite a bit to accommodate this paddle. Its overall weight and noticeable twist weight made one-handed backhand shots, like flicks or dinks, hard to control and less reliable. I ended up using a two-handed grip for many of these shots, which helped with control but introduced a new issue: the short handle. While dinking was manageable, two-handed volleys and drives felt awkward and cramped because there just wasn’t enough room to comfortably fit both hands.

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Should You Buy the Proton Flamingo?

Bottom Line: No.

At the end of the day, $280 for this paddle is crazy considering what else is out there.

While the paddle has some attractive qualities, particularly its exceptional grit and balanced performance, the negatives concerning core durability, ergonomic design, and weight issues overshadow these benefits.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re used to paddles like the Selkirk Invikta or JOOLA Magnus, you might feel right at home—but for me, it was a hard pass.

The Proton Series 3 Project Flamingo certainly offers some notable strengths, particularly regarding grit durability and balanced power-control performance. Pretty much the only people I would recommend this paddle to are people who are used to using paddles of this shape, like any Selkirk Invikta paddles or the JOOLA Magnus.

Stay tuned for more comprehensive pickleball paddle reviews and detailed comparisons!

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