Our Research and Future

While some players can hit the ball quite hard, our testing shows that the typical player hits the ball with a velocity <20mph on dinks, <40mph on serves and groundstrokes, and maybe as high as 60mph on smashes. Our velocity readings are taken at ~10ft from the ball impacting the paddle. Some professionals can top out at close to 70mph on their hardest shots.

Using data collected by PhysicsForums (link), the average shot at the net during a volley rally is around 26.3mph. Our goal at Stafford paddles is to make a product that emits a sound that blends into normal conversation. The typical human voice is less than 400Hz with a conversational volume of less than 65ddB. Our current paddles register in the 800Hz range with a dB level under 65db during normal game play. The reverberation of sound (also thought of as “ring”) from our paddle is also dampened. This keeps it from combining as easily with other tones of similar intensities. We are already working on innovating future models that will be even quieter.

Why are multiple courts louder than single courts?

Answer: Because many incidences of the same sound will combine to form an even louder sound. This is why our continued efforts to quiet pickleball are so important. We want more courts and more people playing this great game, but not at the expense of being a good neighbor. If the Stafford QPaddle is the loudest paddle at the court, far less cumulative damage will be done with regard to sound pollution. You can see how sound combines using this tool. The reverberation time of sound (also thought of as “ring”) from our paddle is also dampened. This keeps it from combining as easily with other tones of similar intensities which will in turn lower the overall intensity of sound emanating from courts.

Please check back as we post more of our own testing data to this page in the future. If you would like more information about our test data, equipment or set up, please feel free to contact us.