Proton Project Flamingo Pickleball Paddle Review

Proton Project Flamingo – Series Three

The Proton Project Flamingo proves that Proton continues to innovate since bursting onto the pickleball scene in 2024. This new release, nicknamed the “Flamingo,” combines a more powerful core with a highly textured hitting surface to deliver maximum spin, remarkable control, and surprising forgiveness. It’s also the first paddle ever approved by both USA Pickleball and the United Pickleball Association of America, making it a great choice for professional tournaments and local competitions alike.

Players who thrive on aggressive topspin drives, hard hitting serves, and quick transitions will find the Flamingo an ideal partner. During my extended testing, I noticed the sweet spot expansion, enhanced spin, and reliable power output from the updated “Velocity Core,” which measures 15mm thick. I also enjoyed how stable it felt during kitchen battles, even on off center hits. Whether you’re aiming for a powerful offensive style or a balanced all-court approach, this paddle has plenty to offer.

In terms of personal experience, I found the Flamingo to deliver amazing topspin on serves and drives straight out of the box. I tend to rely on heavy spin to dictate points, so the gritty surface really spoke to my style. The stable core minimized vibration, and it helped me stay consistent with resets in the mid court transition area. If you’re hungry for power and spin yet unwilling to sacrifice control, this paddle deserves a closer look.

Specifications

• Weight Range: 7.8 – 8.2 oz
• Dimensions: 16.5″ x 7.5″
• Thickness: 15mm (0.591″)
• Material (Face/Core): Roughness Enhanced Aerospace Grade Carbon Fiber Face & Polypropylene Honeycomb “Velocity Core”
• Handle Length: 5.375 inches
• Grip Circumference: 4 1/4″ (Actual grip sizes may vary up to 1/8″)

This paddle also features foam injection along the thermoformed edges, further enhancing power and stability. The core’s smaller cell size is specifically designed to control lateral deflection, resulting in better predictability on every shot.

Proton Project Flamingo Performance Analysis

Control/Feel

Rating: 8.5/10 The Project Flamingo boasts a reliably solid feel thanks to its stable construction. The foam lined edges create consistency across the face, so mis hits still send the ball where you intended – at least, more often than not. While it leans slightly toward power, it still offers sufficient control and dwell time for delicate dinks and drops.

Power

Rating: 9/10 This paddle lives up to its reputation for “aggressive play.” The 15mm Velocity Core, combined with a rugged carbon fiber surface, helps produce effortless depth and pace. My serves and drives felt explosive, and overhead put-aways were never in doubt. You can easily tap into impressive put away power while still managing to keep the ball in bounds.

Spin

Rating: 9.5/10 Spin is definitely a standout feature of the Flamingo. The aerospace-grade carbon fiber face offers a textured surface that grips the ball and generates tremendous RPMs. Heavy topspin drives and crosscourt slices dipped noticeably earlier than usual, forcing more errors from opponents.

Pop

Rating: 8.5/10 “Pop” describes that quick, responsive rebound. The Flamingo has a lively hitting surface that pops the ball off with noticeable rebound, especially on aggressive swings. It’s not the absolute hottest pop on the market, but it is certainly up there, and the plush core feel keeps you from losing control.

Forgiveness

Rating: 8.5/10 Off center hits rarely punish you as severely as expected. Thanks to the thermoformed foam perimeter and smaller honeycomb cells, the sweet spot feels generously sized, and your power or spin doesn’t drop off significantly on mis hits. That blend of consistency and stability is especially helpful in quick hands battles at the net.

Maneuverability

Rating: 8/10 At around 8.0 oz, the Flamingo sits comfortably in the moderate weight range. It’s slightly head heavy, but I never felt sluggish in fast exchanges. Adding or removing lead/tungsten tape can further tweak its balance to your preference, allowing you to emphasize head speed or stability.

Proton Project Flamingo In Depth Review

Design & Build Quality

Proton has been lauded for its bold aesthetic choices, and the Project Flamingo is no different with its vibrant, high contrast graphics and a choice of colorful edge guards. Beyond the looks, the build quality stands out. The raw carbon fiber face is structurally reinforced with high grade resin, making the grit both potent and durable. After weeks of drills and gameplay, the surface texture remained intact, which is a huge plus for players who count on spin.

Under the surface, the 15mm Velocity Core shows serious attention to detail. Proton used a smaller honeycomb cell size for extra predictability on blocks and resets. The reinforced thermoformed edges give this paddle a stable feel and help dampen excess vibration. A 1/4″ overlapping edge guard protects the hitting surface without eating into the sweet spot. Despite the advanced features, everything feels well integrated, and the paddle maintains a professional finish right out of the box.

Proton Project Flamingo On Court Performance

My time with the Project Flamingo involved extensive drills and match play, covering serves, returns, dinks, resets, and smashes. Multiple reviewers mentioned the paddle’s inherent power and spin, and I absolutely agree. The ability to load up on serves and third shot drives was tremendous. Let’s break it down:

Control

While some power paddles struggle with finesse, the Flamingo keeps your touch shots in check. Its smaller core cells and thicker 15mm profile dampen excessive pop on delicate resets and kitchen dinks. Once I dialed in the feel, I could roll dinks with confidence or drop short shots with just enough spin to be deceptive.

Power

Off the baseline, the Flamingo truly shines. I felt rewarded whenever I went for a big swing, whether on serves, drives, or overhead smashes. The ball explodes off the face, and the generous grit ensures it stays in the court. Add in the supportive foam perimeter, and off center hits still pack plenty of punch. Several professional players, including a few who aren’t even sponsored by Proton, have been switching to this paddle in tournaments – a testament to its powerful performance.

Spin

Spin is the star of the show. That raw carbon fiber face just tears into the ball, generating heavy topspin or slicing action on demand. My crosscourt dinks dipped quickly, and even my running drop shots had extra bite. The top layer of grit also shows solid durability, which is crucial since many carbon fiber paddles wear down prematurely.

Pop

There’s enough pop here to catch opponents off guard. Flatter, compact strokes ping nicely off the face, and the sweet spot’s consistency ensures you rarely get a deadened shot. Despite the noticeable rebound, the paddle maintains enough dwell time to let you shape your spin.

Forgiveness

Thanks to the combination of thermoformed edges and smaller honeycomb cells, the Flamingo delivers a large, stable sweet spot. During fast net exchanges, it remains forgiving even if you catch the ball slightly off center. In many instances, that forgiveness can be a point saver when fractions of a second matter.

Maneuverability

Though slightly head heavy, the paddle remains agile enough for reactive play at the kitchen line. I found it easy to catch up to speed ups and flick crosscourt counters. If you prefer a more even balance, adding 2–4 grams of tape at the throat or sides can tweak the swing weight to your liking. That said, I rarely felt late on any volley exchanges.

Pros and Cons

• Pros:
  • Incredible spin potential from the rough carbon fiber face
  • Enhanced power off the baseline, perfect for drives and overheads
  • Stable and forgiving sweet spot thanks to foam perimeter and smaller cell size
  • Durable surface grit that holds up after many hours of play
  • Comfortable feel on resets and blocks for a “power” paddle
  • Visually striking design that stands out on the court
• Cons:
  • A bit head heavy, which may require lead or tungsten tape adjustments
  • Stock grip can feel somewhat dry, especially for players with sweaty hands
  • Hefty price point (retail $280) might be steep for budget conscious players
  • Players who disliked the original Series Three may find it still too powerful

Player Feedback

Multiple reviewers and real world pickleball players have spent months using the Project Flamingo. Their consensus highlights the paddle’s superb spin and power, as well as the improved durability of the gritty surface compared to earlier Series models. Some expert opinions even compare it to other well known power paddles but note its slightly more forgiving sweet spot.

Here’s a quick quote from one reviewer:

“The Flamingo took my drives to another level. I get the pop and spin I need without sacrificing too much touch at the net. It’s definitely staying in my bag!”

Others mentioned that while it’s not the absolute most explosive paddle on the market, it comes very close. The overall performance balance makes it much more comfortable for longer matches, and the included one year warranty offers peace of mind if the grit or core somehow degrades prematurely.

Our Closing Rally with the Proton Project Flamingo

The Proton Project Flamingo delivers outstanding power and spin for players who want to dominate from the baseline while still holding their own at the kitchen. In my experience, this paddle excels for intermediate to advanced players seeking an aggressive option that doesn’t punish you on softer shots. If you enjoy a dynamic, modern style featuring heavy serves, looping drives, and explosive counters, you’ll likely love the Flamingo.

If you require an ultra soft, purely control oriented feel or prefer extremely lightweight paddles, you might look elsewhere. Yet for anyone transitioning from Joola Mod TA15 or powerful polymer core paddles who wants even more spin and a reliable sweet spot, the Project Flamingo is tough to beat. If you crave a fresh approach to your game and love bold designs, the Flamingo may well be your new go to.

If you want to compare pricing or pick one up for yourself, click here to purchase the Flamingo.

Comparable Paddles

• JOOLA Pro IV Perseus 16mm – Same shape, Comparable power, but some players feel the Flamingo has a little less power, but more consistent sweet spot and better durability.
• PaddleTek Bantam Series – Known for power and a poppy feel. The Flamingo matches or exceeds the Bantam’s power output but boasts higher spin.

Proton Project Flamingo Q&A

Wrapping Up: A Balanced Take on the Proton Project Flamingo

The Proton Project Flamingo looks, feels, and performs like a modern, high end pickleball paddle. It caters to players who crave a mix of controlled aggression, spin rich shots, and the resilience needed to handle volley duels. That said, it isn’t the cheapest option. Budget conscious players might opt for more economical alternatives. Also, if you prefer an ultra soft or purely “touch” paddle, the Flamingo’s higher pop might create a steeper learning curve.

After testing it across drills and matches, I see clear advantages for those who already have a decent handle on spin mechanics and who value a stable sweet spot. The extra effort put into the paddle’s materials, like the perimeter foam filling and improved face grit, seems to produce tangible on court benefits, especially in terms of spin and overall consistency. Consider your personal style, budget, and readiness to adapt before diving in. If you’re a developing player aiming to step up your game or an advanced competitor wanting reliable spin plus power, the Proton Project Flamingo warrants your attention.

If you do decide to invest in this paddle, remember to give yourself time to adjust at the net. Once you’ve dialed in your dinks and resets, you may discover that the Flamingo opens up new offensive possibilities, from heavier topspin drives to put away overheads at crucial moments in a match. Buy the Proton Series 3 pickleball paddle at Pickleball Central.