Platform Tennis Ball & Paddle Ball Review

Hmmm, which platform tennis ball should I buy?

For those of you who are new to platform tennis, you should know that the balls are sold in sleeves of three. They are heavier than a tennis ball, with a rubber core and a very short pile layer of felt-like fuzz called flocking. You will typically use 1 ball per session of play and this ball will be discarded at the end of the match (because it will be "balding"). The combination of the grit on the paddle faces (for enhanced spin) and the grit on the courts result in the flocking being torn from the ball's surface during play.  We sell a fairly even balanced mix of each brand and for 2012 both brands have had no quality issues to speak of.

PLATFORM TENNIS BALL CHOICES:

For tournament or league play, you have a choice between Wilson Platform Tennis Balls and Viking Platforma Tennis Balls.  Yellow has always been the standard color, but pink balls and Viking's Orange ball have both gained traction in the past year as they are also certified for league play.  Wilson's yellow ball has been getting a bit of added buzz for their brighter optic yellow color making them easier to see which several of our players have commented on.

Wilson Tournament Ball - comes in a bright neon fluorescent yellow both of which provide great visibility. Wilson's ball is engineered from a unique rubber compound that provides a consistent bounce, point after point and a scientifically developed flocking adhesive that is exclusive only to Wilson. 

Viking Extra Duty Ball - Termed Extra Duty (but really no more so than Wilson), this ball claims to have longer lasting flocking and durability. Advanced flocking process provides the perfect surface texture for maximum ball spin and control. Now available in Pink (Viking Extra Duty Pink Ball) or Orange (Viking Extra Duty Orange Ball).

BEACH TENNIS BALL:

Check out the Pro Penn QST60 ... This is a foam core tennis ball that plays somewhat like a depressurized tennis ball but with a softer, less "dead" feel and more consistent bounce.