If you're shopping the entry tier, the Franklin Glove is UK Pickleball Shop's answer for competitive players who'll feel a 0.2oz weight difference and tune their paddles with lead tape.
Build at a glance
- Skill levelPro
What this paddle does well
Built around solid fundamentals: balanced weight, honest sweet spot, and the kind of reliable construction that survives a season of weekly play without losing its feel.
Who it's for
This paddle is designed with competitive players who'll feel a 0.2oz weight difference and tune their paddles with lead tape in mind. It's a sensible upgrade from a wooden or generic starter paddle without overcommitting on a tour-tier purchase you might not match.
The honest trade-offs
At this price you're getting the basics done well rather than tournament-grade material refinement; the upgrade path runs through £100–£150.
How it sits in the range
Browse UK Pickleball Shop's full UK line to compare against the brand's other models, or the wider paddle range to compare against equivalents from other brands at this tier.
Frequently asked
Is the Franklin Glove USAPA approved?
Most current paddles from UK Pickleball Shop are USAPA approved for sanctioned tournament play. Check the listing tags or contact us if you need confirmation for a specific event.
Is the Franklin Glove too advanced for a beginner?
This paddle is engineered for advanced and tournament-bound players — tighter tolerances, more demanding sweet spot. Beginners can play it, but won't access most of what makes it special. Consider a £30–£90 starter paddle first.
How does the Franklin Glove compare to other paddles in this price band?
At this price you're competing against the equivalent tier from Selkirk SLK, JOOLA, Head Radical, and Vatic Pro. The differences come down to face grit, edge guard quality, and brand-specific feel — best to read the spec sheet, not just the badge.
Does this paddle come with a cover?
Cover inclusion varies by model and batch. Where UK Pickleball Shop bundles a cover, we mention it explicitly in the listing. Otherwise, paddle covers are sold separately and we recommend one for any paddle £100+.
How long will this paddle last?
1–2 seasons of regular weekly play before noticeable dead-spot creep. Thermoformed unibody paddles tend toward the longer end of that range; sandwich-construction paddles toward the shorter.