ProKennex 11mm Black Ace LG Cleared For Continued Competition By USA Pickleball
In a significant update for players and paddle manufacturers alike, USA Pickleball (USAP) has officially reinstated the ProKennex 11mm Black Ace LG on its list of approved equipment, reversing a prior decision that would have seen the paddle delisted by 1 July 2025.
As of 3 June 2025, the Black Ace LG is once again fully certified for tournament use after passing all required tests, including those mandated under the Paddle Bounce Coefficient Rating (PBCoR). USAP’s reversal ensures that players relying on this model can continue to use it in sanctioned events without concern.
Source: ProKennex
A Paddle That Never Strayed From The Rules
Originally certified in June 2022, the Black Ace LG has remained unchanged in both design and performance specs. Importantly, ProKennex has not made any post-certification modifications—a key factor that differentiates this paddle from others that were flagged in broader enforcement actions aimed at curbing engineered “trampoline effects.”
The PBCoR standard, introduced in 2024, was designed to clamp down on paddles that generate excessive rebound and velocity, often through structural manipulation. In many cases, this involved brands altering internal paddle architecture to skirt existing certification norms.
ProKennex, however, has maintained the original build of its 11mm Black Ace paddles—including the LG, Pro, Ovation, and XF—emphasising natural performance rather than engineered advantage. The Black Ace LG’s power, according to both the brand and USAP, comes from its sleek 11mm profile and high-quality materials that promote efficient energy transfer, not from any illicit enhancements.
The Fine Line Between Innovation and Regulation
While the Black Ace LG has been recertified, other models in the same 11mm lineup—namely the Black Ace Pro, Ovation, and XF—will still be delisted on 1 July 2025, despite no evidence of tampering. The distinction reflects a highly nuanced regulatory landscape in which even unmodified paddles may face discontinuation if their performance skirts the boundaries of updated standards.
USAP made it clear in its updated statement that language in earlier delisting notices—referencing paddles engineered for trampoline effects—should not be interpreted as applying to ProKennex’s models. The governing body also affirmed that the Black Ace LG passed all certification tests without exception, signaling that performance gains were within the legal bounds of the sport.
What This Means For The Pickleball Community
For competitive players, coaches, and retailers, the reinstatement of the Black Ace LG brings clarity and relief. In a time of heightened scrutiny and shifting paddle standards, this move suggests that integrity in design still holds sway—and that regulatory processes can evolve based on data and fair assessment.
It also reinforces the sport’s commitment to balancing innovation with fair play, and signals that brands adhering to the spirit and letter of equipment standards will be recognised accordingly.
As USAP continues to navigate the complexities of paddle technology and performance, the ProKennex Black Ace LG now stands as a certified—and verified—example of how quality craftsmanship can coexist with evolving sport governance.
