The Legacy Pro Review

The Legacy Pro Review

Introduction to the Legacy Pickleball Paddle

The right paddle can make a real difference, and Legacy Pickleball Paddle Studio makes the Legacy Pro as a raw carbon fiber power paddle. It has a 16mm polymer core and a Toray T700 carbon fiber face. Specs reported for the paddle include a 5.3-inch handle, a 4.125-inch grip circumference, a swing weight of about 120, and a static weight in the 7.7 to 8.3 ounce range.

The paddle is built with thermoformed, foam-injected construction, so the edge guard is not visible. Legacy has said the face weave is much tighter than that of other 16mm raw carbon paddles such as the CRBN 1X, though we could not verify that claim. Reviewers say it produces power similar to the Diadem Vice, with a large sweet spot and a lot of dwell time. Because of that power, it may be too much for some players, so be mindful not to overswing.

Features of the Legacy Pro Paddle

The Legacy Pro pairs a 16mm polymer core with a Toray T700 carbon fiber face. The tight weave is meant to help with spin and to keep ball dust from sticking to the face, which makes it easier to keep clean. The large sweet spot and dwell time make it well suited to drives, volleys and blocks, and the soft, plush feel makes it a pick for powerful singles players.

Performance of the Legacy Pro Paddle

The low swing weight and balance point make the paddle manageable for most players, and the sweet spot is large enough that shots travel the length of the court with little effort. Thanks to the foam injected between the core and the thermoformed shell, the paddle has plenty of pop, and the dwell time gives you a feel for the ball before it leaves the face. It is reported to be very powerful, and some players describe it as the hardest-hitting paddle they have used. With practice you can learn to control that power.

On the downside, the power can be hard to manage in fast doubles exchanges, and raw carbon faces are prone to scratches, so the paddle's appearance may not last as long as others.

Attacking Play

The Legacy Pro is one of the more powerful paddles in its class. Its tight weave and large sweet spot help with spin and placement, and the low swing weight lets you generate speed on drives and groundstrokes without much effort. It is a strong choice for players who want to add power to their attacking game.

Control Play

The same power that helps attacking play can make soft play harder. Because of the raw carbon face and the paddle's pop, it may be tough to keep dinks low, and it can be hard to control in doubles. In my experience I struggled with dinks in the kitchen because the paddle sent the ball over the net with more speed than I wanted. If you value touch and placement above all, you may want to consider other options.

Pros and Cons of the Legacy Pro Paddle

Pros: a lot of power, a large sweet spot, good dwell time, a low swing weight and a clean look without a visible edge guard.

Cons: it can be too powerful for some players, it is harder to control in doubles and at the kitchen line, and the raw carbon face can scratch.

Conclusion

The Legacy Pro is a power-oriented raw carbon paddle with a large sweet spot and plenty of dwell time. It is a good fit for singles players and aggressive doubles players who want extra pop, but it is less suited to players who prioritize dinking and control. Check that your specific paddle is on the current USA Pickleball approved list before using it in sanctioned play, since rules on paddle surface texture have changed.