Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Proton Series Two Project Flash takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 80Power84
- 88Control88
- 86Spin92
- 86Forgiveness84
- 86Sweet spot86
- 84Stability84
- 80Maneuverability80
- 76Pop80
- 86Touch86
- 86Consistency88
- 70Swing weight70
- 80Twist weight80
- 50Launch angle50
- 78Plow through80
- 80Softness80
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash specs
Every measured spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 | Proton Series Two Project Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $160 — better | $200 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 84.1 | 85.3 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 111 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.6 | 6.7 — better |
| Shape | hybrid | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16.2 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Raw T700 carbon | Gritted raw carbon |
| Core material | Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb | Thermoformed polymer honeycomb |
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 verdict
Holbrook's first genuinely competitive control paddle. The hybrid shape and 110 swing weight make it an easy switch from a standard build without losing kitchen-line speed.
Proton Series Two Project Flash verdict
The grittiest face Proton has made. Spin 92 puts it in the top tier of the database, and the hybrid shape keeps it usable at the kitchen line.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 92 against 86 for Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 — a 6-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, consistency, plow through, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 is $40 cheaper at $160.
Spin
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 6 points (92 vs 86).
Power
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 4 points (84 vs 80).
Pop
Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 4 points (80 vs 76).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.9 vs 84.8 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $40.
- Forgiveness
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84.5 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $40.
- Spin
- Power
- Consistency
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Proton Series Two Project Flash
Proton Series Two Project Flash is a narrow pick at this level — spin 92 vs 86, power 84 vs 80, plow through 80 vs 78. Swing weight 111 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Spin
- Power
- Plow through
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.6 vs 81.1 on the weighted index). Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and keep the $40.
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16
Take Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 if you prefer a hybrid face and a 5.3 in handle — it gives up nothing measurable to Proton Series Two Project Flash.
Read the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 review →Proton Series Two Project Flash
Take Proton Series Two Project Flash if you want spin (+6), power (+4), pop (+4). Its swing weight of 111 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Two Project Flash review →Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 vs Proton Series Two Project Flash FAQ
- Which is better, the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.3 vs 84.1), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Proton Series Two Project Flash leads by 6 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16, at 110 kg·cm² swing weight against 111 for Proton Series Two Project Flash. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 or the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash measures 84 on power against 80 for Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16. That comes from a 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core swinging at 111 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 at 88 versus 88. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash scores 92 for spin off its Gritted raw carbon face, against 86 for the Raw T700 carbon face on Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, with 6.7 twist weight against 6.6. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 carries the higher forgiveness score (86) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 costs $160, $40 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16: 16 mm Thermoformed polypropylene honeycomb core with a Raw T700 carbon face. Proton Series Two Project Flash: 16 mm Thermoformed polymer honeycomb core with a Gritted raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Two Project Flash, at 5.4 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Proton Series Two Project Flash rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 at 8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (110 vs 111) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 to the Proton Series Two Project Flash?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Two Project Flash leads on spin by 6 points; everything else is within 4 points. At $160 vs $200, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Crush Control 16 vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Crush Control 16 vs SLK Halo XL Control
- Crush Control 16 vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Ruby Hybrid 16
- Series Two Project Flash vs Pursuit Ultra MX 6.0
- Series Two Project Flash vs R3 Pulsar
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Holbrook Pickleball Crush Control 16 and Proton Series Two Project Flash. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.