Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 good for tennis elbow?

It is one of the more arm-friendly builds here — softness 86 and a light 102 swing weight both reduce transmitted shock — but no paddle treats an injury.

Why is the power rating low?

A soft core absorbs energy on contact instead of returning it, which is the same property that produces the touch and softness figures.

Who should not buy it?

Players who win points with pace. Power 72 and pop 68 sit near the bottom of the database.

Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 good for beginners?

Yes. Forgiveness scores 88/100 and the sweet spot 86/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $150 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.

Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 worth the price?

At $150 it sits in the 25th percentile of the database for cost and the 23rd for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.

How does the Obsidian 16 compare to the Radical Tour Ultra 16?

They are close on DNA. The Obsidian 16 reads power 72 / control 86 / spin 74 against 74 / 84 / 72 for the Radical Tour Ultra 16, at $150 versus $160. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.

Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?

A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.

Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 approved for tournament play?

Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. GAMMA submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Obsidian 16 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.

Does the Obsidian 16 have good spin?

Spin scores 74/100 — the 6th percentile of our database (among the lower values in the database) — off a Textured graphite composite face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.

Is the Obsidian 16 head heavy?

Swing weight is 102 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.2. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 7.7 oz.

Does the Obsidian 16 benefit from lead tape?

Yes — at 102 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.

What is the best overgrip for the Obsidian 16?

The stock handle is 5 in long with a 4.125 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.125 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.

What should I replace the Obsidian 16 with when it wears out?

Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Obsidian 16; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 86) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 72).

Who is the Obsidian 16 best for?

Soft-game doubles specialists and players managing arm pain. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate. Handle length of 5 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.

What shape and size is the Obsidian 16?

standard shape, 15.8 in long by 8 in wide, 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core, Textured graphite composite face, 7.7 oz. Released 2025.

GAMMA Obsidian 16 pickleball paddle, front face — standard shape, Textured graphite composite hitting surface — Front · Hitting face and graphics3/7 verified views

Reference price$150MSRP $170

Check price on Amazon$156

Buy links are affiliate links: we earn a commission from qualifying purchases through Amazon Associates and brand-direct programs. Prices and availability are checked periodically and can change.

GAMMA

GAMMA Obsidian 16

80Specs recorded August 2026 · Soft-game doubles specialists and players managing arm pain

Reviewed by Alex ZubarevPickleball player since 2021Jacksonville, FLUpdated August 2026Research-based review

The GAMMA Obsidian 16 is a 16 mm standard pickleball paddle weighing 7.7 oz, with a Textured graphite composite face, listed around $150.

The softest paddle in this group and one of the lightest-swinging. Softness 86 plus a 102 swing weight is a recipe for confident dinks — provided you accept a low power ceiling.

From GAMMA

Control-focused paddle built with a Toray T700 raw carbon fiber face and a 16mm core for precision placement, soft touch, and consistent shot control. Built with a Toray T700 raw carbon fiber face, the Obsidian 16 is engineered for players who prioritize control and consistency. The 16mm core delivers a softer feel and enhanced dwell time, allowing for precise resets, accurate placement, and confident shot shaping.

Official GAMMA product page →

Cross-shopping? Most buyers weigh the Obsidian 16 against the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 — see them side by side, or browse every GAMMA paddle.

Core: 16 mm
Weight: 7.7 oz
Swing wt: 102
Twist wt: 6.2
Shape: standard
Surface: Textured graphite composite
Grip: 5 in
Released: 2025

Pros

102 swing weight is very fast
Softness and touch both 86
Comfortable 4.125 in grip for smaller hands

Cons

Power 72 and pop 68 are near the bottom of the database
Graphite face wears smooth over a season

Paddle DNA Verdict

Last updated: August 2026

Derived from our published scoring model and sourced paddle specifications.

Should you buy the Obsidian 16?

The GAMMA Obsidian 16 scores 80.3/100 on our IQ index, built from all 15 Paddle DNA traits. Its signature is maneuverability (84/100, 81st percentile of the database — strong, well above the database average), backed by forgiveness at 88 and sweet spot at 86. The 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core and Textured graphite composite face at 7.7 oz make it a placement-first paddle: you win points by out-positioning people.

Where it gives ground is pop (68) and spin (74). With a 102 kg·cm² swing weight and a 5 in handle it suits beginner/intermediate players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen. Skip it if you rely on raw put-away pace.

Closest paddles by DNA: HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 ($160), Ronbus R1 Pulsar ($120), Paddletek Tempest Wave V3 ($150). If budget matters, the Selkirk SLK Halo XL Control lands within 4 IQ points for $50 less. Overall: a below-average overall score in the database — only worth it if its one standout trait is exactly what you need.

Best for: beginner/intermediate players, one-handed backhands, hands battles at the kitchen
Playing style: placement-first — you win points by out-positioning people
Avoid if: you rely on raw put-away pace

In depth

GAMMA Obsidian 16 — the long answer

The Obsidian 16 is the softest, lightest-swinging paddle in this group: softness 86 and a 102 swing weight, built for the soft game and for players managing arm strain.

The sections below are analysis of published specifications and Paddle DNA™ values, not a play-test write-up. Where we have hit with a paddle, those notes appear separately and are attributed.

102 swing weight changes what you can defend

This is one of the fastest paddles in the database through the hitting zone. Maneuverability 84 means you can win extended hands battles by simply getting there first. The cost is written plainly in the other numbers: plow-through 68 and power 72 mean hard incoming balls push the face back rather than the reverse.

Softness 86 and arm comfort

A compliant core absorbs more of the impact shock that stiff thermoformed builds transmit into the wrist and elbow. That is why paddles with high softness figures dominate arm-friendly recommendations. Combined with touch 86, it also produces the longest dwell time here, which is what makes dinks and resets predictable.

The graphite face and its lifespan

Textured graphite composite delivers spin 74 when new and less as the texture polishes down. It is a real limitation against raw-carbon paddles in the same price bracket, and it is the main reason the Obsidian reads as a soft-game tool rather than an all-court one.

Community consensus

What other players say about the GAMMA Obsidian 16

Verbatim excerpts from public discussion and independent reviews, plus the themes they add up to. These are other people's opinions, not ours, and every quote links back to where it was written.

No sourced community excerpts are published for this paddle yet. We only quote text we can link back to.

Who should buy the Obsidian 16?

One-handed backhand players who want more face for the same length
Players who live in hands battles at the kitchen line
Players still tightening up their contact point
Newer players wanting one paddle to grow into

Power-first players who win points on raw put-away pace
Two-handed backhand players — the handle is short for it

AI paddle match

If you like the Obsidian 16, you'll probably like…

Each pick is the database's best answer to one specific question, ranked by how far it moves the needle versus the Obsidian 16.

Most compared with the Obsidian 16

The matchups people actually cross-shop, each with a full 15-trait breakdown.

More comparisons in this bracket

Other head-to-heads shoppers read alongside the Obsidian 16.

Browse all paddle comparisons →

Paddle DNA™ — all 15 traits

Every trait normalised 0-100 against the full database, so these numbers mean the same thing on any paddle page. How we score →

Key attributes

Power72

Control86

Spin74

Forgiveness88

Sweet spot86

Stability78

Maneuverability84

Pop68

Touch86

Consistency84

Swing weight62

Twist weight72

Launch angle46

Plow through68

Softness86

DNA match — paddles within 5% of the Obsidian 16

Our similarity engine ranks the whole database by average DNA deviation. Tighten or widen the band to see how far you have to travel to save money or gain a trait.

Paddle DNA™ match

Match tolerance

Only show cheaper paddles

GAMMA Obsidian 16

IQ 80.3 · $150

8 paddles within 5% of the Obsidian 16

Ranked by DNA deviation

#1HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16$160 (+10) · 16 mm · standardDNA match97.9%80
-4 touch+4 swing weight-4 softness+2 power
+4 swing weight · -4 touch
Compare Full DNA
#2Ronbus R1 Pulsar$120 (-30) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match96.7%84
+14 spin+6 power+6 control-4 forgiveness
Saves $30 versus the Obsidian 16 · +14 spin · -4 forgiveness · Higher IQ score (83.5 vs 80.3)
Compare Full DNA
#3Paddletek Tempest Wave V3$150 · 16 mm · standardDNA match96.1%83
+12 launch angle+6 control+6 spin-6 swing weight
+12 launch angle · -6 swing weight · Higher IQ score (82.9 vs 80.3)
Compare Full DNA
#4ProKennex Black Ace LG$200 (+50) · 16 mm · elongatedDNA match95.9%83
+8 spin+8 swing weight+8 plow through-6 maneuverability
+8 spin · -6 maneuverability · Higher IQ score (83.1 vs 80.3)
Compare Full DNA
#5Engage Encore Pro EX$130 (-20) · 16 mm · standardDNA match95.9%81
+22 launch angle-12 swing weight-8 plow through+4 sweet spot
Saves $20 versus the Obsidian 16 · +22 launch angle · -12 swing weight · Higher IQ score (80.9 vs 80.3)
Compare Full DNA
#6Paddletek Tempest Wave Pro$150 · 14.3 mm · standardDNA match95.7%80
-10 twist weight+7 control-6 forgiveness-6 sweet spot
+7 control · -10 twist weight
Compare Full DNA
#7Vatic Pro Atlas 16$110 (-40) · 16 mm · widebodyDNA match95.5%85
+12 spin+8 twist weight+6 power+6 stability
Saves $40 versus the Obsidian 16 · +12 spin · -4 softness · Higher IQ score (84.8 vs 80.3)
Compare Full DNA
#8Paddletek Tempest Pro C 16$190 (+40) · 16 mm · standardDNA match95.5%85
+10 spin+6 control+6 stability+6 touch
+10 spin · -4 maneuverability · Higher IQ score (84.5 vs 80.3)
Compare Full DNA

Best alternatives to the Obsidian 16

Each pick beats the Obsidian 16 on one specific thing — price, power, control or forgiveness.

Similar paddles to the Obsidian 16

Closest matches by player level, hand weight and price — the paddles most players cross-shop against the GAMMA Obsidian 16.

Same playing profile (within 8% DNA)

HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 1616 mm · standard · 7.8 oz · SW 105$16080

Ronbus R1 Pulsar16 mm · elongated · 7.9 oz · SW 104$12084

Paddletek Tempest Wave V316 mm · standard · 7.9 oz · SW 110$15083

ProKennex Black Ace LG16 mm · elongated · 8 oz · SW 109$20083

Want a different matchup? Compare any two paddles or browse the full paddle database. Buying your first paddle? Read the beginner paddle guide.

Obsidian 16 — frequently asked questions

Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 good for tennis elbow?: It is one of the more arm-friendly builds here — softness 86 and a light 102 swing weight both reduce transmitted shock — but no paddle treats an injury.
Why is the power rating low?: A soft core absorbs energy on contact instead of returning it, which is the same property that produces the touch and softness figures.
Who should not buy it?: Players who win points with pace. Power 72 and pop 68 sit near the bottom of the database.
Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 good for beginners?: Yes. Forgiveness scores 88/100 and the sweet spot 86/100, both high enough that off-centre contact still produces a playable ball. At $150 it is more paddle than most beginners need, but it will not hold you back.
Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 worth the price?: At $150 it sits in the 25th percentile of the database for cost and the 23rd for IQ score. If those numbers do not line up for you, the Vatic Pro V-Sol Pro 16 at $99 is the value alternative we point people to.
How does the Obsidian 16 compare to the Radical Tour Ultra 16?: They are close on DNA. The Obsidian 16 reads power 72 / control 86 / spin 74 against 74 / 84 / 72 for the Radical Tour Ultra 16, at $150 versus $160. Our full head-to-head breaks down every trait.
Is the 16 mm better than the 14 mm version?: A 16 mm core has longer dwell time, which is what produces softer resets and more repeatable placement. The 14 mm build trades that dwell for a faster, poppier response off the face. Control players take 16 mm; players who want the ball gone quickly take 14 mm.
Is the GAMMA Obsidian 16 approved for tournament play?: Sanctioned play requires the model to appear on USA Pickleball's official approved-equipment list. GAMMA submits its retail models for approval, but approval is per model and configuration, so check the current USAP list for the exact Obsidian 16 build before you enter a sanctioned event. We do not list approval status we have not verified.
Does the Obsidian 16 have good spin?: Spin scores 74/100 — the 6th percentile of our database (among the lower values in the database) — off a Textured graphite composite face. Spin is not this paddle's strength — several paddles in the same price band score meaningfully higher.
Is the Obsidian 16 head heavy?: Swing weight is 102 kg·cm² and twist weight 6.2. That is light and fast through the swing path, which favours hands battles over plow-through. Static weight is 7.7 oz.
Does the Obsidian 16 benefit from lead tape?: Yes — at 102 kg·cm² there is room to add. Tape at 3 and 9 o'clock raises twist weight and stability with the smallest hit to hand speed; tape at 12 adds power and plow-through but slows the paddle noticeably. Any added weight can affect tournament legality if it changes the paddle beyond the approved configuration.
What is the best overgrip for the Obsidian 16?: The stock handle is 5 in long with a 4.125 in circumference. A thin tacky overgrip adds roughly 1/16 in of circumference and a few grams above the balance point — the cheapest way to fine-tune fit. If your hand is larger than the 4.125 in stock size, build up with an under-wrap first rather than stacking overgrips.
What should I replace the Obsidian 16 with when it wears out?: Face wear shows up as lost spin long before the core dies. The straight replacement is another Obsidian 16; if you want to change something, the JOOLA Perseus Pro V 16 adds control (96 vs 86) and the Selkirk Labs Project Boomstik Elongated 16 adds power (95 vs 72).
Who is the Obsidian 16 best for?: Soft-game doubles specialists and players managing arm pain. Skill levels we would put on it: beginner, intermediate. Handle length of 5 in suits one-handed backhands; two-handers will find it short.
What shape and size is the Obsidian 16?: standard shape, 15.8 in long by 8 in wide, 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core, Textured graphite composite face, 7.7 oz. Released 2025.

Obsidian 16 on video

PickleballLookup review — coming soon

Head-to-head comparison — coming soon

Manufacturer footage — coming soon

Evidence & sources — how we know this

Show

Every significant number on this page carries a source and a date. Where a figure comes from the manufacturer rather than our own measurement, we say so.

Price
$150
Amazon listing — checked August 10, 2026
Weight
7.7 oz
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Core thickness
16 mm
Manufacturer specification — recorded August 10, 2026
Swing weight
102 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Twist weight
6.2 kg·cm²
Independent measurement data, normalized to our scale
Paddle DNA (15 traits)
IQ 80.3/100
Computed from the specs above by our published scoring model
USAP approval
Listed by the manufacturer as USA Pickleball approved
USA Pickleball equipment database — checked August 10, 2026
Alex's experience
Not personally tested
Analysis on this page is spec-derived, not play-tested

Spot an error? Send a correction — every fix is logged publicly. Full protocol on our methodology page.

Why trust this page?

We separate firsthand testing from research-based analysis. Specifications are sourced and dated, corrections are logged publicly, and affiliate relationships never affect Paddle IQ scores.

Reviewed by Alex Zubarev →Our methodology →Editorial policy →

Research-based review

Built from published specifications, independent measurements, manufacturer data and Paddle DNA™ analysis — not from personal play testing. We say so rather than implying court time we haven't put in. Editorial policy · Affiliate disclosure

Reviewed by

Alex Zubarev

Founder, PickleballLookup

Alex built the Paddle DNA™ database behind PickleballLookup — 15 normalized traits scored for every paddle in the catalog. Every page on this site is generated from that data and editorially reviewed before publication.

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Last updated August 2026 · How we score paddles