Butterfly 302 Flared

The Butterfly TBC 302 was my first paddle, and it’s a solid choice for beginners. It offers excellent control, which made it easier for me to focus on learning and improving my strokes. For someone just starting out, the consistency and forgiveness of this paddle are definite positives. However, as I progressed, I found the paddle quite limited in terms of speed and spin. Throw angle is low. It seems to lack the ability to generate powerful shots, which became a drawback during more competitive play. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t produce the faster or spinnier shots I wanted, even when pushing myself hard. Unfortunately, this led to a shoulder injury during a rally as I was overcompensating to generate power. In summary, the Butterfly TBC 302 is a great entry-level paddle for beginners who prioritize control and learning basic strokes. But for players looking to advance to higher levels of play, it may feel restrictive and could even lead to strain if you try to push its limits.

Perfect starter bat. Has everything needed to learn the basics. A definite step up from cheap $5 bats. Decent Yuki rubber which has a bit of spin, quite light, around 1.8mm or sponge. Control biased to help you get shots in. Will be good for a fairly flat, accuracy based play - drives, pushes, smashes. Once you get to the point of topspin loops you know it'll be time to upgrade. Comes with a bat cover to keep the rubber new. Lasted me 2-3 years of casual play.

Plays very well for a budget premade bat. Puts too little effect on ball to win many points outright, but will keep you in the rally a long time. Throw angle is moderate: lower than Galaxy 9000E rubber on Sanwei M8 blade, lower than Yasaka Rakza 7 Soft on Yasaka Sweden Classic blade, higher than some Donic setups. Excellent drives, good chops and flicks, but weak blocks. Decent spin; better than some other budget Butterfly bats such as Flail. Speed is well matched to spin and control. Balanced, reliable play. Fairly light at 173g with good balance and comfy handle.