It's the most common question we get: the Ghost Series is £40, the Scorpion Series is £64 — what does the extra £24 actually buy you? Short answer: a different construction, a faster core, extra grit, and a tournament certificate. Here's the long answer.
Head to Head
| Ghost (CP03) | Scorpion (P11A) | |
| Face | T700 Raw Carbon | 3K Raw Carbon |
| Core | 16mm | 14mm |
| Construction | Cold-pressed* | Thermoformed + injected walls |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Extra grit |
| USAPA approved | — | Yes |
| Price | £40 | £64 |
*The Ghost Impossible 'A' is the exception — it's thermoformed.
Feel: Forgiving vs Fast
The Ghost's 16mm cold-pressed build is softer and more forgiving. It absorbs pace, makes resets easier, and flatters developing technique. The Scorpion's 14mm thermoformed core is crisper and quicker — more pop on drives, more stability at the kitchen line, and a firmer, more connected feel that rewards confident swings.
Spin: Good vs Nasty
Both faces are raw carbon and both generate real spin. But the Scorpion's extra grit texture bites noticeably harder — roll volleys dip sooner, slice serves skid lower. If spin is a weapon in your game, the Scorpion earns its price on this alone.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Ghost if: you're new to the sport, you play socially, you value control and forgiveness over power, or you want a quality backup paddle. Start with the Ultra Noir or the Prism Break.
Buy the Scorpion if: you play weekly or more, you're entering leagues or tournaments (USAPA approval required), or your game is built on spin and pace. The Country Club and Lazy Sundae are the crowd favourites.
Verdict
For casual players the Ghost is all the paddle you need — the £24 saving buys a lot of balls. For anyone competitive, the Scorpion's thermoformed build and USAPA certification make the upgrade a no-brainer. And if you want both feels for under £110, plenty of players run a Ghost/Scorpion pair.
Compare the full ranges in the AIXO Pickleball Paddle collection.