A pickleball paddle disclosed herein features a core encircled by a peripheral gap. The paddle may include a front surface, an opposing back surface, and a frame disposed about at least a head portion along an edge, the frame defining a hollow interior. A core disposed between the front and back surfaces in at least the head portion of the paddle may include an outer boundary spaced apart from an internal perimeter of the paddle. A gap, formed as a void, may completely surround the outer boundary of the core, isolating it from the frame. A first filler may be disposed within the gap, e.g., completely encompassing the core. Additionally, a second filler may be disposed within the hollow interior portion of the frame. The peripheral gap may extend into a throat portion of the paddle, structurally isolating the central core.