Everything Pickleball

[SDIrishFan]

Alright, had to do it.

I started playing pickleball about 8 months or so ago and love it. Play 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hours at a time. It’s a great way to get 10k steps and tons of lateral exercise.

We’ve got a group of 10-15 that play pretty consistently.

I was curious who else plays? What style to the prefer to play? Bangers? Finesse? Hybrid?

Favorite paddles? Balls? Inside or outside?

Hit me with it. And before you all get up in my jock, Golden Tate’s a big player, as well as several other pro athletes.

 

[MacIrish75]

Alright, had to do it.

I started playing pickleball about 8 months or so ago and love it. Play 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hours at a time. It’s a great way to get 10k steps and tons of lateral exercise.

We’ve got a group of 10-15 that play pretty consistently.

I was curious who else plays? What style to the prefer to play? Bangers? Finesse? Hybrid?

Favorite paddles? Balls? Inside or outside?

Hit me with it. And before you all get up in my jock, Golden Tate’s a big player, as well as several other pro athletes.

I still play a lot of tennis—the problem is nobody else does. I sort of want to get into pickleball just to have a group to go compete with. For those who have played both, what are the biggest changes, adjustments I’ll need to make?

Great thread @SDIrishFan

 

[SDIrishFan]

I didn’t have a tennis background, just and athletic background, but a few players I play with did, and you can tell based on their play.

On a fundamental level, they are similar. My guess is you’d be miles ahead of most other beginners in regards to footwork, strategy, applying spin, hand eye coordination, movement, etc.

On the flip side, you’d have to adjust to the size and proximity of the paddle, the ball not flying the same, smaller court, having a partner (if you didn’t play doubles).

But should be a smooth transition. A huge part of my enjoyment, like anything, is the ppl you play with. They are welcoming groups and snooty groups and everything in between.

For me I’ve always been competitive. So it gets those juices flowing.

 

[SDIrishFan]

The biggest strategic difference I see (having hardly played any tennis) is that most tennis action happens at the baseline with drop shots being something to catch players off balance.

In pickleball, the general strategy is quite the opposite by trying to get to the net/kitchen as quick as possible playing drops/dinks and using speed ups or lobs as scoring attempts once at the net.

 

[OrlaNDomer]

I play 4-5 times a week for about a year and a half now. It's pretty much what I do with all my free time outside of football season. Been getting into playing tournaments and having fun with that.

Currently going back and forth between the Thrive Azul and Thrive Smoke for paddles. Both are solid, but I wouldn't consider either top of class paddles.

For balls I mostly play with Franklin X-40s but I actually like the Lifetime balls recently released. Anything but a Joola ball...

I can't play on indoor courts unless they have outdoor surfaces...it's just a completely different game and IMO only intended for seniors (which I am not).

 

[SDIrishFan]

I play 4-5 times a week for about a year and a half now. It's pretty much what I do with all my free time outside of football season. Been getting into playing tournaments and having fun with that.

Currently going back and forth between the Thrive Azul and Thrive Smoke for paddles. Both are solid, but I wouldn't consider either top of class paddles.

For balls I mostly play with Franklin X-40s but I actually like the Lifetime balls recently released. Anything but a Joola ball...

I can't play on indoor courts unless they have outdoor surfaces...it's just a completely different game and IMO only intended for seniors (which I am not).

I’m contemplating whether or not I might be ready to play in a tournament. Not sure I’m there yet but maybe before the end of the season. My dink game consistency still needs some help.

I’ve recently been using a Six Zero DBD elongated. I’ve enjoyed it so far.

Most of us were playing with the X40s but one of our snowbirds has come back insisting on using Selkirks S1. It’s a lot harder/faster than the Franklins.

We don’t have a choice but to play indoors in the winter with snow on the ground.

 

[ACamp1900]

I feel like took a nap five years ago and woke up and suddenly everyone was a super sensitive influencer who plays something called pickleball. Ever since I’ve been like, ‘wtf even is all that??’ But History’s Mysteries is finally streaming so I guess all is well,……….

 

[SDIrishFan]

I feel like took a nap five years ago and woke up and suddenly everyone was a super sensitive influencer who plays something called pickleball. Ever since I’ve been like, ‘wtf even is all that??’ But History’s Mysteries is finally streaming so I guess all is well,……….

Give it a whirl, you might enjoy it???

 

[Black Irish]

I feel like took a nap five years ago and woke up and suddenly everyone was a super sensitive influencer who plays something called pickleball. Ever since I’ve been like, ‘wtf even is all that??’ But History’s Mysteries is finally streaming so I guess all is well,……….

Mods, add this to the "Damn kids, get off my lawn" thread that is way overdue for creation.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Alright, had to do it.

I started playing pickleball about 8 months or so ago and love it. Play 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hours at a time. It’s a great way to get 10k steps and tons of lateral exercise.

We’ve got a group of 10-15 that play pretty consistently.

I was curious who else plays? What style to the prefer to play? Bangers? Finesse? Hybrid?

Favorite paddles? Balls? Inside or outside?

Hit me with it. And before you all get up in my jock, Golden Tate’s a big player, as well as several other pro athletes.

I've only dabbled, my buddy has a couple of paddles and we've probably played a couple of times but I really enjoy it. I also didn't have a tennis background but I love watching tennis. Just couldn't do it with football in the fall.

As someone who is an avid jogger every time I play after a few months, I always end up sore from the lateral movement that I don't usually get otherwise. It's a better workout than people think and it's really fun. A hybrid between ping-pong and tennis, smack in the middle.

 

[NDRock]

The biggest strategic difference I see (having hardly played any tennis) is that most tennis action happens at the baseline with drop shots being something to catch players off balance.

In pickleball, the general strategy is quite the opposite by trying to get to the net/kitchen as quick as possible playing drops/dinks and using speed ups or lobs as scoring attempts once at the net.

That’s my biggest problem with the game as you get better. Ends up with four people right outside the kitchen trying to dink it over. I like moving around more like you do in tennis, racquetball, etc… I enjoy playing but not enough to get obsessed about it or it ever being my go to choice of athletic event. Certainly popular where I live.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

That’s my biggest problem with the game as you get better. Ends up with four people right outside the kitchen trying to dink it over. I like moving around more like you do in tennis, racquetball, etc… I enjoy playing but not enough to get obsessed about it or it ever being my go to choice of athletic event. Certainly popular where I live.

I've only ever played singles. From what I've seen of doubles, I agree there's not much movement. Kind of defeats the purpose for me.

 

[ACamp1900]

Mods, add this to the "Damn kids, get off my lawn" thread that is way overdue for creation.

It would be an honor,… now turn on the fucking sprinklers

 

[SDIrishFan]

I've only ever played singles. From what I've seen of doubles, I agree there's not much movement. Kind of defeats the purpose for me.

Tons of movement in singles. And, if you play against someone better than you, it's very difficult to cover the whole court.

Doubles is obviously less movement, but if you have skilled players, they are hitting lines, backhands, lobs, drives, etc and making you move plenty laterally. But, agree, there are "older folks" that I play with that just dink it right at it other for... entertainment, I guess?

 

[IrishBryan77]

I want to blow up the pickle ball courts down the road by me.

There!!! Someone HAD to say it.

 

[SDIrishFan]

I want to blow up the pickle ball courts down the road by me.

There!!! Someone HAD to say it.

No doubt, I would NOT want to live next to a pickleball facility...

 

[Huntr]

President of our company installed a pickleball court in his back yard.

Not shitting on the sport, but that's a fuckin weenie move.

 

[IrishBryan77]

President of our company installed a pickleball court in his back yard.

Not shitting on the sport, but that's a fuckin weenie move.

I want to blow his court up too!

 

[NDohio]

I still play a lot of tennis—the problem is nobody else does. I sort of want to get into pickleball just to have a group to go compete with. For those who have played both, what are the biggest changes, adjustments I’ll need to make?

Great thread @SDIrishFan

I am a tennis player that has become obsessed with pickleball. The biggest two adjustments are your back swing and contact point.

You have to really shorten your back swing or you will hit everything long. The mechanics of the swing are really similar, just tighter. The other part was a little harder to adjust to. Your contact point with the ball is more out in front of your body than in tennis. Especially when you are playing the drop shots and “dinking”.

I feel like the biggest advantage tennis players have is being able to hit down the line. A lot of pickleball is played in the center of the court and I often am able to surprise players with line shots. I’m also a banger which drives some pickleball players nuts.

I love the game and play for hours. I am moving and my biggest anxiety is whether I am going to find a group of people to play pickleball with like I have now - LOL.

 

[Irishdawg]

I want to blow his court up too!

😂🤣, funny not funny. I was on spring break last year and had to move our room because first one was right next to the pickle ball courts and that damn ball hitting racket noise started at 6am and went on freaking all day!! But I have had fun playing casually.

 

[Black Irish]

President of our company installed a pickleball court in his back yard.

Not shitting on the sport, but that's a fuckin weenie move.

Poor use of F*** You money. Everyone knows the way to go is installing your own movie theater and/or bar. A stripper pole with glass ceiling is a move, too, provided you are acquainted with the right, or wrong, type of women who know how to work it.