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Ladies, have you played Pickleball yet? If not, you are surely missing out on one of the fastest-growing games. Over the last year, I picked up pickleball and now it is one of the greatest sources of leisure and joy I have in my life. What is nice is that you can simply show up where a game is, and meet the players on-site. Or play with a group of friends or family members. However, as a beginner, you may want to know what you need to get started with Pickleball. In this article, I discuss how to get started and the actual products I use.
These are our pickleball paddles and a typical outdoor pickleball we use. My Vatic Pro paddle on the left is what my friends refer to a “black magic”.
To get started with Pickleball, do these things
Sign up for lessons or a beginner clinic
To get started with Pickleball, make sure you sign up for some lessons at a local club, gym, or group. Lessons are a wonderful way to meet other players at your level. Some cities have free lessons for new pickleball players to promote the sport. If you have some willing friends, they could teach you too. It is super easy to learn but there are more skills and rules involved then you think. There is new terminology such as the “kitchen”, dinking, and volleying. It has a somewhat complex scoring system, a new type of court, and a wiffleball-like ball, etc. They will teach you the basics in the lesson.
Get a Pickleball Paddle
In the beginning, if you can, try to borrow one. If you are playing at a club, most clubs will loan you a paddle to get used to the game, before you invest in one. If you are playing at a public court, you may want to buy one. Perhaps owning your paddle makes you more committed to the game. There are loads of Pickleball paddles and it can really be confusing as to what to use.
If you buy one as a new player, I would recommend buying a paddle that can take you from a beginner to an intermediate stage. Start with more of a beginner paddle that is typically thin and light and makes movement easier. Don’t start with a thick, heavy advanced power paddle, as it may make early maneuvering difficult. Later, when you are more intermediate player, you can switch to the thicker paddles.
Good Paddle for Beginners
I am not a paddle expert by any means. You can read loads of great reviews and go down a rabbit hole of specifications. However, these are paddles that I ACTUALLY USED that I recommend because I had a good experience with them. One that my husband used and is budget friendly is listed as well. While I love to read reviews on things, I always feel the best recommendations are from regular people that actually play.
As a beginner here is the paddle that I borrowed from the club where I first learned to play.
This was a wonderful paddle for me to transition into intermediate-level play. It is reasonably priced to get you started and move you into the game. Most of our club players had started with this loaner paddle. It really helped to get started with Pickleball to see if I liked the game and would continue.
Good Paddle for Intermediates
After I played for about 6 months, I researched intermediate paddles and bought a paddle. It has really upped my game. Paddles can be made of many materials and have various thicknesses that can change your game. They are usually classified as “control” paddles or “power paddles”. Since I was a tennis player, I have a tendency to “drive the ball” like forehands in tennis , and hit the ball long. So I opted for a “control” paddle which really has helped me to direct the ball where I want. When I tried different control paddles, sometimes, the ball would still not quite be directed where I intended it to go. This one has allowed me to control it much better.
Vatic Pro Prism “Flash”
My pickleball friends (now super good friends!) named it ‘black magic’ and is really helped my game. Some of the players at the court where I play also got it and recommend it. It is made of carbon fiber, known to be a durable material. It comes with a nice cover. The only thing is that it is moderately priced, not super expensive but not super cheap either. I received it as a Christmas gift from my husband. May not be the paddle you get right out of the gate. I would definitely recommend for Intermediate or Advanced players and would not be good for someone just starting.
My husband was a pretty advanced tennis player when I introduced him to Pickleball. He borrowed the Selkirk latitude I mentioned before, and played it like he had played all of his life. He wasn’t certain at the time if he would have the opportunity to play so wasn’t going to buy an expensive paddle right way. So for his birthday I bought him a good intermediate paddle. He has loved it and really excelled in the game. I haven’t heard a complaint and he is known to be kind of picky. This is the paddle that I bought for him. I have owned Head tennis rackets and so had confidence in the brand. It was a fairly budget-friendly option for me. It really helped him to get started with Pickleball and transition from tennis. I have known some ladies, who are early intermediates, who also recommend this paddle.
Head Radical Elite Pickleball Paddle
Wear comfortable activewear you can really move in
Pickleball is really a “down to earth” game. You don’t need to show up in your Chanel or Wimbledon whites (unless you want to :)) You can easily repurpose what you already use for other workouts. However, it is a quick, active game and you can really get sweaty. In the winter I wear leggings, I use for running/walking. I also, play tennis, so in the summer I am able to wear my tennis skirts. You can also wear shorts or skorts if that is your style. On top, I usually just wear a tank top or t-shirt and an exercise jacket or fleece if it is cold.
Sofibella UV Print Tennis Skirt – If you prefer a little color, pattern, and style, I love Sofibella. Their materials are very soft and you feel super cute on the court. They feel very lightweight making it easy to move around.
Wear court shoes
if you have shoes you wear for tennis or other court sports you can use them for pickleball. The main things is you want lateral side-to-side movement. Unlike running shoes, which are designed for moving you forward, with pickleball you have to be able to move in all directions. They also do sell pickleball shoes. I wear the same shoes for tennis and pickleball so that I don’t have to own two pairs and it has worked out just fine.
Grab a few pickleballs
In pickleball, you will usually play with 4 people and one out of the four will usually supply the ball. It is courteous every once in a while to be the person that supplies the ball. So you should always have one on hand. However, just starting with a few is fine. I have a few friends who made the mistake of buying 100 balls to begin with. As you play, you may get picky about the type of ball and you don’t want to get stuck with too many that you dislike.
Remember to keep track of your pickleballs. Some people like to put their initials with a permanent marker on the ball. The one thing to watch for is if the ball is for outdoor or indoor use. This will make a big difference. The club players I play with like the Onyx pickleballs for outdoor use. So I have gotten used to these and like them as well.
Locate a bag
You can use a backpack, tote or gym bag that you already have to cart your paddles, balls, water bottle, etc. Although, I have also been known to use a jacket with pockets as a makeshift bag. However, you may want to get a pickleball backpack. They are more compact than typical backpacks and they have a hook on top that latches onto a fence. You also look cool coming in to play. Make sure to put a water bottle, sunblock, towel, and sunglasses in your bag. Consequently, pickleball is an active game so you will need all of these things. The one below is a super cute one and is available in various colors and designs.
Sucipi quilted Pickleball bag – This elegant bag has tons of pockets to store pickleballs, a water bottle, paddles, your phone, a towel, etc. It has the hook to latch onto a fence.
I hope Pickleball brings you as much joy, health, leisure and friendship as it has brought me. So ladies, grab your stuff and get in the game! Get started with Pickleball.
