Who here plays pickleball? (3 Viewers)

[JRald07]

In for PHL.

ETA I've read good reviews of the paddle in the foreground. Do you like that as a good paddle for a beginner/intermediate type player?

For a beginner I would strongly recommend a wide body or hybrid shaped paddle. Very forgiving for a beginner.

That picture was taken back in July. It was great, while I used it for all of 2 months lol and have used about 4 paddles since then. Once the face gets smooth, I look to swap paddles. I just ordered their latest release, Vapor 2. It comes with a more durable surface.

I'm at a point where I would only consider getting gen4 (full-foam) paddles that come with more durable grit/face compared to just the raw carbon.

 

[davislane]

In for PHL.

ETA I've read good reviews of the paddle in the foreground. Do you like that as a good paddle for a beginner/intermediate type player?

we were short a player in PHL last time around. i was trying to get a match up and running with @JRald07 and @jxfan

 

[JMC9389]

For a beginner I would strongly recommend a wide body or hybrid shaped paddle. Very forgiving for a beginner.

That picture was taken back in July. It was great, while I used it for all of 2 months lol and have used about 4 paddles since then. Once the face gets smooth, I look to swap paddles. I just ordered their latest release, Vapor 2. It comes with a more durable surface.

I'm at a point where I would only consider getting gen4 (full-foam) paddles that come with more durable grit/face compared to just the raw carbon.

That's what I worry about with the cheaper paddles. I don't want the face to wear down after 2 or 3 months. I have an Engage Pursuit 2.0 that's a hybrid shaped.

Is it worth upgrading to the Alpha or Pursuit Pro hybrid in your view? I can buy a "slightly used" one on their site for just a few bucks more than what I paid for the 2.0.

 

[JMC9389]

we were short a player in PHL last time around. i was trying to get a match up and running with @JRald07 and @jxfan

Lock it in. The mini golf place we usually go to closed forever and I'll be free Friday/Saturday morning.

 

[JRald07]

Is it worth upgrading to the Alpha or Pursuit Pro hybrid in your view? I can buy a "slightly used" one on their site for just a few bucks more than what I paid for the 2.0.

I am personally not familiar with the brand outside of knowing their name and if I'm being honest I don't consider it at that price point. I have yet to spend over $200 on a paddle lol. Unfortunately the brands I look at are not made in the USA.

I'm hoping my latest sub-200 purchase will last me more than 4 months.

 

[JRald07]

@JMC9389 Honolulu pickleball, a brand to consider that somewhat meets your requirements half way?

 

[JMC9389]

I am personally not familiar with the brand outside of knowing their name and if I'm being honest I don't consider it at that price point. I have yet to spend over $200 on a paddle lol. Unfortunately the brands I look at are not made in the USA.

I'm hoping my latest sub-200 purchase will last me more than 4 months.

Yeah, I'm not paying $200 for a paddle. $80 to $100 is the sweet spot especially if they start to wear after a few months.

Rich, I know, coming from someone who snap bought an $80 6 chip sample last night!

 

[JRald07]

Our tennis group has been encroaching on the pickleball courts by playing ‘Red Ball’ tennis. Basically pickleball rules (no volley zone, 2-bounce rule, underhand serves, etc ) but tennis scoring with a junior foam ball and small 23” racquets. The strung racket instead of paddle allows for much more creative spin shots and the foam ball eliminates the plonking sound.

It’s a fun, easy, enjoy-with-a-drink social game. Highly recommended for tennis players if you don’t want to down-shift all the way to pickleball.

Isn't this Typti (pronounced tip-tee)? I just saw some people playing this at my local club. Looks fun!

 

[BSteck]

Isn't this Typti (pronounced tip-tee)? I just saw some people playing this at my local club. Looks fun!

Kind of. Typti uses a different 1-up,2-up scoring system and has a couple or rule tweaks but they’re pretty close.

My opinion is that Typti is trying to modify Red Ball just enough to make it different and then somehow monetize it. (ie $200 racquets, special balls and a pro league)

We buy $16 kids racquets from Target and use widely available junior foam balls.
https://www.redballtennis.com/en/home/play.html

 

[pltrgyst]

Our tennis group has been encroaching on the pickleball courts by playing ‘Red Ball’ tennis. Basically pickleball rules (no volley zone, 2-bounce rule, underhand serves, etc ) but tennis scoring with a junior foam ball and small 23” racquets. The strung racket instead of paddle allows for much more creative spin shots and the foam ball eliminates the plonking sound.

It’s a fun, easy, enjoy-with-a-drink social game. Highly recommended for tennis players if you don’t want to down-shift all the way to pickleball.

We've tried that using racquetball racquets and low-compression (60 or less) tennis balls, and it was fun.

 

[dizzyChipper]

I play tennis, pickle and padel. Good stuff all around. And if we’re ever in vicinity I’ll pickle with you for sure.

I prefer the most spin I can get on a paddle and basically go to whatever buying guide is current - then choose a spin paddle at a moderate price point and call it a day.

Spin = Control

—Diz

 

[JMC9389]

I play tennis, pickle and padel. Good stuff all around. And if we’re ever in vicinity I’ll pickle with you for sure.

I prefer the most spin I can get on a paddle and basically go to whatever buying guide is current - then choose a spin paddle at a moderate price point and call it a day.

Spin = Control

—Diz

Control is king. If opposing players are out of position there's no need to slam it. There's a Pickleball Kingdom in Tinton Falls which I believe is near you. I go to the one a town over from me. Happy to play as long as you're ok being patient with a high beginner (for now)

 

[BNM]

You play whiffle ball. They did in the late 70s and early 80s, too. Enjoy your ride on the fad train.

That said, anything that keeps older people active is great. This is a fat country, with fat people. So, pickle away.

 

[pltrgyst]

You play whiffle ball. They did in the late 70s and early 80s, too. Enjoy your ride on the fad train.

That said, anything that keeps older people active is great. This is a fat country, with fat people. So, pickle away.

"Wiffle," a registered trademark, despite the universal usage, hard as that night be to believe.

We did that in the late 1950's, too. I think I still have one of those long, thin bats somewhere...

 

[Chips523]

Any of you old dinosaurs play handball. All those courts are disappearing. This new pickeball game seems like it's being forced on the general public. Is this a low tier sport or am I really just old?

 

[BNM]

"Wiffle," a registered trademark, despite the universal usage., hard as that night be to believe.

We did that in the late 1950's, too. I think I still have one of those long, thin bats somewhere...

I got autocorrected! The Man has us...

 

[pltrgyst]

Any of you old dinosaurs play handball. All those courts are disappearing. This new pickeball game seems like it's being forced on the general public. Is this a low tier sport or am I really just old?

A lot of squash played, here, but no handball.

I dunno. I enjoy playing p-ball, but nowhere near as much as tennis. And it doesn't provide anywhere near the same level of exercise. Plus I find p-ball too boring to watch, with all the extended dink exchanges. YMMV, of course.

 

[buffalojim]

Since last spring I started to play every weekend. I think it's fantastic and a great workout. Really a lot of fun. Just some random pics, some nice courts near my house.

 

[JMC9389]

For a beginner I would strongly recommend a wide body or hybrid shaped paddle. Very forgiving for a beginner.

That picture was taken back in July. It was great, while I used it for all of 2 months lol and have used about 4 paddles since then. Once the face gets smooth, I look to swap paddles. I just ordered their latest release, Vapor 2. It comes with a more durable surface.

I'm at a point where I would only consider getting gen4 (full-foam) paddles that come with more durable grit/face compared to just the raw carbon.

Upon further research, I've come around to agree with you. Based on reviews thus far, the Gen 4 and over paddles that mostly have a foam core are much more durable and will last longer. The $80-$99 price point paddles from Gen 1 and Gen 2 will wear down with time. Even at my current once a week rate, my pursuit 2.0 will likely only have a few months until the carbon fiber face wears and the spin doesn't start to come off the paddle as well.

I caved and bought a J2NF from Honolulu. Best hybrid that money can buy at the moment based on my research. Like with chips, it's a "buy once, cry once" proposition. Unless you decide that you need different paddles from different companies that are elongated or wide depending on what game you're in. That's a rabbit hole all on it's own.

 

[dizzyChipper]

You play whiffle ball. They did in the late 70s and early 80s, too. Enjoy your ride on the fad train.

That said, anything that keeps older people active is great. This is a fat country, with fat people. So, pickle away.

It's important to remember, particularly during Olympic time, that nearly all sports are the same level of arbitrary and stupid.

 

[buffalojim]

I've been pretty happy with my cheapish Vatic Pro Prism, real carbon fiber at least. Good enough for me. It's like pool, the equipment can only do so much, most of the game is played between the ears, your physical ability, and who your opponent(s) is.

 

[JMC9389]

I've been pretty happy with my cheapish Vatic Pro Prism, real carbon fiber at least. Good enough for me. It's like pool, the equipment can only do so much, most of the game is played between the ears, your physical ability, and who your opponent(s) is.

I looked at the Vatics. Very solid bang for the buck by the look of it.

 

[jxfan]

@jxfan and I played at the last meetup in SQM. We may try to make it a thing at every meetup we go to going forward.

I'm definitely addicted, I play in two ladder-leagues at a local indoor club.

Like my "arc yellow" wrap!?

View attachment 1639405

Can confirm that @JRald07 is semi pro and I am waiting for our rematch at the next meet up

 

[jxfan]

I've been pretty happy with my cheapish Vatic Pro Prism, real carbon fiber at least. Good enough for me. It's like pool, the equipment can only do so much, most of the game is played between the ears, your physical ability, and who your opponent(s) is.

I have the next gen of this paddle and I also think it’s good for the price!

 

[JMC9389]

Tried my hand at intermediate (3.0-3.5) open play this past week. I felt I was very comfortably middle of the pack out of the player pool that day. Won 4, lost 3 of the games I played in, but all 3 losses came when playing against at least one of a husband and wife combo that told me after the fact they regularly play high intermediate (3.5-4.0) and are dipping their toes into the advanced rated games. Which I take to mean that's exactly where I should be.

I see that I need to work on my third shot drops and that some of my returns were too long trying to be perfect instead of simply keeping it in play. Only way to get better is to play players better than you...

 

[Irish]

The next level:

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[JMC9389]

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GgFjGJd2q/

 

[jxfan]

https://www.facebook.com/share/1GgFjGJd2q/

This caption is..

 

[JMC9389]

This caption is..

I'll be honest, I was expecting a totally different type of clip when I clicked on it. I was thinking an early Happy Gilmore level kind of performance of a novice that somehow made it to a televised tournament game