Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2025 i Pickleball Magazine

As the fastest-growing sport for the past four years, pickleball has experienced incredible growth in both participation and market value. Fifty million people play pickleball in the U.S.—an astonishing 19 percent of the adult population. The global pickleball market is valued at approximately $1.8 billion, with estimates suggesting the market could reach $4.4 billion—and as high as $7.9 billion—in the next decade. The pickleball craze has also ushered in major shifts in the retail landscape with brands such as Adidas and Nike expanding their product lines to include pickleball equipment and apparel. Contributor Alex E. Weaver’s article, “Moneyball” (page 32), takes a look at what’s driving revenue in this billion-dollar business, including the demand for new courts. According to Weaver, there are 68,458 total courts in the U.S., with 18,455…

↘ We’d Like to Hear From You! Send your questions to rules@pickleballmagazine.com. Q &A Q. I’ve heard a lot about new paddle standards, including a new way to measure paddle power. What is the new standard and why was it adopted? A USA Pickleball has technical standards meant to limit both the power of a paddle and its ability to add spin to a ball. These limits were included in the Official Rulebook until a few years ago, when it was decided that they required their own publication and revision methods. The details are available on the USA Pickleball website at usapickleball.org/docs/eec/Equipment-Standards-Manual.pdf. Paddle technology, of course, has evolved. Wooden paddles, which are still used in many schools because of durability, gave way to lightweight sturdy plastic honeycomb or foam core…

When I interviewed pro Michael Loyd for the January/ February issue of Pickleball Magazine, I asked him to name his best shot. He replied, “My serve,” and I was surprised. Remember the days when pickleball players said, “You just put the ball in play, the serve doesn’t matter”? Times have changed. Players have improved and they see opportunities that were formerly overlooked. If you are a trained professional, you are solid off both sides and experienced at dealing with heavy topspin and heavy slices. You are adept at taking the ball on the rise and moving into good position. This article is not geared to your game. It is for the senior players and for those who have to exploit weaknesses, perfect placements, and utilize spins to their full advantage.…

How popular is pickleball, really? Recent estimates put the number of annual participants in the U.S. around 50 million. That’s the same number of people who swung a golf club in all of 2024, be it on a course, driving range, indoor simulator or at a popular entertainment destination like Top Golf. Fifty million, give or take, is the number of people who went running last year. It’s a few million short of the number of Americans, age 6 or older, who dropped a line in the water and hoped for a bite. It’s also—fun fact—right around the number of people who visit America’s most popular tourist attraction annually: Times Square, New York City. It’s a staggering number of people. For America’s fastest-growing sport, it also represents a staggering amount…

Drilling is the foundation of high-level pickleball. The difference between good players and great players isn’t just how well they can execute a shot—it’s how well they can execute it under pressure, in any situation, without missing. And that level of consistency comes from intentional, focused drilling. If you’re looking to take your game to the next level, it’s time to rethink how you practice. A proper drilling routine starts with three key elements: identifying weaknesses, practicing with precision, and training until you can’t miss. Step 1: Identify What You Need to Work On Before you step onto the court, you need a game plan. What parts of your game are holding you back? The best way to figure this out is by tracking your errors during play. • Film…

ACORN PICKLEBALL EXTREME Suggested Retail: $180 Core Material: 16mm Polypropylene Honeycomb Surface: 3D 18K Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.9 Colors: Black ACORN PICKLEBALL INFINITY Suggested Retail: $195 Core Material: 14mm Polypropylene Honeycomb Surface: Kevlar Weight (oz): 7.9 Colors: Burgundy BB LUCKY Suggested Retail: $134.99 Core Material: Polypropylene Surface: Blended Raw Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 8.0 Colors: White, Green, Blue CRUSH SPORTS FORCE 5G Suggested Retail: $199 Core Material: Honeycomb Surface: T700 Raw Carbon Weight (oz): 8.1 Colors: Blue & Gold GRÜVN LAZR-16HD Suggested Retail: $169 Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb and Foam Injected Walls Surface: Kevlar and Raw Carbon Fiber Blend Weight (oz): 7.9 Colors: Red blend, Blue blend GRÜVN THE GRIPPER-16V Suggested Retail: $89 Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb Surface: Graphite/Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.9 Colors: Blue JOLLE POWER MAX Suggested…

BREAD & BUTTER SHOGUN PADDLE REVIEW Look/Cosmetics: 3.5/5 Just a basic design here—yellow lettering of “SHOGUN” across the face against a black carbon/titanium fiber face. White edge guard with lettering around the perimeter. This is the only color choice currently available. Elongated shape measuring 16.5" long x 7.4" wide, with a 5.5" grip. Nice yellow cushioned grip that claims to dampen vibrations. Playtest paddle came in at 8.0 oz. with a thickness of 16 mm. This paddle promises to be an “all-court,” balanced paddle. With similar specs to my favorite Invikta paddle, I was anxious to test this one out. Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes: 4.5/5 Was able to acclimate to this paddle almost immediately. Swing weight was a bit on the heavy side, but not hard to swing at all. Hard shots had…

USA Pickleball has had a great start to 2025, including our first Golden Ticket tournament of the year and learn-to-play clinic held in January in San Diego. As we look ahead to April, which is National Pickleball Month, we have many exciting events planned, including a celebration of the one-year anniversary of USA Pickleball Serves. As you know, the mission of USA Pickleball is to promote the sport of pickleball. Consequently, we were thrilled when the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) recently announced that pickleball was not only the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year, but also saw a growth rate of 45.8% in 2024. Wow! According to SFIA, the total number of pickleball participants in the U.S. is now nearly 20 million. Thanks to…

Nineteen-year-old Hayden Patriquin resembles a stock character from the old Wild West, specifically the brash young gun who rides into a new town and causes the sheriff to look up from his game of solitaire and exclaim, “Uh-oh! We got trouble.” Patriquin, known as “Big H” to the pickleball world, brings trouble to the court in the form of one of the fastest draws, tremendous footwork, and an oversized confidence. “Probably the most swag I’ve seen in someone his size,” says fellow pro Augie Ge. “He is a huge presence on the ‘Shake and Bake,’ and he makes it so there are very few safe spots on the court.” Big H, who picked up the game from his grandfather at the age of 13, was a baseball player who turned…

Upcoming USA Pickleball Sanctioned Tournaments Why choose a USA Pickleball sanctioned event? Sanctioned events are held by tournament directors who have agreed to meet and abide by the sanctioning requirements of USA Pickleball, the sport’s National Governing Body. The tournament director and the players who participate in a sanctioned event are eligible to receive the benefits associated with sanctioning, including UTR-P ratings, approved formats and event insurance. Visit usapickleball.org/events for the full listing, including all National Pickleball Month clinics and special events. Golden Ticket Tournaments APRIL 2-6 APP Fort Lauderdale Open Golden Ticket Fort Lauderdale, FL • The Fort APRIL 9-13 USA Pickleball Mesa Golden Ticket Mesa, AZ • Arizona Athletic Grounds MAY 14-18 UTR Sports Overland Park Open Golden Ticket Overland Park, KS • Elite Tennis and Wellness MAY…

Need some structure to your drills? There’s an app for that. If you’re serious about improving your pickleball game, the Pickleball Drills app is a must-have. Created by Austin Hardy, a respected coach in the pickleball community, this app provides a structured approach to skill development with expert-driven drills and game strategies. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an advanced player fine-tuning your technique, this app has something to offer. One of the app’s standout features is its variety of targeted drills, helping players master essential shots and strategies: • Dink Drills – Improve your soft game, control and placement for better net play. • Drive Drills – Work on powerful groundstrokes and passing shots. • Drop Drills – Master third-shot drops to set up a winning strategy.…

‘Tears of My Pickleball Opponents’ Glass Can Toast to victory and some pickleball humor with this 16-oz. glass can as the perfect companion for celebrating your wins on and off the court! Price: $22 calliedanielleshop.com Pickleball Patches Sweatshirt A premium Peruvian cotton pickleball sweatshirt features a smooth neckline, cuffs and waistband, with “Pickleball” embroidered on the neckline and playful yellow ball patches on the elbows for a sporty, stylish touch. Price: $105 courtlifesports.com Pink and White Pickleball Embroidered Cocktail Napkins Elevate your pickleball gatherings with this elegant set of four embroidered, 100% linen napkins, featuring a hemstitched and mitered corner design in crisp white—perfect for any occasion. Price: $48 curatedhomedecor.com Pickleball Jeweled Knot Headband This expertly crafted hand-sewn headband is ideal for pickleball enthusiasts, featuring a gorgeous pink hue, embellished…

Nestled in the heart of Orlando, Florida, Four Seasons Resort Orlando has quickly become a premier destination for pickleball enthusiasts. With world-class amenities, state-of-the-art facilities and passionate staff, this resort offers everything you need to elevate your pickleball experience, both on and off the court. It features four brand-new Har-Tru pickleball courts, and there are customized Holbrook paddles available, adding a touch of personalized luxury to your game. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just picking up a paddle for the first time, the well-maintained courts and top-of-the-line equipment ensure an exceptional playing experience. The resort also offers a variety of pickleball programs and clinics led by experienced instructors, allowing you to improve your skills and take your game to the next level. And, for those looking for some friendly…

If you’re passionate about bringing credibility and a sense of fairness to the courts, then becoming a USA Pickleball official might be for you! The importance of the USA Pickleball referee is on display at tournaments year-round, and our organization is committed to growing the referee community and setting the standard for training new officials. Though the pipeline of referees has been bolstered by the recently established Verified Trainee program, there’s a need for continuous growth due to natural attrition. In addition, as pickleball is poised to grow at the collegiate and high school levels, the need for officials will increase. “Once pickleball becomes a college and high school mainstream sport, they will need a lot of officials,” said Tom Tadler, USA Pickleball’s managing director of officiating. “We need to…

In pickleball, as in many racquet sports, success often depends on more than just the power of your shots. A key but often overlooked skill is peripheral vision—the ability to see and process things outside your direct line of sight. For pickleball players, the capacity to maintain awareness of the entire court while focusing on the ball is vital. However, achieving this level of awareness is not just about having good eyesight along with a pair of quality sunglasses designed for pickleball players. It’s also about body positioning and how effectively you place yourself to maximize your vision and court awareness. What is Peripheral Vision? Peripheral vision refers to the ability to see objects outside your central focus area. While our eyes are naturally drawn to whatever we are directly…

We all know the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The beauty of pickleball is that anyone can play. It is accessible and easy to learn, then becomes more technical and complex as you progress. Pickleball has enabled so many to start enjoying an active lifestyle because it’s a lot of fun, and they can’t wait to play again. As a result, it’s led to many people transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle. As you continue to play and improve your on-court performance, off-court training can be extremely beneficial. This is especially true for older, less active individuals whose bodies are not quite ready to handle the physical demands of the sport. They may be able to play at low levels, but strenuous activity may be too difficult. The good news…

Age: 25 Hometown: Temecula, California College: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Major: Kinesiology Marital Status: Married in May Ranking: ATP 7 Best shot: Backhand drive and lob Favorite tournament: Newport Beach ATP People loved the Super Bowl pickleball commercial. How did that come about? Last year I played on the MLP Atlanta Bouncers team. It is owned by Anheuser-Busch, which was advertising Michelob beer at the Super Bowl. They wanted to use two professional pickleball players. I was filmed in Newport Beach. It was fun to do, and a lot of it didn’t make the final cut. Lots of people were involved from the acting world. We spent a lot of time teaching some of the actors how to play pickleball. It was fun being in their world. Were there…