Innholdsfortegnelse for September/October 2025 i Pickleball Magazine

As we close out another action-packed summer, the energy around our sport is stronger than ever. This past season has been a game-changer. From the surge in pro-level competition to major corporate investments and an influx of new facilities opening nationwide, pickleball is proving it’s here to stay. In July, the sport reached another milestone with the announcement that several major networks will begin broadcasting national tournaments live in prime time. It’s an unprecedented moment of exposure, and it marks a significant shift in how the broader public engages with pickleball. Meanwhile, local communities continue to be the lifeblood of the game. We’ve seen incredible growth in youth participation, adaptive pickleball programs, and intergenerational play. Cities across the U.S. are not only adding courts but reimagining public spaces to accommodate…

11SIX24 Pickleball The biblical story of David and Goliath recounts a young shepherd, David, who defeats the Philistine giant Goliath, despite being much smaller and using only a sling and stones while Goliath is well-armed. It’s fitting that the owner of a breakthrough paddle company started with a staff of one—and his name is David. However, David Groechel was working with more than a sling and stones, and the 33-year-old Davidson, North Carolina, resident had ample motivation after a bad paddle experience. “I launched 11SIX24 after breaking two $225 paddles in just a few weeks,” Groechel says. “I saw a gap in the market. Players deserved durable, high-quality performance gear at a great price.” The Detroit native (“I like to say I have Detroit grit”) is candid and confident. “I’m…

You are better off going into a match with a plan. You need a baseline to be able to change a plan if it is not working. Good players will adjust, so you must be able to adjust as well. You certainly need to know yourself, what you can and cannot do. Good players have a weapon, and they know how to maximize that weapon. You need to be able to size up your opponents from the get-go. Where are they most consistent and where do they make errors? Do they like pace? Spin? Is their forehand angle better than yours? Are you confident in your plan when you take the court? Singles is a running game. You want your opponent to have to run more than you do. That…

Across the U.S., local governments, parks departments, and community leaders are no longer asking if they should support pickleball—but how fast they can do it. From Seattle to Sarasota, cities are becoming the new power centers of our sport. Some towns are even declaring official “Pickleball Days” and rewriting zoning laws to accommodate court demand. What was once a grassroots game played in borrowed gyms has become a defining element of modern civic life. In this issue, we dive into our roundup of top cities and states for pickleball (based on the number of courts and facilities), along with something a little more eye-catching: America’s most scenic pickleball destinations. We also include the top five largest facilities in the country—these jaw-dropping multi-court venues are redefining what a pickleball destination can…

We’d Like to Hear From You! Send your questions to rules@pickleballmagazine.com. ''I heard about a player at a tournament receiving a penalty when he threw his paddle out of frustration after his team lost their match. This penalty was imposed on his next match. Please explain how penalties work.'' Pickleball is a game requiring good sportsmanship, incorporating the elements of fun, cooperation, courtesy, and competition. That said, there are times when players exhibit unsportsmanlike conduct, such as using profanity, throwing a paddle, or showing aggressive behavior toward another player, a spectator, or an official. To discourage this kind of behavior during a match, referees will issue a verbal warning, technical warning, or technical foul, depending on the severity of the behavior (Rules 13.G.1.–4.). One verbal warning may be issued to…

From the moment you arrive at the exclusive gates of CordeValle in San Martin, California, a sense of quiet luxury washes over you. The long, winding drive through the picturesque landscape sets the stage, and upon check-in, the thoughtful gesture of a complimentary welcome drink instantly makes you feel like a valued guest. This is not just a resort; it is an experience expertly crafted to feel both grand and personal. At the heart of CordeValle’s newest offerings is a state-of-the-art pickleball facility, a testament to the resort’s commitment to modern luxury and active leisure. The addition of eight dedicated courts, located within the esteemed tennis club, is a game-changer. These courts are unlike any other, meticulously maintained and designed to be a premier venue for players of all skill…

We all want our sport to be respected. We don’t want to bring shame to pickleball as it develops into a recognized paddle sport. To honor the founding principles of the game and positively guide this development, we must work to exhibit good sportsmanship at all levels. Not only is this good for pickleball, but it can also facilitate both personal and play improvement. Be a class act on the court, the medal stand, and in life itself. Act like you have been in the winner’s circle before. Hold your head high, win or lose. You don’t want your opponents to think that they can hang in there until you lose your cool and throw the match. Your frustration gives them staying power. You don’t want potential partners to decline…

ASTES ARCHITECT PRO Suggested Retail: $159.99 Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb Surface: T700 Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.95–8.65 Colors: Black, White ASTES ARTIST PRO Suggested Retail: $219.99 Core Material: Polymer Honeycomb Surface: T700 Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.8–8.3 Colors: Fiber White, Carbon Black ASTES ENGINEER MAX Suggested Retail: $189.99 Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb Surface: T700 Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.7–8.1 Colors: Carbon Black, Fiber White ASTES ENGINEER PRO Suggested Retail: $189.99 Core Material: Polypropylene Honeycomb Surface: T700 Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.7–8.1 Colors: Carbon Black, Fiber White BANGER PICKLEBALL LLC PROCOMP 3 Suggested Retail: $199 Core Material: Foam‑Injected Thermoformed Unibody (14mm) Surface: Carbon Fiber – Textured Finish Weight (oz): 8.0 Colors: Black EXO VENATOR Suggested Retail: $149.99 Core Material: Dual Foam, Polypropylene Honeycomb Surface: T700 Carbon Fiber Weight (oz): 7.8 Colors:…

Anytime your opponent scores three points in a row you need to take a time-out. This applies to whatever style is being played. Do not let your opponent get a run going. Use the time-out productively. If your opponent fast-serves and/or plays a fast rhythm game, slow it down. Force him/her to play your rhythm. Do not rush yourself. If you are losing, change the rhythm of play. Practice by playing skinny singles, especially playing up the line rather than crosscourt (the diagonal). Work on your consistency, using the half court to force yourself to practice precision on your returns, passing shots, drives and dinks. Placement should be your goal—not only in skinny singles, but also in full-court singles. Use angles. Placement over power!…

With our days of dinking in the summer sun behind us once again, it’s time to bundle up in hoodies for crisp-weather play. For many of us, the cooler temperatures can change our appetites as quickly as we change athletic wear. We naturally begin to kindle cravings for comfort food, or dishes that fill our bellies with satisfying warmth. The term “comfort food” often implies that a recipe is loaded with empty calories, but this doesn’t have to be the case. The fruits and veggies harvested in autumn offer a bounty of nutrients that can help keep us fit in the fall, when weather restricts us from getting on the court as often. Here are some of my favorites. Apples While apples are readily available all year, most varieties are…

As we head into an exciting second half of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable progress of USA Pickleball Serves, our charitable arm, and share a glimpse of what’s ahead at this year’s National Championships. USA Pickleball Serves was formed to support our mission to promote the development and growth of pickleball in the United States and its territories. Through Serves, we are doing that by expanding access to pickleball for players of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Serves introduced a second grant program this year to accompany the existing Grow the Game Grant. The Play it Forward Grant assists in funding organizations across the U.S. that are installing or converting pickleball courts, with each awardee receiving a $50,000 grant. In 2025, Serves has…

Spartina Pickleball Backpack Brand: Mark & Graham markandgraham.com$129 More than just a style statement, this bag is lightweight yet durable, and packed with functional features. The large front pocket has room for your paddle and the side pockets are perfectly sized for your water bottle or pickleballs. Add an embroidered monogram for a personal touch! Pickleball Court Note Card Brand: Karen Adams Designskarenadamsdesigns.com$4.80 Serve up some joy with this handcrafted pickleball note card (5.5" x 4.25") featuring a vibrant full-color illustration and elegant gold foil details on natural white paper, paired with a matching envelope. Also available in a set and to personalize. Decorative Pickleball Bracket Brand: Nature Bracketsnaturebrackets.com$54.95 Add a playful and sporty touch to your porch or mailbox with this high-quality, weather-resistant pickleball bracket—crafted from durable, white PVC…

People love lists because they’re a triple win: brain-friendly, time-efficient, and socially shareable. Pickleball players are no different. We search for courts with the shortest wait times and love cities with multiple courts and indoor and outdoor options. Dedicated players who are relocating identify nearby courts as a must-have. Players planning vacations search only for resorts with courts, and if those courts are in a scenic setting, that’s even better. Pickleball Magazine is here to help by providing lists of some of the best cities and states for pickleball players, and some of the prettiest places to play. (Certainly not all the best cities, states or scenic venues!) Pickleheads is the industry’s most comprehensive database of pickleball courts. In August, it reported 68,458 dedicated and temporary indoor and outdoor courts…

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. USA Pickleball National Championships NOV. 15-23 USA Pickleball National Championships Qualification Required San Diego, CA • Barnes Tennis Center South OCTOBER 17-19 World of Pickleball – Houston Spring, TX • PALA Pickleball NOVEMBER 7-9 YMCA National Tournament Naples, FL • USOP National Pickleball Center NOVEMBER 21-22 STYC Pickleball Open Nazareth, Virgin Islands (U.S.) • St. Thomas Yacht Club East OCTOBER 9-12 New England…

ENGAGE EVOLUTION AERO Look/Cosmetics: 4/5 Mostly black carbon paddle face (Toray T700) with the familiar Engage “reticle” across the face and some red accenting. This paddle shape is a familiar elongated 16.5" x 7.5". Handle length is 5.5 inches. Comes in only the scarlet red color choice as of the time of this review. Thickness is 16mm with a ribbed grip finishing it off. This is a mid-priced “budget” model, but so far everything looks and feels like high quality. My playtest paddle was 8 oz. on the nose. Serves/Returns/Groundstrokes: 3.5/5 Due to the low power level, I had to up my swing speed to hit returns and serves deep. Once I made that adjustment, things were fine. Spin was nice on slice returns, and the paddle cuts through the…

Age: 35 Hometown: Newport Beach, CA Marital Status: Married Ranking: #1 with women’s doubles partner Megan Fudge Favorite Tournament: APP Newport Beach (won it on her home courts) Best Shot: Backhand What drew you to pickleball when you had such a stellar tennis career? I wanted to fall in love again with a racket sport. I played #1 tennis for Pepperdine following my sister who played #1 for four years. We started playing pickleball after college and had so much joy. I was the CEO of DUPR and Steve Kuhn suggested I try the pickleball pro circuit. I have been at it for two years now as a free agent and I have no regrets. Where do you see pickleball going? I see more and more international talent. Pickleball is…