
What your pickleball paddle says about you
DALLAS, TX – Whenever I visit my local courts, I’m immediately scanning the crowd of players to gauge their skills... and get a closer look at their paddles.
I think you can tell a lot about a player by their choice of paddle.
Admittedly, I’ve been a little harsh in the past, judging novices using plastic, electric green and blue paddles that were clearly ordered on Amazon Prime the night before just to give America's fastest-growing sport a try.
I judged the hyper-intense corporate bros with JOOLA and Selkirk paddles, too. Those guys are convinced they’ll go pro if they follow in Connor Garnett’s footsteps.
With that in mind, here’s what your paddle says about you:
- - Obsessed with Ben Johns
- - Probably Googled "best pickleball paddle" and picked the most expensive one
- - Likely doesn't read the latest pickleball news if it's a Gen 3
- - Convinced can play like Anna Leigh Waters
- - Likely practices wall drills like Christian Alshon
- - Probably thinks they have a forehand like Jack Sock
- - Likely from Florida or extremely patriotic
- - I bet they love HOKA shoes, too, for maximum color overload
- - Probably still doing a drop serve
- - About to level up to a Selkirk
Random paddle ordered from Amazon
- - Probably visited a pickleball court twice in their lifetime
- - You’ll be teaching them the rules
Cute paddles from Target
- - Just there to have a cute photoshoot for Instagram
- - Or participating in the “dump him and play pickleball trend”
Wooden paddle
- - Sigh. Just avoid these players.
- - As they say in Texas, "Bless their heart"
What does your paddle say about you? Let us know on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Related articles

Best Dressed at the Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships
Let's talk fashion at the biggest pickleball tournament of the year.
254 days ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Waters outduels Fahey in women's singles for second title of the day
Anna Leigh Waters battled past Kate Fahey to secure her second title at Brookhaven Country Club.
256 days ago
-Will Daughton

Johns, Waters continue to dominate, win gold in mixed at Lapiplasty Pickleball World Championships
Another gold for this unstoppable mixed partnership.
256 days ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Waters and Johns, Wright and Alshon advance to mixed doubles final
Championship Sunday is going to be good.
257 days ago
-Pickleball.com Staff