It’s Time To Make A Shopping Haul For This Summer’s Hottest Courtside Game: Pickleball! Here Is Your Beginner’s Guide For The Right Equipment To Buy

Pickleball is a sport that is so much fun that it combines the elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton. The game welcomes players of all skill levels and ages and is guaranteed to make you and your friends get out of the house this summer for a match.

After reading on about pickleball and understanding the basics, you are almost ready to go pro and buy yourself some gear. But as a beginner, there are still some things to know and what kind of gear is appropriate for pickleball. There are three things to remember before diving right into the list of beginner gear for pickleball.

• Pickleball is the most popular sport in the US, grossing in a tenth of golf players and a fifth of tennis players that pick up the game. Pickleball is considered to be the easiest sport to learn compared to tennis and more reasonably priced, and much faster to finish than golf. Believe it or not, but this sport is the most popular sport in Seattle, WA -- this gives us another reason to travel there!
• In tennis, you are able to score on either side of the court. In Pickleball, it is a little different -- like volleyball and squash, you can only score if you are serving the ball. There is a catch though, if you are part of the winning rally, or your server before you scores, you go into what is called a side-out, which means that you are able to serve next turn and try to score. The scoring system is rather similar to volleyball and squash, before it had switched to the straight scoring system. You are also only allowed to serve underhand strokes.
• You might think this game has something to do with pickles, or maybe it was named after dog, however, that’s not the case. Pickleball was actually created after Joel Pritchard’s wife, who had commented saying the game reminded her of the Pickle Boat crews who were leftover from the oarmen and other fishing boats. In turn, many of the equipment used in pickleball were used from other rules and gear from other sports that use a racquet, like tennis, badminton, and table tennis -- better known as our beloved ping pong.
  

Knowing just a little bit about the game beforehand, such as understanding the rules and the scoring -- which is quite easy to figure out compared to tennis and golf -- and also knowing how you should be dressed and what sort of gear to have with you when first starting out, will guarantee you a fun round of pickleball. Now, as a beginner, you need a great breakdown of the best pickleball gear that we can’t just deliver to you, but you need to check out and buy for yourself to see how much more fun the gear makes the game.

Your Paddle Matters, And So Does Your Grip

Not only does your paddle matter in the game, but so does your grip.

Don’t start out small, start off on the right hit with a paddle that suits your grip. We don’t mean just any pickleball paddle, but one that will come in handy and will be easy to learn with, without the worry of a paddle being too heavy or not the right shape.

A pickleball paddle comes in a rectangular shape; its shape is really similar to that of a paddleball racket, and the ball you will play with is lightweight and has holes in it to help guide the ball through the air better than a regular tennis ball that has no holes. Now that you know what to look for, here are a few choices to help guide you in your search for the perfect paddle.

Golden Marble-Lite Pickleball Paddle by Golden Pickleball

Loosen your grip, and swing with more confidence.

    Price: $79.99 + Shipping: FREE + Colors: White and Black, bundles also available

As a beginner pickleball player, you will need to be paired with the right paddle that will guarantee you the best grip for you as well as the right control to help you serve and spin your paddle better.

The golden marble-lite paddle is the right choice to help swing your way through an eventful season of pickleball. The height on this paddle is fifteen and a third inches, and the length of your handle -- which will help guarantee your best performance -- is only five and a half inches, which makes this paddle both portable and reliable on the court.

The marble-lite pickleball paddle comes in both black and white, and bundle packs are available, which contain one paddle in each color, or two of the same color.

Monarch Dragon Slayer Pickleball Paddle by Monarch

We’ve seen plenty of paddles in our time, but this one has to be the best paddle out there.

‍    Price: $49.99 + Shipping: Free over $65 + Colors: Blue/Purple, Linear Black, Linear Multicolored, Blue/Sand, Fire, Pink, USA, White

Embrace your inner dragon with the likeness of the dragon slayer paddle. You will find it easy to glide across the court, battling against the opposing server preventing them from scoring. You will love the easy feel and light weightedness of the pickleball paddle.

The paddle is made from a polypropylene material with a fiberglass surface that helps keep the paddle feeling lightweight, easy to carry, and glide with you on the court, and score every hit you make. The paddle comes in eight different colors, including blue and sand, linear black, and fire.

Gamma Fusion LE Pickleball Paddle by Gamma

    Price: $34.99 + Shipping: Free over $50 + One Color: red, grey and black

The Gamma Pickleball Paddle is a guarantee to help you score your first or next win on the court. The paddle is designed with a fiberglass surface that makes hitting seamless, and has a gorgeous honeycomb-like core that makes hitting the ball smooth. You will enjoy the grip of the handle as it is made from a poly honeycomb core. The grip is light and firm.

The paddle comes in one color: grey, red and black.

Upstreet Pickleball Paddle by Upstreet

You can’t throw away your shot with this awesome paddle for beginners.

    Price: $35.99 + Free shipping with Prime + Color(s): Blue

It’s the paddle you have been waiting for, and even of your dreams. The Upstreet paddle comes in handy with a nicely firm grip from the soft grip pad, and the nicely detailed graphite surface that will hit every ball that comes your way with ease.

Of course, before you can purchase any paddle, there needs to be an inspection before it hits the market. Fortunately, Upstreet makes it a priority to maintain each paddle with great care. The paddles only come in the color blue, but it also comes paired with an excellent pickleball paddle neoprene cover.

Aside from the best paddle for beginners of pickleball, what about the balls? We found a good selection of those just for you.

Beginner Pickleball: What The Best Balls Are For You

Don’t pick just any ball, you need to prepare yourself with the right equipment to help perform your best game.

Just so you know, future pickleball champion, you won’t need to splurge on a lot of equipment, as all you will need is a ball, a paddle, a net, and the right athletic gear to wear when performing indoors or outdoors. Pickleball is a fun sport that you can play both inside and outside, and is fun for all ages.

If you are playing for fun or planning on competing in tournaments, there will be a difference in the type of balls you play with. For now, we will be sticking with leisure balls to help you practice with.

Onix Pure 2 Outdoor Pickleball Balls by Onix

The best balls come in the shade of lemons.

    Price: $9.99-$324.96 + Shipping: Free with Prime + Color(s): Yellow, Neon Green

The great thing about the Onix 2 Pure Outdoor Pickleball Balls is that they are able to withstand even the worst weather conditions. The design with holes is quite popular, as it helps direct the ball for a straighter hit, unlike most balls that get knocked out when a high wind approaches.

The ball has a good bouncing ratio, as well as a clean welding design that prevents the ball from easily splitting. The ball comes in yellow and neon green.

Jugs Pickleballs by Jugs

Don’t forget to buy a pack of pickleballs so you can keep practicing.

    Price: $7.79-$42.99 + Shipping: Free with Prime + Color(s): Lime Green, White

This pickleball is perfect for the indoor pickleball player -- or champion! This pickleball comes with a softer feel and appears more like rubber than other pickleballs you will come across as a player. The great thing about it being made from rubber, it is the perfect ball for beginners to practice with inside.

This ball isn’t suitable for tournaments, but does make a great choice for recreational use. The pickleball comes in sets, and also comes in two colors: lime green and white.

X-40 Outdoor Pickleballs

As the weather gets nicer, you will want to stock up on a good set of beginner pickleballs.

    Price: $9.99 + Shipping: Ranges $5-$55 + Colors: Optic, Pink

It’s official, the best pickleball pack does exist! Franklin Sports is well known for creating the best athletic gear to help you perform better on and off the field or court. You will be amazed at the quality of these packs of pickleballs. A high quality material, the bounce rate is impressive and even when you’re playing in the dark, it will be easy to spot with it bouncing around.

The pickleballs are excellent for outdoor use, and are made with enough holes to help maintain balance and momentum. The pickleballs come in two colors: optic white and pink.

Every Excellent Athlete Needs A Good Bag, And So Do Pickleball Players

Don’t show up carrying your equipment in your hands, come ready with a good durable pickleball bag.

Pickleball is a fun and easy to learn sport that is excellent for recreational or professional play. As a beginner, you will need to purchase the appropriate bag to help carry all you will need, such as: a water bottle, your best paddles, your pickleballs, as well as any other necessary equipment to help you get through every match.

Here is a list of the top three bags we highly suggest checking out.

Game On Sling Bag by Pickleball Central

It’s game time with this must have pickleball sling bag.

   Price: $7.99 + Shipping: Free over $69 + Color(s): Blue, Pink, Yellow

This bag will surely have you feeling love for the sport twenty four seven. The bag comes in three different colors and is bodied with a zipper that unzips around the entire bag -- from the upper right corner to the bottom left. There is a secondary zipper that can be used for easy storage of smaller things, such as a phone, snacks, pickleballs, and even extra paddles.

The pickleball bag comes in yellow, blue, and pink, and is perfect for fitting all of your pickleball equipment.

Franklin Deluxe Competition Pickleball Backpack Bag by Franklin Sports

Get ahead of the game with this pickleball bag.

    Price: $36.95 + FREE Shipping + Color(s): Black and neon green

You are going to enjoy the game even more with this deluxe pickleball bag, as it has enough storage to make traveling to each tournament or recreational game simple. This bag is equipped with a spacious interior to allow for lots of room for your paddles and pickleballs. There is also a side pocket to store your water bottle, and a smaller, separate compartment to store your personal belongings.

The bag only comes in the color that is pictured, which is black and neon green. The bag also has a handle that can easily be hung on the fence while you play.

Viking Backpack Valknut by Viking

Embrace your inner viking on and off the court with this viking pickleball backpack.

    Price: $59.99 + Shipping: Free over $69 in US, Free over $349 in Canada + Color(s) Teal

This backpack comes with enough padding to help make every tournament fun to travel to. This bag comes with four compartments for the perfect amount of storage. You won’t have any trouble fitting all of your equipment and personal belongings into this bag. The bag is the perfect touch for your long distance trips to tournaments.

Apparel Is Everything For Pickleball

Your athletic apparel does matter, even if there is no specific dress code for pickleball.

Even though there is no set dress code, you still want to dress comfortably in the best athletic gear to help you move around the court with ease, and the perfect clothes to help keep you cool while you serve and even for after your match. Check out some of these styles below.

Don’t Forget Your Shirt

Court Tank by Dona Jo

Don’t go out on the court in any tank top, stick with Dona Jo for the best athletic wear.

    Price: $42 + FREE Shipping + Sizes: 1-3

Whether it is tennis, or our new favorite sport pickleball, you will love this tank for both on and off the court. The tank top was designed with comfortability in mind. The tank was made with a recyclable fabric that will break down at a faster rate once it reaches the landfill.

This tank top will give you the best UV protection and will meet all of your needs for your pickleball match. The tank top comes in sizes one to three, which translate to sizes Small to X-Large.

Volley Tank by Jofit

A comfortable and breathable fit that will for sure get you through every match.

    Price: $68 + FREE Shipping + Sizes: XX-Small to XX-Large

If you enjoy competition, then this tank top is for you. The material was built to help keep you covered and to even show off your swing. This top is sure to keep you  cool with the built in UV jersey, and the arm and neck holes make this a fun top to wear.

This tank top is flattering for all body types, and comes in a smooth material that is guaranteed to give you the right protection every time you step out onto the court. The tank top comes in sizes XX-Small to XX-Large.

V Neck Top by Dona Jo

Get the ultimate coverage with this flirty and thriving V neck top from Dona Jo.

    Price: $42 + FREE Shipping + Sizes: 1-3

If you like v-necks, then you will for sure enjoy this fun and comfortable fit v-neck shirt. This shirt is made from a recyclable material that will easily decompose once it hits the landfill. Aside from that, the v-neck shirt is made with the ultimate UV ray protection as well as made from a comfortable material that makes the shirt a good fit and true to size for every wearer. The shirt comes in sizes 1-3, which translates to X-Small to X-Large.

Women’s Volley Tee by Flight Path Pickleball

Get into comfort with the volley tee from Flight Path Pickleball.

‍    Price: $25 + FREE Shipping + Sizes: Small to X-Large

Find out what power feels like when you step into this volley tee. Made with an incredibly light micro-polyester fabric, your performance rates on the court will triple thanks to the comfortability that was made into this shirt.

The volley tee will be sure to keep you cool and comfortable, as well as protecting you from the harsh rays of the sun. The shirt is available in sizes Small to X-Large.

Beat the Heat In These Bottoms

Soar Skirt in Water Life by Dona Jo

Find your happiness with this adorable skirt in the color water life.

    Price: $68 + FREE Shipping + Sizes: 1-3

With the soar skirt, you will be sure to find a way to travel up and down the court with ease. The best bottoms tend to be skirts with a built in bottom for added coverage and protection. The soar skirt is perfect for style and playing pickleball.

The skirt comes with an interior short, as well as necessary pockets for easy storage of personal belongings. The skirt comes in sizes 1-3, which translate to sizes Small to X-Large.

FILA Women’s Tiered Pickleball Skort by FILA

Your new best friend has arrived to help you play better.

    Price: $35 + Free Shipping over $65 + Sizes: X-Small to Large

If you are not interested in skirts, and are looking for the ultimate coverage, then this tiered skort is the answer you’ve been searching for. This tiered skort comes with built in shorts for better coverage and has a good mix of polyester and spandex to help with flexibility.

The skort comes in sizes X-Small to Large.

Women’s Practice Pants by Racquet Guys

After a long day, you need a pair of pickleball pants that can also act as loungewear.

    Price: $42.95 + Free Shipping over $89 + Sizes: X-Small to X-Large

Made with a woven fabric, these pants come in handy for all beginners of pickleball, especially if you are practicing for any beginner tournaments. The look is a classic and comes paired with excellent side pockets for easy storage.

The pants come in sizes Small to X-Large.

Glow Leggings in Black by Dona Jo

Glow hard with these black glow leggings by Dona Jo.

    Price: $69.50 + FREE Shipping + Sizes: 1-3

For your perfect game, you’re going to need the perfect pair of leggings that are both functional and allow you to look stylish at the same time. This is why you need to snag these leggings for your best performance.

The leggings are made with a quick drying material that prevents odors and also protects you from harmful UV rays. There’s also a large pocket on the inside for easy storage. The leggings come in sizes Small to X-Large.

As a beginner pickleball player, you will need a wardrobe that is both functional and fits the requirements for the sport. Equipment also comes in handy as well, and as a beginner, it’s good to know what equipment to use, and what equipment you can leave at home. Before you hit the court, be sure to work on your pickleball serve, your necessary grunt, and don’t forget your water bottle.