Gear Reviews - Pickleball Rookie

Pickleball Paddle Weight Guide- How to Choose the Right Equipment

November 20, 2025November 15, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball paddle weight is an important consideration when choosing your equipment.

Different weights for pickleball paddles offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, so choosing the weight best suits your needs is essential.

There is no “best” weight for pickleball paddles, as different players have different preferences. However, most experts agree that pickleball paddle weight is a personal preference and that the best way to choose the right weight is to experiment with different weights until you find the one that feels best for you.

Pickleball Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your Holiday Shopping List

November 20, 2025October 28, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball Rookie narrows down gift ideas for pickleball players, perfect for any holiday or special occasion, including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!

We’ve got you covered if you’re searching for unique gifts for pickleball-playing parents. Our comprehensive guide includes everything from pickleball equipment to thoughtful accessories that will delight the pickleball enthusiast in your life, no matter the occasion.

What to Get a Pickleball Player

Why not make your favorite pickleball-loving mom or dad feel extra special with these fantastic gift ideas for pickleball players? Here’s a sneak peek at some pickleball gifts to consider for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or any other special event:

Pickleball Gloves – Are They Right for Your Game?

November 20, 2025October 15, 2022 by Drew Pierce

If you are new to pickleball, you probably have many questions, including, do I need to wear pickleball gloves? The short answer is the choice is yours–it’s simply a matter of preference. And while the vast majority of pickleball players do not wear gloves, there are several benefits depending on how your body is constructed.

Here are several reasons gloves for pickleball might work for your game.

How Long Does a Pickleball Last? The Answer May Surprise You.

November 20, 2025September 22, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Many new pickleball players are curious about how long does a pickleball ball last. Pickleballs are quite durable and can be played with for a considerable amount of time. However, like all things in life, pickleballs do not last forever. And since you are only playing with one ball per match, it is important that you are not using a ball with any defect. Let’s look at a few things that can take your pickleball ball out of the game.

Pickleball Score Keeper and Tracking Devices

November 20, 2025August 10, 2022 by Drew Pierce

The most popular question asked on the recreational pickleball court is simple: “What’s the score again?”

Learning how to score in pickleball is one hurdle that players must clear. However, learning how to track and keep score as a match unfolds is an even bigger challenge for some. I understand the plight. I will often tell my partners to trust me to have their back, but do not trust me to know the score.

I know I am not alone because both opponents and partners often ask me the score. There appears to be a segment of players that are obsessive about knowing the score for every point.

Pickleball Glasses: Open Your Eyes to Protection

November 20, 2025August 6, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball glasses can be the difference between a good time and a trip to the ER.

It seems a day doesn’t go by where I don’t see a Facebook or blog post surrounding eye damage caused by pickleball. While it appears the odds of an eye injury while playing pickleball is relatively low, you still might want to consider wearing ocular protection when playing.

The number of people who suffer eye injuries from recreational sports each year is quite staggering, with more than 600,000 cases, including many who go blind. You never think it will be you, but with racquet/paddle sports the fourth largest offender–and with up to 90% of eye injuries avoided by using protective glasses with polycarbonate lenses–why not put safety on your side?

Prefer to listen to this post? Click below.

Pickleball Central Mystery Box — Premium Edition — Unboxing

November 20, 2025July 3, 2022 by Drew Pierce

I am the proud owner of a Pickleball Central Mystery Box. And I splurged for the “Premium” edition. 🙂

Never one to gamble on mystery boxes since my skeptical side believes it will be nothing but a collection of merchandise that no one wants, I couldn’t resist the lure of getting a bunch of pickleball paddles. The rational me recognizes that mystery boxes are often filled with blemished items or products that a retailer cannot move otherwise. However, the emotional me, which is in love with everything pickleball, couldn’t resist the opportunity.

How To Practice Pickleball Alone: Machines and Solo Drills

November 20, 2025July 1, 2022 by Drew Pierce

When I first embarked on my pickleball journey, one of the first questions I needed to answer was how to practice pickleball alone.

Even though I come from a recreational tennis background, the thought of showing up to the court never having held a pickleball paddle was a frightening proposition. My first step was to develop several pickleball drills to do by yourself. I started by hitting the ball against a wall in my house using nothing but some painter’s tape at the 3-foot mark to indicate the height of the net (a pickleball net is actually 34 inches high in the middle).

Pickleball Sneakers: How to Choose the Best Shoes for Playing Pickleball

November 20, 2025June 28, 2022 by Drew Pierce

When playing pickleball, it is essential to have the right pickleball sneakers or shoes. You need pickleball sneakers that will provide good traction and stability on the court. If not, you are putting yourself at risk for a sprained ankle, tendon strain–or worse.

In this post, we will discuss the different shoes that are best for playing pickleball, as well as some tips on choosing the right pair for you. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, read on to learn more about picking out the perfect pickleball sneakers!

What Is the Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball Balls?

November 20, 2025June 5, 2022 by Drew Pierce

Pickleball balls. They serve us well, yet we give these small spheres very little thought or attention. In this post, we’ll explore everything there is to know about pickleball balls – from indoor vs. outdoor to colors to lifespan; how do you pick the best pickleball?

Since pickleball is a sport that requires minimal equipment to play, you’ll want to make sure you are mindful of the pickleball paddle you hit with and the ball that you put into play. While often an afterthought, I have found that the quality and health of the pickleball have a dramatic effect on the game, much more so than a baseball, soccer ball, and even tennis ball.