Pickle Ball Racket
 

My husband and I would like to learn how to play pickle ball. Where can we buy the rackets?

We asked the folks at Dicks in Maryland and no one heard of pickle ball.

Thank You!

On vendor nights at Lake Sumter Landing, they have a booth that sell them.

You can get rackets and accessories from Barb on market nights at LSL. I strongly suggest taking the free classes Pickleball 101, 102 &103 at the rec centers (see the recreation news).

They even have cute bags and stickers for your bumper

Don't buy the cheapest paddle.

We also tried to buy paddles back home in the Northeast at the large chain sport stores. It wasn't until we went to a smaller privately owned store did we find them. Paddles are also available online.
Pickleball is very popular in many areas, not just TV. If you're not in TV now and you want to learn to play, google pickleball for your area and I'll bet you find various clubs and lessons.

Google
 

Google Pickleball Rackets. You will find several on line. Not sure if you live in The Villages or not. But if so, like others have posted, on Tuesday and Thursdays, there is a vendor in Lake Sumter Landing Market night. She on the side of City Fire.

The softball shop "Softballs R Us" that used to be on 441/27 moved to the Publix shopping center on CR466. They are now stocking pickle ball equipment. They are down by Crispers and Beef O'Bradys. I went in last week and since they are still new they didn't have a sign in front yet, just a neon in the window that said 'Open'.





.

For a beginner is the standard wood racket ok or are the composite the way to go for few more $$

Any other parameters to look for in a racket?

The folks that sell rackets at LSL will let you borrow one to try before you buy. Try the wooden ones first that the rec centers loan out then try the ones that the vendor lends...there's a world of difference.

When you take pickleball 101 they will supply the paddles and also offer suggestions as to what and where to buy. Don't but until you are sure you like the game, if you play other racquets sports you'll pick it up quickly.

I would avoid the wood racket, they are a huge Neon sign that says "don't play with me".

Barb the vendor on market night can fit you and has loaners to try. I would not buy one without be fitted.

And make sure to take PB 101, 102 and 103

ok will do, but why does having a wood racket mean don't play with me?

If you go to Ocean City I heard Ocean Pines now has pickleball courts. Maybe someone there sells them. I also looked at Dick's in Rio a few years back, no luck.

Probably, buying a wood paddle is a waste of money.


.

Because a wood racket shows:

1. person hasn't taken PB classes

2. probably 1st time on courts

PB classes are place to learn basics not at courts during open time. I have no problem playing a game with beginners. Having said that teaching some one the basics of the game because they are too lazy to take the classes is disrespectful to the others on the court.

Have Barb at LSL, let you try her favorite new racquet the Core-2.It has a blend of power and finesse,plus it's lightweight,so it's easy on your wrist and elbow.I have seen several players suffering from wrist problems and tennis elbow from playing lots of pickleball in TV.I changed from a heavier racquet to the Core-2 and have noticed less stress on my wrist and elbow.Don't even bother with trying a wooden racquet,i think the rec centers let you borrow them because they know that NOBODY, in their right mind, would ever steal one.The only benefit i received from using a wooden racquet, the one time,was to swat the bugs flying around the court.Good luck in your search,you will love pickleball,it's truly addictive.

I find your post interesting!

Two week ago my wife and I were in Market of Marion and the pickleball equipment vendor convinced her she needed a HEAVIER paddle to stay with the advanced heavy hitters. 8.6 oz Z5 versus her year old 7.6 oz Storm.

Do you know the weight of the Core 2?

.

Online it says 7.6-8 oz sells for $69

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDsEn0uoV8&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

Thank you everyone for the information and advice. We will definitely take classes at the rec center. Best!

My current racquet is a little over 7 oz, my old one was 8.6 oz.Doesn't seem like a big difference ,but if you play 2 hours at a time and sometimes twice a day, your body feels the difference.Also, anybody that tells you that you need to keep up with the heavy hitters,knows NOTHING about pickleball.The best players are finesse players that are terrific at placement,they very rarely hit the ball hard.I learned the hard way,trying to kill every shot,thinking it was like my days playing tennis and i could overpower these old men,no such luck.I got my a$$ handed to me and learned a very valuable lesson on the proper strategy to play enjoyable and competitive pickleball.

My wife plays about 2 hrs a day and sometimes twice a day (she just got in a few minutes ago from her second 2 hrs today) maybe five days a week.

She played club competitive tennis for years and had to give it up about ten years ago due to knee issues.

Her nickname around the pickleball courts is "Slammer" - if a seemingly knowledgeable person tells her she needs a heavier paddle, telling her that she has to change to being a finesse player won't get too far.


.