13 Best Pickleball Gifts for 2019

Do you have a pickleball lover in your life? This fun, highly addictive game is now the fastest growing sport in the US. We’ve selected a few of the top pickleball related gifts for 2019. Read on to find the perfect present for that pickballer you know and love.

The Best Pickleball Gifts of 2019

The Art of Pickleball

  • Techniques, serving, and doubles
  • Written by Gale H. Leach, technical writer, and avid pickleball enthusiast
  • Contains diagrams and visual aids for specific pickleball plays
  • Gives useful, first-person advice

Find it on Amazon

A great read for anyone falling in love with pickleball! This book covers everything from pickleball rules to tournament preparation. Leach uses a conversational tone to teach readers how to get the most from the sport. Techniques, conditioning, and insider tips from a player’s point of view.

Pros

The thinking man’s guide to pickleball

Easy to understand format, written in a conversational tone

Intended for players of all strengths and levels

Grade: A

Cons

May be too simplistic for very advanced players

Diagrams can be difficult to follow

Amazin’ Aces Pickleball Backpack

  • Sturdy construction with quality fabric that stands up to court life
  • Made for pickleball, just the right size for pickleball paddles
  • Convenient ball holder, holds up to four balls

Find it on Amazon

A mix of quality and affordability has given Amazin’ Aces a strong following in the pickleball community. This pack is made for the avid pickleballer with plenty of space for paddles and a few personal items.

Pros

Great Price

Extra balls and holder

Well respected manufacturer

Cons

Backstrap may loosen

Pockets may run small

Ball holder may loosen or come off

Grade: B

Etsy Pickleball Earrings

  • Handmade
  • Brass base with sterling silver plating
  • one and a half inches long by one half inch wide

These are one of a kind silver-plated earrings created for the pickleball lover. They are made in Mexico and shipped from the United States. These earrings are sold at pickleball-friendly resorts.

Pros

Silver-plated

Nice size for anyone

Good customer feedback

Cons

No cons are given

Grade: A

Personalized Pickleball Paddle Covers

  • Beautiful stitchwork
  • Soft microsuede fabric
  • Drawstring close

Beautifully embroidered pickleball paddle covers. Made from a soft microsuede cloth and embroidered with high-quality embroider’s thread. 100% happy customer reviews.

Pros

Well reviewed by customers

Nicely constructed

Grade: A

Cons

No cons are given

Evolution Themed Pickleball Hat

  • 100% unstructured cotton
  • Low set brim with sweatband
  • Professionally Printed

Funny novelty hat for pickleball players. Made by CafePress with a 100% money-back guarantee. Solid unstructured, brushed cotton fabric for a softer fit.

Pros

100% cotton

Great customer feedback

Two colors

Cons

Brim may be too soft

Grade: B+

Pickleball Necklace

  • Handmade
  • Sterling silver plated pendant
  • 14mm

Stylish pickleball inspired necklace made from polished sterling silver. You can custom order the chain from this seller with choice of rose gold, silver, gold, copper or brass.

Pros

Hammered metal design

Brushed and polished

Quick Shipping

Cons

No cons are given

Grade: A

Onix Z5 Graphite Pickleball Paddle and Cover

  • High-quality graphite face and sturdy Nomex honeycomb core
  • Included neoprene paddle cover
  • Medium weight paddle at 7.5-8.2 oz

Find it on Amazon

The Z5 is superb quality giving players unrivaled ball control. It is the Onix line’s most popular paddle. With a broad surface area, this widebody paddle is perfect for power hits. The Z5 is an ideal weight for beginners and advanced players.

Pros

Top rated and thoroughly vetted

Solid Nomex core

Rough-hewn for better ball control

Grade: A

Cons

May fade early with regular use

Limited color range

Tends to sell out quickly

The Pickle by Lobster

  • Capability for both top and backspin
  • Up to 50-degree manual elevation adjustment
  • Ball speed range of 10-50 mph

Find it on Amazon

This is a battery operated pickleball machine that actually controls ball spin! From leading tennis ball machine maker Lobster you can trust the quality and integrity of this product. Allows players to configure a training program to help with all facets of their game.

Pros

2-4 hour on court charge

135 ball capacity

Only 35 lbs.

Grade: A

Cons

May jamb on occasion

May allow two balls to come through at once

The 3.0 Portable Pickleball Net

Pickleball gifts
  • Sets up in less than eight minutes
  • Fully contained portable net in easy to carry case
  • Meets all USAPA standards

Find it on Amazon

Easy setup and takedown have made this one of the year’s most popular nets. A sturdy metal frame with a support bar gives superior integrity for a taut net.

Pros

Easy net tension straps

Wide legs for wind resistance

Just 22 lbs with case

Cons

May come scratched or scuffed

Is occasionally shipped with missing pieces

Possibility of uneven welding

Grade: B+

Pickleball Sports Towel

  • “Pickleball is My Game” sports towel
  • 100% cotton terry velour
  • Professionally embroidered

Fun, novelty towel that’s well-reviewed for quality. Highly absorbent and fully hemmed at 16×26 inches. You can also add a name or other personalization on this towel.

Pros

Excellent seller

Soft and absorbent

Options for personalization

Cons

No cons are given

Niupipo Graphite Paddle Set

  • Top rated pickleball paddles on Amazon
  • Strong honeycomb graphite core
  • Attractive graphite paddle face

Find it on Amazon

These beautiful graphite paddles come with a case and four extra balls. A great gift for any avid pickleball player. Lightweight at just 8oz these paddles are the best rated on Amazon. Balls may not be up to USAPA standards.

Pros

Great customer service

4 ¼ “ comfort grip

Lifetime warranty

Grade: A

Cons

Balls may be a thinner texture

Case may be flimsy

Grip may run small

Selkirk Amped Pickleball Paddle

Best pickleball paddle
  • Patent pending X5 Polypropylene Core
  • Highly rated and USAPA approved
  • Comfort grip

Find it on Amazon

Selkirk is a trusted family-owned business operating since 2013. The Invikta is one of the company’s most popular paddles with a unique Fiberflex fiberglass face. This paddle has a wide sweet spot and is incredibly durable.

Pros

Streamlined and lightweight at 7.2 oz

Used by over 200 sponsored pro players

Great customer service

Grade: A

Cons

May absorb too much ball power

Thickness can feel bulky

Body can feel wide for beginning players

Franklin Sports Pickleball Bag

  • Dual padded pockets make for soft storage
  • Water bottle holder for 8oz bottle
  • Adjustable back strap for back support

Find it on Amazon

Sturdy bag some have said this makes it a bit stiff. The Franklin is the official bag of the US Open Pickleball Championships. The bag has one large storage compartment and a second that can accommodate a cell phone.

Pros

Can accommodate up to three paddles

Separate storage for phone

Stylish bag in several color options

Grade: B+

Cons

Zipper may stick

Built for left side carry

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport, created by mixing elements of games like wiffleball, tennis, and badminton. It was invented in 1965 by two vacationing dads trying to entertain their bored kids. You can read about its origin story in “The History of Pickleball”.

Today pickleball is played competitively throughout the world. The United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) is the sport’s governing body. It enacted the official rules and regulations in 1984.

Pickleball has gained much of its momentum in just the past few years. According to USAPA President, Justin Maloof of the 3000 plus places to play pickleball in the US a quarter of them were constructed in the past three years.

Much of pickleball’s growth can be credited back to the USAPA’s ambassador program. In it, 1000 volunteers were recruited to help spread the word about pickleball in their local areas. The program is still in full swing and new ambassadors are signing up every week. You can find more information about the ambassadorships at USAPA Ambassadors.

Who Plays Pickleball?

Pickleball seems to breed enthusiasm across all demographics, it’s touted as the great equalizer in racquet sports because finesse takes precedence over power. It is also very inviting to new players because it’s easy to learn.

While it was created as a family sport, it first gained its popularity with the senior community when it was admitted into the Arizona Senior Olympics in 2001. Over the next decade, pickleball would be featured in a number of prominent senior events including the Huntsman World Senior Games in 2003 and the National Senior Games Champion Festival in 2008.

In 2009 the sport made its commercial debut at the first USAPA National Tournament. This was an all-age tournament that drew more than 400 players from 26 states and a few Canadian provinces.

As of 2018 pickleball is growing in the college demographic as schools like Bellevue College in Bellevue, Washington and the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina have added it to their featured sporting activities.

All that being said, there are competitive pickleball players of all ages and genders. The USAPA has also branched out to a global audience through the International Federation of Pickleball. The IFP sponsors players from 17 countries, including Korea, Spain, France, and Pakistan.

For more gift ideas, please see “How Should You Dress for Pickleball” and “How to Choose a Pickleball Paddle.”

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