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
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
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
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
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
- Sets up in less than eight minutes
- Fully contained portable net in easy to carry case
- Meets all USAPA standards
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
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
- Patent pending X5 Polypropylene Core
- Highly rated and USAPA approved
- Comfort grip
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
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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