AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
I saw one guy with a bag that was almost the size of my 12 pack bag. He had 6 paddles in there but I could fit that in my backpack. And why 6 paddles? Do you break paddles or something?
Why do pickleball players have a giant tennis sized bag?
- Thread starter AAATSportingGoods
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konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
I got a simple generic backpack with 3 compartments. I can carry 4-5 paddles easily, 6-8 balls and wallet, car keys and everything I need. They're just doing it for "flex"
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
They want to look like tennis pros?
Why so many paddles though? Does the surface wear out or something?
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Yes. The surface wears out and the "grit" fades out in time. Also, the polypropylene core cells get compressed and at some point they "crush".
Mine wear out a bit faster than normal because the court I use is an old tennis court with mediocre acrylic surface and some dust and cracks here and there. But does the job for now.
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
Yes. The surface wears out and the "grit" fades out in time. Also, the polypropylene core cells get compressed and at some point they "crush".
Mine wear out a bit faster than normal because the court I use is an old tennis court with mediocre acrylic surface and some dust and cracks here and there. But does the job for now.
So players can go through 6 in a match? If one wears out, you keep it in the bag?
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Xaxa no they don't go dead that fast. I carry 3-4 paddles because I'm the only one that plays pickleball here and I share my gear with my hitting partners.
AAATSportingGoods
Rookie
Gotcha haha so they really are just flexing most of the time hahaha
tennytive
Hall of Fame
I have a TW backpack that handles everything I need for PB, but I'm not a pro who may be using whatever his/her sponsors want to promote.
I see the same thing with badminton as some players show up with Yonex bags that hold a locker room full of stuff. Personal preference, and fine by me.
I see the same thing with badminton as some players show up with Yonex bags that hold a locker room full of stuff. Personal preference, and fine by me.
eman11
Semi-Pro
I am a tennis player / COACH that has been trying out pickleball from a learning perspective
I have noticed that pickleball players have a lot of different paddles and will often switch paddles (shape, companies, etc.) almost daily or at least have it to try it out (demo).
Some people will have some extra paddles in their bags to lend out to people if someone needs one or mentions they want to try a certain paddle out.
Also, just like tennis players, they can carry a lot of things in the bag: shoes, grips, stretch bands, big 60 oz water bottle, etc.,
But I think that it is unfair to say pickleball players buy these bags simply to "flex" because a lot of tennis players (4.0-5.0) have the newest 12-racquet bags with only 2 racquets, maybe a towel and extra couple of grips and nothing else. Or (somewhat unrelated), people that buy big trucks simply because they like it, not because they "need" it.
It just boils down to preference. I myself have my 3 paddles in a duffle bag big enough for them, by shoes, and pickleballs. Do I want a big bag like the pros'? Sure. Do I need it? Maybe not.
I have noticed that pickleball players have a lot of different paddles and will often switch paddles (shape, companies, etc.) almost daily or at least have it to try it out (demo).
Some people will have some extra paddles in their bags to lend out to people if someone needs one or mentions they want to try a certain paddle out.
Also, just like tennis players, they can carry a lot of things in the bag: shoes, grips, stretch bands, big 60 oz water bottle, etc.,
But I think that it is unfair to say pickleball players buy these bags simply to "flex" because a lot of tennis players (4.0-5.0) have the newest 12-racquet bags with only 2 racquets, maybe a towel and extra couple of grips and nothing else. Or (somewhat unrelated), people that buy big trucks simply because they like it, not because they "need" it.
It just boils down to preference. I myself have my 3 paddles in a duffle bag big enough for them, by shoes, and pickleballs. Do I want a big bag like the pros'? Sure. Do I need it? Maybe not.
StringGuruMRT
Semi-Pro
This makes me laugh... Is it like when guys used to say "I only read Playboy for the articles?"
eman11
Semi-Pro
Are you saying that pickleball is some kind of behavior people should be ashamed of? Because that's how I see your pov as being.
What I meant is that I don't plan on entering tournaments. I've gotten into pickleball to learn how to play it and have fun playing it, that way if people reading this don't assume anything other than:
1. I am a tennis player/coach
2. Got into pickleball to learn how to play it (and possibly coach it).
I think you read it as me saying I am a tennis player, but I don't want to dabble in pickleball because maybe "I'm too good" for it.
DEFINITELY not how I meant for it to come across.
10sbeast888
Hall of Fame
it's a sport for those without sport skills, therefore in order to compensate you'd have to make the sound louder and the size bigger.
compensation is everywhere... ask the them guys in big wheel pick ups tail gating behind you.
compensation is everywhere... ask the them guys in big wheel pick ups tail gating behind you.
Bill Lobsalot
Hall of Fame
I like to call it - the racket sport that requires no commitment.
StringGuruMRT
Semi-Pro
I'm glad that's not how you meant it. I kind of read it that way, but might have wanted it to come across for my joke! I am not saying that PB is something to be ashamed of at all! Unfortunately many tennis players don't share my passion for it. I've taught tennis my entire adult life, and now I teach pickleball right along side it. My prediction is that in 2026 I will probably teach more pickleball than tennis!
Sorry for misunderstanding your post, and lumping you in with the haters on these boards!
eman11
Semi-Pro
No worries! I figured that's what happened
Yea, I don't understand why all the hate between both of these exist (hate from tennis players toward pickleball players and vice versa). I just hope that this is all figured out pretty soon and both can coexist in peace!
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