The Most Competitive Pickleball Games I’ve Had in a Few Weeks (And What I Learned)

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After dealing with colder New England weather and men's ladder league over the last few months, I finally had one of the most competitive pickleball sessions I’ve had in a long time this week. One of our friends came back after taking several months off during the colder fall and winter months, and the games immediately felt different. The rallies were longer, the hands battles at the kitchen were more intense, and every game felt like it could go either way. At one point, I really wish I had worn my smartwatch because I’m pretty sure my heart rate had to be pushing close to 180+ BPM. One game honestly felt like it lasted somewhere between 15 to 20 minutes because neither team wanted to give in. I lost some games and won some, but those are the kinds of matches that remind me why I love pickleball so much.

One of the biggest adjustments during these games was switching from the Selkirk Pro S1 Pickleball Ball back to the Franklin X-40 Outdoor Pickleballs. I forgot just how different the X-40 feels after spending time with the Selkirk ball. The Franklin felt softer, the bounce seemed lower, and kitchen exchanges almost felt like they were happening in slow motion compared to what I had grown used to. I found myself needing to move faster in transition because the ball just didn’t bounce the same way. It really reminded me that changing pickleballs can affect your game just as much as switching paddles, especially when you’ve grown comfortable with one type of ball.

Speaking of paddles, my current go-to is still my Bread & Butter Loco Elongated Pickleball Paddle. It continues to be the paddle that feels most natural for my game and always finds its way back into my bag. I recently picked up the Azul version, and while I do like it, I’m still adjusting because my original tan version just feels slightly different. I also spent some time using my Volair Shift Elongated Pickleball Paddle and even gave the Luzz Inferno Pickleball Paddle another shot, but I didn’t really click with it right away. On top of that, I keep thinking about picking up another Vatic Pro Saga V7 Pickleball Paddle or trying a new Prism V7. I still regret giving away my old Saga 16mm short handle. As a Vatic Pro ambassador, I probably should have held onto it just to keep a better collection of their paddles.

As for my actual performance, I think I played okay. I wouldn’t say I played amazing, but I definitely did some things well. My serves stayed consistent and rarely found the net, and I had some solid resets using two hands on the paddle. I also felt like I did a better job of moving the ball around and not becoming too predictable. One thing that has helped me improve lately is recording our matches and uploading them privately to YouTube so my friends and I can watch them back. It’s been one of the best ways to identify habits, weaknesses, and tendencies that are easy to miss while you’re caught up in the moment of playing.

One thing I noticed during these games was how often players try to speed up balls that probably shouldn’t be attacked. There were a few moments where a player tried speeding up a ball that was near knee level, and it ended up either going into the net or setting up the other team for an easy winner. Sometimes the better play is simply being patient, resetting the ball, or continuing a dink rally until you get a better opportunity. Not every ball needs to be attacked, and that’s something many recreational players still struggle with.

I also noticed a few areas where I need to improve. I need to do a better job attacking balls off the bounce without hitting them into the net, which is something my Boomstik paddle seems to help me with. I also need to add more topspin on my returns and fourth shot drives because there were a few times where I left the ball sitting too high, giving my opponents easy chances to poach or apply pressure. These are small adjustments, but they can make a huge difference in tighter matches.

By the end of the night, I pulled out my Volair Shift Elongated Pickleball Paddle again and started thinking that it might be my main paddle for next week’s games. Then again, part of me wants to bring out the Boomstik. Realistically though, I’ll probably end up going back to what always works best for me—my Bread & Butter Loco Elongated Pickleball Paddle. It continues to be the paddle I trust the most when games get competitive.

And if you’ve been thinking about trying a Bread & Butter paddle, I was recently accepted as an ambassador. If you decide to pick one up, feel free to use code TechYeti at checkout to save a little money. It genuinely helps support both my blog and YouTube channel.

Until next time, keep dinking, driving, and dropping.

Why the Boomstik Makes Sense for My Game?

A few weeks ago I got back on the court with the fellas and decided to give the Boomstik another try. It had been a while since I used it because I’ve mostly been playing with other paddles like the Volair Shift, but I figured why not bring it back into rotation.

When I first used the Boomstik, I liked it, but I didn’t stick with it long enough. Coming back to it now, the first thing I noticed again was the pop and power. I know a lot of people say it’s too poppy or too powerful, and I thought I might feel the same, but honestly it works pretty well for my game.

We played about 7 games over 2 hours, which is usually how we run it. We rotate partners every couple of games and just keep it going. I recorded all the games like I normally do now and shared them with the group. Watching them back, I felt like I played better than I thought I did while I was on the court.

One thing that really stood out was my drops, especially from the baseline. They felt really smooth. I wasn’t trying to do too much—just keeping the paddle out in front, slowing my swing down, and letting the paddle do the work. The ball was getting over the net clean more often than not.

I’ve also been trying to get better at mid-court transitions, and that’s still one of the harder parts of pickleball for me. It’s easy to hit the ball too hard, pop it up, or dump it into the net. But in these games, I felt a little more comfortable there, especially adding some topspin on balls in the air.

As for the Boomstik itself, it played really solid. Drives had good power, and quick hands at the kitchen felt nice. The paddle feels stable overall, even on shots that aren’t hit perfectly. One thing I did notice is that the ball comes off the paddle pretty quick, so you have to be ready for fast returns.

The handle is something I wasn’t sure about at first, mainly because of the shape and the bigger end cap, but it’s actually grown on me. It feels comfortable now, and I don’t notice any vibration. Two-handed shots feel good too, even though I didn’t get a ton of chances to use them.

With the power, you do have to stay under control. There were a couple of shots where I could tell if my angle was off, the ball was either going long or straight into the net. So it’s not a forgiving paddle if your mechanics aren’t there, but when you’re dialed in, it feels really good.

If I had to point out anything negative, it would be on some serve returns. There were a few times where I sent the ball deeper than I wanted, especially on slice or shorter serves where I had to move forward. It didn’t happen a lot, but I noticed it enough.

Durability is still something I’m not sure about yet. I already saw a small ding on the edge guard, but overall the paddle still feels good and the surface is holding up so far. I just haven’t used it enough to really judge that yet.

At the end of the day, I came away from that session really liking the Boomstik more than I expected. It’s powerful, poppy, and stable, and for my style of play, it fits pretty well. Right now, it’s up there with my Bread & Butter Loco as one of my go-to paddles.

I’m looking forward to getting back out there again soon, hopefully outdoors once the weather gets better. If not, we’ll keep it going indoors.

If you’ve been thinking about trying the Boomstik, I’d just say make sure it fits your game. It’s not for everyone, but if you can control the power, it can be a really fun paddle to play with.

When Trying New Paddles Starts Hurting Your Game

I recently gave the RPM Q2 a shot—and honestly, it didn’t last long. I returned it almost right away. It’s just not for me.

Right off the bat, it felt way too poppy. The balance point wasn’t where I like it, and while the handle circumference was okay, the shape felt really rectangular and flat in my hand. For the price, it just didn’t make sense to keep it.

But this isn’t really about the paddle itself—it’s more about what I realized because of it.

Lately, I’ve been trying a lot of different paddles, doing reviews, and chasing that “next one.” And I started noticing something during rec play the other night—I wasn’t playing well. Like, noticeably off. My drops were inconsistent, my resets weren’t as clean, and I was popping balls up way more than usual. With the RPM Q2, it was probably the worst I’ve seen in a while.

Now to be fair, no one expects to pick up a new paddle and instantly play their best. But that’s when it hit me: constantly switching paddles might actually be holding me back.

Every paddle has its own feel—different response, different pop, different timing. Some are close, sure, but none are identical. And when you keep switching, you’re always adjusting instead of improving. With the RPM, I could feel how good it was on dinks and soft shots, but I just couldn’t keep the ball down consistently. That disconnect was frustrating.

So I decided to return it—not just because I didn’t like it, but because I’m kind of done chasing paddles for a while.

At this point, I’d rather focus on getting better.

Ironically, the paddle I keep coming back to is still the Bread & Butter Loco. It just fits my game. I’ve also had some surprisingly good runs with the Boomstik too—something about the stability and higher twist weight seems to help more than I expected.

But overall, I’m just tired of buying paddles that look great on paper but don’t actually help my performance.

What I learned the other night was more important than any paddle review. My returns are still solid—low, controlled, and intentional—and I’ve actually been doing better with my resets lately by slowing things down and staying patient. That said, I still struggle more against aggressive players, and that’s something I need to work on. I also want to start paying attention to whether I play better on the left or right side of the court. Another big area for me is being more intentional during rallies—understanding what to expect on the next shot instead of assuming the point is over. I’m not always trying to hit a winner, but I think I need to stay mentally in the rally longer and expect the ball to come back every time. Maybe I’m already doing some of that and just don’t see it clearly in the moment—I really wish I hadn’t forgotten my tripod to record the games. Either way, it was just an off night… honestly, for most of us.

The biggest areas I need to improve? Long-distance drops—especially on my backhand—and being just a bit more aggressive when it matters. I had a couple of really solid forehand drops from the baseline, so I know it’s there. It just needs consistency.

At the end of the day, this was a good reminder: not everything that’s new is better. And sometimes, sticking with what works is the best way to actually improve your game.  For me, that is the Bread and Butter Loco elongated paddle.  Its not going anywhere...yet or until the grit really wears out. 

 

Up Close Looks on the Loco, Inferno and Boomstik Paddle Face

I borrowed a Supereyes USB camera pen to take close-up images of the grit and paddle faces on three paddles: the Boomstik, Loco, and Inferno. I wanted to see how the center of the paddle face compares to the edges where the ball rarely hits, mainly to compare grit levels and durability.

Picture 1 – Boomstik (center of the paddle face)
This area shows some durability wear. I’m not a big fan of how it looks, although I understand that no paddle is indestructible. Still, for the price of this paddle, I expected it to be a bit more durable. My guess is that this is partly due to the painted surface used for the paddle’s design.

 

Picture 2 – Boomstik grit face
Here you can see circular or bubble-like microdots on the paddle surface. I’m assuming this is the InfiniGrit texture.

 

Next is a picture of my Boomstik edge guard. At first, I thought the edge guard was cracking or defective, but looking closely it appears to actually be InfiniGrit. It seems like they sprayed the entire face and even the top part of the edge guard.

You be the judge — do you think having grit on the edge guard is a good idea?

In pictures 1 and 2, you can see what remains of the InfiniGrit.
Picture 3 shows a cleaner view of the edge guard with most of the InfiniGrit still present. This texture appears to run across the entire face and onto the edge guard. On a white edge guard, it can actually make it look like the plastic is cracking.

These are more pictures of the Boomstik on other nicks that happened to the paddle face.  Again I have only used this in maybe 2 or 3 full open play sessions and would say it was about 4-6 hours of games.  Note, that I actually used the Selkirk Pro pickleballs during these games. 

One of the pictures also shows the Boomstik area near the handle, where there has been no visible degradation.

Next are images of the Luzz Inferno.

The first picture shows the center of the paddle face, and the one below it shows the carbon face near the base of the paddle, an area where I’ve never hit the ball. One thing I noticed is that the weave pattern looks flatter and not as pronounced. Of course, we’re looking at this at a very close micro level, but you can still feel a difference.

 

Luzz Inferno – Picture 2 (near the handle)
This was taken closer to the handle area for comparison.

Lastly, here’s the Bread & Butter Loco.

There has been some discussion about how the Loco’s grit wears down fairly quickly. I can feel some of that on the paddle face, but I haven’t noticed a huge difference in my gameplay. My guess is that the paddle’s firm feel helps the ball pop off the face regardless. The only time I may notice a difference is on third-shot drops, where there might be slightly less spin. Overall though, the paddle still plays well, just like the others mentioned in this post.

 

Picture 1 – Center of the paddle face
You can see some threads spreading apart and looking flatter.  

Picture 2 – Near the handle (unused area)
This area looks more intact since balls haven’t been hitting here. In comparison to the center, the weave appears straighter and more even.

Just to be clear, this post is purely for educational purposes. Looking at the paddle faces this closely doesn’t really change my overall perspective on these paddles. With all the recent conversations around grit durability, I thought it might help some players see what these surfaces actually look like up close and possibly help them decide which paddle might work best for them.

From a gameplay standpoint, all of these paddles still perform fairly well based on the sessions I’ve played. The paddle I’ve used the most—and the one that’s still my main—is the Bread & Butter Loco, which is why you can see the most visible difference on that one. I can definitely notice it under the camera.

The others show less noticeable wear, although I was a little surprised that the Boomstik showed a nick sooner than I expected. Yes, it’s only a nick, but when you’re paying $333 for a paddle, little things like that matter.

That said, most paddle companies offer warranties, and I always recommend checking the manufacturer’s website or contacting their customer service if you have concerns so you can make the most informed decision.

Overall, I’d still buy another Loco if I needed to. It just fits my style and feels like a great all-around paddle. The Boomstik is an offensive and defensive beast, while the Inferno really shines on drives and overheads.

These are simply my personal opinions. I don’t have affiliate links with Bread & Butter or Selkirk, but if you decide to pick up a Luzz paddle or accessory, feel free to use code TechYeti at checkout. It genuinely helps support the channel and the website.

Giving the Volair Shift Elongated a Real Chance

I’ll be honest — I was pretty skeptical about the Volair Shift Elongated Pickleball Paddle when I first bought it. What really pulled me in was the price, the shape, and the overall feature set. I’ve always been curious about Volair paddles, but I never pulled the trigger before.

 

When I first started hitting with it, I wasn’t a huge fan. Being a 14mm paddle, you can definitely feel off-center hits more than thicker paddles, and some shots transferred straight into the handle. It made the paddle feel a little unforgiving at first and the higher swing weight has activated my tennis elbow again. 

After a few sessions I almost reached the point where I was ready to move on from it. But instead of giving up on it, I decided to keep playing with it and give it a proper break-in period.

That decision paid off.

After about two to 4 hours of open play and drilling again the wall, something started to click. The paddle began growing on me in ways I didn’t expect.

Drives, Resets, and That “Connected” Feel

Where this paddle really shines for me is on drives and resets. There’s a really nice sense of connection with the ball when you’re hitting through your shots. The paddle has good pocketing on drives and putaways, and it feels controlled without being overly powerful.

It’s not quite as explosive as some of the stiffer paddles I like — especially compared to my main Bread & Butter Loco Pickleball elongated paddle, which is usually the first paddle I grab when heading to the courts. But in a weird way, playing with the Shift felt like a breath of fresh Volair.

Yeah… I had to say it.

The swing weight also works really well for me but at the end I can feel the strain kicking in. I’m not a fan of super light paddles, and the balance point here feels just right, especially on serves where that extra weight helps me drive through the ball.

Where It Still Needs Some Work

The biggest adjustment for me has been dinks and drops.

I was able to hit some but lately Ive been off. It takes more effort and focus to gauge the paddle’s response on softer shots. It doesn’t quite have the pop or responsiveness that I personally prefer at the kitchen line or mid-court resets.

That said, I think this paddle could benefit slightly from some lead tape, though it actually made the experience worse for me. While adding weight usually improves stability, it ended up compromising the paddle's sweet spot and overall feel. Additionally, the swing weight on this 14mm feels notably higher than my Bread & Butter Loco elongated.

Design, Packaging, and First Impressions

One thing I really appreciated was the simple presentation.

Volair did solid job with the packaging. The paddle came with a bag, paddle cover, and a sticker — simple things, but they make the purchase feel more complete. The packaging was clean and well done.

I can’t help but compare that to my experience with the RPM Q2 Pickleball Paddle, which honestly arrived with nothing extra besides the paddle itself. For a paddle that retails around $250 before discounts, that felt a little underwhelming.

Where This Paddle Fits in My Bag

Right now, my main paddle is still the Loco. That one isn’t going anywhere.

But after spending more time with the Shift, it has definitely earned a temporary spot in my bag. I’d honestly say it’s become a good paddle to bring to the courts. Especially when I feel off with some of my more firm powerfully paddles. 

And that’s saying something, because I have a good amount of paddles. (Boomstik, Inferno, VSol Pro) 

Final Thoughts

The Shift probably isn’t the best paddle on the market, but it has a lot of things I personally like. The balance is good, the swing weight feels okay and the performance on drives and resets is really solid.

More importantly, it’s a paddle that grew on me the more I played with it.

And honestly, I think this paddle is pretty underrated.

It took some time to get used to its quirks, but once I did, I found myself really enjoying it. For the price, the build quality, and the performance it delivers, I’m happy I gave it a chance.

This one is definitely staying in my bag...for now! 

The Training Tool I Wasn’t Sure I Needed - Dink Master 3.0 by Enhance Pickleball

When I first purchased the Enhance Dink Master 3.0, I’ll be honest—I had a little bit of buyer’s remorse. My first thought was that maybe I had just spent a bit too much money on something I didn’t really need. Like most pickleball players, I’m always curious about paddles, and part of me wondered if that money would have been better spent trying another paddle instead. After all, paddles are usually the exciting purchase.

 

The real reason I bought the Dink Master, though, had nothing to do with gear hype. I was simply tired of hitting pickleballs against my fireplace whenever I wanted to get a few reps in at home. I also liked the idea that the system could double as a net setup. The wall can come down and convert into a net at the proper height, which means I can set it up in the driveway and hit around with my kids or play a few games with my brother-in-law when he comes over for family gatherings. In my mind it felt like a win-win, even if I still had some doubts after placing the order.

Once the Dink Master arrived and I set it up, my thoughts about it changed pretty quickly. I started doing short daily drills with it, usually about eight minutes at a time, and it didn’t take long before I noticed that those quick sessions were actually helping my game. The areas where I saw the most improvement were with my dinks, volleys, and drop shots.

One of the things I like most about the Dink Master is that the board can tilt up or down depending on what you want to practice. The setup I use the most is with the board tilted slightly upward. When you hit the ball into the center of the board, it pops the ball up and sends it back with a floating return. That type of return is actually perfect for practicing sweep volleys on both the forehand and backhand side. When I first started playing pickleball about a year ago, I would often hit those balls straight into the net because I was swinging too hard. Over time I’ve started focusing less on power and more on control, paddle positioning, reach, and sometimes a bit of topspin to guide the ball instead of forcing it.

The rebound from the board also works really well for practicing drop shots. The drop is something I’ve been trying to improve because it’s such an important shot for transitioning from the baseline to the kitchen. Sometimes it takes me a moment to get moving forward, and if the drop isn’t good I end up stuck in transition or reaching for the next ball. Repeating drops with the rebound board has helped that movement feel more natural, and it has helped me focus on touch and arc rather than speed.

Another drill that has become part of my routine involves practicing resets. If you tilt the board forward slightly, the ball comes back lower and faster, which creates a good opportunity to work on defensive resets. In the year that I’ve been playing pickleball, I’ve started to realize that resets and transitioning to the kitchen might actually be the hardest part of the game. It’s not dinking, and it’s not smashing the ball to finish a point. Controlling the ball when you’re under pressure and trying to move forward is where a lot of points are won or lost.

The Dink Master also includes target zones on the wall, which encourages you to think more about placement than power. Recently I’ve been trying a drill where I attempt to volley into zone three, then zone two, and finally zone one. Practicing that sequence on both my forehand and backhand has been a good way to work on accuracy and consistency rather than just hitting the ball back.

One of the biggest improvements I’ve noticed from using the Dink Master regularly has actually been patience. When I practice dinks with the rebound board, I try to wait for the ball to reach its highest point before making contact. That small adjustment has helped my control more than I expected, and it has made me feel more confident in softer exchanges at the kitchen line.

Living in the Northeast also makes a training tool like this more useful. Winters can get pretty cold, and it’s not always easy to get consistent court time. Having something at home allows me to stay loose and keep working on my game even when I’m not playing as often outside.

Looking back now, it’s funny that the thing I was hesitant to buy has turned out to be one of the most useful training tools I’ve added to my pickleball routine. It doesn’t take long practice sessions to get value from it either. Even a few minutes a day can help build consistency over time.

If you’re thinking about getting one yourself, I’d definitely recommend it. And if you do decide to pick one up, feel free to use the discount code TechYeti at checkout.

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Why I Stopped Chasing New Pickleball Paddles at Every Launch

Over the past few weeks I almost purchased a few new pickleball paddles that recently launched, but in the end I decided to hold off. Lately I’ve slowed down on doing paddle comparisons and reviews, and I’ve realized a few things.

A few weeks ago the men’s pickleball ladder league ended, and it gave me some time to reflect on how I’ve been approaching the game. The truth is, I’ve realized that I enjoy recreational play more than competing the way I thought I wanted to.

I recently listened to a podcast with Andre Agassi where he mentioned something that really stuck with me. In a way, he said he didn’t want competition to take away from his passion for pickleball. That idea opened my eyes because I realized I was doing something which was causing me to get frustated with the game of pickleball. I was putting a lot of pressure on my game and on my expectations and I do not want to lose the passion of playing the game.  

Because of that shift in mindset, I’ve slowly noticed my interest in constantly trying new paddles starting to fade a bit. Instead, I’ve become more focused on my physical and mental health. Good pickleball shoes and proper recovery matter just as much as the equipment we use. At my age, and with a history of joint injuries and surgeries, how my body feels on the court makes a big difference.

But what about equipment? Does the paddle make a difference?

For me, it definitely has during the year that I’ve been playing pickleball but again I was lucky enough to try several paddles to find the one that fits my game and preference. 

I still have my original Vatic Pro Prism Flash 14mm short handle paddle, and occasionally I’ll hit with it when doing drills with the Dink Master 3.0. Over time I’ve moved away from hybrid shapes and toward elongated paddles, but I still enjoy using that paddle for practice sessions and my son loves that paddle. 

When I compare that to some of my newer paddles—like my favorite paddle, the Bread & Butter Loco Elongated—the face actually feels smoother now than my older Prism Flash. They’re completely different paddles, but it made me wonder if the construction plays a role.

The Loco is an all-foam paddle, so it doesn’t have the honeycomb structure that many Gen 1.5 through Gen 3 paddles use. Maybe that’s why the surface feels smoother over time. I’m not completely sure, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about.

All of this came to mind because I almost purchased the newest elongated Gen 4 paddle from 11six24: the Hurache-X Power 2. It supposedly has very durable grit, and I have to admit it’s a beautiful paddle.

But at $200, it’s becoming harder for me to justify buying another paddle—even one that costs $100.

Enhance Pickleball also recently released their budget-friendly Turbo foam paddles. While they’re affordable, they look like copycats of other foam paddles on the market, and the designs and colors just don’t appeal to me. At this point I really need a strong reason to buy another paddle.

I was close to purchasing the Hurache-X Power 2, but then I thought about how well I’ve been playing with my Bread & Butter Loco. I used it throughout the league and again last week with the guys, and it continues to perform exactly the way I want it to.

The week before that I had a great session using my Selkirk Boomstik Elongated. Both paddles performed great, and I’m already a big fan of them. I also still enjoy my Vatic Pro V7 and a few others in my rotation.

So why buy another paddle right now?

One of the things holding me back is the core material. The Hurache-X Power 2 uses an MPP core, which is similar to my Inferno. Lately I haven’t been loving how the Inferno feels. MPP has a unique and satisfying feel on contact, but it can also feel a bit unpredictable.

On the other hand, I’ve really gotten used to paddles with EPP cores. My Loco, Vatic VSol Pro, Luzz Tornado, and Selkirk Boomstik all share that type of feel, and it’s something that works well for my game.

If I’m going to spend $200 on a paddle, I’d almost rather wait and see what Bread & Butter releases next. They’re already launching a new Loco colorway, and while I definitely don’t *need* another one, I have to admit I’m tempted.

Lately my current Loco has started making a slightly different cracking sound on harder hits, which makes me wonder how long it will last. But even with that, I absolutely love the way this paddle plays. Drives feel powerful, dinks feel controlled, and overall it just fits my game.

For me, it’s the ultimate paddle right now.

The only downside is its higher swing weight, which some players might not enjoy.

So do you really need a new paddle?

If you’re like me—playing recreationally and maybe participating in the occasional league at your local club—the answer is: it depends. But if you bought a paddle within the last six months and you only play once or twice a week, you probably don’t need a new one.

Many of my pickleball buddies rarely change paddles, and they still play great. One of them recently checked his Luzz Pro Cannon to make sure it wasn’t core crushed, and he said it’s still performing perfectly. He loves that paddle because it gave him the power, pop, and stability he didn’t have before.

Instead of buying another paddle, you might want to consider investing in a new pair of pickleball shoes. Something like the Selkirk CourtStrike 2.0 or even a fresh pair of Asics Gel Resolution 8s can make a huge difference.

And if you’re looking for a great training tool, I highly recommend the **Dink Master 3.0 by Enhance Pickleball**. It has helped increase my confidence and allowed me to practice drills that simulate real game situations.

If you decide to pick one up, feel free to use code **TechYeti** at checkout to save a little money.

For now, I’m just looking forward to the warmer spring weather here in New England so we can get back outside and enjoy the game with friends and the local pickleball community.

Until then, maybe hold off on buying that new paddle.

Keep dinking, driving, and learning.

How I Fell Into the Pickleball Affiliate World — And Why I’m Slowing Down

When I first started watching pickleball videos on YouTube, I kept noticing something.

Every reviewer had a code.

“Use my code for $10 off.”
“Link in description.”
“Discount below.”

How I Fell Into the Pickleball Affiliate World — And Why I’m Slowing Down

When I first started watching pickleball videos on YouTube, I kept noticing something: every reviewer had a code. “Use my code for $10 off.” “Link in the description.” At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I assumed they were just helping people save money on paddles. I had no idea those were affiliate codes — meaning they earned a commission when someone used them.

Then I started playing pickleball myself.

I was brand new to the game, but I’ve always been the kind of person who goes all in when something grabs my attention. My younger brother calls me a nerd for it, and maybe he’s right. When I get into something, I want to understand every detail — how it’s built, why it works, and what makes it different. Before pickleball, I did that with tech. I’ve worked in IT for over a decade, and I had uploaded a few computer review videos just sharing what I knew.

One day I thought, why not try reviewing paddles the same way?

That’s when I applied for my first ambassador program with Vatic Pro. I honestly didn’t expect them to accept me. I had barely started playing pickleball. I didn’t have a big following. I wasn’t some established content creator. But they approved me, and they offered a generous discount on a paddle or two. I only grabbed one because I didn’t want to go crazy spending money. At that point, it was just fun — I was learning the game, learning the equipment, and uploading simple videos.

Then I realized something: this wasn’t just a discount program. It was commission-based.

Suddenly, everything I had seen on YouTube made sense. That’s why everyone had codes.

Now, is that a bad thing? No. Not at all. I worked in sales for almost ten years before moving fully into IT, so I understand what it means to sell. In those jobs, we didn’t get to pick and choose what to push. We sold what the company told us to sell. We had metrics, quotas, and categories to hit. Educate the customer. Encourage them. Close the sale. That was the job.

Paddle companies aren’t much different — except they can’t afford nationwide sales teams. It wouldn’t make sense. Instead, they rely on social media, YouTube, ambassadors, and influencers to spread the word. It’s modern marketing. And if we’re being honest, most of us have searched “best paddle” and trusted someone online. I know I have.

As I continued making content, I started to understand my role in that system. I wasn’t just reviewing paddles; I was part of the marketing pipeline. That realization really hit me when I visited both the UPAA and USAP approved paddle lists. I couldn’t believe how many brands and models were in those databases — companies I had never even heard of. It made me wonder how a handful of reviewers could truly represent the entire paddle market.

The answer is, they can’t.

There are simply too many brands and too many small variations between models. Many paddles are built similarly with minor tweaks. To stand out, a company has to invest heavily in marketing and exposure. They need ambassadors. They need visibility. They need people talking about their products. Brands like Luzz and Vatic Pro didn’t just appear out of nowhere; they built recognition over time. That takes money, patience, and people willing to represent them.

At some point, though, I started questioning myself. As I added more codes and partnered with more companies, I had to ask: am I helping people make informed decisions, or am I just becoming another marketing arm? The honest answer is probably both.

The paddle market is saturated. Some brands will survive long term; others won’t. The big reviewers will continue, and new ones will pop up. Codes will always exist. But recently, I’ve felt myself wanting something simpler.

I don’t want to represent ten different companies. I don’t want to chase every new release. I don’t want to feel like I need to constantly push something. I want to represent what I genuinely believe in. For me, that’s a small handful of brands I trust and enjoy playing with. And honestly, even narrowing that list further would be fine.

Would I like someone to use my code? Of course. If I earn $5, $10, or $20 from a paddle sale and it helps fund the next one I want to try, that’s practical. It offsets the cost of an expensive hobby. But that can’t be the main driver.

Because at the end of the day, I didn’t start this to become an influencer. I started because I love learning about gear. I love understanding how things work. Most importantly, I love playing pickleball.

Lately, I’ve felt the pull to slow down the reviews and just get back to enjoying the game. If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many ambassador codes out there, now you know. It’s marketing. It’s opportunity. It’s passion mixed with commission.

For me, it started as curiosity, turned into a side hustle, and is now becoming something more grounded. I just want to represent what I believe in — and then step on the court and play.