(And the Cheap Stuff You’ll Need to Survive)

🧠 TL;DR:

You’re new to pickleball. You’re excited. You’re also about to:

  • Pull a hamstring
  • Hit someone in the neck
  • Lose track of your own score
    Here’s what to expect — and a few cheap items you’ll need to survive the chaos.

👟 Mistake #1: Wearing Running Shoes

What Happens:
You show up in your regular gym shoes. By point three, you’ve skidded across the court like a toddler on ice.

Fix It:
🎯 Recommended:
👉 ASICS Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes — designed for lateral movement and saving your ankles.
👉 K-Swiss Express Light — for when you want to look like you know what you’re doing.

🏓 Mistake #2: Buying the Wrong Paddle

What Happens:
You panic-buy the cheapest paddle on Amazon. It’s made of melted plastic and regret.

Fix It:
🎯 Recommended Starter Paddles:
👉 Selkirk SLK Neo — lightweight, beginner-friendly, won’t break your wrist or your bank account.
👉 Niupipo Fiberglass Paddle Set — two paddles, balls, bag, and enough brand confusion to spark conversation.

🎾 Mistake #3: Not Bringing Extra Balls

What Happens:
You lose one ball and 40 minutes to a slow-motion group search. (It’s always under the bench.)

Fix It:
🎯 Recommended:
👉 Franklin X-40 Outdoor Balls – Pack of 12
They bounce right, they last, and when one rolls into traffic, you won’t cry.

🧢 Mistake #4: Thinking You Don’t Need a Bag

What Happens:
You show up carrying your gear like a 5th grader who missed the bus.

Fix It:
🎯 Recommended:
👉 Mangrove Pickleball Bag — stylish, durable, and won’t make you look like you’re carrying a lunchable.
👉 Franklin Sports Backpack — for those who like pockets and plausible deniability.

🧦 Bonus Mistake: Ignoring Your Socks

What Happens:
Blisters. Regret. An Amazon search at 1:30 AM.

Fix It:
🎯 Recommended:
👉 Balega Blister Resist Socks — for feet that deserve love even if the rest of you is reluctant.

🏁 Final Thought

You’re going to mess up. Everyone does.

Just don’t let a bad paddle or rolled ankle be the reason you give up.
Get the right gear, laugh at yourself, and remember:
Everyone sucks at the start. Some of us just suck longer — and blog about it.