Thinking of starting a new sport, but intimidated by all the gear choices?
Choosing a new sport is fun. Figuring out the equipment can be frustrating. Wrong gear holds you back. Quality gear lets you improve and play more.
Here’s the thing…
Launching a new sports journey is more than showing up for the first day. It’s about naming your goals. Getting clear on what to expect. And gearing up properly from day one.
What You’ll Learn
- Why Starting With The Right Gear Matters
- How To Name Your Goals Before Buying Equipment
- The Pickleball Equipment Guide
- 3 Mistakes New Players Make When Shopping
Why Starting With The Right Gear Matters
Millions of people take up a new sport each year. And one in particular has seen skyrocketing growth.
Pickleball.
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, participation has grown 311% in just three years. To be clear, that’s nearly 20 million players in the United States alone. All of them shopping for gear.
Why does this matter for beginners?
When millions of newbies flood into a sport, the equipment market booms. Which is good! More options are better than fewer. But it also creates new challenges.
The vast majority of new players buy the cheapest paddle they can find. Often at big box sporting goods stores. What’s the problem with that?
The paddle is your main interface with the game. Shopping for pickleball paddles is like shopping for your connection to the sport. Investing in quality pickleball paddles leads to more control and power. More fun on the court.
You wouldn’t learn to drive in a car with a busted steering wheel. Right? Same goes for sports equipment.
How To Name Your Goals Before Buying Equipment
Before you lay a single dollar on gear, name your goals.
This step is where most people mess up. They start shopping. Buying equipment they don’t need for reasons they can’t explain.
Ask yourself:
- Are you playing for fitness or competition?
- How many days a week will you play?
- How much are you willing to spend starting out?
- Will you play only casually or try to join leagues?
The answers to these questions drive everything else.
A player who just wants to play a few times a week with friends on weekends doesn’t need the same stuff as someone who wants to be on a competitive circuit. Naming your goals first will save you money and keep you from buying the wrong stuff.
Here’s an example…
Say your goal is “to stay active and make new friends.” A super expensive professional-grade paddle is overkill. A mid-range paddle and comfortable shoes will work fine.
But if you name your goal as “to compete at a high level within a year,” you’ll need to spend more to start. Better equipment grows with you.
Simple, right?
The Pickleball Equipment Guide
Let’s get specific. If you’re jumping into pickleball, here’s what you actually need to start playing.
The Paddle
The paddle is your number one investment. Paddles are available in a variety of materials, weights, and grip sizes. The three main types are:
Wood paddles are the entry-level option. Cheap, heavy, and not a lot of control. Good for trying the sport, not much else.
Composite paddles are the happy medium for most players. Control, power, durability, all at a reasonable price point.
Graphite paddles are the lightest and offer the most control. Mid-to-advanced players want to maximize precision tend to go this route.
The weight of the paddle matters, too. Lighter paddles give you more control but less power. Heavier paddles pack more power but fatigue the arm faster.
New players are best served by a mid-weight composite paddle. A middle of the road option gives you room to develop your skills and control before your equipment holds you back.
Shoes
Do not wear running shoes to play pickleball.
Running shoes are made for forward motion. Pickleball demands a lot of side to side movement. Court shoes or tennis shoes give your feet the lateral support to move quickly without fear of injury.
The wrong shoes lead to injury. Injuries get in the way of your new sport journey before it even starts.
Balls
Pickleball uses plastic balls with holes in them. Indoor and outdoor balls are different. Indoor balls are softer and have bigger holes. Outdoor balls are harder and more durable to better handle wind and wear.
Beginners need not worry about the difference. Just make sure your balls match your playing location.
3 Mistakes New Players Make When Shopping
We all make mistakes. But watching others fall flat on their faces is a great way to learn and avoid the same pitfalls. Here are the top three gear mistakes new players make.
Mistake #1: Buying The Cheapest Thing
Budget is always a concern. Cheaper paddles are tempting. But they lead to a frustrating experience. Poor quality equipment makes it harder to learn and have fun.
You don’t need to sell a kidney to play pickleball. But you do need to invest in quality equipment.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Proper Fit
Grip size is surprisingly important. Too small or too large a grip and your hands get fatigued. Reducing control and precision.
Most paddles have the grip size clearly labeled. Measure your hand and take the time to find a proper fit for your paddle.
Mistake #3: Skipping The Research
Pickleball’s growth over the last few years is unprecedented. The rapid growth means more options for players. But also more marketing hype to wade through.
Don’t get caught buying a paddle because of some flashy YouTube ad. Read reviews. Ask experienced players what they like. Try out different paddles if you can.
The SFIA’s 2025 Report found the sport’s participation jumped 45.8% in just one year, from 2023 to 2024. That’s 15.6 million new players. A tidal wave of newbies entering the sport means the equipment market is flooded with choices. Do your research.
Wrapping Things Up
Starting a new sport is an exciting adventure. It shouldn’t be a stressful experience filled with choice paralysis and sticker shock.
Naming your goals first allows you to shop smart for equipment. You’ll know what gear you actually need and why it’s essential. Save money by only buying equipment that fits your journey.
To summarize:
- Name your goals before shopping for equipment
- Invest in quality gear that matches your commitment level
- Choose the right paddle weight and material for your skill
- Wear proper court shoes to prevent injuries
- Avoid common mistakes like buying too cheap or skipping research
The right gear will not make you a pro overnight. But it will prevent newbie frustration. It will allow you to focus on what matters – playing and having fun.
Same formula for taking up pickleball or any other sport. Name your journey. Gear up right. Then go play.
Start your new sport journey today.