Pickleball - America’s Newest Sensation

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This newsletter is unlike other Pickleball related newsletters, where you are either sent products to buy or tips on how to play. We cover a range of topics surrounding Pickleball, from its history, to how it affects our brain, as well as news, tips, facts, and comparisons.

•  Regular (and not so frequent you want to pull your hair out) newsletter emails

• Pickleball insights and news (we call it Pickled)

• Fun lighthearted content

• Product suggestions

• Tips and tricks

• Sneak peek into future editions

But don’t take our word for it.

welcome to our first edition:

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Why Pickleball is famous?

_{The birth of the sport}

In 1965, three American dads set out to invent a new game to entertain their bored families. What began as a simple attempt to stave off a lazy afternoon turned into an unexpected phenomenon that is now captivating the United States.

Many inventions in our lifetime were not expected to boom into their current fame.

For example, few imagined video games would become one of the biggest entertainment industries. Even fewer foresaw Bitcoin exploding in price from virtually nothing to nearly $100,000 per coin. And let us not forget the internet, which has become so ingrained in our lives that we can’t imagine life without it.

The same can be said about pickleball, which an outsider might assume is a ball made of pickles. The reality, however, is far more interesting. This sport, inspired by elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, was born out of sheer improvisation. Keep in mind that this was at a time long before Amazon existed, so same-day delivery of a full-fledged family game ordered with the tap of a button was virtually impossible. When the dads discovered an empty badminton court at their property but couldn’t locate the equipment, they improvised using the court, table tennis paddles, and a wiffle ball. This improvisation grew to become pickleball. What started as a quirky, spur-of-the-moment idea has since evolved into a full-fledged sport, with professional tournaments, fan communities, and a rapidly expanding player base.

But the question remains: why is pickleball famous? Why, of all sports, is pickleball becoming America’s newest sensation? What sets it apart in a world filled with established sports?

The answer lies in the human psyche. The human brain is a marvelous contraption, but also a lazy one. It seeks out pleasure like an addict, which is why you’ll find some people indulging in coke, others in food, and others in TikTok. People gravitate toward things that deliver instant gratification. Pickleball fulfills that need in the realm of physical activity.

Pickleball Rules:

Here’s a simplified version of the rules:

• Court size: 20x44 feet

• The ball must bounce once before being hit

• Stand behind the baseline, serve from below the waist, and serve diagonally

• Your tool is a lightweight paddle and a lightweight plastic ball with holes in it

• Get 11 points to win

• Only the serving side can score points

• The ball must bounce once on each side after the serve before you can volley (hit it in the air)

• You can’t hit the ball in the air while standing in the kitchen (the non-volley zone)

• Can be played with a team of two

Tennis Rules:

Here’s a simplified version of tennis rules:

• Singles Court: 78x27 feet

• Doubles Court: 78x36 feet

• Your tool is a lightweight but sizable racket and a tennis ball (which weighs more than a pickleball)

• Points progress as 0 (Love), 15, 30, 40, Game

• If both players reach 40, it’s called Deuce. The winner must secure two consecutive points to win (Advantage and then Game)

• A Set consists of six games, but a player must win by at least two games (e.g., 6-4 or 7-5). If tied at 6-6, a tiebreak is played

• Matches are typically best-of-three or best-of-five sets

• The ball can be hit before it bounces (volley) or after one bounce

• Players must not allow the ball to bounce more than once on their side

• Can be played with a team of two. Court size must be adjusted accordingly

The full rule sets for both sports are longer, but tennis is typically played for a longer duration, on a larger field, requires more skill, and is intimidating and power-driven. Meanwhile, pickleball is more user-friendly. The ball is light, the rules are simple, the court is smaller, and the game feels more intimate.

So Why Is Pickleball America’s Favorite?

The charm of pickleball lies in its ability to bring people together. Its compact court fosters intimacy, making it perfect for socializing. The lightweight ball and simplified rules ensure that players of all ages and abilities can participate, from children to seniors. Unlike sports that demand years of training, pickleball provides instant enjoyment with no cost or complicated setup.

In an era where people are increasingly overwhelmed by work, digital distractions, and complicated commitments, simplicity is king. Pickleball offers a refreshing escape—an activity that feels good, promotes physical fitness, and is easy to learn yet endlessly engaging. It’s more than just a sport; it’s a social experience that fosters connection and memories.

So, whether you’re looking for a light-hearted game with friends or an energetic way to stay active, pickleball is here to pickle your life.

_{Side court} 🏓

Pickleball starter guide:

Okay, now that we have charmed you with our amazingly convincing exciting introduction, lettuce show you the ropes of the sport.

Pickleball, while easy, requires some tools to play. Besides the many courts you’ll find locally, you’ll need your own dedicated equipment—not just to flex, but to get accustomed to the game the right way and be ready to play at a moment’s notice. You might be wondering, ‘Why would I buy the tools before learning how to play?’ The answer is simple: pickleball is easy! You can get started right away (since the rules have been set above). However, if you are looking for the exact play mechanisms, stay tuned for our next edition, where we will explain how to play.

Without further ado, here is what you should do:

Get yourself the following:

• Paddle

This will be your go-to paddle for the beginning of your pickleball career. Now, we know we said that the sport takes elements from various sports, such as table tennis, but DON’T buy a table tennis paddle. You may think you’re getting a sweet deal, but you actually aren’t. Because of the fundamental differences between pickleball balls and table tennis balls, the materials that comprise both paddles, and the evolution that the sport has gone through, you’ll struggle to play the game the right way—the fun way. We recommend getting something made specifically for the sport (and also legal, but don’t worry about that just yet).

A beginner friendly paddle that is both affordable and beginner friendly is: VISGUIR Pickleball Paddles. Beside that, it comes with every other essential requirement, such as another paddle, pickleball balls, and a bag!

•  Pickleballs

As we mentioned above, you cannot possibly play with a table tennis paddle, and the same goes for the balls—They are also fundamentally different.

Our recommendation without a doubt, for beginners would be Franklin Sports X-40. A count of 12 balls is what we recommend—you’ve got to account for all the misses.

• Pickleball shoes

This marks the final necessary thing (beside shorts please!) a good pair of court shoes goes a long way. Trust us, you don’t want to slip while trying to catch that ball!

What makes shoes specifically made for the court (badminton, tennis, table tennis) a #1 recommendation is that the court surface is different. Picture this: you’re a soccer player playing with flat shoes on grass. Not very effective or logical, right? Now picture this instead: you’re a pickleball player wearing shoes specifically designed to support the short lateral and front/back movements required by the game. These shoes protect against toe-dragging inside your shoes, prevent blisters, and often have built-in cooling mechanisms. How’s that for assured success and enjoyment?

A good pair of shoes with all the above benefits doesn’t have to break the bank. A pair of K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball shoe will provide all of that at an affordable price, and support your wins for years, and for the ladies out there, you can take a look at this pink, and appropriately sized version, as the one above is for men🤷‍♂️.

Now the above items are the minimum requirement to start pickleballing, but there is no harm in wearing some shorts and shirts to minimize sweat discomfort and maximize pickleball enjoyment.  

A final pro tip: Either find a local court to play on or practice against whatever wall you can find. That’s the beauty of pickleball—it demands very little of you before delivering on its promises.

_Pickled 🥒

Stat tuned next week for the first Pickleball news segment with Pickled!

_{SnowBuzz Merch}

Psst… are you enjoying this edition?

Then check out SnowBuzz Pickleball Rizz Merch!

If not, may we interest you on a sneak peek of our next edition?

_{Future Pickle}

Coming Next Edition!

What happened to the founders of Pickleball?

random pickleball fun facts!

And how to actually play!

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