Introduction
If you've landed on DinkingPickles.com, chances are you've asked yourself the question, “What exactlyis Dinking Pickles?” Is it a weird recipe? A technique? A meme?
Let's get this straight: It's a mindset - and a mission.
At Dinking Pickles, we don't just love pickleball. We live it, analyze it, and review the gear that powers it. This article dives into the story behind our name, our purpose, and how we help thousands of players - from beginners to competitors - find the right products, make smarter decisions, and enjoy better games.
First, What Is a “Dink” in Pickleball?
In pickleball, a dink is a soft, strategic shot that barely clears the net and lands in the opponent's non-volley zone - known as “the kitchen.” It's the opposite of brute-force play. Instead of slamming the ball, you out-think your opponent by controlling tempo and placement.
Mastering the dink means:
- 🎯 Neutralizing power players
- 🧠 Controlling the flow of the rally
- 💥 Setting up offensive opportunities
- 🔥Frustrating aggressive hitters into making mistakes
The dink might not look flashy, but it's what separates recreational players from real competitors. Power can win points - but dinks win games.
Why the “Pickles”?
It's all in the name - literally.
There's a common myth that pickleball was named after a dog named Pickles. It's true the Pritchard family had a dog by that name, but here's the kicker: the dog was named after the game, not the other way around.
The real origin of the name comes from Joan Pritchard, wife of game creator Joel Pritchard. She said the name reminded her of a “ pickle boat” in rowing - a boat made up of leftover rowers from different teams. Just like that boat, pickleball was created from pieces of other sports: tennis, badminton, ping pong.
So, “Pickles” has always stood for thefun, mixed-up, unpredictable nature of the sport.
What “Dinking Pickles” Means to Us
Put it all together, and the name Dinking Pickles isn't just fun - it's a perfect expression of what we do.
At DinkingPickles.com, we combine the strategy of the dink with the spirit of pickleball to deliver content that's smart, honest, and just quirky enough to match the sport we love.
What do we really mean when we say “Dinking Pickles”?
- It's about playing withcontrol and intelligence, not just power.
- It's about choosing gear that matches your game, not just following trends.
- It's about staying sharp, whether you're learning a new trick shot or upgrading your paddle.
- And yes, it's about keeping it fun - because pickleball ismeant to be enjoyable.
What We Actually Do at DinkingPickles.com
We're not a brand. We're not a club. We don't sell paddles.
We're a review site + knowledge hub built for real players looking for real insight.
🔍 Expert Product Reviews
We rigorously test and review:
- Paddles (control, power, feel, spin)
- Shoes (grip, agility, durability)
- Balls (outdoor, indoor, flight quality)
- Bags, hats, hoodies, paddle erasers, even workout programs
Each review is written to help you find the best product for your style - not to sell you the most expensive one.
📘 Tactical Articles & Buyer's Guides
Need to know how to choose your first paddle?
Want to understand what core materials actually do?
Trying to figure out if carbon fiber is worth the hype?
We've got in-depth guides for every level of player, covering:
- Gear comparisons (like edgeless vs. traditional paddles)
- Performance breakdowns (spin, sweet spots, swing weights)
- Skill-building tips and strategies (including - you guessed it - dinking)
✍️ Honest, No-Fluff Opinions
You'll never read paid ads disguised as reviews here.
If something's great, we'll say it. If it's not? We'll say that too.
We believe transparency is power - and players deserve it.
Who We're For
If you:
- Love pickleball and want to get better
- Care about your gear (but hate buyer's remorse)
- Like gear talk, strategy, and real-world reviews
- Appreciate a site that keeps things light but informative
Then Dinking Pickles is made for you.
Whether you're shopping for your first paddle or chasing gold medals in your local league, our goal is to give you an edge through clarity and knowledge.
Why It All Works: Precision Over Power
There's a reason “dinking” is in our name.
Dinking isn't just a tactic - it's a metaphor for our approach.
Just like the dink shot in pickleball, we believe:
- Thoughtful decisions win over rushed ones
- Strategy always beats hype
- Small improvements make a big difference over time
We're not shouting to be the loudest in the pickleball space.
We're focused on being the most helpful.
A Look at Our Content
Here you will find our guides and reviews:
You'll also find guides on injury prevention, apparel, warm-up gear, and home training tools.
Our Approach to Gear Testing
Each product review goes through a careful process that includes:
- Hands-on play testing in real game scenarios
- Evaluation of build quality, design, comfort, and performance
- Comparison against other popular models in the same category
- Final score across multiple key metrics
We're not here to overwhelm - we break it down into actionable insights.
Final Thoughts: Why Dinking Pickles Exists
We started this site because we noticed something missing in the pickleball world: a place where smart players could find honest content - without the fluff, without the upsells, and without 20 different paddle brands screaming for your attention.
Dinking Pickles is where strategy, gear, and passion intersect.
Our job? Help you play better, buy smarter, and never fall for marketing over meaning.
So the next time someone asks you, “What is Dinking Pickles?” - you'll know:
It's the trusted gear guide for players who know that brains win rallies.
Visit us daily. Bookmark your favorites. Dink smarter.
Welcome to DinkingPickles.com - where strategy meets spin.