Celebrating Community, Connection, and Pickleball Joy!
Need New Pickleball Paddles, Shoes, or Gear? Go to our Friends at the Tennis Store in Franklin, TN
If you’re looking to upgrade your pickleball gear, head to The Tennis Store in Franklin—it’s my go-to spot, and it should be yours too! They have everything you need to get tournament-ready, whether it’s paddles, shoes, or any other equipment. Plus, when you mention DINKVILLE at checkout, you’ll get an additional 10% off your entire purchase.
P.S. We are working with them to update their name to Pickleball Store lol
"Pickleball Therapy" Helping Players both on and off the court!
The beauty of pickleball goes beyond the court—it’s about the friendships, the joy, and the sense of belonging it creates. This week, we want to shine a light on an incredible group within our community led by Jenn and Joey Kinsler.
Jenn and Joey have started Pickleball Therapy in Gallatin, TN, creating a space where players come together not just to play but to connect on a deeper level. Their group is built on the idea of sharing laughter, fostering friendships, and lifting each other up through the game we all love. By coming together, they’re strengthening their minds, bodies, and spirits, while making life’s journey a little brighter alongside wonderful people.
We’re so inspired by the Kinslers’ leadership and dedication to growing their group and spreading the joy of pickleball. Their work reminds us all of what Dinkville is about—bringing people together to play, connect, and thrive.
If you’ve started a group or have ideas to build community through pickleball, we’d love to hear about it! Share your stories with us, and let’s celebrate the incredible ways our sport is making a difference in lives across Middle Tennessee.
As we step into the holiday season with Christmas parties and festive matches, let’s take a moment to cherish the connections we’ve made and the joy we’ve found through pickleball. Whether it’s on the court or off, this community is a gift we’re all lucky to share. Please see pictures below from Pickleball Therapy Christmas Party!
Bringing Home Some Hardware Back to TN!
I love it when Dinkville members go to other states tournaments and come back with some medals!! Chad and Tammy Richards are bringing home some medals from Naples, Florida 50+ festival! Chad and Tammy medaled in the Mixed Bracket while Tammy and Maria Estela Gonzalez medaled in the women's bracket! And Cassie Cornish won Gold in Panama City for the Make A Wish Charity Tournament! Congratulations you guys and way to represent Nashville proudly!
Pickleball Kingdom Hendersonville is almost here! Coming this January!
Final touches are being done on the massive 12 court indoor pickleball facility in Hendersonville, Tennessee! Hope you guys are excited for new courts in the area!
Dinkville is proud to be sponsored by Selkirk, and we highly recommend their exceptional products and strong commitment to the future of pickleball. Please check out their site HERE and use code ADV-LHALLAM at Checkout to receive a FREE GIFT from Selkirk!
Today In Pickleball Brought To You By The Dink
Up Your Game
Refining Your Groundstrokes
Tennis players have a competitive advantage when making the transition to pickleball. Having strong groundstrokes can easily bump you into the 4.0 level, but you do need to fine-tune those strokes to keep advancing.
The key is to condense those big tennis groundstrokes into shorter more efficient swings. Instructor William East has a great way to check if your strokes include unnecessary movement.
- In a new video, he lines up next to a wall and simulates a topspin forehand. What he is looking for is to maintain contact with the wall throughout his backswing.
- If his paddle leaves the wall, it indicates his backswing is too big or inefficient. By shortening the swing, he can maintain good form when there’s less time to react.
The swing path generated in this exercise is also great for creating topspin on your shot. When the paddle comes off the wall it is lagging behind your wrist and ready to brush over the top of the ball. Do a little housekeeping this month and check if your swing needs to be downsized.
Swiping Right on Pickleball
Move over, long walks on the beach—pickleball is taking over Tinder. In 2024, mentions of pickleball in dating bios skyrocketed up 148%, showing just how much this sport has become the ultimate social flex. Shout out to a member of the Dink Fam for telling us about this trend.
Why pickleball? Because it isn't just a game; it's a vibe. It's fun, active, and a perfect way to connect with new people. Whether you're swiping for a doubles partner or a soulmate, dropping pickleball in your profile says you're ready for some competitive fun (and maybe a little friendly trash talk).
So, next time you hit the courts, keep an eye out—you might just meet your match in more ways than one!
Genie Bouchard Gets an Eye-Opening Injury
Eye injuries are one of the scariest injuries that can occur on the pickleball court. Unlike a rolled ankle, or broken bone, which can happen in any sport, the size and roughness of a pickleball make it particularly dangerous for eye injuries.
Genie Bouchard, the former Wimbledon finalist, sustained a scratched cornea after being accidentally struck in the eye by a pickleball during training. She was treated at urgent care and is expected to recover in a few days.
Don’t worry, though—Genie’s already laughing it off and on the mend. She joked about her “pirate look” and plans to be back in action soon. Pro tip: Eye protection is always worth the minor inconvenience.
And it’s not just shots from across the net you have to worry about. Genie’s injury was sustained from a ball that came off her partner’s paddle.
Bouchard was not the only player in pickleball pain last week. Katie Couric is also sporting a Wile E. Coyoteish lump on her forehead after accidentally hitting herself in the head with her paddle. Stay safe out there Dink Fam.
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Thank you,
Landon Hallam
Dinkville Founder/CEO