Behind the Bluff
Uncover best practices to participate in life on your terms. Every week, hosts Jeff Ford and Kendra Till guide listeners with short conversations on trending wellness topics and share interviews with passionate wellness professionals, our private club leaders, and additional subject matter experts offering valuable tips. Each episode conclusion includes Healthy Momentum, five minutes of inspiration to help you reflect and live differently. Subscribe now and discover the keys to living your greatest active lifestyle.
Behind the Bluff
Simple Habits That Level Up Your Pickleball Fast | Tony Gotlieb
We talk with head pro Tony Gottlieb about how pickleball grows players and community at Palmetto Bluff, from first lessons to leagues and DUPR ratings. Practical coaching tips show why patience, positioning, and the soft game beat raw power, and why inclusive, social play becomes a movement.
• Tony’s journey from tennis to pickleball pro
• Why the kitchen and underhand serve level the game
• Palmetto Bluff courts, vibe, lessons and drop‑ins
• Coaching pillars: positioning, technique, shot selection
• Two quick fixes: keep paddle visible, move less
• Defense mindset: soft resets and patience
• Practice vs play ratios and drilling focus
• DUPR ratings, leagues and competitive pathways
• Tech trends, safety and sport regulation
• Wellness as habit, joy and community
• Turkey Trot growth as proof of movement
If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you
Are you ready to live an active lifestyle? Welcome to Behind the Bluff, where we believe every moment of your life is an opportunity to pursue wellness on your terms. Today we're joined with Tony Gottlieb, head pickleball professional at the Palmetto Bluff Club. We're planning on talking about his path into the sport, what makes pickleball so special here at Palmetto Bluff, and how players of all levels can grow their game with confidence. Tony, welcome to the show. Hey, thanks for having me, Jeff. Appreciate it. Yeah, you're fresh off the courts and ready to just stay in that zone of discussing pickleball. Yeah, I love it. That's that's my favorite subject right now. Yeah, man. Well, let's let's not uh hold back here and dive right in. For folks out there who do not know you, how did your journey lead you to becoming the head pickleball professional here at Palmetto Buff Club?
SPEAKER_01:Well, an interesting story. Um, as I was saying earlier, uh I was hanging out with my roommate, well, I guess my cellmate uh in the yard, and he said, Hey, you know, how would you like to uh join the PPA? And I said, the uh prison pickleball association. I said, you know, I had the time, and uh, so I'm kidding, obviously. Uh but uh so it's about nine years ago, eight, eight or nine years ago, and uh I was a you know typical tennis pro at a club, Good Tennis Academy, and uh a couple injuries, uh a couple shoulder surgeries, and then uh I needed some pros to come in and help out. And all of a sudden we found this game that was that was growing, and uh some of these guys brought it in, and uh it it just we got excited about it. Um they were a lot of top players were coming around the area during the pandemic, and um it just it really became contagious. We wanted to learn how to play it better, we wanted to learn how to coach it better, and it was just we were back in the court playing again. So uh it just it just took off from there. Now, where were you previously to Palmetto Buff? So I was in Savannah. So in Savannah had a great tennis academy there with uh some good pros from Spain and from around, and and uh so it was doing it was it was going really well. But uh, you know, when pickleball came around, we were thinking, you know, this this is so much fun, so much fun, and um it was just you know, we couldn't get enough of it.
SPEAKER_00:So it had to be something different for you, you know, being in tennis for so long, it was it was time for a change.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was it it really, it was it was a good change, and and um, you know, it was a little bit like snowboarders and skiers, though. You felt like you're maybe, you know, here you're skiing with all the guys, and all of a sudden you say, you know, I don't know, maybe I'm gonna try snowboarding. And you know, and so there was some pushback there, but um, you know, they they do both coexist pretty well. So um, but but you know, we naturally picked up on it and and um but yeah, and it took off. It was taking off. And we were on that, we we kind of jumped on the train and and kept on going.
SPEAKER_00:Sounds like you were an early adopter, and you're right, tennis and pickleball are very intertwined. Now, what was that transition like? Like switching to focus solely on pickleball.
SPEAKER_01:Um, you know, the court is 44 feet long and 20 uh 20 feet wide. So you play with a paddle, you know, kind of a at that time it was sort of a uh a wooden paddle with a wiffle ball. Um, you know, it was 50 bucks for a paddle, pretty cheap for the balls. You know, I'm looking at our new paddle as I brought one with me here. Um that's 275 bucks, which is the technology is incredible. Um, but at that time, you know, there was a lot of uh, you know, it was a lot about control, touch, um, positioning on the court. Uh, but you know, for years we had been on a clay court, you know, hitting the heck out of the ball, and now all of a sudden we had to figure out how how to you know develop the soft game. Um and so that that was a difficult transition. Um, but it also invited a lot of uh different athletes into the game that are surprising. You know, if you look at the top of the game, a lot of them are not tennis players. They're baseball players, they're basketball MMA, they're they're you're talking about like professional pickleball players.
SPEAKER_00:They they haven't typically come out of the tennis world.
SPEAKER_01:Aaron Powell Not always. I mean, there's a big group of them, but um there's also a lot of other sports coming in. They're just the um it's very uh inviting for a lot of athletes. Um so it's surprising. It's surprising to see volleyball players out there. Um so there's something uh multi-sport uh um you know incentivizing. Um so it it you know that's that's part of the attraction to it.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, that's a that's a great reflection. I find that so many of our members who participate in the fitness classes, they also participate in pickleball. And even if you're not the most athletic or have the best stamina necessarily, that doesn't mean you can't be an outstanding pickleball player.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, exactly.
SPEAKER_00:It's definitely a factor. Yes, but the technique and the finesse you're talking about, which I can't wait to get more tips and tricks for our listeners today, yeah, does go a long way in separating folks who just want to go out there and hit the ball hard and push the pace. And I I'm speaking from personal experience of being that type of person who thinks he can just show up on a pickleball court.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. We we we do like to see that. The guy, especially, you know, big hitters and power players, and and uh I think it's pretty humbling, you know, if you you know went out and played with some 75-year-olds, you know, that are playing some, you know, 25-year-olds that are relying just on power, how they can get beat by some 75-year-olds, uh, because they know the the nuance of the game. It's a little more chess-like. Um, so you can use things like touch and positioning and things like that that uh can take away from the power. You know, we have that that kitchen on the court, which is uh the non-volley zone that is that um if you can get a feel for that, um, then you have the ability to play at all levels with you know with all types of players. So it's a great equalizing um part of the court that helps us. So I think that's a big part of the um the attraction to the game. Uh that and the underhanded serve, so they eliminate you have to serve underhanded, so that eliminates some of those um typical uh power shots. Um so um things like that are are important to the game. Yeah. And uh exciting about it.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, no, it's really exciting. I mean, I first found out about pickleball when I was working up in North Carolina, and we added courts to our retreat program, and just to see it expand and to see the different walks of people step onto the court, it's it's pretty inspiring and it lead lead led me to want to get you in here because we've done almost 95 episodes and we haven't spoken about pickleball. What's going on, man? Yeah, I know, I know. You you should definitely be upset with me. Uh, anyways, Tony, before we go into kind of the coaching realm and talk more about the growth and where you see pickleball going, I'd love for you to talk more about Palmetto Bluff and what we do here as part of pickleball programming. So Wilson Lawn and Racket Club has nine pickleball courts. What makes it a special place over there? What's that operation look like for those who might not be familiar?
SPEAKER_01:So, you know, it's a real inviting area. Um, you know, for some reason, you know, when you when you come into the club area, um, it's just one of those fun areas. You hear a lot of laughing, you know, there's a lot of uh, you know, just people that are excited. I we kind of joke around, we kind of, you know, say it's like ice cream, you know. You you you know, you get out there, you may have lost, but you got ice cream, but you you didn't get sprinkles, okay? So you still had ice cream, so you're still you know you're still okay. Um but it's um the it's one of those games where people want to invite people in to play. They want to help teach them how to play. That can be challenging for me sometimes. So uh the unsolicited stuff. But uh so people are anxious to bring people into the game. Um uh, you know, they play with their spouses, they play with their grandkids, they play with their kids. So, you know, they're at parties saying, hey, you gotta come out here. And they're so they're very um, it's very uh easy to get into the game. So the environment out there is is is special um because people are very close. So, you know, you're you know, you're very often hitting really close to them, so and you're hanging out. So um that makes it a uh a great place to go when you're when you first get into the club. Um and um you know it it's just a beautiful area, so yeah, it's it's good.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I enjoy when I can make it over to to Wilson Lawn and Racket. Just the lawn, the setting, and I know in the future we're continuing to look at expanding pickleball and the number of courts we have, but to drive by there and see how many people are playing sometimes, it's it's a it's a sight to see, no doubt. The the club offers private lessons. I I think you're the main guy who does those private lessons. Can you dig into what that looks like? The drop-in play, clinics, and and the actual pickleball infrastructure we have here.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, so you know, you get a lot of players that just want to play. It's one of those games that people want to play. I'm not gonna say it's you know, it's kind of like, hey, let's go out and play cornhole today. You get that type of- wouldn't it be funny if we went and played cornhole today or ping pong or bowling? I'm not, you know, there's different levels of that, of course, but your initial response, let's just go, it'd be kind of fun. And then there's uh so you do dropping, you know, and you and you just get out there and play and hit the ball around. And then um you kind of start to figure out, hey, you know, if I take some lessons, I learn about the safety a little bit, because obviously there's some injury issues with pickleball, smaller area, hard court. Um so we've got the drop, and it's very inviting to everybody. The lessons, people love to take the lessons. Um, and then you get this crowd that wants to kind of improve their game and and uh and they may not start that way. They kind of start as players that just want to have fun at it, and then they start, you know, they're I call it having fun until it's not fun. You start saying, I want to have a little different type of fun, and they start getting into it more, and um, we do some lessons, we do some clinics, and they start kind of moving up the courts, and it's and it's really fun to see. Uh it's still a lot of fun, but you can see that they want to improve, and that's part of their part of their fun, and um, which is exciting for me to see. Um, but it's still, you know, very much uh about fun. Fun in the community and the social part of it. We we kind of with a name like pickleball, you you I mean, come on, you can't get, you know, you can't get too serious about it. So that keeps keeps everything pretty light. We try to uh make the game very accessible um for the players to come in uh initially, and then we're you know, we're thinking about their pathway um, you know, for the player to come in. We do the intro, uh, they get a feel for the game, um, and it's very basic, uh, but it's exciting to see when they really want to want to get into it more. Initially, it was like, oh, they just want to have a little bit of fun. But then we get them on that pathway where uh it's surprising that they want to get better. They're seeking the improvements. And they realize they start peeling back more layers of of the onion. And uh they go, wow, you know, hey, I didn't realize there's so much to this game. And it and it's it's kind of addictive. So they uh they continue to take more lessons in clinics and they and they they're on that pathway. They start moving up the courts, and there's you it's it's exciting to see a lot of players doing that. Um course, and their friends want to do it, they want to move up courts, you know, so uh they get on the train. So um that's a lot of fun to see. And it means of course we have teams out here, we have the Low Country League. Um now Duper is coming into the program.
SPEAKER_00:What's Duper?
SPEAKER_01:So Duper is uh kind of the equivalent of the USTA United States tennis rating system, where you have a a rating like a 3.0 or 3.5 if you're familiar with that, or a golf handicap. So now uh duper, the dynamic universal pickleball rating. Um there's an algorithm, players are playing matches, we're collecting some data. You know, we have leagues now that are using that duper system, so people can can find players of their level and play against them. So that's a big step for our sport. Um for players that want to be semi-competitive or competitive, they can find out where they where they stack up. And as they play more and more matches, they can see if they're improving and what they need to do to get better. Um so that's it that's a big step for our sport to have that system. They use it with the pros and it's gradually working its way down. So uh I believe we're gonna become a duper facility at Palmetto Globe. Is that like a certification process? It's a it's a process of there's a lot of things going into it, but I think it's it's a big step for us because um you know I think it it it will help um the competitive players as well as the amateur players uh um and the recreational players, but it it is it's a good thing to have.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it adds credibility. And I I read a book a long time ago that states when you do things with a scoreboard, it kind of just changes not only your focus on it, but it it does actually lead to even more fun, like we were talking about earlier. The the four disciplines of execution is the book where you always want to want to have a scoreboard of some sort, uh whether it's in you know achieving goals in your life or hey, I want to get better at pickleball. You need some sort of scoreboard to kind of keep track of things.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I I like it. I like it, yeah. So I yeah, I definitely that'll help then.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. What what kinds of players are you seeing come through the program? And what I'm most curious about is any trends and the types of members that you see joining uh and participating in pickleball.
SPEAKER_01:So, you know, I'm thinking about somebody recently, a guy came in and uh this guy uh said one of his hobbies is he drive apparently he drives several hours to do this so he can shoot and do work on with his sniping skills and and hunting and things like that. We get that type of player. There's quite a few hunters out there, I believe. We get ping pong players, we get golfers, we obviously we get the tennis players. Um, but uh, I think you know, um you just see a variety of players. Now at Palmetto Bluff here, um you we're seeing a lot of fitness people come into the game. Um, but just it's such a broad group of players coming over to the game and and trying it out. So um that's not that's neat to see. Um it's a good variety all across the board. The junior program, that's probably one of the things that we're gonna see in the future um as it kind of trickles down. Um, but we'll see what happens with that.
SPEAKER_00:So exciting. Everybody wanting to get involved, and yep, doesn't matter who you are, pickleball is most likely right for you in some way.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, definitely, definitely.
SPEAKER_00:Uh Tony, I'd like to get into the coaching side of things and and hear from someone who's training people on the regular to improve and and look at the sport differently and to kind of assess the court and and how they're approaching their shots. So when you look at beginners and intermediates, let's start with what are the most common mistakes you see?
SPEAKER_01:So, you know, as we were saying at the beginning, people kind of come into the game and it's everybody plays with everybody and they have a good time, and they don't they kind of underestimate uh the intentionality that you need with the game. Um that's the big difference with uh players at the begin at the beginner level. They they they just kind of want to hit the ball around. And as you want to get better, um you recognize you've got to be a little bit more intentional about what shots you're hitting, um, where you need to be on the court with the positioning, um uh the technique involved. So I would say the main thing that stands out is the intentionality of of where you're trying to hit the ball and you know where your partner needs to go, things like that. That's that's where things start to start to uh improve for players. So at the very the very beginning, we've we kind of the lowest hanging fruit is positioning. You know, where do where on where do I need to be on the court? Um and even talking through, you know, when this happens, here's where you can go. Exactly. Yeah. And that and that's that's that's when the light bulb goes on for them a little bit. They start to say, wow, okay, that that makes sense. You know, for example, uh one of the court one of the typical things we hear, we hear some tennis language out there that uh maybe a player standing in no man's land. Well, we actually don't have that in pickleball. We call the the middle of the court the opportunity zone. And and I'm not making that up. We we actually like that area. We spend a lot of time in there. It's kind of a transition area, but that's a very important part. So um people are surprised. They're saying, oh, I'm in no man's land. You know, you're actually not. That's not a bad spot to be. You can hit you to learn to learn to deal with that area, um, and it helps you get up to the non-volley zone line, which is the kitchen line. So um the the take-the main thing here is that um the difference between the beginners and as they try to improve is just the just them kind of uh learning more about the game and positioning and technique and and shot selection. Um so we we break it into those three areas. Um so and then we build from there.
SPEAKER_00:Positioning, technique, and then shots.
SPEAKER_01:The shot selection? Positioning on the court. Okay. Um, you know, where's your partner? Where should I be given given you know what's going on in the game? Um, and then uh shot selection. What shot am I trying to hit at this time? You know, if the two players are in front of you, they're they're hitting down at the ball, you probably don't want to hit up at the ball really hard at them.
SPEAKER_00:And shot selection is synonymous with intentionality.
SPEAKER_01:Yes. Okay. Yes, exactly. Yeah. So um yeah, so shot selection, positioning on the court, and then some technique. And the big difference with technique uh is it's a smaller court, so you have a much shorter backswing, a very short backswing. Um so it's a little bit like basketball in the sense that you start up close and as you back up, uh you just, you know, you you have a little bit more extension or follow-through. You use your legs a little bit more, but you don't take a bigger backswing and start kind of chucking the ball in basketball.
SPEAKER_00:That's a good example. It's almost like similar to putting in golf. You're not necessarily gonna wind that putter way back, even though it's a 50-foot putt.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, and and one of the things I'll say out there is you're kind of dealing with your trajectory and how you can you angle the paddle, and then you're dealing with energy or power. How how do I how do I power the ball enough? But uh, how do I manage the the power I'm I'm dealing with? So um I think a lot that's why golfers seem to like it quite a bit. They transition, they they like the nuance of that. Um table tennis, um uh, but you just see a broad range of players. Yeah, you know.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, well, I appreciate you being able to break it down into those three focused areas because I imagine that helps the beginner move into that intermediate mindset very quickly. And and since we've stumbled onto technique, I'd love for you to share the top one or two things to learn that lead to like the biggest improvement in being able to play shots or how how that shows up on the core, like the one or two changes someone might make with their grip, maybe it's how they angle the paddle, any anything that's that's very specific is where I'm curious.
SPEAKER_01:We're dealing with technique, correct? Yeah, technique. I I would say the number one tip I obviously good ideas are very often borrowed. So I'm gonna borrow one here. Uh so one of them is you if you look at the color of your paddle, you know, my paddle, I've got my paddle sitting next to me here. I've got the Andre Agassi paddle here. So um the YOLA paddle. So um, if you look at your paddle, you want to always see your paddle when you're playing. You don't want it to get behind you. So you want to see the face of the paddle. You want to see the edge of your paddle, the face of your paddle. You want to see it. So, in other words, you don't want it to get behind you. So it's always in your peripheral. Very often, if you look around the courts, you see people with their paddles down by their waists and it's all over the place, and then and then they try to bring it around and they're very late. So if you can always see your paddle when you're moving on the court, it's a lot easier to uh to get it prepared to hit the ball. The way you want to. The way you want to, and the way then you want to way that you want to um uh direct it. So being able to see your paddle face is is a key.
SPEAKER_00:Um so simple, something I've never thought about. What what would be number two?
SPEAKER_01:Number two is um is don't move too much. You don't you don't I know that sounds kind of I feel like you're speaking to me, Tony. I you know it's uh you know it's a sm it's a small court, so I'm not sure why everybody's running around everywhere. Uh I mean so yeah, I mean from a safety standpoint too, um you know, you've got to know you've got to kind of slow down, get your feet set. There's obviously a lot of injuries in this game. So um, you know, just you know, a couple of things we like to look at that sort of blend with technique. Uh one of the things we like about the game is we're constantly going back and forth with technique and strategy, things like that. So um, you know, when you're the serving team, you're kind of on defense, you know. So the returning team is gonna move up quickly, but when you're the serving team, you need to stay back and be patient. And for some reason, people want to run up there and they want they want to run forward and it gets a little bit out of control. Someone's gonna win, but we're not sure how. So um, you know, that's the challenge is to get people to be more patient, slow down. Uh, and that's a big thing as far as safety and not getting injured. It does take some time as far as learning the game, but once you get the feel for uh that pathway and that progression of um, you know, hitting the softer ball and realizing how you can how you can move, move, uh, and feel under control is what we're all after. And it's a and that's that's when you've kind of you know you become a pickleball player, is when you you kind of feel like you're under control out there. And you know, it could be parents, you know, beating their 22-year-old kids that are back for college, so which is one of my favorite things to see how you see that quite a bit. They come in for Thanksgiving and the kids, you know, the college kids think they're gonna roll their parents, and uh and the folks beat beat the heck out of the kids. Well, I I love seeing that because the kids are running around, they don't know what they're doing, and they underestimate it, and you know, these parents are getting good.
SPEAKER_00:It's so funny, it's uh it's a parallel to to life almost where exhibiting patience and acknowledging what your next step, what your strategy is gonna be, goes a long way, not just on the courts.
SPEAKER_01:Well, yeah, I well said.
SPEAKER_00:Sorry to get so full philosophical on it.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, no, I feel it. I feel you, I feel you, for sure.
SPEAKER_00:Now, since we're on it, before we move into the growth of pickleball, tell me more about the defensive mindset. Because you gave me the image of a lot of folks on defense, they come running up to the net, and we want to have that patience. What are a few other things pickleball players could think about when they are on defense?
SPEAKER_01:So uh typically um players' reaction, you know, when you're the serving team, there's two things that shape our game that that make it different than a small tennis court, uh, you know, which some people kind of look at the game and say, oh, it's a small tennis court, you know. But you've got that seven foot kitchen up front. So that changes a lot. That that that shapes the game. That that neutral area, that no volley zone is a big part of it. And obviously, the second rule that shapes our game is is this after you serve underhanded, when they return the ball, you have to let it bounce. So as a serving team, you're gonna be on defense. Uh the returners are gonna return and run forward. So um, you know, you you have to think about the size of the court and and what areas you can you can uh shots you can hit to get you out of defense. And that's usually one of these dink type shots, one of these soft shots. Um so you just kind of have to understand that that's where you are in the court. Now, it takes you a while to to figure that out, but if you keep hitting the ball hard at the players that are up in front of you, you're gonna stay on defense. And and that will be the result. That'll be the result. So, so you know, you you kind of learn by doing it. And and uh and we throw you right in the fire, which is kind of fun to see. So, and that's what dropping is for, which which I think is a really neat thing because um people will just jump out there and and um they go out, we invite them to a drop-in program, and it's kind of like when you're a kid and you and uh you go on the field and you you're a little nervous, but you know it's gonna be okay. It's gonna be about 10 minutes, and maybe you get beat, you know, and it's still fun. Uh and then you play another one, you meet some people, and you know, you tap paddles and you play. You might win, lose some, but it's still a a fun time. But but I what I really like is seeing that people are not afraid to go out there and compete, uh, because that's that's a little tough, and uh, but you're not gonna die. But but um and that's neat to see, to see people that are that are gonna do that. They're not um they they like that competition, you know. It's fun, it's a good, it's a good balance.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, a good competition. And I th I would assume for the beginner going out there to drop in, this is one of those sports that you you just gotta play it. You gotta get out there, start hitting the ball, and you you tend to figure things out a little bit, and then you can get more into the minutiae, the specifics of you know where your game can improve.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. And I think, you know, just to use a number, you know, as a pro as myself, you know, a few years ago I was playing professional pickleball and and trying to play, you know, as I got older, you know, I started when I was 49 and I'm almost, I can't believe I'm almost 58. So, you know, I transitioned from pro pickleball to senior pro pickleball and did pretty well and it was fun. But to watch the the change, um uh you know, you learn a lot during during the process. So so to give you kind of a example, um, you know, as a player, you know, trying to play professional pickleball player at you know, different levels, uh you know, to break it down and if you want to get better, uh the pros practice 80% of the time and they play 20% of the time. So if you want to get better, um then the drilling and the practicing does really help. Like any other sport. Just like any other sport. So you can get you have a great time playing. Um you will get better by playing the game a lot, but if you do want to improve, you need to, you know, figure out, you need to take the lessons, you need to get out and drill. And and that's kind of the number that that we use as as good players. You you practice probably 80% of the time and then you play 20. Now, we're not suggesting people do that, but that just kind of gives you a a guideline of how they how they get better. They spend a lot of time with the dinking and the control shots in the in the areas that they need to work on. Um, so that's just to give you an idea of what goes on with those players. So, you know, for for amateurs and for recreational players, it's it really does help to get a little practice and um and get get the feel for the game if you want if you want to get better at it.
SPEAKER_00:So yeah, no, and it almost makes me think about when you're trying to get better at anything, there are so many components to those changes, especially when you get to a certain point to take that next step up. You know, it could be looking at a fitness strategy for the pickleball player. Yeah. And, you know, where maybe their cardiovascular system needs improvements. Maybe we need to train their agility. And I think that comes into play in all sports, which is what's you know fun for me as a passionate guy about fitness and wellness. Yeah, we really can have this understanding of like there's different strings we can pull in order to make improvements. And then it's just kind of like on an individual level, figuring out what that looks like for each of us. And same goes for this sport of okay, what what kind of shots do I need to improve at? And how am I gonna spend some time not in a game working on those shots?
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that's tough in real time. Yeah, that's tough in real time. There's a lot there's a lot of coaching going on with among themselves. This is tough during real time. You've got to keep it pretty simple when you're in the game. Yeah, you you know, you can't talk about too much technique, you need to spend some time on it and and the footwork and things like that. So that's such good advice.
SPEAKER_00:You you can't change someone's golf grip when they're swinging a club. Yeah. Mid-swing, yeah. Yeah, that's that's tough. So well, Tony, this has been so much fun. I'd I'd love to get your outlook on the sport moving forward. Where do you see the future of the sport, either recru recreationally and professionally?
SPEAKER_01:So, you know, one of the big things we've seen obviously is and I brought my paddle with me here, um, they the technology is incredible now. The spin, uh so that's that's bringing a lot of tennis players into the game because it almost feels like you have strings in the paddle now. So that's a big trend with with the growth of the game.
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SPEAKER_01:Power and spin, but but that is being regulated. Um so uh you know the organizations are regulating those. If you're you know if you're a pro and you're playing in tournaments, they they regulate, they test your paddles. I've had mine tested before and they're testing for power and spin and things like that. But but in general, they they don't want the sport to get out of control with with power and and too much spin. So you know there's a lot more eye protection out there now. You do have to be careful with you know, you're close to a player and and the ball is coming off pretty hard and it can hit your your partner's paddle and can hit and hit you in the eye, so you do have to be careful there. Um but we're seeing a lot more younger people coming into the game. I think there's something like over 200 colleges that now have pickleball clubs in them. Clubs? Is it a division one sport? It's not a division one sport, but you know, with the way that sports are going, with you know, I have kids that are in college, so with NIL and incentives and things like that, um, you know, um it's I I'm trying to think who won it last year. I think maybe Utah won it, UVA won it. As a as a club, as a college club team. But there's there could be 50 to 100 players on a club team. They're building facilities at colleges for pickleball. Yeah, because none of that existed. So beer pong is now not the big. No, I'm kidding. We've shifted. Yeah, we've shifted. So uh, but um, so that's that's a real big trend. Um you know the uh so it's it's growing in that it's getting younger and younger. Um it's international now. I'm talking kind of, I want to say the professional level and the amateur level, it's growing. It's in something like 50 countries. Um they just had a big world um championships tournament, you know. So, you know, it's in Spain, it's all over the world, you know. It's and so um they were just in Malaysia recently, and they knew some guys that were over there, and um, they said it really was popular over there. So it's growing. Um, and for you know, the recreational player, it's just uh I think with people recognizing it, kind of a shift from a game to a sport, people are respecting it and realizing that you know um uh they're they can't just jump out there all the time on any court. They need to take some instruction and try to get better um and and you know get the right shoes is very are very important um and and and the equipment helps. So you're seeing a big trend of of of all different types of players that want to get into the game. It's uh it's really it's really attractive for all ages and all demographics. Um they're building courts all around the world. So um it's a very, very inviting game.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. It's very exciting to to see that too, because a lot of sports have existed for so long since you know we came onto the planet to be part of seeing a movement is special. And it's it's like if it's getting into the colleges, I even heard flag football is getting into the colleges, and you know it's starting to become its its own entity beyond just a pickup uh game, if you will. Yeah, yeah. Now we've covered a lot with technique, the beginner. I'd really like to leave with the beginner mindset. And for folks who maybe haven't played or even someone who's just getting started, yeah. I want you to ease their nerves about trying pickleball and continuing to get out there and and learn the sport. What's your best advice for for that person?
SPEAKER_01:So um, you know, you can do the 101 class or or do the you know quick pickle class that gets you started. And then the pathway is is taking some lessons. Um then we're able to introduce you to your your compatible level to play with. So you feel comfortable out there. Um, you don't feel like you're being you know thrown into the fire with too many players that are not your level. Um, but it initially start with with lessons in clinics so you get a feel for it. Um as far as the nerves, um, you know, you're gonna be nervous out there a little bit. Um, you know, we just had the PB Cup that just finished up and and you know, talk about nerves, and you know, we had a team competition with with all different levels in the program. We had a draft, which is kind of a neat pro. This is the third year I believe they're they're doing it, and and you had a lot of nerves, which is fun though. You know, people loved it and and uh it was you know went on for seven weeks, and we have a big party tonight. Um but there were a lot of you know, there's kind of the 3-0 level, and you have the 3-5 and you have the 4-0, but a lot of those players started as as intro players and and they were nervous. And um but other players are very happy to help you along, you know, or or get you feeling comfortable out there. Um, but you do want to get on the pathway uh to get it, you know, to feel better out there, more comfortable.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. And I love how you your team set up the PB Cup where it's not just the best of the best playing with each other. There was a a sequence to how you did the draft to ensure that everybody could participate in pickleball on their terms.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah, yeah. And every point counts. So it doesn't matter if you know, if you're we need your point if you're a 3-0 or if we need your point if you're a 4-0, you know, we we still need your points. So it's a great, it's a great uh team camaraderie for the whole club. And and um so there's you know, there's something for everybody. If you just you know want to do recreational play, that that's great. If you want to get into the low country league, um where we have mixed doubles and doubles and and things like that, then then we have that where we play other clubs. Um so it's a little bit of everything for everybody.
SPEAKER_00:So lots of opportunity.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. A lot of fun, a lot of fun.
SPEAKER_00:Well, we're right at the end of our time, Tony. Final question. What does wellness mean to you?
SPEAKER_01:That's a trick. Okay, all right. I didn't see that one on the list. I gotta think about that. Uh uh You know, I think for me, um yeah, pickleball's been great for me. Um socially, it's helped my wellness physically. I'm not a big runner. I'm not a big jogger, so I enjoy the exercise. Um you know, the the physicality, I like the for wellness, it's for me, it's the it's the the overall picture of of doing something you love. Um you know, getting the exercise that I need, um and and uh being around the people and the environment. And um, so uh that's what it means to me, is is is doing it every day. It becomes a habit and it's fun. So I'll keep that that's the cycle I'm on. You know, that's that's what I believe people really enjoy. So I like it, Tony.
SPEAKER_00:Well, I so appreciate you joining us today. Love the enthusiasm, love the comment about don't run too much on the courts. That that made me chuckle, no doubt. Yeah, uh, it's just great to have you here as part of the Palmetto Bluff Club team. I, you know, you you obviously know Martin and I are pretty tight, and yeah, I just love everything you guys are doing over there. It's it's just you can always tell it's fun there. You can tell there's joy, you can tell that everyone on your staff is is there to support our members and to get them going no matter where they want to go on their journey. So uh just wanted to to thank you and make sure that was notable there. And uh yeah, this conversation um for listeners. I I hope it encourages you to to move, play, or or try something new, even if it's not pickleball. And if you enjoyed this conversation, we'd we'd love to hear from you. Tony, thanks so much.
SPEAKER_01:Thanks for having me, Jeff. Really appreciate it.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, you're very welcome. Listeners, you can hang out with me for a few more minutes and get some healthy momentum for the rest of your week. So just this last Thursday, we know it was Thanksgiving, and for our wellness team, that means hosting the annual Turkey Trot 5K. And I thought about it in relation to the sport of pickleball because the participation year over year continues to grow. In 2024, we hosted just over 700 participants in the Turkey Trot. This year it nearly doubled, and we ended up hosting well over 1200 runners, walkers, members. It is inspiring to see how many families came out this year. And the best part is the kids run. Oh my goodness, it's one lap around the village square, and over a hundred kids this year were chasing the turkeys. We always have two of us, myself and another teammate, who are in turkey costumes, and they the kids get to run around and try to catch us before the finish line. It's it's probably my number one highlight from the race. And good news is I I didn't get caught this year. Still, still have the streak going. So for this week's healthy momentum, I was thinking about the turkey trot in comparison to pickleball, because there are not a lot of things in life that we can consider or term a movement, but I believe that pickleball and participating in a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning meet the criteria for a movement. So, what's the draw? What makes something a movement? What do both pickleball and turkey trots have in common? Well, it's two simple things. They are inclusive and social. No matter your skills, ability, or fitness level, anyone can give either a try. In fact, experienced pickleball players and turkey trotters seem to actively recruit newbies. There's an innate desire to get others involved without any expectation on their performance. And it's funny, there's a lot of things in life that we we have expectations placed on our performance before being invited to them. So, from my perspective, a movement grows only from the encouragement of others. And anything that becomes a lasting movement year over year, like pickleball and turkey trots, they are inclusive. I also find that we are wired for human connection and building memories. On the pickleball court and at your annual turkey trot, both are achieved. Even in my limited pickleball experience, there's a level of support and fun associated with every shot on the court. The long volleys lead to smiles, and shots placed just out of your reach certainly make you laugh. When it comes to the turkey trot, everyone loves the pre-or post-race picture. Whether it's under the arch of the finish line, or in our case, we put a balloon arch by the Christmas tree on the village green. I would say that in the beginning of the race and at the end of the race, people are just flocking to these locations to get that memory, get that picture. And I'd also make a strong case that half the people are participating in the turkey trot just to be there with their family and they're not trying to break any records. For us who put on the race, it's frankly so gratifying to know that we're able to galvanize a morning where so many families can come together. And most importantly, everyone is coming together knowing that the proceeds, their registration for the race are gonna make a difference with our local nonprofit that we choose every year, and it's all gonna go back into our community. There's very few things in life that we can consider a movement. So as we move forward into this week, let's look for everything that is out there that could be a movement. Let's try to be the individuals who spark movements and remember that a movement is inclusive and it's social. That brings us to the end of this week's episode. I want to thank you for taking the time to join the conversation this week and remember to actively participate in life on your terms.
