🔥What Nobody Wants to Admit About the Elitist Culture Killing Pickleball For Others
- Tom Kiat
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
I love this game. I’ve coached thousands, played hundreds of tournaments, trained with pros, and poured the better part of my time into elevating others on the court. But lately, I’ve started to feel something I never expected: embarrassment.
Not from the game itself, but from the culture that’s quietly infecting it.
It’s not the newbies. It’s not the weird paddle colors. It’s not even the paddle arms race.
It’s the arrogance.
The snobbery.
The obsession with status.
Let’s call it what it is: pickleball elitism. And if we don’t collectively check it, it’s going to choke the life out of the very thing we claim to love.
What Happened to "Everyone's Welcome"?
Pickleball exploded because it was inclusive. You could be 16 or 66. You didn’t need to be a D1 athlete. All you needed was a paddle and some curiosity. There was joy in that.
Now? Walk onto some courts and it’s like entering a country club with invisible gatekeepers. If you don’t “look” like a 4.0, you’re ignored by many. If you don’t already know the lingo, you’re laughed at. If you’re not wearing the right brand or playing with the latest $333 thermoformed “pro series,” you’re dismissed as irrelevant.
I’ve seen people mocked for their shoes. Literally. Their shoes.
What are we doing?
Rating Chasers, Cliqie Courts & 4.0 Delusions
Let’s talk about those sacred numbers. Ratings.
I’ve seen players refuse to partner with someone unless their DUPR is within .05 of theirs. I’ve had rec games where players argue over line calls like it’s the U.S. Open, and they’re ranked #2 in the world.
Worse? Players who treat 3.0s like they’re diseased. I've heard whispers:
“Ugh, I got stuck with a 3.0 again.”
“He says he’s a 4.0 but plays like a 3.2.”
“She shouldn't even be on this court.”
Enough.
There are 5.0s with zero humility. And there are 3.0s who embody everything beautiful about this game: joy, hunger, camaraderie, growth. Give me those players any day.
Pros Aren’t Helping (Yeah, I Said It)
And here's where I piss off a few peers: Some pro coaches are feeding this beast.
You make content for “serious” players only. You bash beginners for “ruining rec.” You charge $300 for a camp and then act annoyed when a 3.0 shows up. Your message? If you’re not elite, you’re irrelevant.
Stop pretending this sport belongs to you. It doesn’t. You’re lucky to be here, just like the rest of us.
Let’s Bring the Soul Back
Want to know why the best communities in pickleball thrive? It’s not because of level-based open play, or perfectly spaced court reservations. It’s because there’s heart.
They cheer each other on. They rotate partners. They invite new faces. They remember why they started.
They don't just play to win, they play because they love it.
What I’m Asking From You
Whether you’re a 5.0 tournament grinder or a beginner who just learned what a kitchen is, this sport is yours. You’re allowed to love it. You’re allowed to belong.
So next time you step on court, ask yourself:
Did I welcome someone new?
Did I make someone feel included?
Did I leave my ego at the gate?
If not, maybe you’re the problem.
This game doesn’t need more exclusivity. It needs more humans. And if we protect that, this game will outlive all of us.
Post this. Share it. Send it to that one guy who thinks he’s better than everyone else because he has a 4.35 DUPR. Let’s bring the joy back.
I’m not quitting. but if this elitist crap keeps spreading, the soul of pickleball might.
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