Dinks On Tap: The Happy Hour Pickleball Podcast

At some point this year, we all looked around and thought, “How did the pickleball community get this big?” and somehow, pickleball became everyone’s personality. Welcome to our year-end rundown of the best and worst things that happened in pickleball this 2025, and we’re saying it all! In this episode, we kick things off by celebrating some big wins, from growing audiences and packed events to the undeniable rise of pickleball tournaments and ever-expanding pickleball clubs. We also dig into the stats that prove what we all feel on the courts: this sport is exploding across adult sports leagues, community sports, and the broader world of sports industry growth. Then things get spicy… we welcome back our favorite pickleball provocateur, Andrew Kole, who brings strong opinions on everything from questionable sports fashion trends to the overwhelming surge in pickleball equipment and ever-evolving paddle technology. His takes spark laughs, tension, and a few “did he really just say that?” moments, which is exactly why we love having him on. We take a step back and look at what really defined pickleball in 2025. It was a year that proved this sport isn’t just growing, it’s evolving, and we’re breaking it all down with honesty, humor, and a little side-eye. Here’s a peek at what 2025 looked like for pickleball: The biggest pickleball trends that shaped the year, both exciting and uncomfortable Why pickleball tournaments and competitive play surged in a big way The real impact of pickleball noise complaints and shrinking public court access Ongoing rating system debates and what they mean for everyday pickleball players Why the pickleball community continues to be the heart of the sport, no matter how big it gets So grab your margarita or martini, pull up a court-side chair, and join us as we toast the highs, side-eye the lows, and wrap up a wild year in pickleball. 🍹🏓 Cheers, Casie & Lauren Dinks on Tap P.S. This episode is served with a side of ✨actual magic ✨from our sponsor, Unearth Experience, for people who want their adventures like their pickleball games: unforgettable, a little unhinged, and way above average. AND Our friends at Dailey Travels are hosting a Royal Caribbean Pickleball Cruise with NBA Legend Rick Barry this April. It’s a 5-night luxury cruise adventure to Cabo San Lucas that combines world-class instruction with five-star amenities! Check it out at www.dailey-travels.com! Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us: Instagram: @dinksontap Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

You’ve shown up to every match with your gear perfectly packed, but when it comes to holiday gifting, you’re the person scribbling a card in the parking lot with a pen you borrowed. Don’t worry, we’ve been there. And we’re here to make you look like a pro. We’re back with our second annual holiday gift guide, and this one’s loaded with actual good ideas (you’re welcome). Whether you’re shopping for your doubles partner, your paddle-happy spouse, or your own fabulous self, we’ve rounded up the kind of pickleball gifts that’ll make you the MVP of the season. And listen, this is not your basic paddle-and-water-bottle roundup. We’ve got pickleball pajamas you’ll feel like you want to live in, a pickleball apron that screams “stay out of the kitchen,” and yes, the Dammit Doll that might just save your friendships. You're welcome again. We also mentioned Labubus (don’t ask, just listen), filming your game without looking like a try-hard, and the one gift that had us both genuinely speechless. Spoiler: it’s not the ice cube mold... but that one’s in there too. Top Ten Gift Ideas: Pickleball Dammit Doll  Netcord Phone Holder for Video American Girl - Pickleball Doll Fence Bag Holder  Pickleball ice maker  Pickleball PJs Pickleball apron  Pickleball Cocktail Coasters Paddle Grip  Pickleball Twist Card Game  Bonus Gift: An INCREDIBLE bespoke trip to Africa with Unearth Experience that will have you telling stories at dinner parties for years to come!    So grab your drink, snuggle up (preferably in festive jammies), and hit play because nobody wants to be the one who shows up with a last-minute Amazon gift card. Again. Cheers, Casie & Lauren Dinks on Tap P.S. This episode is served with a side of ✨actual magic ✨from our sponsor, Unearth Experience, for people who want their adventures like their pickleball games: unforgettable, a little unhinged, and way above average. Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us: Instagram: @dinksontap Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

Welcome to the only live podcast episode where the court drama is matched only by the party vibes, and the wardrobe choices might just win their own medal. Here’s some front-row access to the Dinks on Tap one-year celebration, recorded with a live audience of our favorite paddle-loving warriors. This episode is equal parts pickleball pep rally, behind-the-scenes tea, and hilarious fun. We relive our biggest night yet, complete with a fashion show, signature cocktails, and a double guest feature that brought the heat. First up: Courtney Johnson, aka America’s favorite ref, who once stared down John McEnroe without flinching and still had time to correct your kitchen violations. Then: Mark Molthan, Dallas Flash team owner, luxury homebuilder, and the kind of guy who can drop an F-bomb and a sports commentary gem in the same breath. Whether you came for the laughs or the Major League Pickleball intel, we’ve got both plus a few confessions we maybe should’ve left off-mic. Too late. You’ll hear: The real MVP moment from our live podcast (hint: it involved a fashion emergency and a pickleball paddle) Mark’s bold take on team ownership and what happens when Dallas Flash meets their biggest rivals Courtney’s top “you did what in the kitchen?!” rule flubs How our night out became a masterclass in community building and chaotic joy Why athletic fashion is now an official part of our sport (and yes, we want the whole spring line) So, whether you're here for the pickleball drama, the laughs, or just to feel like part of the sports community, hit play and pretend you're sipping a cocktail under the twinkle lights of the Dallas scene. Cheers, Casie & Lauren Dinks on Tap P.S. This episode is served with a side of ✨actual magic ✨from our sponsor, Unearth Experience, for people who want their adventures like their pickleball games: unforgettable, a little unhinged, and way above average.   Lucky in Love Pickleball attire - as seen in the fashion show at our event!   Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us: Instagram: @dinksontap Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

Ever wondered why your DUPR score nosedives after a win, and you're wondering if your app is gaslighting you? What is happening in the pickleball matrix? In this episode, we sit down with Tito Machado, the most loved and rage-texted man in pro pickleball. He’s the CEO of DUPR, the rating system that somehow manages to both unite and divide the pickleball community like it’s the pineapple on pizza of the pickleball world. Tito opens up about the chaos, the criticism, and the sheer volume of "fix my rating" DMs that hit his inbox daily. We also confess our own crimes, yes, we may or may not have created a fake verified account to see just how easy it is to game the system (don’t worry, we turned ourselves in to the DUPR police). What follows is a wild mix of real talk, good laughs, and some serious behind-the-scenes transparency into how pickleball ratings actually work. Here’s what you’ll dink away with: Why a win won’t always raise your DUPR score and how your reliability score factors in What the DUPR forecast really tells you (beyond the red arrow of doom) How pickleball data reveals player performance and flags sandbagging Why some avoid pickleball tournaments and how that trend is shifting What’s coming in 2026 for competitive pickleball: sub-ratings, verified accounts, and cleaner match records Tito’s spicy takes on rec pickleball, DUPR jail, and his dream court showdown with Kobe and Ronaldo This episode delivers smart insights and just enough chaos to keep your next paddle tap interesting. Rating junkies, proud 3.0s, and anyone still pretending not to care about their DUPR will want in on this one. Cheers, Casie & Lauren Dinks on Tap P.S. This episode is served with a side of ✨actual magic ✨from our sponsor, Unearth Experience, for people who want their adventures like their pickleball games: unforgettable, a little unhinged, and way above average.   Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us: Instagram: @dinksontap Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com

Ever tried organizing a pickleball game with five group chats, two calendars, and someone’s cousin who “might show up if it doesn’t rain”? It’s like herding cats… in court shoes. And just when you finally get a foursome, someone drops out at 7 a.m. Sound familiar? This week on Dinks on Tap, we’re sitting down with Dan and Steve, the creators of DiNKR, the pickleball app designed to bring order to your game day chaos. Tired of juggling endless texts and flaky invites, they set out to build something better: a smarter way to connect players, schedule games, and grow your pickleball community. Whether you're into recreational pickleball, chasing wins in competitive pickleball, or curious about that low-key dating feature (yep, it’s real), DiNKR is changing how we find our people on and off the court. In this episode, we unpack it all from the moment the DiNKR paddle-heart logo was born, to whether or not it’s ethical to “target Emma Watson” in rec play. (Yes, that came up.) Here’s what you’ll dink away with: How a movie script turned into a friend finder app that’s actually fun (and works) Why “sequential invites” might be the game scheduling hack your group text dreams of Early user stories, including the one where a 3.5 with “good vibes” became the hottest swipe Why this might be the best thing to hit outdoor group activities since SPF 50 How vibe > rating and why a true sports connection app is about chemistry, not just DUPR numbers If you’ve ever Googled how to find pickleball players or dreamed of a less chaotic way to build your pickleball community, grab a drink, hit play, and find out why DiNKR might just be your new favorite doubles partner. Cheers, Casie & Lauren Dinks on Tap   Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us: Instagram: @dinksontap Facebook: @DinksonTap Website: dinksontap.com