It’s easy to over-shop before your first game. Realistically, there are only a few things worth thinking about before you play — everything else can wait until you know you’re hooked.
Paddle
Beginner paddles fall into three material types: wood (cheapest, heaviest, fine for a first try), composite/fiberglass (lighter, better feel, the common mid-range pick), and graphite (lightest, most control, priced higher). Most new players do fine starting on a composite paddle in the 7.3–8.4oz range.
Ball
Indoor and outdoor balls are different — indoor balls have larger, fewer holes and are softer; outdoor balls are harder with smaller, more numerous holes to handle wind. Since Pickle Pals is a covered court, indoor-style balls are what you’ll use here.
Shoes
Court or tennis shoes, not running shoes — pickleball involves a lot of quick side-to-side movement that running shoes aren’t built to support.
What to skip at first
Skip a second/backup paddle, paddle covers, compression gear, and specialty grips until you’ve played a handful of sessions and know your own preferences. See our guide on choosing a paddle for power once you’re ready to upgrade from a starter paddle.
If you’d rather not buy anything before you know you’ll like it, book the Court + 4 Paddles bundle (₱600/hour) — it includes everything above except shoes, so your first sessions cost nothing extra.
