Hometown Pickleball Blog

Engage Pickleball: What Makes Their Paddles Dif...

A look at Engage's Pursuit Pro1 6.0 — Toray T700 carbon face, MachPro core, and three shapes.

Engage Pickleball: What Makes Their Paddles Dif...

A look at Engage's Pursuit Pro1 6.0 — Toray T700 carbon face, MachPro core, and three shapes.

Elongated vs. Standard vs. Widebody: Which Shap...

The real difference between elongated, standard, and widebody paddle shapes, and how to pick.

Elongated vs. Standard vs. Widebody: Which Shap...

The real difference between elongated, standard, and widebody paddle shapes, and how to pick.

RPM Q2 vs RPM Jade pickleball paddles

RPM Q2 vs RPM Jade: Two Full-Foam Paddles, Two ...

Same shapes, same handle, same USAP approval, nearly identical specs. RPM changed two things between the Q2 and the Jade: the face and the foam. Here's how CarbonBite over a...

RPM Q2 vs RPM Jade: Two Full-Foam Paddles, Two ...

Same shapes, same handle, same USAP approval, nearly identical specs. RPM changed two things between the Q2 and the Jade: the face and the foam. Here's how CarbonBite over a...

RPM Q2 vs RPM Friction Pro V2 pickleball paddles

RPM Q2 vs Friction Pro V2: What's Actually Diff...

Same price, same CarbonBite face, same shapes. The RPM Q2 and Friction Pro V2 differ in one place: the core. Here's how Gen 4 full foam and Gen 3 honeycomb...

RPM Q2 vs Friction Pro V2: What's Actually Diff...

Same price, same CarbonBite face, same shapes. The RPM Q2 and Friction Pro V2 differ in one place: the core. Here's how Gen 4 full foam and Gen 3 honeycomb...

Grip Size Guide: How to Measure and Why It Matters

How to measure and choose the right paddle grip size, plus why overgrips matter.

Grip Size Guide: How to Measure and Why It Matters

How to measure and choose the right paddle grip size, plus why overgrips matter.

Paddle Weight Guide: Light, Mid, or Heavy?

How paddle weight affects swing speed, power, and fatigue — lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight explained.

Paddle Weight Guide: Light, Mid, or Heavy?

How paddle weight affects swing speed, power, and fatigue — lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight explained.

More About John


Pickleball has been a huge part of my life since 2019, but I try hard to keep my priorities right, God, family, then pickleball.  Pickleball started as a hobby but is now a passion that I love to share. I live in rural Tennessee so finding a paddle in 2019 was very limited, I decided to carry a few to sell to friends and family, to help the game grow in my area.  Now I have thousands of paddles at our distribution center and ship out paddles every day all around America. I am always looking for the best paddles to share with my customers.  Pickleball technology is always changing, and I love the science of what makes a paddle better. I now have great opportunity to work with the best brands and even give feedback on some of their prototypes. It definitely brings a smile to my face when I am able to help shape the future of pickleball. 

A Paddle Whisperer

Excellence As A Player

Throughout John's time playing pickleball he has played in many tournaments racking up medals with his wife, Lisa, and son, Josh.

Experience Coaching and Paddle Fitting

John has significant experience coaching beginner and intermediate level players to help them take their game to the next level. As well as coaching, John has created a system that allows players to find the paddle the fits their style of play best.