About Dink Report
Independent pickleball coverage. No pay-for-play rankings. No paddles rated based on sponsorship deals.
Who Runs This
My name is John Burgess. I'm a recreational pickleball player who got tired of gear reviews that read like press releases and strategy advice that only applies to people training twelve hours a week.
I picked up pickleball a few years ago and got hooked immediately — the kitchen game, the strategy, the fact that you can be competitive at any age. I also got immediately frustrated by how hard it was to find reliable information that wasn't either sponsored content, YouTube fluff, or advice calibrated for pros. So I built Dink Report.
I play open play and league doubles regularly, mostly in the 3.5–4.0 range. I'm not a coach, a pro, or a sponsored athlete. I'm a player who tests gear seriously, thinks about the game obsessively, and writes about both without a financial stake in what you decide to buy.
I buy paddles, borrow paddles, and occasionally get them sent to me for review — but my ratings are never influenced by whether I paid for something or who sent it.
What I Cover
I started with paddle reviews and I'll always take those seriously. But pickleball is a full sport — rules, strategy, fitness, community — and Dink Report covers it all. Whether you're picking up a paddle for the very first time or you've been grinding for years, I write for you.
The gear coverage focuses on what actually matters on court: how a paddle performs after six weeks of real play, not just the first session. The strategy and guide content is written for recreational players, not pros — because the advice you need at 3.0 is genuinely different from the advice you need at 4.5.
The opinion pieces are exactly that: opinions. They're meant to start conversations, challenge conventional wisdom in the sport, and give you something worth arguing about. Not everyone will agree. That's the point.
My Review Standards
- Minimum 4 weeks of on-court testing before publishing — most reviews reflect six or more
- All ratings are independent of manufacturer relationships
- Paddles sent for free review are disclosed on the review page
- I don't accept payment for positive coverage
- Ratings are set before publishing and are not subject to change based on manufacturer feedback
Links Policy
Product links on this site are direct links to manufacturer or retailer pages. I don't use tracked affiliate links or earn commissions on purchases. When I link to a paddle, it's because it's the right link for the review — not because of any financial arrangement.
Contact
Questions, corrections, or paddle recommendations? Reach out here. I read everything and try to respond within a few days.