Vinnie’s 2026 Pickleball Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Lots to be thankful for in 2025, and lots to be excited for in 2026. 

For 2026, my pickleball new year’s resolutions are quite simple:

Play more pickleball!

and

Wear eye protection when I play.

After playing pickleball for the first time, I played for 21 days in a row. Like most of you, I caught the pickleball fever!

As I met more folks, I learned of other open plays in my area, and before you know it, I was playing twice a day – once in the morning, and once in the afternoon.

I LOVED IT!  

Does this sound familiar to any of you?  🙂

Well, a funny thing happens when one starts getting more involved in the “Pickle Sphere.”  Between teaching lessons, coaching Mary and Maggie, traveling with the girls to Tour events, and getting involved in the ownership/club management side of the equation, I stopped playing pickleball.  Seriously – I would go months on end without actually playing in a match.  Sure, I was on the court a lot, but I was not getting out and experiencing the FUN of simply playing the game!

So, that’s going to change in 2026.  It’s not going to be easy, but my goal is to play every single day of the year.  Yes – ambitious, but doable!  Thankfully, my local Lifetime has indoor courts so I’ll be playing in the AM on New Year’s Day with my wife in an open play, as there is rain in the forecast here in SoCal (I still don’t believe it – it NEVER rains on the Rose Parade!)

For my second resolution, I resolve to wear eye protection every time I play.

As I’ve gotten older, my “pickleball eyesight” has gotten progressively worse.  It’s gotten to the point where, when playing at night, I can barely pick up the ball when it’s driven from the baseline.  But that’s not the reason to wear eye protection.  

It’s just smart!

Eye injuries are very common in pickleball, and this is a shame because they are preventable.  

Plus, I have no excuses as the girls are sponsored by an eyewear company, RIA Eyewear!   So, in 2026, every time I hit the court, I’m putting the glasses on.  Sunglasses during the day, and clear glasses at night.

It’s going to bug the heck out of me initially as I’ve never worn glasses before, but I will get used to it.  

So, those are my pickleball resolutions for 2026!

What are yours?