In this episode, Coach Tommy goes virtual with none other than the legendary Scott Golden—a.k.a. The Golden Boy. From his roots in sports to becoming a true pickleball OG, Scott shares how pickleball changed his life after a tough season, launching him into a world of pro play, big sponsorships (hello, Golden Axe paddle), PPA commentary, and now full-time coaching with LevelUp Pickleball Camps.

They cover:

🔥 Scott’s 9-year pickleball journey

🏆 His pro career, sponsorships & the rise of the Golden Axe paddle

🧠 The mindset behind elite coaching and traveling 50+ camps a year

👦 The explosion of youth pickleball—where it’s headed, and how you can be part of it

🏫 The future of pickleball in high school, college & the Olympics

💬 Real talk about accessibility, diversity, and what makes pickleball special

If you're a parent, player, coach, or just love hearing about the heart of this sport, this is a must-listen.

👇 Drop a comment if you want to see a Smashing Plastic Youth Club or have thoughts on youth court access!

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE with your pickle crew!

Follow Scott:

LevelUp Camps: https://www.leveluppickleballcamps.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/golden_boy_pickleball

FB: https://www.facebook.com/scott.a.golden.7

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic

🎙️ Smashing Plastic Podcast: Junior Pickleball Phenom Halina (Age 9!) Talks Medals, Cruises & Dreams of Going Pro

In this fun and heartwarming summer episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy is joined by a very special guest—9-year-old Halina, a rising star in junior pickleball who’s already competing in tournaments, winning medals, and putting in serious work on and off the court.

We talk all things pickleball and beyond:

- Halina's experience traveling to Alaska

- Competing against 14-year-olds at just 9 years old

- Her favorite shot (spoiler: it’s a beast of a 2-handed backhand)

- Strength training for singles

- Shoutouts to her coaches, favorite pros (Anna Leigh Waters & Tyson McGuffin), and more

- Her big dreams of going pro… and maybe becoming a vet, too 🐶💪

It’s a must-listen for anyone who loves the game, supports youth sports, or just wants a good dose of positivity and motivation from the next generation of pickleball stars.

👇 Drop a comment to cheer Helena on, and don’t forget to:

👍 Like

🔔 Subscribe

📣 Share with a fellow pickleball fanatic!

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

In this episode of Smashing Plastic, Kip and Chrissy share their inspiring journey from tennis to pickleball, and how the sport transformed their lives. Chrissy opens up about her personal struggles and how pickleball became a way to rediscover her fitness after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. Kip and Chrissy dive into the challenges and rewards of playing pickleball as a couple, offering insights into the balance of competition, teamwork, and love on the court.

They share tips for newcomers, especially women, on how to get started with pickleball and overcome common reservations. From the importance of having a supportive social environment to creating realistic expectations on the court, their conversation touches on what makes pickleball such a unique and fulfilling sport for people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, this episode is packed with relatable stories, humor, and valuable advice. Tune in to hear about the power of pickleball to build relationships, improve physical health, and provide a much-needed escape from daily life challenges.

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

Coach Tommy is back at the beautiful Pickleball Kingdom in Mount Pleasant, SC, to break down everything you need to know about DUPR — the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating system.

In this episode:

What is DUPR, and why does it matter?

How your rating is calculated

How to get an official rating without entering a tournament

The role of a Certified DUPR Coach (like Coach Tommy!)

Tips on how to improve your rating the right way

Why facilities like Pickleball Kingdom are changing the game with DUPR-wired courts

Plus, hear all about Smashing Plastic Pickleball HQ at Fun Mill Farm — our home for future clinics, events, and training in Summerville, SC!

👉 Want to raise your rating or get officially evaluated? Coach Tommy has you covered.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more pro tips, event coverage, and behind-the-scenes fun from the world of pickleball!

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

In this episode, we visit the brand-new Pickleball Kingdom in Charleston, SC with GM Dan Watters and local player Judd Perry. From 24,000 sq ft of court space to simulators, replay tech, and DUPR-integrated scoring, this isn’t your average pickleball club—it’s the future of the sport.

We dive into:

- What makes Pickleball Kingdom different

- How tech is changing how we play, train, and teach

- The biggest beginner pain points (like SCORING!)—and how they solve them

- Why this setup is a coach’s dream

This episode is all about community, fun, and the next wave of pickleball innovation.

👉 Subscribe and follow for more behind-the-scenes stories and interviews from the Smashing Plastic world.

Follow Dan and PBKingdom:

Website: https://pickleballkingdom.com/clubs/mount-pleasant-sc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballkingdom.bellehall/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pickleball-Kingdom-Belle-Hall/61557914176289/

Follow Judd: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juddlouisperry

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

What do you get when you mix a tennis background, a spontaneous trip to Naples, and ten years of grind? You get Joey Farias. On this episode, Coach Tommy sits down with Joey to talk pro pickleball beginnings, the youth scene (or lack thereof), and the challenges and opportunities ahead for growing the sport from the ground up.

🔔 Subscribe for more Smashing Plastic podcasts and stay updated on the latest in pickleball!

📍 Want to train with us? Funville Farm offers clinics, lessons, and weekend events in Summerville, SC. DM us for details!

Follow Joey:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeyfariaspickleball/

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

In this lively spring episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy welcomes his longtime playing partner and friend, Eric Gonzalez—a retired Coast Guard veteran turned pickleball enthusiast. Eric shares how his wife “invited” him to cardio tennis, which led to discovering some local pickleball courts... and the rest is history.

The two dive into Charleston’s evolving pickleball scene, their recent trip to a Couple's Pickleball Getaway in Mexico with Ben Johns (yes, that Ben Johns), and the highs and hilarious lows of playing—and drilling—with your spouse. They also geek out on how paddle tech has transformed the game over the past few years and why staying competitive means keeping up with the rapid evolution.

Whether you're a die-hard dinker, a paddle tech junkie, or just here for the laughs—this episode brings sunshine, real talk, and a ton of smashing insight.

🔔 Subscribe for more Smashing Plastic podcasts and stay updated on the latest in pickleball!

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

Live from Funville Farm, home of Smashing Plastic Pickleball, we’re joined by Noah Winningham, one of Charleston’s top up-and-coming pickleball players! Noah shares his journey from a baseball background to being one of the top 5 players in Charleston, how he trains daily, and his ultimate goal of becoming a top 5 pro player.

We talk about:

- How two old ladies humbled him on the court

- The drills that transformed his game

- Why watching game footage is a game-changer

- The latest paddle tech & top brands in 2025

- His future in pro pickleball and what it takes to compete at the highest level

🔔 Subscribe for more Smashing Plastic podcasts and stay updated on the latest in pickleball!

📍 Want to train with us? Funville Farm offers clinics, lessons, and weekend events in Summerville, SC. DM us for details!

Follow Noah:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noahwinningham24

Follow Smashing Plastic:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/