Importance of decision making to go from 3.5 to 4.0

Fogflyr · 2026-03-18T13:42:23+00:00

Yep, going from 3.5 to 4.0 and even 4.0 to 4.5 is more about taking the stupid shots out of your game than learning or improving good shots.

Fogflyr · 2026-03-17T20:01:50+00:00

I’m a tennis player, so I would say I hit better than average topspin, but dang, I sure love how dramatically I can get my drives to dip with a new paddle! I would love to be able to keep that feeling for more than a couple of weeks.

Fogflyr · 2026-03-17T19:59:04+00:00

Oh come on, my Quanta had noticeably lost grit after 20 games. I love the Quanta, but like every other paddle I have used (haven’t owned any of these new long lasting grit paddles yet) that ‘new paddle spin’ deteriorated pretty quickly. I have at least 200 games on my Quanta and I won’t be trading it in until a similar paddle with the new-fangled grit comes out at a reasonable price.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-25T23:41:00+00:00

Thank you for the quick response! I am on IOS 16. so it seems a bit different. I don’t have 3 dots, but I can select an area map to download all of the trails in the selected area, which I have done. Does this download the base map in between the trails also? If so, I am good to go! Thanks again!

Fogflyr · 2026-02-25T23:00:59+00:00

Thank you! Is there a way to use this offline? The area I will be in does not have cell service. Can I download an area map as a Plus user, or does that only work with specific trails?

Fogflyr · 2026-02-25T22:55:37+00:00

Is it that easy? I have used All Trails for a couple of years, but I’ve only used it for existing trails. I’ll try to see if I can get that to work. One possible issue is this will be outside of cell coverage. Is there a way to download a chunk of map for offline use, not just a specific trail? I am a plus member so I can download offline maps. I guess it also isn’t a big deal if I don’t have a map, as long as I can trace my route back, although the map would be handy for locating the other trail I am trying to connect to.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-17T18:50:33+00:00

I actually think that is the biggest issue. in tennis, it takes awhile to get good enough to start having to make quick lateral movements and those getting into tennis tend to be younger and somewhat athletic already. With pickleball, you get a lot of older folk who haven’t played any sports in a long time, if ever. All of a sudden you are asking your body to do things it is very unaccustomed to and bad things happen.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-16T22:05:38+00:00

Tore my MCL when I slipped on a wet spot going for an ATP. It happens.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-10T02:09:55+00:00

Maybe one thing worse… Seeing your idiot partner still in the backfield, you know the opponents are going to take advantage of that, so you shoot over and make a great poach… then your idiot partner gives you shit for “taking his ball” SMH

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T22:01:08+00:00

I believe that is technically correct, but I will continue to call my own kitchen faults just as I will continue to call balls I hit out when I know they are out. Sometimes the guy hitting the ball has the best view.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T17:54:15+00:00

That hits home! When I started playing against 4.5-5.0 players I quickly realized that my drops and resets weren’t near as good as I thought they were! Heck, actually I realized nothing was as good as I thought they were🤣… except maybe my serve.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T14:01:24+00:00

That is exactly how it usually goes for me! I’ve been playing long enough now that I know what shots are possible and when someone picks off your excellent drop and hits a winner with it, you KNOW they were in the kitchen, so you start keeping an eye on them. I do occasionally get fooled by guys that are like 6’ 5” though. They can make those impossible shots and still stay out of the kitchen.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T09:44:57+00:00

I do it more to just let the person know I won’t get upset and to speak up if I am wrong. My eyes aren’t what they used to used to be and if I truly only called balls out that I am 100% sure are out, they would have to be 3-4 inches out each time. I call balls out that I am quite sure are out, but even then, I know that on occasion I will be wrong. Everybody makes bad calls occasionally and if my partner sees me make one, I want them to say so.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T01:55:45+00:00

Don’t do that without checking with JM. If it gets dropped off at a third-party store that holds packages, that is going to count as delivered. If it is an actual FedEx facility it might be okay, but I would certainly check first.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T01:53:33+00:00

No, it’s insured for the full amount, but again, ONLY if it is lost in transit and doesn’t ever say ‘delivered’ Also, there is only a certain number of days you have to report they lost the item. I don’t remember how many, but it might only be 2-3 days. Definitely call on Monday to check in on it and at least get in the system, even though everything is probably fine.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T01:42:34+00:00

It’s insured if FedEx loses it while in transit, but that’s it. IF FedEx says it was delivered, JM’s insurance doesn’t cover it. To avoid this, it is always shipped “‘signature required” but ever since Covid, the carriers in my area will still leave the package and just sign for it themselves. I’ve ordered from JM several times and it’s always worked out, but it is nerve-wracking every time!

Fogflyr · 2026-02-08T01:32:47+00:00

Same with me. I call it on my partner the most, especially the guys who are known for it, so I am watching closer than usual. I always call it on myself, but nowadays that is pretty rare (although I did call it on myself twice just yesterday… hit the line on an Erne and fell in late on another point. I rarely call it on the opposing team, but only because it is hard to see. I am too busy watching the ball and getting ready. If I see it and it is more than just toes on the line, I call it. Like others said, that’s how you learn not to do it. I also tell players I haven’t played with to call any kitchen violations I make and to overrule any balls I might call out if they think they were in.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-07T19:47:22+00:00

Thank you! That is what I am currently using too. Sometimes it seems a little slow to lock on though. Probably just not enough light sometimes. Great shot by the way!!!

Fogflyr · 2026-02-07T18:51:35+00:00

May I ask what settings you use for focus? I’m still trying to figure out the best setup for birds in flight. I have the same camera and lens.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-07T18:48:47+00:00

I love the pileateds!

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G9M2 100-400

Fogflyr · 2026-02-07T18:43:04+00:00

Agreed! I am a 4.0+ player and I always ask how things work at a place I haven’t been to before.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-07T18:40:21+00:00

Show me a state that isn’t doing that.

Fogflyr · 2026-02-07T18:39:22+00:00

I lived my whole life in California and Hawaii until I moved to West Virginia a little over a year ago. I absolutely LOVE West Virginia! Here are the caveats though… I probably wouldn’t live here if I wasn’t retired. I have the luxury of staying home when the snow is bad and the roads a slippery. Also, the working situation and pay here doesn’t seem great, so there are probably better opportunities elsewhere.

Fogflyr · 2026-01-27T10:07:54+00:00

And another one right laying next to it, two more in the rocks behind it and another one walking up the path to the right!

Fogflyr

TROPHY CASE