When Tommy Welch first picked up a pickleball paddle during the pandemic, he had no idea it would lead to a complete career shift. As a former college baseball player and coach, Tommy was used to the dugout and batting cages. But just a couple of weeks after giving pickleball a try, he was all in, coaching players, and eventually helping grow one of the fastest-growing pickleball clubs in the country: Pickleball Kingdom.

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From 0 to 400 Members in Just 2 Months

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Charleston’s Pickleball Kingdom only has nine courts, which are enough for 36 players at a time; so managing court access efficiently is key. According to Tommy, the club hit 400 members just two months after opening, and he’s already rated over 150 of them as a certified DUPR Coach.

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Since DUPR ratings are required to join skill-based open play sessions at the biggest pickleball clubs, unrated players are encouraged to either play in a tournament or download the MyDUPRCoach app to book an in-person or virtual rating session.

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“With this many members, you’ve got to be organized and efficient,” Tommy said. “DUPR helps make sure players are matched by skill, so the games stay fun and competitive, and everyone gets the most out of their time on court.

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Players Crave Structure

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According to Tommy, players don’t just want to play, they want to know what’s happening and when. 

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“Everyone wants structure,” he said. “They want to know the schedule for open play, what levels are playing when, and what to expect when they show up.”

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That structure doesn’t just help the players, it helps the coaches too. If you’re running clinics, coaching sessions, or even tournaments, having an organized system makes it easier to plan and coach effectively. 

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Unfortunately, Tommy has noticed that not every club is run by people who really understand pickleball. 

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“There are clubs where the people in charge don’t even know how to play. It makes everything harder,” he said. 

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Managing a pickleball club isn’t like running other sports programs.

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Success comes down to understanding your players and offering the right kind of programming. When you register as a DUPR Club (which is totally free), you’ll be paired with a dedicated account manager who can help you design programs that actually fit your club’s needs and player base.

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From Baseball Coach to Pickleball Coach

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For Tommy, coaching is coaching, no matter the sport.

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“I love seeing people progress. That’s what I loved about baseball, and that’s what I love about pickleball too,” he said.

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He now spends several days a week running DUPR rating sessions, evaluating four players every 30 minutes. It’s not just about the numbers, either. He watches how players move, how they respond under pressure, and what they can improve on.

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“A lot of people overestimate their DUPR,” Tommy admitted. “But that’s what the rating system is for. It’s not meant to be a trophy, it’s meant to help you find better matches and improve.”

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‍A Success Story That Hits Home

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One of Tommy’s favorite stories is about Noah Winningham. Noah was a baseball player too, and under Tommy’s coaching, he went from unrated to a 5.0 DUPR in just about two years. That kind of improvement is what gets Tommy fired up. 

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“If you’ve got good hand-eye coordination and the right mindset, you can go far in pickleball,” he said.

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What to Do When Your Students Surpass Your Rating?

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Coaching isn’t about ego. It’s about insight, structure, and being able to explain things in a way that sticks.

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For Coach Tommy, coaching is about helping others improve. And sometimes, that means watching your students pass you on the rating ladder.

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Tommy still coaches players who are rated above him, and he’s proud of it. To him, it’s proof that his coaching works. Helping a player grow to a 5.0 or beyond is the real win.

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So, if you’re a coach watching your students climb the ratings faster than you, don’t take it personally. Take it as a sign you’re doing something right.

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More Than Just Ratings

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Tommy sees DUPR ratings as a tool, not a goal.

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 “When you get rated by a DUPR Coach, you’re not just getting a number. You’re getting feedback, you’re learning, and you’re building confidence,” he said.

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For many players, it’s less intimidating than jumping into a tournament and helps them understand where they really stand.

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Tommy's advice to those thinking about making a career in coaching pickleball:

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“Passion comes first. If you love helping people improve, this is for you.”

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Tommy rated over 150 players in just 60 days, proof that the demand for DUPR ratings is real. Want to know how much you could earn by giving official ratings? Use this tool to find out.

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Ready to become a certified DUPR Coach? Click here to get started.

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