Like many sports, there are rating systems for specific sports. When starting, it is important to understand what your relative skill level is compared to those you are playing with and against. Pickleball is no different. Just like the GHIN rating system in golf, pickleball has DUPR.
When I first started playing pickleball I asked my father (a “seasoned veteran of the game”) “what level should I be playing at?” In Naples, FL there is a great complex with courts set up by rating levels (2.0, 2.5-3.0, 3.0+ and 4.0). Only having played a few games with my father, I understood the basics. I had a good serve that consistently was in play, I could somewhat dink and win exchanges at the net. He said “since you do three things well you are considered a 3.0” Boy was that wrong.
In the coming days I was posterized by players. Often losing games by 6 and 7 points, even getting pickled (losing 11-0) on more than one occasion while playing at the 3.0 table. I quickly learned that I was out of place. But that was not my fault. I was misinformed. So now I am here to help you.
According to DUPR: “The pickleball skill levels within DUPR range from 2.00 to 8.00, ensuring every player is accurately placed in the right competitive category.
- 2.00 – 2.99: Beginner to early intermediate, developing basic shot consistency.
- 3.00 – 3.99: Intermediate players with improving strategy and shot control.
- 4.00 – 4.99: Advanced players with strong tactical awareness and execution.
- 5.00 – 8.00: Elite and professional-level players competing in high-level tournaments.
As of March 2025, Ben Johns leads Men’s Singles and Doubles with DUPRs of 7.218 and 7.254, while Anna Leigh Waters tops Women’s Singles and Doubles with DUPRs of 6.561 and 6.410.
Now DUPR’s rating has gone through some recent updates with their new algorithm and it’s important for people to understand how their games are being rated when they choose to play a DUPR game. If you’re rated a 3.5 and played against a 2.7 and you won only by 2 or 3 points you could see no point increase or may even lose points in the game because you are playing against a player with a lower rating. Understand you are expected to beat someone that is half a point behind you pretty easily. Before, DUPR was pretty straight forward because if you won your match your rating would go up and if you lost your rating may drop a bit. With the recent updates playing at the right level and winning the right way matters. In a way this also prevents sandbagging. So now more than ever it is crucial to play in the correct DUPR rated match.
Most importantly make sure you are being honest with your DUPR score and categorize correctly. Ultimately as you play more you should progress and your understanding of the game, the strategy, the touches and the footwork will all begin to improve and will improve your score. So, don’t be shy to start at 2.0 because the game will be just as fun (if not more fun) and if you are like me, your motivation to move up and improve will keep you coming back for more!
