Tommy Welch Pickleball Coaching Success: Tommy Welch, a former college baseball player and coach, found a new career during the pandemic after picking up a pickleball paddle. Now, he’s a certified DUPR Coach and leads the fast-growing Pickleball Kingdom club in Charleston, where he’s already rated over 150 players in just 60 days.
After coaching on baseball fields, Tommy now helps organize and run a nine-court indoor facility that quickly reached 400 members just two months after opening. His work centers around the DUPR rating system, which helps players of all levels find better matches and improve their skills.
Fast Growth and the Need for Structure
Pickleball Kingdom in Charleston can host 36 players at a time, so managing court access is key. To ensure fair, fun games, skill-based play relies on DUPR ratings. Players without a rating can join tournaments or book a session through the MyDUPRCoach app.
“With this many members, you’ve got to be organized and efficient,” said Tommy Welch. “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.”
Tommy says structure is important for everyone. “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.”
Organized Systems Help Coaches and Players
Having an organized system makes coaching easier too. Whether it’s clinics, sessions, or tournaments, clear planning helps both players and instructors. But Tommy notes that not every club is run with the same care.
“There are clubs where the people in charge don’t even know how to play. It makes everything harder,” he said.
Clubs that register with DUPR get support, including a dedicated account manager to help design programs that work for their players.
From the Dugout to the Pickleball Court
Tommy Welch says his passion for coaching never changed, just the sport did.
“I love seeing people progress. That’s what I loved about baseball, and that’s what I love about pickleball too,” he said.
He runs DUPR sessions several days a week, rating four players every 30 minutes. He looks at how they move, handle pressure, and what they can work on.
“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.”
Helping Players Climb the Ladder
One success story stands out to Tommy Welch: Noah Winningham. Like Tommy, Noah came from baseball. In just two years, Noah went from unrated to a 5.0 DUPR under Tommy’s guidance.
“If you’ve got good hand-eye coordination and the right mindset, you can go far in pickleball,” he said.
Tommy still coaches players who are rated above him, and he’s proud of that. He sees it as a sign that his coaching works.
Coaching, to him, isn’t about ego. It’s about insight, structure, and helping people get better.
“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.
For new players, getting a DUPR rating can be less scary than jumping straight into tournaments and gives them a clearer idea of where they stand.
Advice for Future Coaches
Tommy Welch encourages those who want to coach pickleball to focus on one thing first: passion.
“Passion comes first. If you love helping people improve, this is for you,” he said.
He’s proof that coaching in pickleball can be a full-time career with real rewards—for both players and coaches.
News in Brief: Tommy Welch Pickleball Coaching Success
Tommy Welch, once a college baseball coach, is now a certified DUPR pickleball coach in Charleston. He’s rated over 150 players in 60 days at Pickleball Kingdom and helps run one of the country’s fastest-growing clubs. Welch says structure, skill ratings, and passion are the keys to coaching success.
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