How GPS Can Make You Better at Pickleball

When my dad’s driving, he doesn’t like using GPS. 

He’s one of those people who claims he can feel which way is north at all times. Like a human compass.

He always says, “If you’re paying attention, you never get lost.”

Me? I’m a full-time GPS loyalist.

I’ll plug in directions to my local grocery store if I’m in the mood to zone out. I don’t want to navigate—I just want to arrive.

And trust me, my dad gives me plenty of grief about it.

“You’ve gotta pay attention. You’re gonna end up in a different state one day.”

And hey—he’s not wrong. 

I have taken a few questionable turns. (Please don’t tell him that, though.)

But here’s the thing I’ve noticed…

When I miss an exit or make a wrong turn… the GPS never yells at me.

It doesn’t say, “YOU IDIOT. HOW COULD YOU??”

It just pauses.

And calmly says, “Recalculating.”

No shame. No drama. No panic.

Just… a new plan.

And man—what a perfect mindset for pickleball.

You miss a shot?

Recalculating.

Wrong decision?

Recalculating.

Missed a serve into the net?

Recalculating.

See, most players don’t lose matches because they’re terrible.

They lose because they make a mistake… and then spiral.

“Why do I always do that?”
“What’s wrong with me today?”
“Come on, you suck!”

And that moment right there?

That’s when learning shuts down.

Not because of the mistake—because of the emotional response after the mistake.

Here’s the truth:

Even the best players in the world aren’t perfect.

Not even close.

They just recover faster.

They’ve trained themselves to recalculate instead of implode.

No sulking. No self-punishment. Just course correction.

And that is what allows them to grow faster—and perform better under pressure.

So next time you’re out playing… and you hit the ball straight into the net?

Don’t rage.

Don’t yell at your paddle (for too long 😉)

Just take a breath, smile…and go full GPS mode and start…

Recalculating. 😊

Until next week,
Kyle

P.S. If you want to watch one of my favorite videos of all time on this topic, here’s a short one from my good buddy Dustin: