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Austin Gridley Pickleball – Profile & Reviews
Rachel R. (Texas)
I HIGHLY recommend Austin Gridley as a pickleball coach. I’ve worked with a number of coaches—including former pros—and Austin is THE BEST. His pro-level insight, attention to detail, and ability to make learning fun have elevated my game in every way.
Nikhil I. (Texas)
I’ve had lots of coaches in other sports, but Austin is by far the best coach I’ve ever come across. We’re really lucky to have him.
Bill B. (Texas)
Austin is a fantastic instructor. He remembers where I left off each lesson, gives clear pointers, and makes learning enjoyable. By far the best coach I’ve worked with.
Candy W. (Texas)
I have had only one lesson with Austin. I came on the court and was very specific about what I wanted to work on... resetting and dinking. He stayed focused and we worked intensely and specifically on these items. I only wish I had recorded the lesson because everything went so well with his instruction and want to make sure I am consistent with his suggestions and technique going forward. The lesson was awesome and I can't wait for a follow up!!!
LB R. (Texas)
Austin is an outstanding pickleball instructor. As a tennis player trying to learn the game, there was no one better to learn from. He has excellent knowledge of how to hit all of the shots as well as teaching you when to hit the shots. There is no one better to learn from.
Fabio C. (Texas)
Dr. Tri L. (Texas)
It is with great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to write this letter of recommendation for Austin.
I first met Austin at Élite Pickleball Club in Houston where I signed up for a series of training sessions for 4.0. Throughout this journey, Austin was so helpful not just on court but with with detailed written critique of our techniques as well as how we should go about making improvements.
A few months ago, I reconnected with Austin when I embarked on another training continuum at Casa Pickleball Club in Houston. Once again, Austin shined as a coach demonstrating his strong understanding of the sport and was able to communicate this knowledge to our group, helping us improve our game and build confidence.
In addition to his coaching ability, Austin's goofy smile created a positive and supportive environment for the players to strive forward. Indeed, I am so sad that Houston has lost Austin to Utah!
Patricia B. (Texas)
When Austin arrived in Houston, everybody wanted to have a lesson from him. I was not as eager as most of us, just because I was nervous and didn't want Austin to see how bad I was, especially since he is a pro player and all.
I could have never been more wrong. He was very encouraging and never looked down on me, just because I was a lower-level player compared to him. He, of course, immediately saw the many things that I needed to work on. He gave written feedback after every lesson. However, he didn't expect me to correct the whole thing. He kindly pointed out one or two things that I needed to work on the most first and concentrate on it. I greatly appreciate how his coaching has helped my pickleball game.
Marie L. (Texas)
Greetings everyone and all you picklers out there!
My time with Coach Austin Gridley has been an amazing and incredible learning experience with incredibly fast, real results. Austin is a very talented and amazing player with a great passion for teaching. Austin's skills and knowledge are exceptional due to the passion he has for the Pickleball sport and for helping people who want to learn and exceed in this game to achieve their goals and dream levels of playing skillfully!
As for me, starting out as a novice, not steadily playing for under a year, Austin has helped me reach a 3.5–4.0 level. Skies the limit with Austin Gridley!
Austin is truly a master at what he does and makes learning fun! His interpretation is outstanding and breaks everything down so you understand what you are doing and helps you execute your shots with ease. If you are looking for a great teacher and a "REAL PRO COACH" to take you to your dream levels of playing, look no further—AUSTIN GRIDLEY is the absolute G.O.A.T. — "Greatest Of All Teachers"!
Melissa P. (Texas)
As a pickleball coach, Austin Gridley is like a Jedi in training, possessing an uncanny ability to sense the forces at work with his students and help them find their way. Austin is incredibly thoughtful about the game and his passion for pickleball and competitive fun is contagious. I came to Austin for coaching when I was very frustrated with my slow progression in the sport and, frankly, I was not having much fun. Instead of tearing down my game and rebuilding based on a cookie-cutter model, he worked to build on my strengths and my confidence. He never lowered the bar. Thanks to Austin's coaching, over a short period of time I developed new skills that give me more options on the court—including going for put-aways! I have seen significant improvement in my game since working with him. I would highly recommend Austin as a coach to anyone looking to elevate their play while having a fantastic time.
Kyle V. (Texas)
I've taken lessons with Austin since I started playing and I can honestly say it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made to improve my game. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, he tailors each lesson to your needs, focusing on both technique and strategy.
What really sets Austin apart is his love for the game and ability to translate his skills into applicable lessons. His enthusiasm is infectious! It’s clear that Austin truly loves the game and wants to help every player reach their potential. I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in my shot making ability and have added much needed depth to my bag. He's taken me from 3.0 to 4.0.
Austin is also really supportive and patient, always encouraging me to keep pushing myself. If you’re looking for a coach who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about helping you grow as a player, I can’t recommend Austin enough.
Hatim C (Texas)
Coach Austin is an exceptional coach with a true gift for teaching. He explains techniques in a way that’s clear, approachable, and easy to put into practice. His sessions are always engaging, well-structured, and enjoyable, and I’ve seen noticeable improvement in both my skills and confidence on the court. What sets him apart is not just his knowledge of the game, but how effectively he communicates it.”
“Coach Austin is an exceptional coach with a rare gift for teaching. His ability to break down techniques into clear, approachable steps makes learning not just easy but exciting. Every session is engaging, well-structured, and leaves you walking off the court sharper and more confident than before.
What sets Austin apart isn’t only his deep knowledge of the game, but how effectively he communicates it. Recently, he brought that same precision and intensity to a tournament, cutting through the competition with the same cold focus and control as 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 — calm on the surface, lethal in execution. Watching him perform was like witnessing mastery in motion, and it only reinforced how lucky I feel to learn from him.
Moira M. (Texas)
I observed Austin coach experienced and top pickleball players at a local pickleball club in Houston, Texas.
As a 75-year-old player, I plucked up the courage to ask Austin if I could work with him. He taught and coached me in a multi-faceted way, encompassing so much that makes my pickleball exciting and rewarding. Austin gave me confidence and definitely taught me many skills in unique ways. He was patient and professional and I am most grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Austin as coach.
Angel S. (Texas)
I highly recommend Austin Gridley as a pickleball coach! He’s incredibly fun and attentive, with a great eye for detail. Austin has helped me identify and improve small habits, from adjusting how I hold the paddle on specific shots to building my confidence with volleying at the net. His coaching strikes the perfect balance between being fun and challenging, keeping me engaged while pushing me to grow. I’ve seen steady improvement in my game, and I always look forward to our sessions. If you want to become a better pickleball player, Austin is the coach you need!
Brenda B. (Texas)
Of all the instructors I've used for pickleball, Austin stands miles above the rest. I believe this because of a superior attention to detail—he doesn't miss anything. He points out even the most minute of adjustments to my shots I often wonder how he even notices. Yet it's those precise tweaks that end up making all the difference. His professional level of play truly shows up in what he passes on to his clients, and I for one have been a very lucky beneficiary.
Eli S. (Texas)
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with Coach Austin and have seen real progress in my game, thanks to his thoughtful guidance and encouragement. His approach to teaching fundamentals—from court positioning to shot technique—made each session valuable, whether I was an intermediate or working on more advanced skills. Practicing key shots like the dink, drop shot, lobs, and third-shot drive gave me a strong foundation, while his focus on game strategy and hands-on practice in different scenarios built my confidence for matches.
Victor L. (Texas)
I’ve had a great experience training with Austin through the Unicorn Academy and small group work. I am an intermediate player and it’s amazing how one hour of coaching can noticeably improve my game. It is especially helpful that he asks what I want to work on every time and then focuses on the specific skill; but also he often gives me other tips I had not even thought to work on myself. For example, he greatly improved my serve without me even asking. I highly recommend Austin!
Cindy F. (Texas)
I benefited greatly from Austin’s insightful critiques. He corrected my serve from a soft serve to a hip rotation-powered serve, which helped me greatly in my games later. He tailored his coaching to address my specific needs and provided suggestions to improve based on my natural movement. I highly recommend Austin; he has the expertise to help his students advance in their pickleball gameplay.
Laura T. (Texas)
Without hesitation, I can gladly recommend Austin as a great pickleball teacher. It’s just a theory I have, but I believe Austin taught himself how to play pickleball by breaking down every aspect of the game into understandable little pieces. What he brings to the table for his students is an ability to focus on details of their game and tweak adjustments in a way that are easily put into practice. The results are impressive.
Ming X. (Alabama)
Austin Gridley is an incredible pickleball coach. He explained all basic drilling in great detail and told me what and why each technique does. After we practiced all the drills, we played games to check out each technical effect put into practice. After weeks and months of learning from him, I feel my game has improved quite a bit. I really miss him being gone and wish I could learn more from him.
Randy G. (Alabama)
Austin Gridley knows his stuff when it comes to teaching pickleball. It’s not very often that one gets to learn from a 6+ DUPR-rated Pro. Not only does he break down the mechanics of strokes and movement, he also teaches the why and how that strategy plays into your game. I am a senior player who went from 3.0 to 4.0 in less than a year from Austin’s teaching. I highly recommend Austin Gridley.
Ryan B. (Texas)
Man I drilled this morning and I switched to Continental grip fully to ensure I'm relearning the correct way. It was a different feel but I have the top spin pro and dink board at home so I'm loving it!! My drives and serves were making people mad! I'm focusing more on brushing the ball and the drops are pushing my opponents away from the kitchen line which is what we want! We are both stoked!!
Will K. (Texas)
Austin is an exceptional pickleball coach with a strong attention to detail. He uses multiple reps to help reinforce new skills and improve technique, always demonstrating correct form before guiding you through practice. He's also great for discussing strategy and the mental aspects of the game. Whenever I need to prep for a tournament or want a refresher, I always book time with him!
Elizabeth C. (Texas)
My time with Austin was definitely the most valuable part of Elite's Unicorn Academy! Austin is fun to be around—his personality makes pickleball enjoyable. He's also well known for being one of the best players around. I think he's a good person to observe and have as a mentor.
George J. (Texas)
Austin Gridley is an outstanding pickleball instructor who helped my game go to a whole other level. Our time together flew by—one hour seemed like 20 minutes.
James L. (Texas)
Working with Austin helped me greatly improve my pickleball skills. Not only is he very knowledgeable about techniques, but he makes it very easy to understand. Also, my 6-year-old son loves learning pickleball from Austin! He makes the class fun for both adults and kids!"
Hellen Monson (Utah)
Mary is also on fire. I wish you could see her. She’s only 15 but you taught my kids so well!
Ravi C. (Alabama)
I have known Austin for over 2 years. I have worked with him and played with him several times. His way of teaching and interacting is greatly appreciated. I would not hesitate to say that he's one of the three best coaches I have had—if not the best.
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