Jamie Holt

Padel expert & guide writer · Manchester

Jamie picked up padel when the first courts opened around Manchester and never looked back. A former club tennis player, he now plays three or four times a week and writes practical, UK-focused guides for Padel Court Finder — covering rules, gear, booking tips, and the local scene.

Articles by Jamie Holt (50)

How to Get Peak-Time Padel Courts at Busy UK Clubs
3 October 2026
How to get a peak-time padel court at a busy UK club. Learn when bookings open, how courts are released, and how to be ready when the slot appears.
10 Padel Accessories Worth Buying (UK, 2026)
29 September 2026
The padel accessories that are actually worth buying in the UK: overgrips, frame protectors, ball pressurisers, wristbands and caps, and what to skip.
How Long Do Padel Balls Last?
29 September 2026
Padel balls last about two to four matches once the tube is open. What wears them out, how to test the bounce, and when a new tube is worth buying.
6 Best Padel Watches UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best watches for padel in the UK for 2026: Garmin models with a built-in padel mode, Apple Watch with padel scoring apps, and what each actually tracks.
6 Best Padel Socks UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best padel socks in the UK for 2026, from HEAD's padel crew sock to Falke and Thorlo tennis socks, plus how to avoid blisters on grippy turf.
10 Best Padel Rackets for Women UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best padel rackets for women in the UK for 2026: lighter, manoeuvrable picks from HEAD, Bullpadel, adidas and more, and how to choose the right weight.
7 Best Padel Rackets for Tennis Elbow UK (2026)
29 September 2026
Padel rackets that are kinder on a sore elbow: light, soft-cored, low-balance picks for the UK in 2026, plus grips, straps and habits that help.
9 Best Padel Racket Sets UK (2026): 2-Player Bundles
29 September 2026
The best padel racket sets in the UK for 2026: two-racket bundles with balls from Wilson, HEAD, adidas and NOX, plus when it's cheaper to build your own.
10 Best Padel Rackets for Intermediate Players UK (2026)
29 September 2026
Ready to upgrade your first padel racket? The best intermediate rackets in the UK for 2026, from £100 to £140, sorted by control, power and comfort.
8 Best Advanced Padel Rackets UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best advanced and pro-level padel rackets in the UK for 2026, from £190 to £260: the NOX AT10 18K, Bullpadel Vertex 05 and Hack 04, HEAD Coello and more.
11 Best Padel Gifts UK (2026): Ideas for Every Budget
29 September 2026
Padel gift ideas for Christmas and birthdays in the UK: stocking fillers under £10, useful kit under £30, and bigger gifts for the padel-obsessed.
8 Best Padel Balls UK (2026): Tubes, Multipacks and Boxes
29 September 2026
The best padel balls to buy in the UK for 2026, from Premier Padel match balls to cheap multipacks, and which ball suits indoor, outdoor and social play.
5 Best Padel Ball Pressurisers UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best padel ball pressurisers in the UK for 2026, from £22 screw-top tubes to pump-and-gauge boxes, plus whether they're worth it and how much they save.
9 Best Padel Bags UK (2026): Backpacks, Racket Bags and Covers
29 September 2026
The best padel bags in the UK for 2026, from £10 thermal covers to 4-racket bags with shoe pockets, and why a thermal compartment matters.
6 Best Knee Supports for Padel UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best knee supports for padel in the UK for 2026: compression sleeves, patella straps and hinged braces, what each type is for, and when to see a physio.
8 Best Junior Padel Rackets UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best junior and kids' padel rackets in the UK for 2026, sorted by age, from £40 starter rackets to the junior versions of pro models, plus how to size one.
7 Best Ankle Supports for Padel UK (2026)
29 September 2026
The best ankle supports and braces for padel in the UK for 2026: lace-up braces, stirrup braces and compression sleeves, plus how to pick one for turf.
Padel Score Cheat Sheet: What Your Court Side Means
22 July 2026
Quick padel scoring tip for the server: left side means 15–0 or 0–15, right side means 0–0 or 15–15. A shareable cheat sheet for keeping score.
What Is an Americano in Padel? Social Formats Explained
25 June 2026
Americano, Mexicano, and King of the Court padel formats explained: how rotating partner tournaments work at UK clubs and what to expect your first social night.
50 Padel Team Names for Doubles
21 June 2026
50 padel team names by category: funny, clever, competitive, and UK-themed. Short picks that work on league scoreboards.
Padel vs Squash: What's Actually Different?
17 June 2026
Padel vs squash in the UK: compare court size, equipment, rules, and play style. Which sport suits you if you're switching from squash?
Padel vs Pickleball: UK Comparison
14 June 2026
Padel and pickleball are different sports. Compare courts, rules, equipment, and which is easier to find and play in the UK.
40 Padel Terms Every Beginner Should Know (UK Glossary)
10 June 2026
40 padel terms explained for UK beginners: bandeja, víbora, chiquita, por tres, golden point, and the court slang you hear in your first month.
Padel Serve Rules: Underarm Serve Explained (UK)
6 June 2026
Padel serve rules for UK players: underarm technique, diagonal service box, bounce-before-strike, faults, let serves, and doubles serving order.
Padel Scoring Explained: How Points, Games and Sets Work
2 June 2026
Padel scoring rules explained: how points, games, sets, and tie-breaks work in the UK, plus the doubles serving order beginners get wrong.
Padel Player Levels Explained: What Do Playtomic Ratings Mean?
29 May 2026
Playtomic padel levels 1.0–7.0 explained for UK players: what each band means, how ratings are set, and which level to book for your first open match.
15 Padel Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)
26 May 2026
15 common padel mistakes for UK beginners: wrong level matches, ignoring the walls, net crashes, poor calls, and the habits that slow your progress.
Padel for Beginners Over 40: What to Know Before Your First Game
22 May 2026
Starting padel over 40 in the UK? Why the sport suits older beginners, what to wear, how to pace your first session, and where to find your level.
Padel Etiquette at UK Clubs: The Unwritten Rules
18 May 2026
Padel etiquette at UK clubs: warming up, calling balls, glass safety, punctuality, and the small things regulars notice (but rarely say out loud).
Padel Positions in Doubles: Who Stands Where (and When to Switch)
14 May 2026
Padel doubles positioning for UK beginners: net vs baseline roles, the diagonal split, when to switch sides, and the mistakes that leave gaps open.
Padel Court Size: Official UK Dimensions
10 May 2026
A standard padel court is 20m × 10m with 3m glass walls. Full UK dimensions, net height, singles courts, and space needed to build.
Padel Court Build Cost UK (2026 Guide)
7 May 2026
Building a padel court in the UK typically costs £35,000–£100,000 all-in. Court structure, groundworks, lighting, and planning explained.
Padel Court Booking Cost UK (2026 Prices)
3 May 2026
Most UK padel courts cost £20–£60/hour per court. Peak vs off-peak rates, London vs regional prices, and real cost per player.
Padel Balls vs Tennis Balls: What's the Difference?
29 April 2026
Padel balls look like tennis balls but bounce lower due to reduced pressure. Why it matters on court and what to buy in the UK.
Is Padel Easier Than Tennis?
25 April 2026
For most beginners, yes. Smaller court, underarm serve, and walls that keep rallies alive make padel quicker to learn than tennis.
Indoor vs Outdoor Padel Courts: Which Should You Book?
21 April 2026
Indoor vs outdoor padel courts in the UK: compare weather, price, lighting, and vibe so you can pick the right booking every time.
How to Play Padel: Rules for Beginners
17 April 2026
Padel rules explained in plain English: scoring, serving, walls, equipment, and what to expect at your first UK session.
How to Find Padel Players Near You in the UK
14 April 2026
How to find padel players near you in the UK: Playtomic open matches, club socials, WhatsApp groups, leagues, and tips for building a regular four.
How to Book a Padel Court in the UK (Step by Step)
10 April 2026
How to book a padel court in the UK: find a venue, use Playtomic or club systems, pick peak vs off-peak slots, and avoid common booking mistakes.
How Many Padel Courts Are in the UK?
6 April 2026
There is no fixed official count, but UK directories track 380+ clubs and 1,000+ courts as of June 2026. Regional breakdown and how to check your area.
How Long Does a Padel Match Last?
2 April 2026
How long is a padel match? Typical durations for social sets, best-of-three matches, tie-breaks, and how UK court hire slots affect your game.
Can You Touch the Net in Padel?
29 March 2026
No. Touching the net, net post, or net cord with your body, racket, or clothing during a live point loses the point. Net cord rules, follow-through faults, and net cords explained.
Can You Smash in Padel? Overhead Shot Rules
26 March 2026
Yes, smashes and overheads are legal in padel. When to use them, bandeja vs smash, out-of-court rules after an exit, and why beginners should not force every lob.
Can You Play Padel With Two People?
22 March 2026
Yes. Book a doubles court and play singles, or find a fourth for a social match. Cost split, club rules, and when two beats four.
Can You Play Padel Singles?
18 March 2026
Yes. Singles uses the same scoring and serve rules on a full or 6m-wide court. Dimensions, difficulty, and UK venues with singles lanes.
Can You Play Padel in the Rain? (UK Weather Guide)
14 March 2026
Can you play padel in the rain in the UK? When outdoor courts close, why wet glass is dangerous, and when to switch to indoor instead.
Can You Hit the Cage in Padel?
10 March 2026
Yes, after the ball bounces. Cage vs glass rules explained with a quick reference table for serves and rallies.
Can the Ball Bounce Twice in Padel?
7 March 2026
No. If the ball bounces twice on your side before you hit it, the point is over. When the double-bounce rule applies, common mistakes, and what counts as one bounce.
9 Best Padel Shoes UK (2026): What to Wear on Court
3 March 2026
The best padel shoes in the UK for 2026, from £40 budget omni-court trainers to lightweight padel-specific pairs, plus what UK clubs expect you to wear.
10 Best Padel Rackets for Beginners in the UK (2026)
27 February 2026
The 10 best padel rackets for beginners in the UK, from £45 to £85, plus how to choose weight, shape and balance before you buy.