The short version
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and end up buying something, the retailer pays us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That money keeps the lights on.
What affiliate links do not do
- They do not change the price you pay.
- They do not decide which paddle gets a top pick.
- They do not bias the order of reviews. Our scoring rubric is in the open and applied the same way every time.
Where we earn from
SmashPoint at 212HK (paying partner)
SmashPoint is the pro shop inside 212HK, a paying DinkStart partner. Buy links to SmashPoint may earn us a commission, and reader discount codes on those paddles come from this partnership. The partner does not approve, preview, or influence our ratings, verdicts, or rankings — see the editorial policy below.
Amazon Associates (regional sites)
Some paddle, ball, and accessory links go to Amazon. We earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.
CRBN (direct, code DINKSTART)
Use code DINKSTART at checkout for 10% off your CRBN order. We earn a 5% referral commission. The discount goes to you; the commission goes to us at no extra cost.
11SIX24 (direct, code DINKSTART)
Our 11SIX24 links land with 10% already applied, so there is nothing to type at checkout — the code DINKSTART does the same thing if you get there another way. We earn a referral commission. The discount goes to you; the commission goes to us at no extra cost.
JOOLA, Selkirk, Engage, Vatic Pro
Other brand affiliate programs (where available). We may earn a commission on direct purchases.
Local HK retailers and clubs
Where partnerships exist with local courts or coaches, sponsored placements are clearly labeled.
Sponsored content and partnerships
When a court, brand, or coach pays for placement, the listing or article will be clearly marked “Sponsored.” We don't accept payment to alter editorial reviews. Coaches and courts interested in partnering can read about partnerships.
Our editorial policy with brands and partners
- No commission rate, discount deal, or partner relationship ever feeds a rating, verdict, or ranking. Commercial terms live in a separate ledger our editorial process never reads.
- Brands may correct objective specifications and submit a response to a review. They may not preview a verdict, negotiate wording, or condition access on positive coverage.
- Paddles without enough independent evidence are published as “Overview — not yet reviewed” pages. We don't issue a verdict without evidence, and being sold by a partner doesn't change that.
- When we cover a problem — quality-control patterns, price criticism, durability complaints — it stays in the review, whether or not the paddle is sold by a partner.
- Material corrections get a visible date and note. Pressure to alter a review disqualifies a brand from future coverage; a poor review does not.
Your options
You can always click through to a retailer directly without using our link, it costs you the same either way. If you do choose to use ours, thank you. It's the cheapest way to support what we're building.
Questions about this disclosure? Email [email protected].