In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, Mike Spies sits down with Dale Van Scoyk of PSM Consulting LLC—Pickleball Sound Mitigation—for a frank conversation about pickleball noise, neighbourhood conflict, and practical ways forward.

A player, certified instructor, and consultant with an engineering background, Dale understands why people love this sport—and why its distinctive “pop” can become unbearable for others.

We explore:

🏓 Why pickleball sound demands more attention than a simple decibel reading
🏡 Why court location, surrounding buildings, and background noise matter
🔊 What sound barriers can accomplish—and where they fall short
🌳 Why planting trees may offer less protection than people expect
🤫 Quieter paddles, balls, paddle covers, and equipment testing
🤝 How listening to residents can help keep disagreements from escalating
📍 Why sound planning should happen BEFORE courts are built

We also discuss the friendships, purpose, and community that make this game worth getting right.

Whether you’re a player, homeowner, club operator, municipal councillor, or planning a new facility, this conversation asks a crucial question:

Can we grow the game while giving our neighbours some peace?

🔗 CONNECT WITH PSM & EXPLORE THEIR WORK

PSM Consulting LLC — Pickleball Sound Mitigation:
https://pickleballsound.com/

Pickleball Sound Labs — paddle, ball, and sound barrier testing:
https://pickleballsoundlabs.com/

📩 PSM inquiries: info@pickleballsound.com

💬 Has pickleball noise affected your community? Share your experience—and what has helped—in the comments.

Subscribe to Kitchen Conversations for more candid conversations with the people shaping pickleball.

#Pickleball #PickleballNoise #KitchenConversations #PickleballSoundMitigation #PSMConsulting #DaleVanScoyk #QuietPickleball #NoiseReduction #PickleballCommunity #PickleballPodcast #MikeSpies

And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do.

And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at

https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast

Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast

That’s where these stories really come to life.

You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description.

Until next time…

more than dinks, drops and drives…

these are stories from behind the paddle.