About The Badminton Nut

Welcome - not entirely sure why you're here, but now that you are, let me introduce myself before you come to your senses and leave for a site with actual credentials. I'm The Badminton Nut. -A man in his "athletic twilight" (mid-forties, if you must know), with more opinions than ranking points and a knee that clicks when I walk up stairs – let alone chase a drop shot. I have been playing badminton for over 12 years. Some would say that's long enough to have developed a respectable level. Those people are wrong.

My badminton career: a three-set tragedy

I operate somewhere between Division 2 and "who let that man on court?", depending on how generous the coach is feeling. When I do play, I lose – but I do so with grace, style, and the kind of quiet despair usually reserved for long-haul flights and budget hotel breakfasts. I favour deceptive shots. Sadly, so does my opponents – mainly because I deceive myself about whether I can actually pull them off. Three-set matches are, in my view, a direct violation of the Geneva Convention.

Why does this site exist?

Excellent question. Partly because I love badminton. Mostly because I was tired of reading glowing, sponsored reviews clearly written by someone who's never broken a sweat outside of a showroom. Here, you'll find honest reviews of rackets, shoes and strings, written by a man with no sponsors (unless someone offers), no agenda, and no ability to hold back criticism – even when it's his own fault.

So whats in it for you?

• Brutally honest takes on badminton gear

• A glimpse into the mind of a man who once spent two weeks obsessing over string tension, only to forget his racket at home

• A chance to feel slightly better about your own game

Got a piece of gear you think I should test?

Splendid. Send me a message and I'll add it to the growing list of things I will probably injure myself testing. No promises – except that I'll write about it with the intensity of a man who really should have chosen table tennis.