Pickleball: What you need to know about the fastest growing sport in the U.S.

[RNCollins]

Pickleball: What you need to know about the fastest growing sport in the U.S.
By Lois Alter Mark / USA Today / November 16 2021

Pickleball: What you need to know about the fastest growing sport in the U.S.

Pickleball may have a funny name but it's making a serious impact on American sports. Here's what you need to know.

www.usatoday.com

Photo: www.varsitycourts.com

 

[rapmarks]

I started it this summer but never had anyone to play with,and never got very good

 

[SHG]

I started it this summer but never had anyone to play with,and never got very good

You need to find a meetup group to go play with. Use the link below. Enter 'pickleball' as the activity and put in your location. You will find groups near you where you can go play with other players. This is the best way to improve your game!

Meetup - We are what we do

 

[Passepartout]

Very popular here. I think there is a group every morning. It seems like a morning thing. I am told that the UN-athletic are as welcome as the 'jocks'.- But I'm not taking any chances.

 

[rapmarks]

They won’t allow in our subdivision because tennis players want all five courts and homeowners think too noisy.

 

[TUGBrian]

redid one of the tennis courts here in the neighborhood to two pickleball courts a year or so ago. certainly more folks using the PB courts now!

 

[MrockStar]

I want to try it, wife had on knee replaced and is doing well. Maybee next spring.

 

[pedro47]

PB must not be so poular in North Suffolk, VA.

 

[SmithOp]

Its very popular in our area, you can get 4 courts on one tennis court, but it gets confusing with all the lines, the PB ones are in orange here.

They do weekend meetups, sponsored by the equipment companies, with a couple of pros to demo and free use of the sponsor racquets. The courts are usually divided into beginner, imtermediate, and advanced. Its very social, the players are forgiving of newbies. We have potluck meetups also, and regular weekday meetings.

I even caught the world championships on cable from the PicklePlex at Punta Gorda FLA.

Free Pickleball Tournament Software | Create & Manage Tournaments, Leagues, Shootout, Schedule Matches & many more.

The only free online software that gives you all the tools you need to manage tournaments, team leagues and shootout.

pickleball.global

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[SHG]

They do weekend meetups, sponsored by the equipment companies, with a couple of pros to demo and free use of the sponsor racquets. The courts are usually divided into beginner, imtermediate, and advanced. Its very social, the players are forgiving of newbies. We have potluck meetups also, and regular weekday meetings.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

That is interesting. What is the name of the park where they have these sponsored meetups? I might make a trip out there sometime....

 

[PamMo]

Pickleball has grown in popularity all over. My sister has been a big proponent/player over the last decade and has started up clubs in the Midwest and Brazil! They've sent teams to international competitions and are having a great time. It used to be boomers who played, but it's become popular with all age groups now.

 

[am1]

Watered down tennis?

 

[bluehende]

Watered down tennis?

Probably more like pumped up table tennis.

 

[dioxide45]

I know Marriott's Cypress Harbour in Orlando has a dedicated Pickleball court. In addition to the usual tennis court.

 

[buzglyd]

I have a friend who is a very avid player. I remember when I was a kid in Los Angeles, paddle tennis became a big thing for a while. I’m not sure if it’s the same thing as pickle. I haven’t seen pickle ball played so I don’t really know the sport. I’m still softball guy and occasionally lose a bunch of golf balls on a course. Maybe pickle is in my future.

 

[SmithOp]

That is interesting. What is the name of the park where they have these sponsored meetups? I might make a trip out there sometime....

Last Sunday it was at McFadden Institute of Technology courts on Raitt St in Santa Ana. I’ll let you know when I hear of the next one.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Brett]

and there's now Padel

The Latest Luxury Amenity Is Social and Fun: Padel Courts
The tennis-like game, popular among the affluent, is appreciated for its simplicity and because its small court is easy to install and customize

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-latest-luxury-amenity-is-social-and-fun-padel-courts-11637171619

Tennis players have a new crush: the sport’s more social, knee-friendly cousin, padel.

In padel, four players hit the ball back and forth in an enclosed court, typically with a floor of artificial turf. Fans say it takes mere days to get up to speed, and the small courts—about a third of what is needed for tennis—are easy to install. The smaller courts also invite easier socializing, as does the fact that the game is played only in doubles.

Many new courts are popping up in homes, particularly luxury properties because of the sport’s reputation as a game for the affluent. Real-estate agents are seeing more buyers in Florida, Texas, California and New York seeking the amenity, or a place to put one. Homeowners with a court are “like the popular kid at school,” says Oren Alexander of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Miami. “Everyone wants to be your friend and come over and play padel.”

(The sport isn’t to be confused with another popular game, pickleball, where players use plastic balls and table tennis-style rackets, following rules similar to badminton. Pickleball has an even smaller play area.)

 

[pedro47]

and there's now Padel

The Latest Luxury Amenity Is Social and Fun: Padel Courts
The tennis-like game, popular among the affluent, is appreciated for its simplicity and because its small court is easy to install and customize

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-latest-luxury-amenity-is-social-and-fun-padel-courts-11637171619

Tennis players have a new crush: the sport’s more social, knee-friendly cousin, padel.

In padel, four players hit the ball back and forth in an enclosed court, typically with a floor of artificial turf. Fans say it takes mere days to get up to speed, and the small courts—about a third of what is needed for tennis—are easy to install. The smaller courts also invite easier socializing, as does the fact that the game is played only in doubles.

Many new courts are popping up in homes, particularly luxury properties because of the sport’s reputation as a game for the affluent. Real-estate agents are seeing more buyers in Florida, Texas, California and New York seeking the amenity, or a place to put one. Homeowners with a court are “like the popular kid at school,” says Oren Alexander of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Miami. “Everyone wants to be your friend and come over and play padel.”

(The sport isn’t to be confused with another popular game, pickleball, where players use plastic balls and table tennis-style rackets, following rules similar to badminton. Pickleball has an even smaller play area.)

Are there any Padel Courts in Newport News or Hampton, VA?

 

[Brett]

Are there any Padel Courts in Newport News or Hampton, VA?

probably not ...... like the headline indicated, Padel courts are a "Luxury Amenity" popular among the "affluent"

 

[SHG]

Last Sunday it was at McFadden Institute of Technology courts on Raitt St in Santa Ana. I’ll let you know when I hear of the next one.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[dioxide45]

and there's now Padel

The Latest Luxury Amenity Is Social and Fun: Padel Courts
The tennis-like game, popular among the affluent, is appreciated for its simplicity and because its small court is easy to install and customize

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-latest-luxury-amenity-is-social-and-fun-padel-courts-11637171619

Tennis players have a new crush: the sport’s more social, knee-friendly cousin, padel.

In padel, four players hit the ball back and forth in an enclosed court, typically with a floor of artificial turf. Fans say it takes mere days to get up to speed, and the small courts—about a third of what is needed for tennis—are easy to install. The smaller courts also invite easier socializing, as does the fact that the game is played only in doubles.

Many new courts are popping up in homes, particularly luxury properties because of the sport’s reputation as a game for the affluent. Real-estate agents are seeing more buyers in Florida, Texas, California and New York seeking the amenity, or a place to put one. Homeowners with a court are “like the popular kid at school,” says Oren Alexander of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Miami. “Everyone wants to be your friend and come over and play padel.”

(The sport isn’t to be confused with another popular game, pickleball, where players use plastic balls and table tennis-style rackets, following rules similar to badminton. Pickleball has an even smaller play area.)

Tennis as a sport also tends to be played by the more affluent. So it would make sense that pickleball also would be since most tennis courts/clubs are in affluent areas.

 

[artringwald]

I didn't like it because there seemed to be too much time spent standing around socializing while waiting for your turn to rotate in. I'd rather be playing the whole time. With two replacement knees I can't play tennis anymore, but still enjoy racquetball.

 

[dioxide45]

I didn't like it because there seemed to be too much time spent standing around socializing while waiting for your turn to rotate in. I'd rather be playing the whole time. With two replacement knees I can't play tennis anymore, but still enjoy racquetball.

I think socializing is the whole reason for the game. Kind of like lawn bowling and curling.

 

[artringwald]

I think socializing is the whole reason for the game. Kind of like lawn bowling and curling.

I don't mind socializing, but when I'm exercising I like to keep going until I'm done. Lawn bowling and curling really aren't much exercise.

 

[Paumavista]

I learned pickleball about 8 years ago in a private community that had 4 dedicated courts. When we moved out of the community I couldn't find anywhere to play for a year or two. Then about 5 years ago I heard groups were forming up and they converted a couple tennis courts at the park near by to 4 pickle ball courts....now we have 8 pickleball courts and we have groups playing every day....more competitive free play on MWF....and very social play on Tues and Thursdays. Everyone is welcome.....if you don't have a paddle stop by and someone will always have an extra (I carry 3 with me). Very friendly! Saturdays a local club has open play for $2...about 2 hours of indoor play anyone invited (you don't need to be a member). The recreation center in the next town has up to 6 indoor courts 3 mornings a week (stopped during COVID...but coming back slowly).....$2 to play from 9-12....mainly social play (i.e. not too competitive) and you don't have to "be a member". I'm in Upstate South Carolina.