To play pickleball, you'll need a paddle and a pickleball. (koldo_studio/Shutterstock)
Said to be easier than tennis, often referred to as a “millennial sport,” and having nothing to do with the vinegary vegetable, pickleball has taken over as the fastest growing sport in the country.
Houston is no stranger to the pickleball craze, and even has its own pickleball hangout and sports bar, known as PKL Social. So what’s the big dill? Pickleball is a low-impact game, less taxing than tennis and racquetball. But the real reason why the sport has exploded is pretty easy to explain.
“Pickleball is exploding because people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy it. Taking parts from tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, it’s a good game for beginners because it’s both hard and easy at the same time,” Pickleland, a pickleball club in Austin, said. “It’s growing because fewer people get hurt, skills improve quickly, games are fun to play, and they’re good for your health.”
Since most people are familiar with tennis, let’s compare it to pickleball.
- Like tennis, pickleball can be played as a singles or a doubles game
- The net height is basically the same, with a tennis net coming in at 36 inches and a pickleball net coming in at 34 inches
- Playing form boils down to the same few techniques: bend the knees, don’t just use your arm when swinging, and make contact with the ball in front of your body
- Pickleball paddles and balls are more lightweight than their tennis counterparts, making it easily transportable
- The scoring system and rules are vastly different, including how one serves, and victory requirements include a two-point margin to win
- Pickleball courts tend be much smaller than tennis courts; a standard pickleball court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, while a tennis court is 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles matches
What was once known for being a retirement community sport blasted into popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to interact with friends while social distancing. Equipment is typically available to rent or buy, and includes a ball and a paddle. On average, you can rent an hour on a picklebar court for between $10 to $100, and the rise in popularity means there’s most likely a court near you. There are also plenty of indoor courts.
Ready to try for yourself? Stop by one of Houston’s many courts, and see what the hype is about. Feeling unsure about where to start? Many courts offer lessons to help newbies feel at ease on the court.
1220 Blalock Road, Rear Lot, Houston
10001 W. Sam Houston Parkway N., Houston
295 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands
830 Katy Fort Bend Road, Ste. 100, Katy
