Pickleball: The low-impact sport growing in popularity throughout Raleigh

The sport of pickleball is growing in popularity throughout the country, which includes the Triangle.

Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about pickleball in Raleigh

What is pickleball?

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, ping-pong and racquetball.

Players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball with paddles over a 34-inch-high net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits an infraction.

The sport is played by teams of two or four, and courts can be either indoor or outdoor.

Here are some of the benefits of playing pickleball:

• Pickleball is a full-body workout that can help burn calories, improve cardiovascular health and strengthen muscles.
• It is a low-impact sport, so it is easy on your joints. It is a great option for people who are recovering from an injury or who have joint pain.
• It is a social sport. Pickleball is a great way to meet new people and make friends. There are many pickleball leagues and tournaments available, so you can find a group of people to play with.
• It is easy to learn. Pickleball is a relatively easy sport to learn. The rules are simple and the equipment is relatively inexpensive.

What is the history of pickleball?

Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum – invented pickleball in 1965 just outside of Seattle on Bainbridge Island in Washington state.

The dads decided to create some summertime fun for their kids.

The popularity of the sport has grown throughout the country, including North Carolina.

“An analogy would be like how a weed starts in your garden and all of a sudden, it just propagates,” said Joe Borrelli, an IPTPA Level II coach based in Raleigh.

How to play pickleball

The basic rules of pickleball are as follows:

• The serve must be underhand and the ball must bounce once on each side of the net before it can be volleyed.
• Players can only volley the ball once before it bounces.
• Players cannot enter the non-volley zone (also known as the "kitchen") until after the ball has bounced once.
• The first player or team to reach 11 points wins the game; wins must come with a two-point margin.

What kinds of paddles are used in pickleball?

The most common pickleball paddle materials are fiberglass (composite), graphite, carbon fiber and wood.

Fiberglass (composite): This is the most popular surface material for pickleball paddles. The paddles made with fiberglass surfaces usually cost less than graphite or carbon fiber paddles because the material isn't as strong. One benefit is that fiberglass paddles tend to generate more pop on the ball so hard hitters like this surface

Graphite or Carbon Fiber: The paddles made with graphite or carbon fiber surfaces usually cost a bit more than fiberglass paddles because the material is stronger. These paddles typically offer players a bit more control, but don’t generate as much pop on the ball.

Wood: Wood paddles are typically used by casual players just starting out.

“They all have different feels,” Borrelli said. “That’s why I recommend people try paddles before they buy paddles.”

Borrelli said pickleball rackets can cost anywhere from $25 to hundreds of dollars.

Public indoor pickleball courts in Raleigh

The city of Raleigh has several indoor pickleball courts, including:

• Brier Creek: 10810 Globe Road
• Green Road: 4201 Green Road
• John Chavis Memorial Park: 505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.:
• Lake Lynn: 7921 Ray Road
• Lions Park: 516 Dennis Ave.
• Method Road: 514 Method Road
• Optimist: 5900 Whittier Drive
• Tarbaro Road: 121 North Tarboro Road
• Worthdale: 1001 Cooper Road

Indoor courts can be reserved as a community center gym rentals. The city's gyms rent for $85 per hour with a two-hour minimum. The gyms each accommodate three pickleball courts.

Pickleball is also offered at some gyms and fitness clubs.

Public outdoor pickleball courts in Raleigh

Raleigh Parks has six permanent outdoor pickleball courts located at Method Community Park at 514 Method Road and six permanent outdoor courts at North Hills Park at 100 Chowan Circle.

These courts are open from dusk until 10 p.m. with lighting on a timer. Players are asked to follow all posted rules regarding rotating courts.

In February, Raleigh Parks converted two existing tennis courts at North Hills Park into six pickleball courts. The park is the Raleigh Park System’s second dedicated outdoor pickleball facility.

The city of Raleigh does not offer court reservations for its outdoor pickleball courts.

Courts are under construction at Baileywick Park in Raleigh.

Looking for more pickleball courts throughout Wake County? The towns of Cary, Holly Springs and Wake Forest also have public courts.

The city of Durham also offers public pickleball courts.

Pickleball clinics offered at Lake Lynn in Raleigh

The Lake Lynn Community Center is offering two pickleball clinics per day. One for beginners and others for experienced players.

Beginners

Aug. 10 – Quicker Hands

Experienced players

Aug. 10: Class: Round-robin play

Class is one hour and 45 minutes. It costs $20 for residents and $35 for non-residents. It’s offered for players 18 and older.

Register here for the beginner clinic and register here for the experienced-player clinic.

Is pickleball an Olympic sport?

Pickleball is not an Olympic sport and won’t be played at the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris.

However, pickleball could be a possibility in 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Borrelli said he thinks pickleball could eventually become an Olympic sport.

“It has potential,” Borrelli said. “There’s certainly a bunch of things that have to happen before it does.

“It has to become more popular worldwide.”

ESPN regularly broadcasts the Professional Pickleball Association, which is based in the U.S. Also, USA Pickleball is the national governing body of the sport in the U.S.

Did we forget anything?

If we missed something pickleball players should know, feel free to email Mark Bergin at mbergin@wral.com.