Pickleball
Tennis and ping-pong had a baby and it's the fastest-growing sport alive.
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a small court with a perforated plastic ball. It is easier to learn than tennis, less running than badminton, and more social than both. Games are short, the learning curve is gentle, and public courts are popping up everywhere. Most players are happy to teach newcomers mid-game.
How to start
- 1Find public pickleball courts near you — many parks have converted tennis courts.
- 2Borrow or buy a basic paddle (starter paddles cost under $20).
- 3Watch a 5-minute rules video. The court is small, scoring is simple, the 'kitchen' rule is the weird one.
- 4Show up during open play hours and ask to join a game. Pickleball culture is aggressively welcoming.
What you'll need
- Pickleball paddleEssential~$18
- Pickleballs (often provided at courts)Nice to have~$6
- Athletic shoesEssentialFree
Where to learn more
Plot twists
Ways to spice this up when the basics get boring.
- Play singles for a serious workout instead of the usual doubles
- Organize a round-robin tournament at your local park
- Try skinny singles — play on half the court for precision training
- Night pickleball with glow-in-the-dark balls and LED court lines
Fast rallies, quick games (15 min each), and constant movement make it impossible to get bored. The small court means less downtime than tennis.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads who were bored. The name may come from the family dog, Pickles, who chased stray balls.
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