Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States of America.
Many Tennis players have decided to transition to this as a fun alternative that’s less taxing on their bodies, and a more casual sport to play.
However, because it’s such a new sport, you may be wondering about some of the specifics.
How does Pickleball differ from tennis or badminton? How large is a pickleball court (see also ‘How To Build A Pickleball Court‘)? Is it played indoors or outdoors?
If you’re wondering about these questions, then don’t panic! We’re here to help. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you’ll need to know about pickleball courts.
How large they are, why they are this size, and how you can convert a badminton or tennis court into a pickleball court.
We’ve also made sure to include a short Frequently Asked Questions section that will help explain some of the more technical terms used in this article.
So let’s get right into it!
What Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a racket/paddle sport that is played either indoors or outdoors depending on the space players have available to them.
It is similar to other sports such as tennis and badminton but has a few key differences. Pickleball typically features a hollow polymer ball that is batted over a 36-inch-high net with solid paddles.
The sport was invented in the year of 1965 as a more casual alternative to games like tennis. Three fathers created the game as a way to entertain their kids on a hot summer’s day.
From here, it has grown into a more organized sport that is played all across the United States (as well as the rest of the world).
We would like to note that pickleball can be played by either two of four players – doubles or singles – and can also be played with mixed sexes.
The sport has grown by nearly 40% over the last few years, and it’s widely considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States of America.
This is because it’s a lot easier to play than a game like Tennis, and can be enjoyed much more casually because of the lighter weight of the ball.
What Type Of Court Is Pickleball Played On?
A traditional Pickleball court (see also ‘How Much Does It Cost To Build A Pickleball Court?‘) is the same size as a doubles badminton court. This means it is going to be 44 feet long, which includes the lines that will be drawn to separate zones of the court, and 20 feet wide.
The other thing that’s important for a Pickleball court is the height of the net, as previously mentioned, which should have highs of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle.
Indoor VS. Outdoor Courts
So as a heads up, there’s no real difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, aside from the material of the ground.
Indoor pickleball courts are likely to be made out of polyurethane sports surfaces, a special surface that allows good traction without any of the rougher materials you’d need for an outdoor court.
For outdoor pickleball courts, the most likely surface material you’ll find is either asphalt or concrete.
Both of these are good choices as they are weather resistant and good for traction during intense games.
Because of this, many people choose to create or convert their own pickleball courts from a court that is already used for tennis or badminton.
This can be a great option if you have access to such a space and can be done without too much effort.
Creating/Converting A Pickleball Court
So first off, if you’re looking to try out pickleball for the first time and play some games just for fun, you can easily use any court or space that you have for a few games.
However, if you’re looking to create a space for a more serious environment, you might need to make a few adjustments to a court you have at your disposal.
Badminton doubles courts are the best option you have to easily create a pickleball court, as they share the same dimensions.
While they are both 20 x 44 feet, you need to know that the service and net lines are slightly different. For example, the front line of a badminton court used for serving is 6.5 feet away from the net, while the line for pickleball is 7 feet.
This means there is a slight difference which can have significant effects on the authenticity of your pickleball game.
So then, for more serious games of pickleball, you’re going to need to slightly alter the lines of your badminton court.
If you happen to have a tennis court at your disposal, then you’re going to need to significantly alter the court to fit what you’re looking to do.
The other thing you have to take into account is the net height, which is probably the easier thing to convert.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! A pickleball court is 20 x 44 feet with a slightly lower net than badminton. With a few changes, you can easily convert a court to allow you great games of pickleball.
We hope that this article has helped explain this to you and that you’re now more confident about the difference between a pickleball court and a tennis/badminton court.
If you still have some questions, check below for our FAQ section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Shoes For Pickleball?
The best shoes for pickleball can vary depending on whether you’re playing indoors or outdoors, but generally, you’ll want to select a pair that are similar to tennis shoes.
You can comfortably place pickleball in a pair of tennis shoes, but you should know due to the popularity of the sport there are now dedicated pickleball shoes that you can buy.
The most important features are a comfortable, supportive insole, and a strong rubber outsole to support your feet.
How Hard Of A Sport Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is considered easier than tennis and badminton, but this depends on how seriously you decide to play.
Because of the light nature of the ball, it requires a lot less power than tennis and is a lot easier on your arms/joints.
