Pickleball is fun, social, and easy to learn . . . no wonder the sport is taking the recreation world by storm.
By Larry Dodd, F437566
December 2022
Anyone who mentions the game of pickleball may get asked the same question: “What the heck is that?” I always reply that it’s sort of like full-sized table tennis, with a few twists. But no matter how you explain it, it’s best to just hand folks a paddle and head for the court.
According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), pickleball began in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington. As the story goes, three dads created it to entertain their children one summer. The game is played on badminton-sized courts, where participants use wooden or composite paddles to hit perforated plastic balls over a 34-inch-high net. Like tennis, it can be played as singles or doubles.
More and more of us baby boomers are retiring and looking for activities to keep us moving and physically fit — pickleball fills that need perfectly for us. My wife, Loretta, and I were introduced to pickleball in Yuma, Arizona, by RV friends and FMCA members Don and Becka Paulsen. They handed us paddles and took us to the court to play. It did not take long before we were hooked, along with millions of others.
In order to accommodate this wildly popular sport, many RV parks have taken the step of painting pickleball court lines on their tennis courts. Some have fully converted unused tennis courts into pickleball courts. The pickleball court is about half the size of a standard tennis court, measuring 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with a recommended 6-foot-wide border. A standard tennis court can convert into two pickleball courts. The smaller dimension is perfect for many of us “seasoned citizens” who don’t move as fast and far as we used to. However, the sport is played by all ages and can range from casual games to fast-paced competitions.
Several of our favorite Arizona RV resorts now have full-time dedicated pickleball courts that see a lot of action in the winter months. Palm Creek Resort & Residences in Casa Grande, Arizona, now boasts 32 pickleball courts created from 16 previous tennis courts. In fact, the resort hosted a Tiffin owners group rally in October 2021, which included a pickleball tournament.
Llano Grande Resort and Golf Club in Mercedes, Texas, where we now winter, has gone a step further with an organized pickleball club that hosts local tournaments. In addition, several players volunteer to offer lessons and drills for new players to help them enhance their skills. The Llano Grande Pickleball Club also has its own ball machine, allowing players to practice returns and skills by themselves.
Even if your RV park does not offer pickleball, many apps enable you to find games nearby; search the app stores for “pickleball.” The USAPA also maintains a list of venues at www.places2play.org.
On a recent RV trip, Loretta and I overnighted in Grand Island, Nebraska. We planned and found games in town at Stolley Park. We were met and well received by the local players and enjoyed a beautiful evening of pickleball — and made new friends. The courts at Stolley Park are newly constructed and near old trees for great shade despite the summer heat.
In March 2021, Loretta and I attended FMCA’s international convention in Perry, Georgia. I posted on FMCA’s “Return To Perrydise” convention Facebook page that we were seeking interested parties for a pickleball match. We met up with FMCA members Maryann Dario and Harry McNair from Vermont. Maryann had already searched out a park in Perry that had pickleball courts. Despite the busy convention schedule, we all managed to sneak away twice for a double round robin of pickleball and making new friends.
Larry and Loretta Dodd discovered excellent pickleball courts at Stolley Park in Grand Island, Nebraska, where evening shade makes for pleasant play.
Pickleball players are grouped into levels. New players who have completed lessons are considered level 2.0; as they build up skills, they move up 0.5 level at a time. Higher-rated players and/or coaches assess players to determine their skill ability. Many open-play events allow the lower-rated players to play against the “big dogs,” as we call them. Playing against stronger players will not only challenge and improve your skills, but it will certainly enhance your workout as well.
Sportsmanship is key in pickleball. Line calls are made by the players, and there is a “no argument” rule. If a ball is called out by a player, the ruling stands — whether or not you agree with the call. Some players may politely ask, “Are you sure?” but the call does not change. Very rarely, if ever, is there any disagreement. Pickleball is meant to be a lighthearted game among friends. In our experience, it certainly is. We have made dozens of friends across the country — many right here in our own backyard, where our own pickleball court has been built.
As everyone is aware, COVID-19 has impacted our lives for the past couple of years. At some pickleball facilities, protocols were established to provide protection for players. Regardless of current guidelines, all players will handle a ball during a match, so use good hygiene and common sense. And, of course, follow any protocols in place at the facility where you are playing.
Pickleball is growing quickly across the United States and around the world. The USAPA reports more than 38,000 courts open in 9,500-plus locations, where 4.8 million of us play pickleball. Loretta and I hope to meet you on a court somewhere soon. Come join us!