What’s the Deal with Pickleball— And How Can One Start Playing?

BY KATIE KISSAL | CHAIR, COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

If you are not already playing it, you have definitely heard of pickleball. And if you play a racquet sport, you have definitely heard pickleball

The popping sound of the perforated ball and the thwacking of the paddles are resoundingly being heard around the country. The “fastest growing sport” has grown exponentially, attracting 4.8 million more players nationwide (40% increase since 2020).

The Basics

Pickleball can be described as a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net, it can be a singles or doubles game. As for equipment, players use a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.

Players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy pickleball, and it is often enjoyed as a family activity, as well as competitively

The Court

The same size as a doubles badminton court, a pickleball court measures 20×44 feet. Both singles and doubles play use the same size court. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net (referred to as the “kitchen”).

Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts.

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The History of Pickleball

Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, outside of Seattle, Washington. To solve the boredom of their kids, two fathers made use of an old badminton court, ping pong paddles, and perforated plastic balls. Over the following weekends, adjustments were made to the net height, and rules were created to keep family fun in mind. The game was named after a family dog, Pickles, who kept running off with the ball.

The game has grown and evolved, but its roots remain the same. At its heart, pickleball is a game designed to be enjoyed in a variety of settings and by a wide range of ages.

Pickleball at SGCC

The pickleball phenomenon arrived at SGCC as far back as 2016. While not a formal program, its presence demonstrated a growing member interest and resulted in introductory sessions and social events built around learning the basics of the game.

When Branden Beets arrived in April 2022 and took on the mantle of Director of Racquet Sports, he immediately began creating and enhancing many new racquet programs, including pickleball. By September, Head Pickleball & Tennis Professional Alex Torok was brought on board to manage and create SGCC’s pickleball program. One of the goals was to cultivate a program that matched the membership’s growing skill and interest in the sport. While we still have a lot of beginners, many at SGCC have been playing pickleball for years and were looking for more tactical instruction to improve their match play performance.

We recently took some time with Alex to pick(le) his brain about the sport and what SGCC members can look forward to and expect out of the Club’s program...

Pickleball has exploded on the scene recently, but it has been around since the mid 1960s. Why do you think it’s gained such popularity in recent years?

As the tennis population has aged from the boom in the 90s, and the demand option to play outside and on a court that required less coverage, pickleball began to fill that void. The fast-paced and social nature of the game attracted both racquets enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The pandemic accelerated the already impressive growth due to the social distance and outdoor play component. Plus, the game is simply a ton of fun and can be learned rather quickly. Quick thinking and strategy are more important than athletic ability, and that lends itself to a wide audience.

Tennis has USTA ratings. Does pickleball have the same? Can you help someone figure out their rating?

Here at SGCC, we have adopted the DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) system. This system takes an approach that applies a scale rating from 2.0-8.0 regardless of location, gender, and age. Implementing an objective, resultsbased scoring system allows for more contested matches while giving the Club the ability to host more social and tournament play. In short, it takes the guesswork out of your rating level!

You’re both a tennis and pickleball professional. Assuming you started with tennis, when did you add pickleball to your professional profile?

Pickleball has been on my radar for many years. Just like many in the racquets industry, I was a naysayer, but the first time I played, I was hooked! I became quickly engulfed in the game and wanting to help others find and enjoy the game.

What is your vision for the SGCC pickleball program? Will there be interclub competition? What about a junior’s program?

Our vision is for every player looking to enjoy the game of pickleball to have an avenue to do that, whether it be clinics, lessons, open play, tournaments here and in the area, or social play. Interclub is the goal for the Club and discussions with directors of area clubs have been ongoing. Junior pickleball has a large potential upside and as the junior tennis program continues to grow and have a strong following, pickleball will be an additional avenue to get more kids on the court.

Do you now prefer pickleball over tennis?

That’s like asking a parent which of their children they love more! The two sports have gotten an adversarial reputation, but for us at SGCC, they are complementary to one another. They allow the Club to offer further options for members to enjoy the facilities and get out for exercise throughout the year.

What are you most excited about for the pickleball program at SGCC?

We are most excited about continuing to grow a balanced racquets program at SGCC. We have grown to three drop-in play days, multiple weekly instructional classes, three certified professionals on staff, establishing a club-wide rating system, Vulcan partnership, and plenty of social events. Our team is committed to being a premier pickleball club.

Who and why should someone consider trying pickleball? Do they need a baseline of tennis skills? How should someone start? Is there a beginner course?

Everyone! Pickleball is a ton of fun and allows for social and competitive players to enjoy a new way to get out. There is no need to have a tennis background, while the skills can transfer, they are not necessary, as the motor patterns associated with pickleball are different from tennis in many ways. If someone is interested in trying pickleball, we offer open play days for those who can score and have some experience, as well as lessons for those interested in private instruction. A good option to start with is to come try our Beginner Pickleball class, Saturdays from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and you will understand the craze!

January 2023 Pickleball Championship

On Friday, January 13, the SGCC Racquets Department hosted a Pickleball Championship with 60 participants registered for play in Women’s and Men’s Doubles divisions and over 100 spectators gathered to cheer on their fellow members. The participants played a whooping 53 matches!

Thanks to everyone who came out and made this a wonderful event. Congratulations to our winners:

MEN’S DIVISION —Lee Morgan & Chad Morgan

DIVISION —Stacy Usher & Katie Frawley