Where is it played?:
Pickleball is played in the United States, having been invented in Washington state in 1965.
Who can excel at it?:
Pickleball is accessible to both the young and the old. Good hand-eye coordination is important, as there are many opportunities to volley the ball in the air.
How fast does the ball move?:
Kill shots hit from shoulder height and above move quite fast, though not nearly as fast as in tennis, racquetball, badminton, or squash. One reason is that the paddles are not very long and they are not strung - they are simply solid paddles. Another reason is that the pickleball is hard, like a whiffle ball, and does not compress.
How big is the court?:
The pickleball court has the same overall dimensions as a badminton court, 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, with a net bisecting the court halfway along the 44 foot long side. The net is 3 feet high at the edges of the court, and 34 inches high in the center.
Is it an Olympic sport?:
Pickleball is not an Olympic sport, but it is at least related to several racquet sports that are part of the Olympic program.
Who are some all-time great players?:
Since the sport is fairly new, with rules having been codified only in 1984, it is too early to declare "all-time" great players. A few longstanding, successful competitors include Faye Lock, Mary Sigmen, Trish Graham, Billy Jacobsen, Mark Friedenberg, and Enrique Ruiz.
How long does it take to learn?:
Pickleball is easy to learn. You can learn all the rules in an hour-long session, and have fun while doing it!
How easy is it to start?:
It's easy to start. The best way to find a court, if you don't have a friend to introduce you to the game, is to visit the USA Pickleball Association website, and see their link to places to play pickleball.
How much does it cost to begin?:
An introductory session might be free, or available at nominal cost, from one of the many pickleball ambassadors (they are enthusiasts for the sport). After that introduction, you will need a paddle, tennis shoes and clothes, and a pickleball. Membership at a pickleball club, or access to a pickleball court, may be the biggest expense.
How many players and courts are there?:
Since pickleball can be played indoors or out, and since you can fit several pickleball courts in the space of one tennis court, the number of courts is increasing. There are probably thousands of players in the US and hundreds of courts.