Americans Should Play More Pickleball
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. The average age of the “core” pickleball player (players who play 8+ times per year) is 47.9 years, but I’d argue it’s time to introduce it to a much broader audience. We received our initial pickleball education on trips to Michigan, where my mom introduced us to the game along with her “mature” friends. Our family of five really accelerated our playing about 2 years ago, mid-pandemic. We’re not alone in making it a family affair–NFL star Rob Gronkowski even incorporates pickleball into his family’s workout routine. It’s time for Americans of all ages to embrace this economical, cross-generational, confidence-building, community-strengthening sport.
Our pickleball journey has included playing on a local tennis court, at a church gymnasium with pickleball lines taped to the floor, a community center during some frigid Michigan weather, my in-laws’ Virginia Beach cul-de-sac, a driveway in the Outer Banks, and on a forgotten tennis court in Niagara Falls. These days we almost always take some paddles and a ball along when we hit the road, since you never know when you’ll need some easy entertainment or for the kids to burn off some energy.
One of the best parts of our pickleballing has been the way it brings people together, especially in an intergenerational way. Our boys, eleven and fourteen, truly enjoy playing pickleball with us and their grandparents and vice versa. This past winter, there was a 75-year age gap with one of their competitors at a rural church, and everyone still had fun. Our six-year-old likes to play exhibition matches during our family tournaments. Our extended family members now own portable nets and some paddles. Without fail, when we’re playing on our chalk-drawn court in the driveway or cul-de-sac, we meet curious onlookers and other pickleball enthusiasts.
So, what makes this sport so universally appealing? It’s low cost, low impact, and easy to learn. For less than fifty dollars, anyone can get a set of four paddles and balls. Another fifty will get you a net and some chalk if you need a court. However, we have found that a tennis court will work in a pinch if you use the service and singles sideline (although not a regulation-sized court). Just add a competitor–or two, if you want to play doubles. After all, friendly competition has a way of drawing people together.
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, our family would love to see more of those unused or dilapidated tennis courts revitalized as pickleball courts. Municipalities should provide paddles and balls to those that need them. Yes, some may disappear, but the sport has such a community feel that most people will leave the equipment to play another day.
The only downside to the game is that some people are apparently sensitive to pickleball noise, but as far as we can tell, these people haven’t actually played. Someone should extend an invitation to them.
If you want to learn more about this hybrid between ping pong and tennis, the rules, required equipment, court dimensions, and history can all be found at Pickleball University- A Curriculum in the Fastest Growing Sport, the sport’s National Governing Body.
Even if Tom Brady isn’t ready for pickleball quite yet, the rest of America should pick up his slack and play more pickleball.
Colonel Christopher and Colonel Jennifer Mulder both serve in the United States Air Force and are proud parents of three pickleball players.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the US government or other organization.
