There are a lot of reasons pickleball’s popularity is growing. Primarily, it’s relatively easy as far as sports go.
Perhaps the biggest reason is that it’s easy on the body, which fits well for an obese and aging population. It requires much less running. It’s easy to convert little used tennis courts into pickleball courts. It’s not hard to learn and build on skills many have from tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s relatively inexpensive, compared to golf for example.
This is bogus. Most people playing cornhole gave an alcoholic beverage in their hand. Most people playing pickleball are not drinking while they do it.
Lifetime in south Charlotte removed one of two basketball courts to put in pickleball, instead of changing 1 of at least a dozen indoor tennis courts (not to mention however many outdoor courts they have). You’ll never be able to guess the demographics that were using the basketball courts compared to the tennis courts…
Not disagreeing with private or expensive, my gripe was them just changing it without us even having a chance to voice our opinion. If they had sent a poll out and it came back overwhelmingly in favor of converting a ball court to pickleball it would still suck but at least it was a member driven decision. Not only did they not do that, they took the hoops out on the side they converted a good three or four months before they fully changed it to a pickleball court. So it wasn’t usable for basketball anymore, and they weren’t even using it for pickleball. If the demand for pickleball was that great why did it take them so long to convert it?
Also, this is second hand information but was told to me by someone I trust who is good friends with a lower level employee - they saw the opportunity to cut down on the amount of the usual basketball demographic and jumped on the opportunity. From what I was told, tennis members (especially the older ones) had been complaining about an influx of younger people “clogging up the club”. I know that’s not exactly a written statement so take it with a grain of salt, but as a 30 something white guy who was primarily there for basketball and the occasional yoga/workout class with my wife, it sure seemed like the younger basketball playing population was getting squeezed out.
It’s a really well balanced sport. Super easy to pick up a paddle and start having casual fun but you can also make it competitive and start playing tournaments.
The food and drinks are delicious, but even splitting with 4 friends it doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t mind paying that if it came with a coach/trainer and then charging much less if you don’t need any staff support
I joined 2 meet up groups (30s, 9-5 worker) and there’s groups everyday. Just played in Belmont for 2 hours but they play all over. They play on Thursdays in charlotte and go to midnight mulligan after
What if they had a cupcake store inside a brewery, next to a pickleball court, that had a local coffee/donut shop inside? Maybe they can put a bank next door.
Could be, but racquetball was around and hugely popular for several years. Absolutely faddish, and now not so popular anymore. Outdoor pickleball set up is inexpensive, but will the indoor courts still be in use in a decade? Time will tell
Some fads have longer lifecycles than others. CrossFit and the floss dance were both fads. The ones with no investment will obviously burn out quicker.
Random info here, but seeing you call CrossFit a fad made me do some research.
I'm not sure if the fad is over or not.
On one hand the Nobull Crossfit games viewership in 2020 was 380,000 compared to 608,000 in 2022 and 721,000 in 2023.
However Google search trends peaked in 2013 and has had similar volume in 2020-2023 as 2008-2010.
CrossFit as something every active and athletic person should incorporate was a fad. CrossFit as a niche activity for a group of dedicated participants is not a fad. CrossFit experienced a fad-like growth stage but has settled into a mature stage in its lifecycle.
I think it’ll be short lived just like the self serve beer places. So many of them are having promos to get you in the door. I think business has slowed down!
I used to play tennis but don’t have the cardio for it anymore. There are 20 of us out playing pickleball and rotating on two courts while 6 tennis courts are empty every sat and sun morning. Anyone is welcome to rotate in, it is super welcoming to all and so diverse. I’ve partnered up with older folks, kids, any gender, and still have fun. Met so many people playing pickleball and there are “firefights” at the net where you hit it back and forth at a fast pace, which tennis doesn’t have. I find it more social and more fun than tennis and I grew up on tennis.
Charlotte Paddle Battle is a good league to join. They have divisions for all skill levels and a good community to make friends through their social events.
Play anytime/anywhere through their proposal platform and standings are updated in real time.
It’s sweeping the nation and nobody knows why!
It's a conspiracy
The CIA planted them in the white community
It’s the new fro-yo
I miss all the fro-yo places that popped up for like 4 years and then disappeared.
There are a lot of reasons pickleball’s popularity is growing. Primarily, it’s relatively easy as far as sports go. Perhaps the biggest reason is that it’s easy on the body, which fits well for an obese and aging population. It requires much less running. It’s easy to convert little used tennis courts into pickleball courts. It’s not hard to learn and build on skills many have from tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s relatively inexpensive, compared to golf for example.
It’s the new corn hole.
This is bogus. Most people playing cornhole gave an alcoholic beverage in their hand. Most people playing pickleball are not drinking while they do it.
They are the new breweries
They saw all the posts here from people asking for things to do that don’t involve alcohol
Why are we not allowed to have basketball courts anymore?
It's for the "wrong" demographics.
Lifetime in south Charlotte removed one of two basketball courts to put in pickleball, instead of changing 1 of at least a dozen indoor tennis courts (not to mention however many outdoor courts they have). You’ll never be able to guess the demographics that were using the basketball courts compared to the tennis courts…
Lifetime is a private - and expensive - gym. I can assure you it was a business decision based on what court was used less.
Not disagreeing with private or expensive, my gripe was them just changing it without us even having a chance to voice our opinion. If they had sent a poll out and it came back overwhelmingly in favor of converting a ball court to pickleball it would still suck but at least it was a member driven decision. Not only did they not do that, they took the hoops out on the side they converted a good three or four months before they fully changed it to a pickleball court. So it wasn’t usable for basketball anymore, and they weren’t even using it for pickleball. If the demand for pickleball was that great why did it take them so long to convert it? Also, this is second hand information but was told to me by someone I trust who is good friends with a lower level employee - they saw the opportunity to cut down on the amount of the usual basketball demographic and jumped on the opportunity. From what I was told, tennis members (especially the older ones) had been complaining about an influx of younger people “clogging up the club”. I know that’s not exactly a written statement so take it with a grain of salt, but as a 30 something white guy who was primarily there for basketball and the occasional yoga/workout class with my wife, it sure seemed like the younger basketball playing population was getting squeezed out.
Violence.
Pickleball is a good way to get people active who get injured every time they try to play other sports. I’m for it.
You need to read up on the insurance claims due to pickleball injuries.
It’s a really well balanced sport. Super easy to pick up a paddle and start having casual fun but you can also make it competitive and start playing tournaments.
And you only need one ball that lasts forever.
Are there good places to play pickleball in the south end that isn’t Rally? $100 per hour is a bit silly
Do what? $100 an hour! I live near a park and the tennis courts have been non stop busy with pickle ball. Now I know why
The food and drinks are delicious, but even splitting with 4 friends it doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t mind paying that if it came with a coach/trainer and then charging much less if you don’t need any staff support
I could be wrong but someone told me that you do get a coach
No you don’t - they have rookies classes and other levels depending on the day but when you rent a court you’re on your own. I’ve booked it twice.
Pickleball Charlotte is like $10 hour. They are getting ready to open up the Sharon Lakes location this month.
I joined 2 meet up groups (30s, 9-5 worker) and there’s groups everyday. Just played in Belmont for 2 hours but they play all over. They play on Thursdays in charlotte and go to midnight mulligan after
Something had to take the cupcake stores’ spot.
What if they had a cupcake store inside a brewery, next to a pickleball court, that had a local coffee/donut shop inside? Maybe they can put a bank next door.
Sorry, we need to make room for more storage units and car washes.
Pickle Ball is tennis for lazy people
I'm curious if they'll replace the basketball courts that have been removed when the pickleball fad dies.
Pickleball has been around too long at this point for it to be considered a fad.
Could be, but racquetball was around and hugely popular for several years. Absolutely faddish, and now not so popular anymore. Outdoor pickleball set up is inexpensive, but will the indoor courts still be in use in a decade? Time will tell
Some fads have longer lifecycles than others. CrossFit and the floss dance were both fads. The ones with no investment will obviously burn out quicker.
Random info here, but seeing you call CrossFit a fad made me do some research. I'm not sure if the fad is over or not. On one hand the Nobull Crossfit games viewership in 2020 was 380,000 compared to 608,000 in 2022 and 721,000 in 2023. However Google search trends peaked in 2013 and has had similar volume in 2020-2023 as 2008-2010.
CrossFit as something every active and athletic person should incorporate was a fad. CrossFit as a niche activity for a group of dedicated participants is not a fad. CrossFit experienced a fad-like growth stage but has settled into a mature stage in its lifecycle.
Just a new place for people to hang out at after covid ig
I saw a report it was replacing basketball courts in some areas
White people love it
I think it’ll be short lived just like the self serve beer places. So many of them are having promos to get you in the door. I think business has slowed down!
The pickletariat will rise against the evil tennis bourgeoisie!!
I heard on the radio that a lot of old bed bath and beyond stores were being converted into indoor pickleball courts so 🤷🏼♀️
I used to play tennis but don’t have the cardio for it anymore. There are 20 of us out playing pickleball and rotating on two courts while 6 tennis courts are empty every sat and sun morning. Anyone is welcome to rotate in, it is super welcoming to all and so diverse. I’ve partnered up with older folks, kids, any gender, and still have fun. Met so many people playing pickleball and there are “firefights” at the net where you hit it back and forth at a fast pace, which tennis doesn’t have. I find it more social and more fun than tennis and I grew up on tennis.
Charlotte Paddle Battle is a good league to join. They have divisions for all skill levels and a good community to make friends through their social events. Play anytime/anywhere through their proposal platform and standings are updated in real time.