Ultimate guide to pickleball in Phoenix: Here's everything you need to know to get started

Shanti Lerner, Arizona Republic
·6 min read

If you haven't heard of pickleball you might be one of few.

Considered one of the fastest growing sports in the country, pickleball is taking over metro Phoenix sports complexes, and venues dedicated to the game are opening up all over the Valley.

A mashup of badminton, ping pong and tennis, pickleball is played with a paddle and a lightweight plastic ball and can be played indoors or out. You can play just for fun or participate in competitive leagues.

Whether you're looking to learn a new sport, get some exercise or have a good time with friends, here's the ultimate guide to pickleball in Phoenix.

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Pickleball court dimensions

Pickleball courts are 44 feet long and 20 feet wide for both singles and doubles play. The net is 36 inches high at the posts and 34 inches in the center.

By comparison, tennis courts are 78 feet long and 27 feet wide for singles play. For doubles play, the court is 36 feet wide. Tennis courts are 42 inches at the post and 36 inches in the center.

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How to choose the best pickleball paddle

A box of pickleball equipment inspired Burkhart to play and get others involved in the game.
A box of pickleball equipment inspired Burkhart to play and get others involved in the game.

Next, you'll need a pickleball paddle.

The paddle is smaller than a tennis racquet but bigger than a ping-pong paddle. These solid-surface paddles are 15 to 17 inches long and 7 to 8 inches wide.

You will also need lightweight perforated balls, similar to Wiffle balls.

Depending on your skill level and how much you want to spend, you can select paddles that allow you to control your speed, touch and power. Paddles and balls can be bought online or at sporting goods stores.

A quick check of Amazon showed sets of two paddles with balls for $31-$70 and sets of four paddles with balls for $39-$89. At Dick's Sporting Goods you can find similar priced sets; individual paddles go for $59-$179. At Walmart.com you can get a set of two paddles with balls for $22.

What are the basic rules of pickleball?

Pickleball is played either as a doubles or singles game. The same rules apply for both.  Here's a summary of pickleball rules according to PickleballExperts.com:

  1. You must stand behind the baseline of the right service court to start a game. Once you start playing, you need to alternate which service court you stand behind to serve.

  2. When serving the ball you have to serve underhanded and diagonally to the opponent’s service court without bouncing it off the court.

  3. You can score a point only by serving and when your opponent hits the ball out of bounds or hits the net. You can continue to serve until you fault.

  4. Once the serve is hit, wait until the serve bounces on your court before returning it. It can bounce one time before you can return it on your paddle.

  5. The first side scoring 11 points and leading by at least a 2-point margin wins. You must win by 2 points.

  6. Following the serve, each side must make at least one ground-stroke prior to volleying the ball (hitting it before it has bounced).

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Telephone Pioneer Park in Phoenix has outdoor pickleball courts.
Telephone Pioneer Park in Phoenix has outdoor pickleball courts.

Pickleball lessons in metro Phoenix

Here are three places where you can take pickleball lessons and join leagues. Many cities have courts, lessons and leagues; check with your city's recreation department.

Tempe: The city offers beginning and intermediate lessons for $35 for four sessions. Find out more at https://www.tempe.gov.

Scottsdale: The city offers beginner to advanced lessons. You can also see all the public courts at https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov.

Seidwinder Pickleball: Youth and adult private lessons are offered at the Phoenician resort. You don't have to be a resort guest to sign up. Find out more at https://www.dinkpositive.com.

Pickleball courts in metro Phoenix

Phoenix operates 23 indoor and 38 outdoor public pickleball courts. A recreation membership pass is required for indoor gym court use. Outdoor courts are free.

A one-day adult pass is $2 and a youth pass is $1. Annual passes are available for Phoenix residents: $20 for adults, $5 for youths. For nonresidents the costs are $40 and $10.

Information: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/classes-and-programs.

Here's a sampling of places to play:

Encanto Sports Complex

  • 2121 N. 15th Ave.

  • 602-261-8443.

  • Three. courts.

  • 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Paradise Valley Community Center

  • 17402 N. 40th St.

  • 602-495-3777.

  • Four gym courts.

  • 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Pecos Community Center

  • 17010 S. 48th St.

  • 602-495-5500.

  • Three gym courts.

  • 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Deer Valley Community Center

  • 2001 W. Wahalla Lane.

  • 602-495-3735.

  • Four gym courts.

  • Noon-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 2:30-5:30 p.m. every other Saturday.

Telephone Pioneers of America Park

  • 1946 W. Morningside Drive.

  • 602-495-3735.

  • 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

G.R. Herberger Park

  • 5802 E. Indian School Road.

  • 602-262-6696.

  • Four courts.

  • 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

For more Phoenix pickleball information go to https://www.phoenix.gov. For other Valley cities, call the recreation department or look up its website.

Private companies and organizations also offer pickleball. Here are two; you can find more online.

Pickleball Kingdom 

  • 4950 W. Ray Road, Chandler.

  • 15 courts.

  • 6 a.m.-midnight daily.

  • $15 per person per hour. There are also drop-in times where you can play three hours for $15. Details: https://pickleballkingdom.com.

FLC Fitness 

  • 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.

  • Six courts.

  • 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  • Membership required. Details: https://flcfit.com.

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Coming soon: Electric Pickle, Chicken N Pickle

These entertainment venues are expected to open in late 2022 or 2023.

Electric Pickle: It will have nine pickleball courts, cornhole and bocce ball. Plans include a two-story restaurant and three bars, including a rooftop bar and balcony, that can serve 600 guests. Live music and gatherings can take place on the lawn outside. It will be at Jewel Street and Emerald Drive, just north of Warner Road in south Tempe.

Chicken N Pickle: This entertainment complex coming to Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale will have indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, yard games, restaurant and sports bar. There will be multiple dining areas, including on a rooftop, with enough room to host events.

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Online pickleball lessons

Want video tutorials on how to play and strategies to help you win? There are lots of pickleball resources online and on YouTube.

Start at USAPickleball.org, the national governing body for the sport, which provides instructional videos and plenty of information on rules, tournaments and rankings.

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com  or you can also follow her on Twitter. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pickleball in Phoenix: Complete guide to rules and where to play