Pickleballs

[rhood]

Read this morning that The Villages uses 5000 dozen pickleballs in a year.
60,000 balls. How is that possible? Cost is $24 and change per dozen.

[tophcfa]

I read that as well. I’m not a pickleball player so I was unaware that the pickleballs were provided by the park and recreation department, I just assumed players brought their own balls. I guess this begs the question, why aren’t golf balls provided at the executive golf courses for amenity fee paying residents? Are tennis balls also provided by the park and recreation department?

[Laker14]

Read this morning that The Villages uses 5000 dozen pickleballs in a year.
60,000 balls. How is that possible? Cost is $24 and change per dozen.

There are something in the neighborhood of 240 courts in TV (the number obviously rising with every new recreation center they finish.)

60,000 balls divided by 240 courts = 250 balls per court, per year. 250 balls/year divided by 52 weeks/year = slightly less than 5 balls, per court, per week.

During the busy season, many courts are "standing room only" from 8AM until noon, with constant play on all of those courts during that time, and busy play for many more hours of the day as well.

Lots of courts, lots of play, lots of balls.
If you are unfamiliar with the game, you may not realize that pickleballs break down, or simply break, with play.

[kansasr]

If you want 4 golfers to play with the same ball, I say go for it. And yes, tennis balls are available in the equipment rooms.

[Laker14]

I read that as well. I’m not a pickleball player so I was unaware that the pickleballs were provided by the park and recreation department, I just assumed players brought their own balls. I guess this begs the question, why aren’t golf balls provided at the executive golf courses for amenity fee paying residents? Are tennis balls also provided by the park and recreation department?

Good question. If we want to follow the line of questioning far enough, we may ask ourselves why the golfers aren't mowing the greens themselves on the executive courses.

[Papa_lecki]

why aren’t golf balls provided at the executive golf courses for amenity fee paying residents?

A pickle ball is a pickleball.

Different brands and models of golf balls play/fly/react differently.

[Laker14]

applying some more math to the pickleball cost.

60K balls @ $24/dozen comes to $120K, divided by the 130K or so residents of TV, that works out to a cost of around 92cents per resident per year.

Clearly, this is a problem.

[Boston-Sean]

A pickle ball is a pickleball.



Not true. What brand are they supplying?

[HIgolfers]

A lot of Villagers play pickleball so that number does not surprise me at all. In fact next to golf pickleball may be the next most popular activity in TV.

[fdpaq0580]

applying some more math to the pickleball cost.

60K balls @ $24/dozen comes to $120K, divided by the 130K or so residents of TV, that works out to a cost of around 92cents per resident per year.

Clearly, this is a problem.

I AGREE! Somebody needs to do something! OMG!
😏
Ktonk! The sound made when you hit a pickleball.

[Laker14]

A pickle ball is a pickleball.



Different brands and models of golf balls play/fly/react differently.

How long have you been playing pickleball?

Not true. What brand are they supplying?

Durafast 40, although I think they were having some supply issues last year. I was told they may run out, but I don't remember seeing any other type of ball by the time I left in mid-May.

[MrFlorida]

You can't put a price on fun !

[Two Bills]

I have never played pickle ball, not even held a Pickle Ball club.
I have however kept several golf ball diving companies in business, and at least one water ball seller at Marion Market is a wealthy man due to my golf skill level!:icon_wink:

[npwalters]

the cost of pickleballs and maintenance of the courts has to be miniscule compared to the cost to maintain the executive golf courses.

[Bogie Shooter]

Pickleball club?

[Kenswing]

the cost of pickleballs and maintenance of the courts has to be miniscule compared to the cost to maintain the executive golf courses.
Exactly. I’m sure they spend more on just watering the golf courses than they ever will on pickle balls.

[cb1972]

Turn off the Pool Heaters

[Laker14]

you don't use a pickleball "club". It's a pickleball bat.

[fdpaq0580]

You can't put a price on fun !

Sure you can. Theme parks do it all the time.☺

[charlie1]

applying some more math to the pickleball cost.

60K balls @ $24/dozen comes to $120K, divided by the 130K or so residents of TV, that works out to a cost of around 92cents per resident per year.

Clearly, this is a problem.

You got to be kidding! That's less than 8 cents per month!

[Marathon Man]

I read that as well. I’m not a pickleball player so I was unaware that the pickleballs were provided by the park and recreation department, I just assumed players brought their own balls. I guess this begs the question, why aren’t golf balls provided at the executive golf courses for amenity fee paying residents? Are tennis balls also provided by the park and recreation department?

I suggest that you attend the next meeting of you CDD Board and ask you questions.

[Marathon Man]

applying some more math to the pickleball cost.

60K balls @ $24/dozen comes to $120K, divided by the 130K or so residents of TV, that works out to a cost of around 92cents per resident per year.

Clearly, this is a problem.

Love it.

[Marathon Man]

I have never played pickle ball, not even held a Pickle Ball club.
I have however kept several golf ball diving companies in business, and at least one water ball seller at Marion Market is a wealthy man due to my golf skill level!:icon_wink:

The post of the week.

[Mleeja]

I suggest that you attend the next meeting of you CDD Board and ask you questions.

Actually, these items are sourced and purchased by the AAC & PWAC committees. If you are concerned about this expense attend one of these meetings.

[JMintzer]

It would be virtually impossible to keep track of your own pickleballs as the go flying across several courts...

I can see it now... "Could you toss me my ball... No the yellow one... No the other yellow one... No the one by the fence... No the one in the middle of the other dozen balls by the fence..."

[BrianL99]

applying some more math to the pickleball cost.

60K balls @ $24/dozen comes to $120K, divided by the 130K or so residents of TV, that works out to a cost of around 92cents per resident per year.

Clearly, this is a problem.

That's a ridiculous analysis.

By your reasoning and math, everyone who goes "running" or "walking" on The Villages paths, should be given free running shoes and the cost could be amortized over the entire population. So folks could be wearing $200 running shoes and the cost would only cost about $10/resident.

Why not extend that to providing Golf Carts for everyone who wants one?

[tophcfa]

It would be virtually impossible to keep track of your own pickleballs as the go flying across several courts...

I can see it now... "Could you toss me my ball... No the yellow one... No the other yellow one... No the one by the fence... No the one in the middle of the other dozen balls by the fence..."

Good information that a non pickleball player wouldn’t otherwise know, thanks. Now I get why the pickleballs are provided. And some simple math shows that an eight year supply of pickleballs, used and enjoyed daily by thousands of Villagers, costs about the same as the P.O.S. million dollar walking trail being built near the Lake Miona Recreation center that won’t allow dogs. Or a two year supply would cost about the same as replacing an absolutely worthless non-functional windmill. Bring on the pickleballs!

[charmed59]

If you want 4 golfers to play with the same ball, I say go for it. And yes, tennis balls are available in the equipment rooms.

Yes, tennis balls are available, usually in a basket on the courts. And no, folks who play tennis regularly don’t use those balls as they get flat from being out in the humidity. We bring our own. And when ours get flat from use, we add them to the basket.

I don’t see how pickleball players could bring their own balls, as who you play with rotates every game.

[Marykess1802]

I have never played pickle ball, not even held a Pickle Ball club.
I have however kept several golf ball diving companies in business, and at least one water ball seller at Marion Market is a wealthy man due to my golf skill level!:icon_wink:
You won the Internet today! Thanks for the chuckle.

[bowlingal]

the pickleballs do crack and dent with use. Also, people take them for whatever their reasons.

[Rwirish]

I guess one should also bring their own practice golf balls to the golf range.

Oh boy.

[Dyand]

Pickleballs are shared by multiple players game after game until they crack, and then they are trashed. The cost to maintain courts and supply balls for play would be minuscule compared to the cost of maintaining golf courses. Golf and pickleball are probably the top two activities here in The Villages. If golfers wish to share balls with all golfers till they crack or are lost, then contact the developer for golf supply. Lots of sports here supply equipment for players.

[La lamy]

A pickle ball is a pickleball.

Different brands and models of golf balls play/fly/react differently.

NOOOOOO! There are many different types from softer to harder and many color varieties. It makes it more consistent to go from game to game with the same balls they supply. As a non golfer, I feel I get a bit of amenities fee back from getting pickleballs supplied since I'm sure a BIG part of our amenities fees goes to maintaining golf courses which I unfortunately don't get to enjoy.

[Altavia]

Equipment is available for all Rec Center sports including Archery and airguns.

[DrHitch]

Here's an interesting story about brands and technology of various pickleball balls....they all make the same sound!! Well, to untrained ears.

10 Best Pickleball Balls for All Types of Play (https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/g40362452/best-pickleball-balls/)

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Read this morning that The Villages uses 5000 dozen pickleballs in a year.
60,000 balls. How is that possible? Cost is $24 and change per dozen.

The balls are pretty tough… where do they all go? Are people taking them home? Why would they do that?

As providing golf balls and tennis balls …. Hell no! Just go to the Driving Range first and get a bucket of balls like I do. :thumbup:

[TomPerry]

A lot of Villagers play pickleball so that number does not surprise me at all. In fact next to golf pickleball may be the next most popular activity in TV.
I have heard many times over the years, that bowling is the must popular sport in The Villages!

[TomPerry]

I read that as well. I’m not a pickleball player so I was unaware that the pickleballs were provided by the park and recreation department, I just assumed players brought their own balls. I guess this begs the question, why aren’t golf balls provided at the executive golf courses for amenity fee paying residents? Are tennis balls also provided by the park and recreation department?
There are over 7,000,000 golf balls lost in The Villages each year. If they provided golf balls, the bitching would never stop!

[Mrfriendly]

The balls are pretty tough… where do they all go? Are people taking them home? Why would they do that?

As providing golf balls and tennis balls …. Hell no! Just go to the Driving Range first and get a bucket of balls like I do. :thumbup:

The minute you hit one of those balls in the water during a regular round of play, your jig will be up. You will be floating in embarrassment…

[Laker14]

applying some more math to the pickleball cost.

60K balls @ $24/dozen comes to $120K, divided by the 130K or so residents of TV, that works out to a cost of around 92cents per resident per year.

Clearly, this is a problem.

That's a ridiculous analysis.

By your reasoning and math, everyone who goes "running" or "walking" on The Villages paths, should be given free running shoes and the cost could be amortized over the entire population. So folks could be wearing $200 running shoes and the cost would only cost about $10/resident.

Why not extend that to providing Golf Carts for everyone who wants one?

Congratulations on your straw man argument.
The subject being discussed was pickleballs. I presented the math explaining how much it costs each resident of TV (approximately) to provide this amenity. An amenity that was in place when nearly all of us signed up to buy our homes in TV.

Your exaggerative examples don't apply for several reasons, one being that free running shoes, and free golf carts have never been included in the amenities package. You could, I suppose, go to the proper decision making authorities on what should be included in the amenity package, and present your arguments. I'm sure they'd be well received.

Applying sensible degrees of magnitude to our discussion, we can see that the cost of pickleballs is closer to the cost of the daffodils planted in the common areas, than the cost of free running shoes, or golf carts.

[OhioBuckeye]

I would call that dedicated Pickleball players!

[Laker14]

The balls are pretty tough… where do they all go? Are people taking them home? Why would they do that?

As providing golf balls and tennis balls …. Hell no! Just go to the Driving Range first and get a bucket of balls like I do. :thumbup:

They eventually break. I played for several months before I learned that new pickleballs are shiny and smooth. They get scuffed up pretty quickly. Some of the "elite" players like to play with brand new balls, and may confiscate a few nice new ones for themselves, if they can find some, but many just buy their own balls and use them, rather than play with the old scuffed up balls.
I play with whatever is available at the courts, unless they are cracked. Then they get stepped on, squashed, and thrown in the garbage.

[vinnytalk]

Golfers pay a trail fee used for maintenance.

[rsimpson]

I read that as well. I’m not a pickleball player so I was unaware that the pickleballs were provided by the park and recreation department, I just assumed players brought their own balls. I guess this begs the question, why aren’t golf balls provided at the executive golf courses for amenity fee paying residents? Are tennis balls also provided by the park and recreation department?

I would be happy to donate the many dozen golf balls I find on the course each season. Where would you like them dropped off? hahaha

[ronl911]

A pickle ball is a pickleball.

Different brands and models of golf balls play/fly/react differently.

This is a very naive response. Being both a golfer and an advanced pickleball player, I can tell you that there are many different types of pickleballs. The biggest differentiating factor is an indoor ball vs an outdoor ball. Then, within each of those 2 categories, there are many different "bounces/feels" to the various pickleballs available. Each brand of pickleball has a different feel, similar to golf balls. Some are rated for tournament play, and some aren't. The durability of the balls also varies. The pickleballs selected for play by The Villages are very durable. Why try to be an expert on a subject that you obviously have NO knowledge of?

[bdw08]

Read this morning that The Villages uses 5000 dozen pickleballs in a year.
60,000 balls. How is that possible? Cost is $24 and change per dozen.

You don’t think they get a discount for buying in quantity?

[BrianL99]

Congratulations on your straw man argument.
The subject being discussed was pickleballs. I presented the math explaining how much it costs each resident of TV (approximately) to provide this amenity. An amenity that was in place when nearly all of us signed up to buy our homes in TV.

Your exaggerative examples don't apply for several reasons, one being that free running shoes, and free golf carts have never been included in the amenities package. You could, I suppose, go to the proper decision making authorities on what should be included in the amenity package, and present your arguments. I'm sure they'd be well received.

Applying sensible degrees of magnitude to our discussion, we can see that the cost of pickleballs is closer to the cost of the daffodils planted in the common areas, than the cost of free running shoes, or golf carts.


Perhaps they should also supply rackets?

Fishing lures for the fisherman?

Tires for bicyclists?

Do they supply tennis balls, for tennis players?

The order of magnitude isn't the issue, it's the judgement of those in charge. Like the $1,000,000 Lake Miona Walking Trail.

[Bill14564]

Perhaps they should also supply rackets?

I believe they do.

Fishing lures for the fisherman?

Tires for bicyclists?

Umm yeah, okay.

Do they supply tennis balls, for tennis players?

You must have missed posts #4 and #28 as you were reading through the previous answers.

The order of magnitude isn't the issue, it's the judgement of those in charge. Like the $1,000,000 Lake Miona Walking Trail.
I don't remember hearing you speak at the PWAC meeting where the trail was approved. The number is not $1M it is $726,000 (and if that difference is insignificant then can you please start sending me some of the insignificant change you have laying around the house?)

[Laker14]

Perhaps they should also supply rackets?

Fishing lures for the fisherman?

Tires for bicyclists?

Do they supply tennis balls, for tennis players?

The order of magnitude isn't the issue, it's the judgement of those in charge. Like the $1,000,000 Lake Miona Walking Trail.

Order of magnitude is everything. Some stuff makes sense, some doesn't. I don't know the precise machinations of how things were decided. Who decided it would be nice to plant flowers and have waterfalls, and who decides exactly how much money goes into the maintenance of executive golf courses, and how many courses there would be? Someone did at some point.
Anyone who plays executive golf in TV knows that the courses could be better maintained, and it would be grand to have more of them. Someone in charge decided that what would work for the community being designed, and the market for the homes in that community, would be what we have.
To those people, it made sense to have pickleballs supplied as part of the amenities package. I suppose everything is negotiable. Things are fluid and can be altered.
Perhaps it was decided that given the number of residents who play PB, and the relative cost of balls, it made sense to provide them. It makes sense to me, but then, I'm a pickleball player and I understand how difficult it would be if we all showed up with our own balls, of different type, during community play.
My breakdown of cost, per resident, was to illustrate that while the total number of balls, and cost may seem exorbitant, when broken down per household, it's minuscule.

If you don't see that your comparisons are ridiculous, perhaps, as I suggested before, you should go before the people who decide these things and try to convince them that we shouldn't be providing pickleballs, or we should be providing fishing lures.

[JMintzer]

This is a very naive response. Being both a golfer and an advanced pickleball player, I can tell you that there are many different types of pickleballs. The biggest differentiating factor is an indoor ball vs an outdoor ball. Then, within each of those 2 categories, there are many different "bounces/feels" to the various pickleballs available. Each brand of pickleball has a different feel, similar to golf balls. Some are rated for tournament play, and some aren't. The durability of the balls also varies. The pickleballs selected for play by The Villages are very durable. Why try to be an expert on a subject that you obviously have NO knowledge of?

For outdoor, open play (what the vast majority of players are playing), a pickleball IS a pickleball...

No one was talking about tournament play, or indoor play. But you knew that... You just wanted to belittle another poster...

[DaleDivine]

Pickleball club?

It's kinda like a lob wedge but maybe a little wider. Much better than pickleball paddles because you can reach out further...

:a20::a20:

[Laker14]

For outdoor, open play (what the vast majority of players are playing), a pickleball IS a pickleball...

No one was talking about tournament play, or indoor play. But you knew that... You just wanted to belittle another poster...

I am not fussy about which ball I play, but I prefer not to change in the middle of a game.
Golf, on the other hand, I only play Pro V1s...I wish I was good enough to justify being so particular, but I'm not.
I took a 10 year layoff, started back up in 2012 and decided I would play only one ball. It's an expensive ball, but when you look at the big picture of how much it costs to play, it's not that much. I am not great (8.0 index) but I'm pretty straight so I don't lose a lot of balls. I just like the feel of that ProV1. Most of the time.

[tophcfa]

I am not fussy about which ball I play, but I prefer not to change in the middle of a game.
Golf, on the other hand, I only play Pro V1s...I wish I was good enough to justify being so particular, but I'm not.
I took a 10 year layoff, started back up in 2012 and decided I would play only one ball. It's an expensive ball, but when you look at the big picture of how much it costs to play, it's not that much. I am not great (8.0 index) but I'm pretty straight so I don't lose a lot of balls. I just like the feel of that ProV1. Most of the time.

Give the Titleist tour soft balls a try. In my opinion a better ball than the Pro V1 for a senior golfer, and $35 per dozen versus $50.

[Laker14]

Give the Titleist tour soft balls a try. In my opinion a better ball than the Pro V1 for a senior golfer, and $35 per dozen versus $50.

Are you suggesting that with my 85mph driver clubhead speed I don't need to hitting the same gall as Dustin Johnson?

[DaleDivine]

Perhaps they should also supply rackets?

Fishing lures for the fisherman?

Tires for bicyclists?

Do they supply tennis balls, for tennis players?

The order of magnitude isn't the issue, it's the judgement of those in charge. Like the $1,000,000 Lake Miona Walking Trail.

They supply some fishing equipment...
:a20::a20:

[DaleDivine]

Give the Titleist tour soft balls a try. In my opinion a better ball than the Pro V1 for a senior golfer, and $35 per dozen versus $50.

My favorite...
:eclipsee_gold_cup::pepper2:

[rstebbins]

Do you really think they are paying $24 a dozen when they buy that many balls.

[tophcfa]

Are you suggesting that with my 85mph driver clubhead speed I don't need to hitting the same gall as Dustin Johnson?

I’m suggesting they work very well for me, and over the last few years I have definitely lost a fair amount of clubhead speed.

[Bill14564]

Do you really think they are paying $24 a dozen when they buy that many balls.

Yes

[Kenswing]

Wait until you see what they’re paying for coffee. :1rotfl:

[Garywt]

Good question. If we want to follow the line of questioning far enough, we may ask ourselves why the golfers aren't mowing the greens themselves on the executive courses.
This would be opposite. I don’t know why everyone isn’t supplying their own equipment including balls unless it is a tournament.

[Garywt]

applying some more math to the pickleball cost.

60K balls @ $24/dozen comes to $120K, divided by the 130K or so residents of TV, that works out to a cost of around 92cents per resident per year.

Clearly, this is a problem.

Every resident does not pay amenity fees, only each household. So we could be talking $1.84 per.

[Garywt]

I have never played pickle ball, not even held a Pickle Ball club.
I have however kept several golf ball diving companies in business, and at least one water ball seller at Marion Market is a wealthy man due to my golf skill level!:icon_wink:

I have never even seen a pickle ball court. Have only played golf trice in the Villages so not many balls lost. Glad you are able to help some people out.

[Garywt]

It would be virtually impossible to keep track of your own pickleballs as the go flying across several courts...

I can see it now... "Could you toss me my ball... No the yellow one... No the other yellow one... No the one by the fence... No the one in the middle of the other dozen balls by the fence..."

For the many of us that have never played would think it is like tennis and fences are used and balls are kept track of.

[Garywt]

I guess one should also bring their own practice golf balls to the golf range.

Oh boy.

No but you pay for those don’t you.

[Garywt]

This is a very naive response. Being both a golfer and an advanced pickleball player, I can tell you that there are many different types of pickleballs. The biggest differentiating factor is an indoor ball vs an outdoor ball. Then, within each of those 2 categories, there are many different "bounces/feels" to the various pickleballs available. Each brand of pickleball has a different feel, similar to golf balls. Some are rated for tournament play, and some aren't. The durability of the balls also varies. The pickleballs selected for play by The Villages are very durable. Why try to be an expert on a subject that you obviously have NO knowledge of?

Not sure people are trying to be an expert. I for one just learned that there are indoor courts as well as the outdoor ones, I did not know. I thought it was just outdoors. Where in the Villages are the indoor courts. Also I did not know there were categories of pickle ball players, just thought they were all pickle ball players, did not know one could list themselves as Advanced.

[Laker14]

Every resident does not pay amenity fees, only each household. So we could be talking $1.84 per.

you are correct. I was assuming 2 people per household, but that is a faulty assumption.
Somewhere between the $.92 I said, and the $1.84 you said would be accurate.

[Laker14]

Not sure people are trying to be an expert. I for one just learned that there are indoor courts as well as the outdoor ones, I did not know. I thought it was just outdoors. Where in the Villages are the indoor courts. Also I did not know there were categories of pickle ball players, just thought they were all pickle ball players, did not know one could list themselves as Advanced.

There is an informal categorization of Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. This is based solely on "self assessment ", which is notoriously inaccurate .

A more systematic rating system exists, rating from 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0. These ratings are assigned either by performance in rated tournaments, or by attending Ratings Clinics, where one's skills are evaluated by volunteers who are strong, highly rated players themselves. These ratings are used, and necessary, if one wishes to play in Villages sanctioned tournaments.
We are cautioned that the ratings given in TV are applicable primarily for TV events. I have found that my rating doesn't hold up well against similarly rated players up north, who tend to be younger and more athletic than I am. But it's fun.
One does not need to be rated to play in Open Play times, which are categorized as Beginner, Advanced Beginner, etc etc...you can walk in anywhere and play.

[MrFlorida]

WOW, now their complaining about pickle balls.... wonders never cease.

[JMintzer]

No but you pay for those don’t you.

Yes, you pay for the balls you use. They have a machine that dispenses buckets of balls. You pay for a token (for the machine) slide it into the the machine and presto chango! Golf balls come out!

[Laker14]

WOW, now their complaining about pickle balls.... wonders never cease.
Well, we ARE talking about an expense calculated to be somewhere around $1 per resident per year.

[Boston-Sean]

Well, we ARE talking about an expense calculated to be somewhere around $1 per resident per year.

I'll be renting for 2 months this winter so I'll be paying the amenity fee for 2 months.

I want to officially register a complaint for the added expense of 17 cents for pickleballs. It's outrageous.

[Laker14]

I'll be renting for 2 months this winter so I'll be paying the amenity fee for 2 months.

I want to officially register a complaint for the added expense of 17 cents for pickleballs. It's outrageous.

Duly noted!

[Marathon Man]

I believe they do.


Umm yeah, okay.


You must have missed posts #4 and #28 as you were reading through the previous answers.


I don't remember hearing you speak at the PWAC meeting where the trail was approved. The number is not $1M it is $726,000 (and if that difference is insignificant then can you please start sending me some of the insignificant change you have laying around the house?)

Enough to pay for two years of pickleballs!!! There, now everyone can be happy again.

[Two Bills]

It's kinda like a lob wedge but maybe a little wider. Much better than pickleball paddles because you can reach out further...

:a20::a20:

I think I would have used a sand wedge, for the bounce, if I was ever inclined to try Pickle ball!

[Bogie Shooter]

Not sure people are trying to be an expert. I for one just learned that there are indoor courts as well as the outdoor ones, I did not know. I thought it was just outdoors. Where in the Villages are the indoor courts. Also I did not know there were categories of pickle ball players, just thought they were all pickle ball players, did not know one could list themselves as Advanced.

With all this new found intelligence will you now visit a court, maybe take up the sport?

[Laker14]

With all this new found intelligence will you now visit a court, maybe take up the sport?

it's even more addicting than golf.

[fdpaq0580]

it's even more addicting than golf.

But not as addictive as potato chips. 😋