Pickle Ball in Tennis Courts?

[Reston Easy]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.

[rustyp]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.

John Rohan

[Keefelane66]

It’s not uncommon to duel purpose courts. Our beach club in Rhode Island included pickle ball on two of four Tennis courts by including pickle ball lines on two of the courts plan on expanding to remaining two courts 2023 season everyone seems to be happy

[Byte1]

It ain't gonna happen. BUT, some of the rec centers have enough room to expand/add more PB courts.

[Mrs.Guy]

John Rohan

:agree: Or maybe Helen Waite. :shrug:

[Marathon Man]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.

You might contact the PCVG (Pickleball Community Volunteer Group). You are not the first to make this suggestion.

[Hape2Bhr]

Many times when I walk to get our mail I often see the pickleball courts empty in my neighborhood! I won't name it for fear of retribution. :duck:

[Reston Easy]

How does one get in touch with John and Helen?

[HIgolfers]

John Rohan

I emailed John Rohan, Director of Recreation, with this suggestion (add lines to existing tennis courts) a few years ago and received a curt reply saying there were enough pickleball courts in TV.

[Bogie Shooter]

I emailed John Rohan, Director of Recreation, with this suggestion (add lines to existing tennis courts) a few years ago and received a curt reply saying there were enough pickleball courts in TV.

See post #7.

[vintageogauge]

Be thankful you don't want to use the woodworking shops.

[Gman1]

John Rohan

Personally I think we need more Tennis players . I pay my
dues & don’t think they should
Change or reduce any Tennis
Courts .

[charmed59]

The problem is everyone wants to play in the morning. Finding tennis courts before 11am is also tough.

[Black Beauty]

Lopez tennis courts little use but TV pays for ALL night bright lights..not necessary. Why not convert just a couple??

[jamorela]

Yes, that sounds like John Rohan!

[Rwirish]

Easy solution, PB courts are empty most afternoons. Change the time you play.

[La lamy]

It’s not uncommon to duel purpose courts. Our beach club in Rhode Island included pickle ball on two of four Tennis courts by including pickle ball lines on two of the courts plan on expanding to remaining two courts 2023 season everyone seems to be happy

That seems to be a good solution until they build more pickleball courts. The one small issue with using the tennis courts is having to set up a removable pickleball net, and it crowds the court with many lines. But I do think it would help.

[derkster]

I have been here 1 year and have noticed a lack of use on many pickleball courts. I assume the lines are at courts north of 466 because in other areas courts sit empty except when scheduled leagues are playing which seems to be in the mornings.



We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.

[wawriwwawriw]

I don’t play any court games BUT I do notice the courts in Eisenhower “empty” at least half of the day. I also noticed the same in other centers.

[ThirdOfFive]

Lopez tennis courts little use but TV pays for ALL night bright lights..not necessary. Why not convert just a couple??
The courts at Lopez are all Har-Tru, not hard surface. The only other Har-Tru courts are at Glenview. Players pay an additional fee aside from their amenity fee to play there. They are a source of extra income for TV. Many of the more serious players utilize these courts as they are much easier on the knees than hard surface. Trying to get them repurposed for pickleball is not only false economy but is a guarantee that as whole lot of people who play on them on a regular basis would be VERY put out.

[collector0915]

Unused tennis courts may quickly be converted to temporary pickleball courts by putting down painters tape at the exact
pickleball court dimensions. This will not damage the tennis courts and may be removed after pb play. The small difference in net height shouldn't diminish recreational play enjoyment.

[gmdds]

Unused tennis courts may quickly be converted to temporary pickleball courts by putting down painters tape at the exact
pickleball court dimensions. This will not damage the tennis courts and may be removed after pb play. The small difference in net height shouldn't diminish recreational play enjoyment.

That leads to another problem…Pickleball players marking up other courts with either chalk or tape. This is dangerous, as the chalk leaves a slippery area, and tape (of any kind) leaves a sticky residue. And no, don’t tell me painters tape doesn’t leave a sticky residue.

Don’t just think of yourselves, think of the potential injuries to others, due to your actions.

[Bill Dozer]

Any residents living along side tennis courts never hear the tennis players. Many pickle ball courts are full at 7:00/8:00 AM and the neighbors definitely will hear that activity full time until noon. They will agree with Mr. Rohan.

[toeser]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.


I have no problem getting on a court in mid-afternoon.

[Wilson02852]

Why not use a scheduling program similar to what is used for golfing? The executive courses are way over used, but with the point system "most" are able to get tee times.

I'm also one who has seen many "empty" courts throughout the day. You may have to be a little more flexible with your times.

[Byte1]

The reason for long lines in the morning is that the temps are cooler. Do you want seniors keeling over and dropping dead in the afternoon when the temps can be in the 90's? Of course, it is more sensible to play in the cooler mornings. Having more courts would help the lines in the morning. PB has become a very popular sport for those that are not more adept at other sports. It is easy and fun to play and really great for improving one's reflexes. Just about every rec center I have played at, has had lines in the morning. Just about every rec center I have passed in the hot afternoons has been empty. Not much can be done to change the heat. At least folks will play a game, move off the court and wait in line so that others can play. Otherwise, you would have to wait forever before someone would leave and you could play. The answer is more courts, and most rec centers have sufficient property to add more courts.

[Rodneysblue]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.
Districtgov.org

[MrFlorida]

Play in the afternoon when the clubs are done, mostly after 6 pm in the summer.

[rsmurano]

Everybody who complains about lines is usually talking about morning play, both tennis and pb. I play pb multiple times a day and you can always get a court after 12 but nobody wants to play in the afternoons, we do. I also know of courts that don’t have anybody playing in the mornings, some mornings 0 players, some mornings 1 court being used, and some mornings all courts being used.

If somebody wanted to suggest to change a tennis court in multiple tennis courts, TV should demand that somebody visit those tennis courts every morning for a few weeks to make sure they don’t fill up and then you can make a case. Just like TV can drive by any pb after noon and say there are over a hundred open courts, just play then

[maistocars]

This is true with the popular PBall courts, such as Eisenhower, Seabreeze, Lake Miona, Rohan, Big Cypress but others (Homestead, Ezell, Coconut Cove, Aviary, Bradenton, etc) have no lines and many have no players with at least 6 empty courts. IMO it would be nice to either build additional PBall courts at the busy places (even 2-3 more would do) or reline the tennis courts.

[Rich42]

I am not positive, but I believe the net in tennis and pickle ball is of two different heights. Thus, it is not as simple a matter as just taping off some extra lines on the court.

[Vermilion Villager]

This is true with the popular PBall courts, such as Eisenhower, Seabreeze, Lake Miona, Rohan, Big Cypress but others (Homestead, Ezell, Coconut Cove, Aviary, Bradenton, etc) have no lines and many have no players with at least 6 empty courts. IMO it would be nice to either build additional PBall courts at the busy places (even 2-3 more would do) or reline the tennis courts.
Another and way cheaper solution than new courts would be to put netting over the top of the Pickleball courts. This netting would help reduce the temperatures on the court, making them more playable in the afternoons

[mvbird]

Have other southern parts of the US come up with some kind of shading to keep the courts cooler ? I note they have shades up at Sawgrass.

[jimjamuser]

Personally I think we need more Tennis players . I pay my
dues & don’t think they should
Change or reduce any Tennis
Courts .
Pickleball is easier to learn (like racketball) as compared to tennis. There is a smaller court half-court version of tennis that uses a lower bouncing ball which is easier to learn than regular tennis. One problem I see with pickleball is that there seem to be MORE injuries than in tennis. One reason is that pickleball players use a more "wristy" arm motion than tennis players. This adds more stress to the wrist of the pickleball player. Also, there is more shock to the whole arm in pickleball because the pickleball is hard like a rock and the racket is less forgiving. Another problem with pickleball is that you normally hit the backhand with only one hand. Whereas, tennis players can use 2 hands for their backhand if they find that they are developing elbow problems.

Tennis is normally more frustrating to learn than pickleball so pickleball is attractive to many people for that reason.
However, the half-court tennis game is about as easy to learn as pickleball and has the advantage of less stress and injury to the arm. My conclusion is that while pickleball has the advantage of the ease of learning, it is a mistake to encourage OLDER seniors to take up the game. But, I imagine that the many orthopedic professionals here in TV Land are NOT complaining.

[jimjamuser]

Any residents living along side tennis courts never hear the tennis players. Many pickle ball courts are full at 7:00/8:00 AM and the neighbors definitely will hear that activity full time until noon. They will agree with Mr. Rohan.
True, the "clack, clack" of the plastic balls striking paddles is very loud and ANNOYING. And the sound carries a long distance. They need sound-deadening panels placed high around the fences. But, then there is a problem with high winds. The only solution is to plant some fast-growing tall trees, bamboo, or shrubs around the court. But, The Villages may not want that extra expense.

[Papa_lecki]

I am not positive, but I believe the net in tennis and pickle ball is of two different heights. Thus, it is not as simple a matter as just taping off some extra lines on the court.

You dont play over the tennis net - you add a second set of lines.
On 2 tennis courts, you can fit 6 or 8 pickleball courts, 3 or 4 on each side of the net. (Depends how close you want the pickle courts.

[JMintzer]

One problem I see with pickleball is that there seem to be MORE injuries than in tennis. One reason is that pickleball players use a more "wristy" arm motion than tennis players. This adds more stress to the wrist of the pickleball player. Also, there is more shock to the whole arm in pickleball because the pickleball is hard like a rock and the racket is less forgiving. Another problem with pickleball is that you normally hit the backhand with only one hand. Whereas, tennis players can use 2 hands for their backhand if they find that they are developing elbow problems.

Everything you just posted (with possible exception to the first and last sentences) is wrong...

You see more injuries because the players are typically older. Older athletes get more injuries...

You use your wrist more in Tennis than in Pickleball... The ball is much lighter, and mis-hits transmit much less "shock" to the arm...

[JMintzer]

True, the "clack, clack" of the plastic balls striking paddles is very loud and ANNOYING. And the sound carries a long distance. They need sound-deadening panels placed high around the fences. But, then there is a problem with high winds. The only solution is to plant some fast-growing tall trees, bamboo, or shrubs around the court. But, The Villages may not want that extra expense.

What about the sound being transmitted lower, around the fences?

I can think of a simpler solution... Don't buy a home next to a pickelball court...

[Calisport]

Thought the same thing when the pickleball courts are all full with people waiting and tennis empty.

[hosegooseman]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.

“All the pball courts have lines of people waiting…” not only this is way long stretch of imagination but just a complete 100% lie. I’ve seen lots of pball courts not only with no line, but completely empty.

Maybe you might have to drive a bit farther out…

[babelkop]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.

For those of us that love tennis and the cardio that goes along with the game, we ask - why there are not enough tennis courts, especially clay.

If you like pball so much, the 2 pball courts in DeLuna are empty all the time.

[ThirdOfFive]

Pickleball is easier to learn (like racketball) as compared to tennis. There is a smaller court half-court version of tennis that uses a lower bouncing ball which is easier to learn than regular tennis. One problem I see with pickleball is that there seem to be MORE injuries than in tennis. One reason is that pickleball players use a more "wristy" arm motion than tennis players. This adds more stress to the wrist of the pickleball player. Also, there is more shock to the whole arm in pickleball because the pickleball is hard like a rock and the racket is less forgiving. Another problem with pickleball is that you normally hit the backhand with only one hand. Whereas, tennis players can use 2 hands for their backhand if they find that they are developing elbow problems.

Tennis is normally more frustrating to learn than pickleball so pickleball is attractive to many people for that reason.
However, the half-court tennis game is about as easy to learn as pickleball and has the advantage of less stress and injury to the arm. My conclusion is that while pickleball has the advantage of the ease of learning, it is a mistake to encourage OLDER seniors to take up the game. But, I imagine that the many orthopedic professionals here in TV Land are NOT complaining.

Pickleball and tennis are two fundamentally different games--about as different as, say, soccer and hockey. The goal of both may be the same--score by getting the puck or ball into your opponent's net--but the similarity pretty much ends there. The games require fundamentally different skill sets, just like pickleball and tennis.

My wife and I are avid tennis players. We still play, particularly on the har-tru courts at Lopez. We've managed to remain pretty much injury-free over the years, but we've both known tennis players, some much younger than us, who have tried to play pickleball and have suffered some serious arm, shoulder and back issues as a result. Hitting a tennis ball is pretty different than hitting that whiffleball in pickleball games.

[LarryQ]

Adding Pickleball lines to a tennis court ruins, the tennis court I can’t tell if the ball is in or out with all those lines.
Build more Pickleball courts!!

[eyc234]

The problem is everyone wants to play in the morning. Finding tennis courts before 11am is also tough.

:BigApplause: Finally someone who put a little thought into an perceived issue. The issue is not more of anything here in The Villages, it is the timing of when people are wanting to use the respective facilities. Finding a tee time in the morning, restaurants between 4:30-6:00, workout in the gym and on & on. Change your time and you can have all the access you want. Now it may be warmer but you did move to Florida or it may cause you to change your daily schedule but the issue is not a need for more courts.

[Oldragbagger]

Maybe an online reservation system for pickle ball courts that would show people where and when the vacancies are?

[rsmurano]

Not true! You can be good at either or be bad at either. Tennis is much harder on your arm/elbow than Pickleball. You got a long racquet in tennis that puts a lot of strain on your arm/elbow that's why you see strings and racquets made specifically to help ease the pain. I have played many decades in USTA tennis, years of Pickleball, decades of table tennis and decades of racquetball. You really can't say 1 is easier over the other to master.
Playing 2-3 hours of any of these sports, I would say racquetball is more stressing on the body. Smaller court but much faster and you normally play singles. Tennis, most of us now play doubles and most of the players that I've seen here are 3.5 so not much speed or heavy serves.
Pickleball here you have a wide range of players from beginners to 5.0 and most play is doubles.
Also, the click/clack noise of Pickleball comes from a hard ball with a hard paddle, which tennis and racquetball are played with strings and a softer ball. Table tennis you have rubber skins do that deadens the ball sound, but if you go back to sandpaper paddles, you will get a similar noise as Pickleball.
Another benefit of Pickleball is that it is much more fun/socializing to play than the other sports mentioned here. Tennis doesn't provide players to jump in every 11 point game like Pickleball so you normally play with the 4 players you come with. Table tennis and racquetball you are playing singles and if you do rotate, it still isn't a social game as Pickleball.

[CFrance]

Easy solution, PB courts are empty most afternoons. Change the time you play.
Tennis courts are empty in the afternoons as well. The reason is the heat. Any court player will not play at 2 pm or on in July. Changing the time you play is not a viable option in the afternoon heat. People play pickleball and tennis in the morning and golf after that, as golf is not as enervating as running around a court under hot sun.

Rohan's head is in the clouds if he thinks there are enough pickleball courts in TV. Hopefully after Brady & friends build their PB center on 466 (at $1K+ dues per year), many people will opt for that, opening up some space for others, especially in the 7-9 am spot.

They could go to a reservation system the way they do in golf. But they don't seem interested in providing that service, even if people paid a monthly fee like they do for golf. What a money-maker: install software and sit back.

[Babubhat]

Well the new private pickleball courts are coming. The last tennis player I saw was hitting the ball off roof of the rec center and into the pool

[Pgcacace]

The courts are pretty empty in the afternoon. If you know if courts available in the am during open play, it would be mice to tell others.

[jimjamuser]

I was a ranked tennis player who once played David Wheaten who played singles and doubles on the tour and at Wimbledon. And I gave tennis lessons. So I have a resume in tennis that gives me some expertise. And I know several Villagers that had to give up pickleball because of wrist injuries brought about by the "wristy" aspects of pickleball. Most arm injuries brought about by both tennis and pickleball are because of the use of the one-hand backhand, which is 100% of the time for pickleball.

Also, physics and common sense come into play. Because it just makes sense that a racket with a shorter handle is MORE likely to be swung in a "whippy" fashion - thus breaking the wrist MORE and causing MORE injuries. Also, the greater NOISE of a hard plastic pickleball hitting an INFEXIBLE pickle racket versus the SOFT sound of a rubber-based tennis ball hitting a STRINGED TENNIS RACKET - PROVES the greater INJURY potential of pickleball.

[jimjamuser]

Pickleball and tennis are two fundamentally different games--about as different as, say, soccer and hockey. The goal of both may be the same--score by getting the puck or ball into your opponent's net--but the similarity pretty much ends there. The games require fundamentally different skill sets, just like pickleball and tennis.

My wife and I are avid tennis players. We still play, particularly on the har-tru courts at Lopez. We've managed to remain pretty much injury-free over the years, but we've both known tennis players, some much younger than us, who have tried to play pickleball and have suffered some serious arm, shoulder and back issues as a result. Hitting a tennis ball is pretty different than hitting that whiffleball in pickleball games.
That is the same point that I was making. Pickleball is an easy game to learn, but it is an INJURY TRAP for seniors. Playing on a Har-Tru clay tennis surface is way easier on the ankles and knees than hard court (like all pickleball courts here), but it is expensive because of high maintenance costs. Pickleball can't be played on a clay surface because the PLASTIC ball would NOT bounce up. Pickleball can be played as they do up north in the winter on WOOD basketball courts. My suggestion to TV Land seniors is that they forget pickleball and play soft tennis, which is played on a pickleball-sized court. It is a better game than pickleball and has fewer arm injuries.
........Also, as a suggestion, The Villages could make clay tennis courts out of the yellow clay used for the softball field infields and let the tennis players maintain them. It would be worth trying.

[ThirdOfFive]

I was a ranked tennis player who once played David Wheaten who played singles and doubles on the tour and at Wimbledon. And I gave tennis lessons. So I have a resume in tennis that gives me some expertise. And I know several Villagers that had to give up pickleball because of wrist injuries brought about by the "wristy" aspects of pickleball. Most arm injuries brought about by both tennis and pickleball are because of the use of the one-hand backhand, which is 100% of the time for pickleball.

Also, physics and common sense come into play. Because it just makes sense that a racket with a shorter handle is MORE likely to be swung in a "whippy" fashion - thus breaking the wrist MORE and causing MORE injuries. Also, the greater NOISE of a hard plastic pickleball hitting an INFEXIBLE pickle racket versus the SOFT sound of a rubber-based tennis ball hitting a STRINGED TENNIS RACKET - PROVES the greater INJURY potential of pickleball.
I saw some recent data that bears this out.

Aside from arm/wrist injuries, there is a significant danger in pickleball by being hit with the ball. A lot of those exchanges are pretty close quarters and with diminished reflexes a ball to the face could cause an injury. Also there are significant injuries in pickleball caused by people running into each other, falling, etc. Aside from the occasional ball in the face (especially in doubles) I would say that the other injuries mentioned are VERY rare in tennis.

[JMintzer]

I was a ranked tennis player who once played David Wheaten who played singles and doubles on the tour and at Wimbledon. And I gave tennis lessons. So I have a resume in tennis that gives me some expertise. And I know several Villagers that had to give up pickleball because of wrist injuries brought about by the "wristy" aspects of pickleball. Most arm injuries brought about by both tennis and pickleball are because of the use of the one-hand backhand, which is 100% of the time for pickleball.

Also, physics and common sense come into play. Because it just makes sense that a racket with a shorter handle is MORE likely to be swung in a "whippy" fashion - thus breaking the wrist MORE and causing MORE injuries. Also, the greater NOISE of a hard plastic pickleball hitting an INFEXIBLE pickle racket versus the SOFT sound of a rubber-based tennis ball hitting a STRINGED TENNIS RACKET - PROVES the greater INJURY potential of pickleball.

Then they're playing wrong... I also played competitive tennis. You use much more wrist in tennis than in pickleball...

The "SOUND" the ball makes PROVES there is a greater injury potential?

:loco::loco::loco:

[JMintzer]

That is the same point that I was making. Pickleball is an easy game to learn, but it is an INJURY TRAP for seniors. Playing on a Har-Tru clay tennis surface is way easier on the ankles and knees than hard court (like all pickleball courts here), but it is expensive because of high maintenance costs. Pickleball can't be played on a clay surface because the PLASTIC ball would NOT bounce up. Pickleball can be played as they do up north in the winter on WOOD basketball courts. My suggestion to TV Land seniors is that they forget pickleball and play soft tennis, which is played on a pickleball-sized court. It is a better game than pickleball and has fewer arm injuries.
........Also, as a suggestion, The Villages could make clay tennis courts out of the yellow clay used for the softball field infields and let the tennis players maintain them. It would be worth trying.

ANY new sport is an injury trap for seniors...

And you expect those same seniors to maintain clay courts?

Once again, :loco::loco::loco:

[JMintzer]

I saw some recent data that bears this out.

Aside from arm/wrist injuries, there is a significant danger in pickleball by being hit with the ball. A lot of those exchanges are pretty close quarters and with diminished reflexes a ball to the face could cause an injury. Also there are significant injuries in pickleball caused by people running into each other, falling, etc. Aside from the occasional ball in the face (especially in doubles) I would say that the other injuries mentioned are VERY rare in tennis.

Ever play doubles tennis? Ever get accidentally hit with your partner's racquet? Ever het hit by a 120 mph overhead slam?

[jimjamuser]

Not true! You can be good at either or be bad at either. Tennis is much harder on your arm/elbow than Pickleball. You got a long racquet in tennis that puts a lot of strain on your arm/elbow that's why you see strings and racquets made specifically to help ease the pain. I have played many decades in USTA tennis, years of Pickleball, decades of table tennis and decades of racquetball. You really can't say 1 is easier over the other to master.
Playing 2-3 hours of any of these sports, I would say racquetball is more stressing on the body. Smaller court but much faster and you normally play singles. Tennis, most of us now play doubles and most of the players that I've seen here are 3.5 so not much speed or heavy serves.
Pickleball here you have a wide range of players from beginners to 5.0 and most play is doubles.
Also, the click/clack noise of Pickleball comes from a hard ball with a hard paddle, which tennis and racquetball are played with strings and a softer ball. Table tennis you have rubber skins do that deadens the ball sound, but if you go back to sandpaper paddles, you will get a similar noise as Pickleball.
Another benefit of Pickleball is that it is much more fun/socializing to play than the other sports mentioned here. Tennis doesn't provide players to jump in every 11 point game like Pickleball so you normally play with the 4 players you come with. Table tennis and racquetball you are playing singles and if you do rotate, it still isn't a social game as Pickleball.
Some of what is said in this post I consider to be true. I would humbly add that tennis players with a 2 handed backhand rarely have arm problems. And one-handed backhand players with excellent technique rarely have arm problems. It is the one-handed beginners and players with the bad techniques that experience arm problems. Also, stiff tennis rackets are bad for seniors.

Now, as far as pickleball being the most sociable of the 4 racket sports mentioned (note we have left out badminton, which has great popularity worldwide). A player can play any of the racket sports in a "hit and giggle"
manner or in a super serious manner. It's NOT the game, it is the attitude. And I am NOT knocking the "hit and giggle" concept, especially for seniors. I have seen too many people of all ages get TOO serious and TENSE when playing, especially singles.

[ThirdOfFive]

Ever play doubles tennis? Ever get accidentally hit with your partner's racquet? Ever het hit by a 120 mph overhead slam?
Yes.

No (I have pretty quick reflexes and my partner(s) pretty much know what they're doing)

Once. Can't vouch for the speed of the slam but I caught it on the shoulder. Had a red mark for a day or two.

[Altavia]

Beach/Sand Tennis, Platform Tennis and Touch Tennis on the platform courts are other options.

Beach Tennis is similar to Badminton but with paddle and delayed tennis ball. And the sand make things safer.


The platform courts are good for drilling Pickleball.

There are Pickleball paddle/ball combinations that make much less noise than traditional products.

[Bay Kid]

Ever play doubles tennis? Ever get accidentally hit with your partner's racquet? Ever het hit by a 120 mph overhead slam?

45 years of tennis. Hit by the ball many times. Hit by others rackets a few but many times I hit myself with the follow thru with my racket. Many aches, pains and injuries. I sure do miss playing.

[pauld315]

We need more pball courts~plain and simple. All the pball courts have lines of people waiting to play, even in the off season.

One solution is to change some of the tennis courts over to pball. The tennis courts are usuallu pretty empty.
Everyone has heard by now that pball is the fastest growing sport in America. It's only going to get more crowded here.
My question is who can we talk to about this problem and about this solution? Does anyone know who we talk to?
Thanks in advance for your time and your suggestions.

Good luck junior member. This has been proposed many times. The official response from the recreation department is that they can't remove an existing amenity. I don't think they want to hear the yelling from the tennis players.

[jimjamuser]

Ever play doubles tennis? Ever get accidentally hit with your partner's racquet? Ever het hit by a 120 mph overhead slam?
No, have never been hit by a partner's racket in doubles. If I were playing with a beginner or a less than experienced partner, I would keep my eye on where they were and keep my distance. As to "ever being hit by overheads".....yes, OFTEN because I was often at the net, but NEVER in the eyes. I would be quick enough to turn my head and shoulders. Getting hit anywhere in the body would never faze me one bit. I played football in high school. And I have gotten hit harder by softballs than tennis balls.
...........I would be MUCH more worried about getting hit by a pickleball in the eye. If I often played pickleball (which I don't.....boring and then there is the childish, "you're in the kitchen rule") .......I would wear sports safety glasses just like racketball players do. Speaking of which, the racketball can hurt when hitting the body much more than a tennis ball.

[JMintzer]

No, have never been hit by a partner's racket in doubles. If I were playing with a beginner or a less than experienced partner, I would keep my eye on where they were and keep my distance. As to "ever being hit by overheads".....yes, OFTEN because I was often at the net, but NEVER in the eyes. I would be quick enough to turn my head and shoulders. Getting hit anywhere in the body would never faze me one bit. I played football in high school. And I have gotten hit harder by softballs than tennis balls.
...........I would be MUCH more worried about getting hit by a pickleball in the eye. If I often played pickleball (which I don't.....boring and then there is the childish, "you're in the kitchen rule") .......I would wear sports safety glasses just like racketball players do. Speaking of which, the racketball can hurt when hitting the body much more than a tennis ball.

You suggest wearing "eye protection" when playing pickleball?

Since you don't know, It's required...

Oh, that's right, you've never played... But you profess to be an expert on pickleball injuries...

[Byte1]

I don't see any sense in comparing PB with Tennis in this thread. The point was that there are many more PB players HERE than tennis players and that there are long lines at the PB courts waiting their turn to play. Reason? Folks tend to play in the mornings when it's cooler. Heat can be dangerous as you all know, especially for seniors. The only point referring to tennis courts was the possibility to use them for PB. Since that encroaches on tennis playing, that should be ruled out. The only/ONLY answer is to make more PB courts in areas where PB is the most popular. There seems to be plenty of room to expand at most of these rec centers, IF one does not mind taking a bit of the parking area. How one plays PB compared to how they play tennis and how dangerous one sport is compared to another had nothing to do with the OP's subject of long lines at the PB courts.

[MX rider]

I don't see any sense in comparing PB with Tennis in this thread. The point was that there are many more PB players HERE than tennis players and that there are long lines at the PB courts waiting their turn to play. Reason? Folks tend to play in the mornings when it's cooler. Heat can be dangerous as you all know, especially for seniors. The only point referring to tennis courts was the possibility to use them for PB. Since that encroaches on tennis playing, that should be ruled out. The only/ONLY answer is to make more PB courts in areas where PB is the most popular. There seems to be plenty of room to expand at most of these rec centers, IF one does not mind taking a bit of the parking area. How one plays PB compared to how they play tennis and how dangerous one sport is compared to another had nothing to do with the OP's subject of long lines at the PB courts.

Well said.
As a tennis player, it doesn't really matter to me as long as they don't take tennis courts away. But I do realize PB is way more popular now. I think the area where you live matters as well. Not all PB courts are packed. But they should build more where the demand is the highest.

[JMintzer]

Well said.
As a tennis player, it doesn't really matter to me as long as they don't take tennis courts away. But I do realize PB is way more popular now. I think the area where you live matters as well. Not all PB courts are packed. But they should build more where the demand is the highest.

The only issue with that is the demand will change over time...

You wind up chasing your tail...

[MrFlorida]

Join a pickleball club.