What is the best rec center to play Pickleball?

[VApeople]

Our daughter (age 51) and her husband (age 55) ae coming to visit us in November and she likes to play pickleball where they live in Virginia. I have no idea how good she is. I don't know if he likes to play. We will get guest passes for both of them.

My wife and I do not play the game but have seen the gatherings of pickleball players at the rec centers. Which rec centers would be the best ones for them to show up and join in a game? Thanks!

[MightyDog]

Our daughter (age 51) and her husband (age 55) ae coming to visit us in November and she likes to play pickleball where they live in Virginia. I have no idea how good she is. I don't know if he likes to play. We will get guest passes for both of them.

My wife and I do not play the game but have seen the gatherings of pickleball players at the rec centers. Which rec centers would be the best ones for them to show up and join in a game? Thanks!
I've noticed that Chula Vista has regular play times with decent attendance. Check the weekly Villages newspaper to see the calendar of when organized play times are at various Rec Centers each week.

[Pugchief]

There are 2 pertinent issues:

1. Where do you live?
2. What skill level are they (can you find out?)?

I mean, they can play anywhere, but if they want to enjoy the experience (play at their level) and not drive 30 minutes, it would help if you could share that info.

[Topspinmo]

Our daughter (age 51) and her husband (age 55) ae coming to visit us in November and she likes to play pickleball where they live in Virginia. I have no idea how good she is. I don't know if he likes to play. We will get guest passes for both of them.

My wife and I do not play the game but have seen the gatherings of pickleball players at the rec centers. Which rec centers would be the best ones for them to show up and join in a game? Thanks!

Generally any pickleball courts from dawn to 10 AM. After that have look at schedule board in front of all pickle-ball courts see if courts are reserved. Usually from 10am to noon some courts have villages organized level play. Example open play for beginners or advanced beginners. At noon some courts maybe reserved till dark. Some groups welcome new comers and some don’t. Just ask.

[JMintzer]

Many rec centers have morning "open play" rated at different levels. Pick the level that you play and show up and get in line. You'll play one game and then get back in line until another court opens.

After 11:30-12:00 (or so) many courts are reserved for club or league play. You have to be a member to play in those groups...

[Michigan Farmer]

Eisenhower has a good early morning group that starts before 7am. Not clickey, 3.0 to 4.0 players.

[MrFlorida]

Most courts are open after 6 pm

[VApeople]

There are 2 pertinent issues:

1. Where do you live?
2. What skill level are they (can you find out?)?


Thanks to everyone for all of your responses.

To address one of these questions, our daughter said she thinks she might play at the 3.0 level, but I doubt she has ever been officially rated.

We live in Osceola Hills, which is along Morse just north of Route 44. However, our daughter and husband may not stay with us. When they came down with their two children, they stayed at a hotel near Brownwood, but didn't like that location too much. They all loved visiting Lake Sumter Landing, so they might choose to stay there.

I'm going to suggest that she join TOTV.

[Altavia]

Check the bulletin board at the courts near you.

Here's a schedule that includes skill level open play. Advanced Beginner is roughly 3.0 level players.

https://www.districtgov.org/departments/Recreation/images/PickleballBeginnerSchedule.pdf?v=20231018

[Pugchief]

Thanks to everyone for all of your responses.

To address one of these questions, our daughter said she thinks she might play at the 3.0 level, but I doubt she has ever been officially rated.

We live in Osceola Hills, which is along Morse just north of Route 44. However, our daughter and husband may not stay with us. When they came down with their two children, they stayed at a hotel near Brownwood, but didn't like that location too much. They all loved visiting Lake Sumter Landing, so they might choose to stay there.

I'm going to suggest that she join TOTV.

If she wants to play open in the morning at 3.0, Manatee would prob be the best bet near Osceola. Eisenhower might work, but is prob more ~3.5 Maybe try both and see which is a better fit.

[VApeople]

If she wants to play open in the morning at 3.0, Manatee would prob be the best bet near Osceola. Eisenhower might work, but is prob more ~3.5 Maybe try both and see which is a better fit.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I don't know if she plays singles or doubles with her friends in Virginia, but from what I have seen on TV they are totally different games. Singles looked very boring on TV, kind of like watching a junior high tennis match, but doubles looked very interesting with all of the strategy involved.

[Pugchief]

Thanks for the suggestion.

I don't know if she plays singles or doubles with her friends in Virginia, but from what I have seen on TV they are totally different games. Singles looked very boring on TV, kind of like watching a junior high tennis match, but doubles looked very interesting with all of the strategy involved.

Everyone plays doubles here for the most part, with the exception of some planned weekly times that are exclusively singles. I believe Fish Hawk has singles on Saturday at 10AM, but not certain. Check the Thursday weekly event bulletin.

[VApeople]

Everyone plays doubles here for the most part, with the exception of some planned weekly times that are exclusively singles. I believe Fish Hawk has singles on Saturday at 10AM, but not certain. Check the Thursday weekly event bulletin.

Thanks for your post. It is good to hear that some people play singles. If that is what our daughter plays now, she may not have developed the skills that are needed in doubles.

I used to play a lot of tennis 40 or 50 years ago. I was pretty good at singles but I always hated doubles, maybe because I hated team sports in general.

As for myself, I'm sticking with golf, which I started playing in 1958 when I got too old for Little League.

[FredMitchell]

Ask them, but pretty much nobody plays singles at the 3.0 level. So recommend the nearest recreation centers - open play before 8AM every day. When they get there, they can talk to others in line who will fill them in on how it works here, which will probably be very much like how they play at home.

If they are at the wrong level, they will figure it out after a few games, and either play with people there at a similar level, or ask where they should try next.

Pickleballers are friendly. They expect to mix things up each game for the most part. They expect to chat while waiting.

If they want to play singles - unlikely - they can if there is an open court and less than 4 waiting to play. Otherwise, doubles is expected. Game to 11, win by 2 and leave the court for the next four.

[HJBeck]

She should look for any “Open Play” listed on the Pickle Ball schedule provided at each Rec center. Each day of the week is at different Rec centers so she will have choices every day. If she plays a lot I would suggest starting at an advanced beginner level, if this play doesn’t challenge her she can move to an “Intermediate “ level. Rohan Rec Center has the most selection of skill level play.

[La lamy]

Everyone plays doubles here for the most part, with the exception of some planned weekly times that are exclusively singles. I believe Fish Hawk has singles on Saturday at 10AM, but not certain. Check the Thursday weekly event bulletin.

PB Singles club on Wednesday at Bacall and Saturday at Fishhawk, but definitely not for 3.0 level. Much more advanced bunch.

[npwalters]

Check the bulletin board at the courts near you.

Here's a schedule that includes skill level open play. Advanced Beginner is roughly 3.0 level players.

https://www.districtgov.org/departments/Recreation/images/PickleballBeginnerSchedule.pdf?v=20231018

Advanced beginner is closer to 2.5. There are hundreds of 3.0 players in the PCVG leagues that are well beyond advanced beginner.

[ndf888]

Check the bulletin board at the courts near you.

Here's a schedule that includes skill level open play. Advanced Beginner is roughly 3.0 level players.

https://www.districtgov.org/departments/Recreation/images/PickleballBeginnerSchedule.pdf?v=20231018

I second the suggestion. Beginner Open play is another good option. You can also find open play times by searching the Villages App.

[Laker14]

Our daughter (age 51) and her husband (age 55) ae coming to visit us in November and she likes to play pickleball where they live in Virginia. I have no idea how good she is. I don't know if he likes to play. We will get guest passes for both of them.

My wife and I do not play the game but have seen the gatherings of pickleball players at the rec centers. Which rec centers would be the best ones for them to show up and join in a game? Thanks!

I'd suggest looking at the Villages Recreation weekly publication for the rec centers nearest you. I'd suggest they start with Advanced Beginner and see how they do. If they are way better than most of those players they can then try an Intermediate session. It takes some trial and error to find the best Open Play levels and locations.

[DrHitch]

Do "newbies" or guests (with a pass) have to go through any training before stepping onto a court in The Villages?

Namely, if you are ranked elsewhere or familiar enough with the game, can you simply join a rec center's open play periods?

[Laker14]

Do "newbies" or guests (with a pass) have to go through any training before stepping onto a court in The Villages?

Namely, if you are ranked elsewhere or familiar enough with the game, can you simply join a rec center's open play periods?

First question: No
Second question: no rankings of any kind are required to participate in any open play in TV. The rankings are for tournament purposes, and occasionally, some clinics are rank specific.

[Raceone]

We like to say we are one of the most friendly pickle ball groups in The Villages! We are mostly a snowbird group and we play October through April at Fish Hawk rec center Monday,Wednesday, Friday at 2:PM and Tuesday at noon. Our members range from beginner to advanced players
And all are made to feel welcome! Come join us…you will have a great time!.