Dedicated courts or shared tennis lines

Dedicated pickleball courts are still the minority. Most public play happens on converted or shared tennis courts.

Dedicated courts

Correct dimensions, permanent nets at the right height, and usually several courts side by side so groups can rotate. Nothing to set up and no confusion over lines. If your town has them, they will be busy.

Shared tennis courts

Pickleball lines are painted in a contrasting colour inside the tennis court. You bring or borrow a portable net, which sets lower than a tennis net. Expect to spend five minutes setting up, and expect the lines to take a game or two to read.

Etiquette when sharing

Tennis players usually have booking priority where the courts are tennis first. Check any posted schedule, keep to the courts allocated, and rotate with other pickleball groups waiting, typically after a game to eleven.

What to bring

A portable net if the venue does not provide one, spare balls, and a paddle you are happy to lend, because someone always turns up wanting to try.