Walk past almost any community tennis club in Adelaide these days and you’ll hear it before you see it: a hollow pock of plastic ball on paddle, followed by laughter and the occasional good-natured groan. Pickleball has arrived, and Adelaide has taken to it with gusto.
About 155,000 Australians now play regularly, and councils across South Australia are painting extra lines on tennis courts or building dedicated ones to keep up. The appeal is easy to see. Pickleball takes minutes to learn, it’s highly social, and the rallies are long enough to be fun from your very first session.
What is pickleball?
Think of it as a cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis, played on a court about a third the size of a tennis court. Players use solid paddles and a light plastic ball with holes, a little like a wiffle ball, over a net slightly lower than a tennis net.
The game was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island near Seattle by three dads looking to entertain their bored families one summer. Nearly six decades later, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
How to play pickleball: the basics
Most social games are doubles. Serves are hit underhand and diagonally, and the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley it out of the air. That rule alone stops the big-hitters from dominating and keeps rallies going.
The other rule you’ll hear about straight away is “the kitchen”. This is a non-volley zone stretching just over two metres back from the net on each side. You can step into it, but you can’t hit the ball out of the air while you’re there. It rewards soft touch and patience over power, which is a big part of why players of all ages and abilities can share a court.
Games are usually played to 11 points, and you need to win by two. Under traditional scoring, only the serving team can score, which takes a game or two to get used to.
Pickleball for beginners: what you need
Very little. Most clubs and social sessions provide paddles and balls for newcomers, so all you need is comfortable clothing and court shoes with good lateral grip, since running shoes aren’t built for side-to-side movement. A water bottle and a hat are wise for outdoor sessions in summer.
If you’re coming back to exercise after a break, a few gentle sessions will do more good than an ambitious first outing. The game rewards positioning and placement far more than speed.
Where to play pickleball in Adelaide
Options have multiplied over the past few years, from casual drop-in sessions to clubs with ladders and leagues. A few good places to start:
Adelaide Pickleball Club – Mile End and Highgate
One of Adelaide’s biggest clubs plays on 16 outdoor courts at Mile End Sports Complex and 12 indoor courts at Concordia College in Highgate. The Sunday afternoon session at Concordia (3pm to 5pm) is designed for complete beginners, and paddles are provided. Two-hour sessions cost $14 for non-members.
The Social Pickle – St Morris
Weekend morning sessions at Holmesdale Memorial Tennis Club run from 8am to 10am on Saturdays and Sundays, with twilight sessions on summer weeknights. The $10 fee includes coaching, all equipment and refreshments. As the name suggests, the emphasis is on fun.
Adelaide Hills Pickleball Club – Heathfield and Mount Barker
Hills players can choose from midweek morning sessions in Mount Barker or Sunday mornings at the Mt Lofty Community Sports Centre in Heathfield. The Wednesday morning session at Mount Barker is aimed at beginners and intermediate players.
Council courts and recreation centres
Many local councils now offer pickleball. The City of Adelaide has courts at Bundey’s Paddock in the North Parklands and Veale Park 21 in the South Parklands. City of Charles Sturt has free courts at several reserves, including Pennington and Kidman Park. Blackwood Recreation Centre offers your first session free.
Check with your local council or recreation centre, as new courts and sessions are being added regularly.
Pickleball clubs in South Australia
The sport’s state body, Pickleball South Australia, is the best starting point for finding clubs further afield. There are active groups in Goolwa, Mount Gambier, Whyalla and the Riverland, and tournaments run throughout the year. Many clubs welcome visitors, which makes a paddle a handy thing to pack for a regional road trip.
Give it a go
The best way to understand pickleball’s appeal is to play a game. Book into a beginners’ session, borrow a paddle and expect to be hooked by the end of the first rally. You’ll probably make a few new friends along the way.
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