Pickleball is everywhere.
The racket sport is played in quick games of 11 points. It is played on a smaller court with a shorter net, and people love it.
Pickleball has become a cherished pastime that appeals to players of all ages. Blending the fundamentals of tennis and badminton with its own special set of rules, the game offers a unique challenge for beginners and experts alike. This admirable activity has nearly grown into a worldwide phenomenon, but has certainly increased in popularity in the market we serve. The pickleball court is a trending amenity coveted by metro Atlanta's luxury homebuyers.
With roughly 5 million players across the United States as of last year, pickleball is America's fastest growing sport, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. City planners, developers and restaurateurs have noticed the surging popularity. Pickleball courts are popping up in public parks, at mixed-use developments and as featured amenities at some “eatertainment” restaurants, which bring together gaming and dining. Atlanta-based restaurant company Painted Hospitality LLC has at least two pickleball-focused establishments in the works. Last year, Atlanta-based startup PCKL LLC, which sells high-end pickleball clothing and accessories, raised $2 million in venture capital funding. Pickleball courts are popping up in the backyards of affluent homeowners, too. We have seen a demand for residential pickleball courts — or lots big enough to build them — rise over the past year with our clients.
Pickleball looks like an oversized version of ping-pong — or regular ping-pong contested by pocket-sized humans. Players stand on opposite sides of a net and bat a wiffleballesque projectile back and forth. It’s similar to tennis, but the court and paddles are smaller. It’s good exercise, according to a report from The New York Times. Because of the smaller court, the sport isn’t as taxing on the body, and compared to tennis, pickleball skills are easier to develop. Both of these factors make the sport accessible to people of a wide range of ages and abilities. The cost of construction varies depending on several factors, but it averages about $45,000 for a 30 foot-by-60 foot court, according to SportMaster Sport Surfaces, an Ohio-based company that installs courts. That's no small expense, but it's cheaper than some other backyard amenities. A swimming pool might cost as much as a half-million dollars. Pickleball could be the new cornerstone for entertaining houses guests, friends and family of all ages, all year round.
