Pickleball is the sport that is sweeping the nation. Everywhere you turn parks and homes are converting their tennis courts to pickleball courts. Here are some quick pickleball numbers. From the USAPA website.
- 50 million – The estimated number of people that watched the Pickleball Championship Finals held in the USA
- 2.8 million – The number of pickleball players in the USA alone in 2017
- 3 million – The expected number of players by year end 2018
- 385% – Increase in numbers of places to play pickleball since 2010 (A place to play is defined as just that – a place to play. It can be anything from a gymnasium with pickleball lines to a facility designed specifically for pickleball)
- 64% – The increase in membership in the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) since 2010
One of the reasons the sport is so popular is because it is fun for all ages. The level of competition is based on how hard you want to play. It requires skill and hand-eye coordination, but doesn’t require a lot of physical exertion. The best part is that you can play just about anywhere with a large, flat surface.
Different Types of Home Court Configurations
Every home is different. Every house has a different yard. Every neighborhood has different amenities. Pickleball can be played on a driveway, on the street (carefully), in a parking lot, or in your backyard! There are many net options out there including our in-ground, roller base, and stand up bases. Each option has its benefits.
In-Ground Pickleball Posts
This type of pickleball net is best for home courts. This option provides the most tension, durability, and true game feel.
Pros:
- Regulation height, length, and tension
- They come with a more durable, professional net
- They won’t get knocked over or blow over in the wind
- Professional look
Cons:
- You have to dig into the ground to set the sleeves/poles
- Semi permanent (more work to move around)
- Usually more expensive
Wilson Heavy Duty Poles
The Wilson Heavy-Duty Pickleball Net Posts are designed to be permanent in-ground options. Posts are available in black or green. If you’re looking for steel posts that are lighter and more easily removed, look at the regular Wilson Pickleball Posts. The posts have 1/4”-thick steel walls that measure 2-7/8” in diameter. Each post is 54” tall and they weigh around 69 lbs. They come with an external reel. Net not included. Sleeves not included.
Edwards Poles
These net posts are constructed from steel with a 3” outside diameter. The poles are polyester powder coated with an overall height of 57.5 inches. The ground sleeves are not included and the posts come in green or black
Dominator In-Ground
The Dominator in-ground pole set is unique because it’s aluminum. As mentioned before, this is beneficial because it is lightweight and won’t rust or corrode. The square body is different from every other post on the market. The sleeves for the Dominator poles have a removable cap. This is great for home courts because the poles can be easily removed if you need to move them. The cap sits flush with the playing surface, almost as if there is no hole in the ground.
Dominator Portable Post
This is another revolutionary design. It is a weighted post with a net that can be attached to any pole. If you have hoop, light pole, mailbox, etc. and you want to play pickleball, this is the product for you. The unique design can be rolled on and off the playing surface. The net comes with a heavy duty top cable which is a huge step up from the standard lightweight portable pickleball systems.
Stand Up Nets
This is the most affordable option for your pickleball needs. You can find relatively inexpensive options that can be broken down and stored away.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Widely Available
- Easy to store
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Flimsy metal frame
- Doesn’t hold up well against harsh weather
- Net quality is lower than regulation
- Difficult to move out of the way
- Inconsistent net height and tension
These days, there are dozens of options in looking for a stand up net. Most are going to be low quality and flimsy. If you are looking for a cheap net to play with every once and awhile, these may be an option for you. However, if you are looking for a more durable option, here are some of the best stand up pickleball nets on the market. For a more comprehensive list, check out an awesome blog at pickleballportal.com
PickleNet
The PickleNet is the official size and approved net dimensions by the USAPA. One cool feature is that they use oval-shaped poles rather than round. The oval design is more durable and the whole system weighs a total of 32 pounds. The PickleNet comes with a carry bag as well but the bag does not have rollers/wheels. This is one of the most popular nets. It is a patented design and is used by the USAPA in many events.
SwiftNet
This is a new entry to the stand up pickleball net market. It is a more expensive net but the supports are made of carbon fiber. The design of this new net is revolutionary in that it eliminates the common problems of most metal tube style nets that are on the market like bending or corrosion. Carbon fiber doesn’t rust or bend as metals poles do. The SwiftNet is very simple and quick to set up. The net only weighs 14 pounds, about half the weight of the average net. The carbon fiber poles also create great tension through the top of the net. It’s easy to set up, take down, and store. The net, innovative and high-quality, is about 2x the price of other nets. If you are willing to pay for quality and ease of use, this may be the net for you.
USAPA Portable Pickleball Net System
Portable Pickleball Net System includes a metal frame and net in a carry bag.This net is the same design as the PickleNet.
Roller Base Nets
This option is perhaps the most versatile. Rolling nets are easy to maneuver and are usually more durable than other stand-up nets.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to store
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to move
- Usually more durable than other stand up nets
Cons:
- Less durable than in-ground option
- Net quality is lower than regulation
- More expensive than stand up nets
Picklenet Deluxe
The Deluxe Net has the same overall design as the PickleNet but with beefier materials and the 4 locking wheels to roll the system around. This design makes it easy to push the net across the ground, which is useful in indoor pickleball courts or gyms that allow many different sports to be played. The net can be quickly wheeled aside and then wheeled back into position the next time you play pickleball. The locking wheels allow it to be fixed in one spot directly at the center of the court and prevent it from moving accidentally during play. This net would be ideal for community centers, schools, gyms, or rec centers where pickleball does not have a permanent court, and you need a quick and easy way to convert the space from one sport to another. It could also be handy for outdoor pickleball, for example, if you play in your driveway or cul-de-sac, this net could be wheeled into the garage or to the side too and stored away.
Dominator Portable Net
The Dominator line of products is known for its sleek, lightweight, durable aluminum products. Their portable net is no different. The frame is made of 2” x 2” aluminum, making it much more durable than current portable nets. The assembly requires very little effort and can be assembled in under 5 minutes. This is a brand new product and will be available spring of 2021.
How Do I Go About Setting Up My Home Court?
Obviously, if you are planning to set up a stand up/portable net on your driveway, there is very little involvement in the process. Simply find the right net and set it up! For those who take their pickleball game a little more seriously, you may want to look into a line painting stencil. You can find those online.
If you want to pour a concrete court at your home, you will have to do a little more work. A pickleball court is 44’ x 20’. You will want enough room for the court, plus a little more on the outside for boundaries and increased playing surface. Most people will put in a 50’ x 30’ or 60’ x 30’ pad for their court.
You will need to plan ahead if you choose to do in-ground pickleball posts. Most poles come with sleeves that need to be inserted into the concrete before it dries. You will want to plan how far apart your posts will be from each other. A regulation pickleball net is 21 feet 9 inches. Depending on your court layout and the length of the top cable in your net, you will want your poles to be between 22 feet and 28 feet apart.
Before you set the sleeves in the ground, you’ll want to make sure the opening is covered. You can use tape or plastic wrap. If you purchase a Dominator In-Ground pickleball pole, the sleeves come with a removable cap.
How Much Does it Cost to Put In a Court?
Most people don’t have enough room to put in a full size sport court in their backyard. We have found that the most common residential court sizes are a variation between 30’ x 30’ to 30’ by 60’. According to Home Advisor, the average outside court of that size has a price range of $9,000 to $18,000.
| Dimensions | Average Cost | |
| 30′ x 60′ | $18,000 | |
| 30′ x 50′ | $14,500 | |
| 30′ x 30′ | $9,000 |
This cost is before any acrylic surface or paint is applied to the court. A full court surfacing will cost between $4,000 and $10,000. If you decide to paint your own lines, you can buy a stencil online and line paint from your local hardware store for a relatively low price.
For more information about court sizes, lighting, and configurations, check out our blog here.
Paddles
These days there are so many different paddle options available. Each has its benefits and claims to be the best. Here are some important factors when choosing a paddle.
Price
There are three categories of paddles – wood, composite, and graphite. Wood prices range from $13-$36, composite from $45 – $145 and graphite from $60 – $145. Wood paddles are the least expensive, however they are heavy and blunt. They don’t have as much “pop” as composite or graphite. Most people prefer composite or graphite. If you’re looking for a first paddle or just want to try the game out, you might want to try a wood paddle. If you think you’ll play more often, invest in an average priced composite paddle and you’ll thank us later.
Weight and Grip Size
Pickleball paddles range from 6 to 14 ounces. Most composite or graphite paddles weigh from 6 to 9 ounces while the wood paddles are a little heavier. Weight influences how a paddle feels when you pick it up and swing it on the court. A heavier paddle will help you to drive the ball, but will provide less control. A paddle that is too light may not provide enough drive but will increase ball control. It really depends on what feels comfortable in your hand.
Playing with a paddle grip that is too big may cause the paddle to slip in your hand, while smaller grips allow for more wrist action, which aids in putting spin on the ball and enhances control.
Almost all paddle grip sizes are between 4 to 4 1/2 inches in circumference. Pickleball grips are usually broken down into 1/8 inch increments.
Your home court can either be a huge project or it can be relatively uninvolved. Whether or not you want in-ground posts or a portable system, your home court will provide years of fun for you and your family. Pickleball is a great sport because it is easy and can be played by people of all ages. If you have any questions about courts or nets, feel free to give us a call at 801-768-4663 or shoot us an email at ben@dominatorhoop.com
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