If you’re thinking of building your own Pickleball court, you need to know the amount of space that is required. Since its inception, Pickleball has grown at a phenomenal rate, so it’s no surprise that more people are interested in making their own courts.
Once you know the type of surface you need, it’s essential that you understand how much space you’ll need to actually put the court down.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the dimensions needed to make your own Pickleball court in your garden, or elsewhere.
Not only will you need dimensions for the space, but you’ll also need to know whether you want a singles or doubles court. Overall, when you consider your space, you need to think whether there’s enough space to play as much as you want, and whether the equipment will fit there.
Dimensions Of A Pickleball Court
The best way to describe the size of a Pickleball court is by thinking of it as being the same size as a badminton court. These courts need to be measured at 20’ x 44’ regardless of whether you have a singles or doubles court.
You need to then ensure there is enough space on the outside and on the sidelines so the players can move around with ease.
So, while 20’ x 44’ could work as the minimum requirement, we recommend measuring at least 24’ x 54’, but if you have the space, try to measure it at 30’ x 60’ so you can play to the best of your ability.
Next, you’ll need to consider what the court will look like. Let’s consider how you will then need to measure the court itself.
The Layout Of A Pickleball Court
Pickleball courts look different from tennis and badminton courts, so you need to remember this when you’re planning to lay them out. In the center of the court is the net, which is lower than a badminton net. You should lower the net so it stands at 36’ at the end of the net, and 34’ in the middle.
On either side of the court is the Non-Volley Zone, or the kitchen. With the net in the center of the Non-Volley Zone, you should ensure there is 7’ of space on either side of the net.
If you want to measure it 20’ x 44’, you should divide the left and right service area with a centerline of 10’ within the 20’ of baseline at the back of the court. You can then end the measurements by putting a 44’ sideline on here.
Ideally, you should leave plenty of space in the sidelines and baseline of the court. You can add another 10’ and another 4’ to ensure that these measurements leave plenty of room in the sidelines and baseline respectively.
Surface Of A Pickleball Court
Ideally, you should use a polyurethane surface with cushioning. However, you can also use concrete, clay, asphalt, or if you have the time, grass.
When deciding on a surface, you should contact a reliable contractor to help you place it. However, it also depends on your own needs and if you want to play professionally or recreationally. You also need to consider whether your knees can handle the surface that you’re playing on.
If you want more depth on why you should use certain surfaces for Pickleball, then check out our other post on Pickleball court surfaces.
Pickleball Nets
We know that we said that Pickleball nets are a lot like badminton nets but lower. However, you still need to find the right net for your environment. Some nets are better suited indoors, and may be more fragile outside.
However, outdoor nets are more resilient to the elements. If you want to have an outdoor system, you’ll need: two poles, a ratchet, an outdoor Pickleball net, and some sleeves if you expect particularly windy weather.
However, you need to consider whether you also want a portable or permanent net. If you have a Pickleball court, you should consider if you’re using it all year around.
Portable Pickleball nets are useful if you plan to customize your court for tennis, badminton, or if you want an all-purpose court. However, a permanent net is better suited for anyone who is focused on playing Pickleball regularly and focusing on the sport.
For the sizing of the net, you should consider that the net itself is 36 inches high. Generally, the net should be 22 feet wide, allowing you to ensure that it covers the center of the court.
Fencing Around The Court
If you’re installing a large Pickleball court, you may need to be mindful of your neighbors. They may not want a ball flying through the court and into their gardens. Plus, if you have friends watching, you don’t want them to get hit either.
Many people opt for wire fencing as it makes it easier to see into the court, which makes it safer for friends and family to watch. They’re also more durable than other fences, as if the ball does hit the fence, it won’t make too loud a noise.
Lighting On A Pickleball Court
Depending on the time of day you’re playing, you might want to invest in some lighting for your court. Some players may want to practice in the morning, and other players may prefer the evenings. However, the most important aspect when playing is that you can see the ball.
If you want to include lighting in your area, you should have two 1,500 watt light poles, with the poles reaching up to 18 to 20 feet. But they should never be too close to the back of the court, and should be at least 24’’ away and mounted in the center.
You want to ensure they aren’t low enough that you can accidentally hit them, but you don’t want the lighting to only favor one side of the court. That’s why they should always be in the center of the court, so both players still have a good view of any faults.
What If You Want Multiple Courts?
Depending on your purpose, you should consider whether you want to build one court or multiple courts in one area. If the Pickleball court is being made for recreational purposes for a group or organization, we recommend putting a space between each court.
Both courts should have enough room for a player to be able to overrun the court and return a shot. Ideally, we should consider a 10 feet gap between each boundary line on the court. That way, there is plenty of room for each player to play the game at the height of their ability.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, Pickleball courts require a lot of space. You need to consider whether there’s enough room for a player to go out of bounds without interfering in another match.
Generally, you want there to be plenty of room for each player, which is why 20’ by 44’ feet is considered a great option, especially when you consider the added space in the out of bounds areas.
Pickleball has been played for decades, and it is a great way to let off some steam, engage in friendly competition, and improve your fitness levels.
Hi, my name is Joe Polls and my family and I are keen pickleball players. My parents actually met on a pickleball court, and the rest is history.
I have always loved pickleball, no matter how many times I hear that it’s not a real sport. It has helped me get through some challenging times in my life - whether that be a breakup, finals, or even bereavement. The reason I made my website is so that I can teach more people about the wonders of pickleball, and maybe even get them interested in playing.
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