How To Build A Pickleball Court? (In 7 EASY Steps)

Do you have a tennis or badminton court that you’ll convert into a pickleball court? Is it being transformed into a multi-court complex? Do you want to start a brand new pickleball court from scratch? 

Then it would help if you read how to build a pickleball court in 7 EASY Steps.

Whatever your pickleball court needs, it’s important to recognize the standards for the dimensions and installation of pickleball courts and then adhere to them depending on your specific options.

For example, using a tennis court for Pickleball can be conveniently divided into four courts so you can play games at the same time. Or, if you are planning to build a backyard pickleball court, the dimensions and overall setup will be different.

Also, with the building is often a question: How much does it cost to build a pickleball court? It depends greatly on your requirements and whether the field should be built for fun or a home game. More about the cost to build a pickleball.

STEP 1: Location And Pickleball Court Dimensions

Pickleball is a fast-paced, fun sport that all ages can enjoy. The game can be played indoors or outdoors on any sized court. If you don’t have an outdoor pickleball court, the best solution is to find a badminton playground.

Why?

Because…

The same 20 feet (6.10 meters) by 44 feet (13.41 meters) court space is used for doubles badminton games as for pickleball courts.

However, there are two main differences:

1. The marking of the lines is different from on the pickleball court.
2. The height of the net is different and significantly so. If it cannot be reduced, it will be necessary to use another network.

Question: Can I Play Pickleball on Tennis Court?

On the other hand, the most complicated thing is converting a tennis court into a pickleball court. The lines on a tennis court are completely different from pickleball. And also the size.

Official Pickleball courts are 20 feet (6.10 meters) broad and 44 feet (13.41 meters) long, whereas tennis courts are 36 feet wide (with doubles lines) and 78 feet (23.77 meters), making tennis courts 80% larger and 77% longer!

If you want to set up a pickleball court at home, it is ideal to have a space at least 30 feet (9.14 meters) broad and 60 feet (18.29 meters) long. When this size is impossible, a minimum size of 20 feet (6,10m) by 44 feet (13.41m) is Official USA Pickleball Court Partners.

STEP 2: Choose The Right Court Surface For The Pickleball

The surface on which Pickleball is played can make a big difference in how enjoyable the game is. Three common surfaces are used for outdoor pickleball play: concrete, asphalt, and grass. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. But which is the best?

Pickleball court surface options:

Concrete is the most durable surface and is usually the best for playing in cold climates because it doesn’t get as muddy as other surfaces. However, concrete is also the hardest to play because it’s very unforgiving if you make a mistake.

Asphalt is a good compromise between durability and ease of use. It’s easier than concrete, but it’s not as forgiving. 

Pickleball can be played on grass, but ideally, you’ll have access to a concrete foundation or area. In the summer, the grass is good, but the bounce will be diminished in the cooler months, and you’ll ruin the turf if you play during or right after the rain.

How To Make The Field More Professional?

By using specially prepared surfaces suitable for pickleball playing. Professional courts are modified to meet the highest standards for the game. The right court surface material have two ways to implement it:

1. Synthetic and plastic courts are the easiest to set up and take down, but concrete and asphalt are more durable. For example, the product Action Herculan PB Pro Series is a great solution.
2. Acrylic Pickleball Court Surfaces is a 100% acrylic coating used for any outdoor playground. You can find more information about this method on the site of the company SportMaster.

What about indoor play?

A playing surface made of wood or rubber, like that seen in many indoor gymnasiums, is another option. However, they are frequently smooth and slippery, making the ball skip low.

Now is the surface clear? What next?

STEP 3: Pickleball Line The Right Way

So we have the playing field ready. What next? After all, we lack lines.

A court without lines is like a sidewalk without a crosswalk.

We are offered various options, but we mainly have to decide whether the lines should be permanent.

But first, we have to indicate how the playing area will look. Chalk or a simple marking tool with crushed chalk will help us.

Once we have everything marked out, we can move on to the lines themselves.

We have several options here, and I’ll start with the easiest ones. Bands or lines that can be transferred and are in multiple uses. They are ideal for solid surfaces and also for indoor use.

This is the cheapest way to build your own pickleball court.

One of them is the Franklin Sports Pickleball Court Marker Kit. With this kit, you can lay out the boundary areas for the game on any court.

It looks like this:

If you don’t like that you only have border options marked, then there is another way: Portable Temporary Pickleball Court Lines, simple and quick court layouts. And even without the need for additional sizing.

We would have flexible lines so that I could use them again and again in different places.

Another option is vinyl tapes. They stick to the floor and can be permanent for several years. Their use is mainly in indoor spaces, gyms, and the like. You can check the Latest Price Here!

And the last option is to paint the lines. The most common method, especially for outdoor playgrounds and professional playgrounds.

But here, measure twice and paint once.

The colors are based on Acrylic and are very difficult to remove. A slight inattention can cost you a lot of effort. I would rather leave this option to the experts.

An easier way to create lines with paint is to spray paint them.

It can be the best choice if you have the lines correctly indicated. This set with a trolley may be ideal for you.

STEP 4: Court Fencing For Safe Play

Fencing should be part of the field, mainly for the safety of people outside the game.

There are various pickleball court fencing options, but wire fences are among the most popular for allowing spectators and players to see partners and opponents in the game.

Wire fences are mainly used on professional playgrounds. Such a fence is made around the entire playground, but do not forget to build an entrance for the entrance with a wheelchair and the equipment necessary for the maintenance of the playground.

If you are making a playground near the house, it is possible to use a safety net made of nylon cord, which is used, e.g., for tennis or baseball.

You can check this one: Wiseek Baseball Softball Backstop Nets

However, it is necessary to think that the net’s mesh is smaller than the size of the ball (2.874 to 2.972 inches). Using a net with a mesh size of 1.77 to 2.16 inches is recommended.

STEP 5: Lighting for better play

At this time, a very controversial topic regarding energy consumption applies several times over when it comes to lighting.

But if you take the game seriously, court lighting will be one of the important things.

It is certainly necessary to consider the budget and for what purposes the court is to be used.

Because it makes a difference whether you are building a court in your backyard. Or whether it is intended for the general public and professional players.

For example, if you are building a court next to your house, it is possible to place lighting on the wall of your house.

But if you are building a court in an open space, building the lighting with street lighting will be necessary. In such a case, it is necessary to consider that the line is buried in the ground.

It will be easier with the use of indoor lighting. We have the option of mounting the lighting on the ceiling of the room. Here you have to ensure that the lighting does not shine directly into the eyes of the players.

By default, lighting such as:

1. High-intensity discharge lamps (HID)
2. LED Lighting

Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes it is ideal to use a combination of both.

Last but not least, there are also specialized companies focused directly on the installation of court lighting. They also have special calculators for calculating the need for lighting at their disposal.

For example, they are companies like:

• LSICorp
• Access fixtures

STEP 6. Pickleball Net System

Another part of building a pickleball court is the net. It is essential for a proper game.

Any netting material that prevents the ball from penetrating can be used to create the net.

As with fencing, it is recommended that the net does not have meshes larger than the ball.

Its assembly can be divided into two groups:

1. Between two fixed posts spaced 22 feet apart was a net. The sideline should be 36 inches (0.91 meters) and the middle portion should be 34 inches for the net, which must be at least 21 feet 9 inches long (0.86 meters).
2. A free-standing net that is portable and can be placed anywhere without having fixed posts. A very fast construction system offers flexibility. For example, it is possible to use A11N Portable Pickleball Net System

STEP 7: Use the right Pickleball Equipment

The last thing to do before you play Pickleball is to choose the right equipment. Even though Pickleball is reasonable in terms of the necessary equipment, you need a racket and balls in addition to the court.

Paddles: there are an endless number of rackets on the market, and it is sometimes difficult for a beginner to find his way when choosing the right one. That’s why we wrote an article summarizing the best ones for beginners.

Balls: If you are wondering what balls are used for Pickleball and whether it is possible to use balls from other sports, then here are a few articles on this topic:

What Type Of Ball Is Used In Pickleball?

Clothing: If you play this sport recreationally, you don’t need anything special here. However, some would like to fit in and look like a real pickleball players.

There is an endless amount of sportswear on the market. In Pickleball, clothing similarity to other racquet sports is not accidental.

Of course, a lot also depends on the weather and whether the match is played outside or inside.

We wrote an article on this topic: What Do You Wear For Pickleball?

Shoes: The most common question is whether special shoes are needed for Pickleball. The answer may vary. Everyone is comfortable with something different.

Of course, we can find specialized brands focused directly on pickleball shoes on the market. But tennis shoes are also often used. You also have to pay attention to whether you will play outside or inside.

The last group is optional equipment; it is bags for Pickleball and possibly caps, which can mainly be used on sunny days. And also, glasses can improve the game in the bright sun.

FAQ about building a pickleball court

Cost To Build a Pickleball Court

The costs of pickleball court construction is depending on your vision. Can be expensive, depending on the size and location of the court. The average cost to build a pickleball court is about $4,000. This price includes materials and labor.

How to build a pickleball court summary

We are at the end and have just described the 7 Steps of how to build a pickleball court. I believe the article helped you prepare your field as best as possible for the game. So to recap the Steps:

• STEP 1: Location and dimensions of the pickleball court
• STEP 2: Choose the right surface for the pickleball court
• STEP 3: Mark the Lines
• STEP 4: Fencing for safe play
• STEP 5: Lighting for better play
• STEP 6: Setup the Net System
• STEP 7: Use the right Pickleball Equipment