Pickleball has gained popularity in the past 2 years in most parts of the United States. One of the most incredible things about pickleball is that you can play it nearly anywhere. Playing pickleball is great fun, and the best part is you can also enjoy setting up a court alone. It can be an incredibly rewarding do-it-yourself project. Consider DIY backyard pickleball courts if you want to play pickleball without visiting a club. You can set up a pickleball court with a bit of know-how when you have a suitable space. In no time, you can enjoy a temporary or even permanent court to invite your friends for a little friendly competition.
This article serves as a guide for those who want to build a pickleball court in their backyard. The following instructions are very easy to understand and implement while enjoying this DIY project.
What Do You Need?
If you’re building a court at a school, club, or recreation center, and if you have the budget, prefer to call the professionals and ask them to do it for you. However, you can DIY by building your own recreational backyard Pickleball court. You can build your Pickleball court over a tennis court, on clay, and even on grass (at a recreational level).
Space
You require space to build your Pickleball court. To understand the required space, it’s possible to fit four Pickleball courts into your tennis court. If you’re building a Pickleball court at home, you only require one court. However, you will probably need at least two if it’s for a school, club, or recreation center.
A Pickleball court is 20 x 44 feet in size, so you require this much space plus a little extra room for ease of entry. Those who already have a tennis court are all set to go. But those who don’t, need to look at their grass or yard space and decide whether they have enough for a Pickleball court.
Considering the position of the sun and the casting of the shadows during the day, you must try and orient your Pickleball court north-south. Although this is the most preferred orientation, you must also consider other structures present around you.
Surface
Although there are multiple options here, we are primarily focussing on the following ones –
On a Tennis Court
Since you already have the structure in place, this is the easiest option. However, it requires some practice until you get used to the lines of your tennis and pickleball courts.
On Grass
This is the next easiest option when you are building at home if you have a grass space. You will have to mow your grass initially while keeping it smooth and even as possible. If you often play Pickleball, this will happen automatically due to wear and tear.
On Concrete
This is the best kind of surface since there’s no upkeep once you have the concrete in place. The concrete surface is always the preferred one for Pickleball courts.
Fencing
Pickleball courts require a perimeter fence. Without it, the players will have to keep collecting the ball. This is pretty horrible, and nobody likes to do this! Consider putting your fencing on while you are building a backyard Pickleball court. You can use any type of fencing you want; however, if you’re using wire, ensure that it’s rust-proof to avoid any injuries.
Wire also makes sense since you can chat with people watching or hanging out on the other side of the court, waiting for their turn to play. Wire also makes sense for Pickleball coaches so that they can chat with their players through the fence.
The Fence Dimensions
A wire fence must be approximately 10 feet high; however, you can go lower to save on cost. You can do part fence and part cladding above the fence. The fence will cover all sides of the court and have an entrance or doorway.
Pickleball Lines and Markers
Remember these points if you are doing the lines and markers yourself. The lines of your Pickleball court must be white or visible against your surface. Lines have to be 2 inches wide. You may also use 2-inch-wide tape, in a color that contrasts with your surface. Masking tape also works well.
Consider using a standard Contractor’s paint while you are painting on concrete or asphalt. You may also use chalk-based paint, acrylic paint, or an exterior PVFA.
The Baselines
Your baselines will run parallel to your Pickleball net, and each side of the net will have a baseline.
The Sidelines
They run all along your court, perpendicular to your net, joining the baseline.
The Non-Volley Lines
These lines run parallel to your Pickleball net on both sides and lie 7 feet away from your net between the sidelines.
The Centre Lines
These lines are on both sides of your Pickleball net and run between the baseline, sidelines, and non-volley lines.
The Non-Volley Zone
This is the area of your Pickleball court that’s in front of the net, on each side, framed by the sidelines and the non-volley line.
The Service Court
The service court is on each side of the center lines and both sides of your court, surrounded by the baselines, sidelines, and volley lines.
The Pickleball Net
You can put the net in before or after painting the court lines. Make sure it is at the dead center. This net is 21 feet and 9 inches long and is extended from one post to the other. The middle of your Pickleball net is 34 inches whereas the sidelines are 36 inches.
Playing at Night?
Adding some lighting to the pickleball court will help nighttime play. Lighting is not just great for the night but also for those grey winter days.
Thus you can build a DIY pickleball court in your backyard and enjoy this amazing game. If you need further assistance regarding your pickleball court, please contact us at Pickleball Courts of New England.
