What is pickleball?
Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It's played on a small court (roughly a quarter the size of a tennis court) with a solid paddle and a lightweight perforated plastic ball.
Invented in 1965 in the United States, pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in Australia. It's easy to learn, incredibly social, and gentle enough on the body for players of all ages — from teenagers to retirees.
The pickleball court
A standard pickleball court is 6.1m wide and 13.4m long — the same dimensions as a doubles badminton court. The net sits at 91cm at the sidelines and 86cm in the centre.
The most important area is the Non-Volley Zone — commonly called the "kitchen" — which is the 2.1m area on either side of the net. You cannot volley (hit the ball in the air) while standing in the kitchen. This single rule is what makes pickleball so strategic.
Standard pickleball court layout
Basic rules of pickleball
🏓 Serving
Serves must be hit underarm and must land in the diagonally opposite service box. The serve must clear the kitchen (non-volley zone).
🔢 The two-bounce rule
After the serve, each team must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. After those two bounces, volleys are allowed (except in the kitchen).
🚫 The kitchen rule
You cannot volley the ball while standing in the non-volley zone (kitchen). You can enter the kitchen to play a ball that has bounced.
📊 Scoring
Only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11 points, win by 2. In doubles, you get two serves (one per partner) before the serve changes.
❌ Faults
A fault occurs when the ball goes out of bounds, into the net, lands in the kitchen on a serve, or a volley is hit from inside the kitchen.
🎯 Winning
First team to 11 points (win by 2) wins the game. Tournament play often uses best of 3 games. Some social formats use 15 or 21 points.
Pickleball equipment
The paddle
Pickleball paddles are solid — unlike tennis racquets they have no strings. They're typically made from graphite, carbon fibre, or fibreglass composite and are larger than a table tennis bat but much smaller than a tennis racquet. Beginner paddles range from around $50–$100 AUD. Intermediate and advanced paddles range from $150–$400+.
The ball
Pickleballs are perforated plastic balls — similar to a wiffle ball. Outdoor balls have fewer, larger holes and are slightly harder. Indoor balls have more, smaller holes and are lighter. Most Gold Coast courts use outdoor balls.
Footwear
Court shoes are recommended — the lateral movement in pickleball puts different demands on your feet than running shoes. Tennis shoes or dedicated pickleball shoes work best.
Doubles vs singles pickleball
Pickleball can be played as singles (1v1) or doubles (2v2). Doubles is by far the most popular format — it's more social, requires less running, and is the format used in most social play and competitions.
In doubles, communication with your partner is key. The most effective doubles teams develop a rhythm where both players move together — either both at the net or both at the baseline, transitioning together as rallies develop.
Tips for beginners
- Get to the kitchen line — The non-volley zone line is where most points are won and lost. Learn to move to the kitchen line after the serve/return.
- Play the dink game — A dink is a soft shot that lands in the kitchen. Mastering the dink is the key to intermediate pickleball.
- Watch the ball, not your opponent — Focus on the ball all the way through contact.
- Keep your paddle up — A low paddle means slow reaction time. Hold your paddle at chest height between shots.
- Start slow — Power isn't the goal in pickleball. Consistency and placement beat power every time.
- Play as much as you can — Pickleball improves fastest through repetition. Try to play at least twice a week when starting out.
Where to play pickleball in Australia
Courtly currently covers the Gold Coast with venues including Pizzey Park, KDV Sport, The Pickle Club, Currumbin, Runaway Bay, and Tallebudgera. We're expanding to Brisbane and beyond throughout 2026.
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