What Is Pickleball?
One of the world's fastest-growing sports - a fun, social paddle game that mixes tennis, badminton and table tennis, and takes just minutes to learn.
A Quick Introduction
Because it's still a young sport in the UK, we get asked "what is pickleball?" all the time. It's already huge in the US - with more than 40 million regular players - but it's only just taking off here, which is exactly why we're on a mission to share it.
Tennis, Badminton & Table Tennis - Combined
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a smaller court with a solid paddle and a light, perforated plastic ball. It borrows the best bits of tennis, badminton and table tennis into one game.
It's easy to learn, gentle on the body, and genuinely suits every age and ability - most people are rallying within minutes of picking up a paddle. That mix of accessible and addictive is a big part of why it's grown so fast.
Where to start
Where Pickleball Came From
Pickleball was invented in 1965 and spread steadily across the United States through the 1970s and 80s, winning people over with how easy it was to pick up and how well it suited every skill level.
By the 1990s it was an established sport with organised tournaments and dedicated courts. Today it's played by millions around the world - in parks, sports halls, schools and clubs - by everyone from casual first-timers to competitive athletes.
The Health Benefits
It doesn't just feel good - the research backs it up. Pickleball is a proper workout for body and mind, and it's one of the friendliest ways to stay active. Here's what the science says.
A Real Cardio Workout
It counts as moderate-intensity exercise: players regularly spend long stretches with their heart rate around 70% of its maximum - the zone that builds fitness.
Harvard HealthHeart & Metabolic Health
On the days people play, they clock up thousands of extra steps, and regular play has been linked with lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Harvard HealthA Mood Boost
In a study of more than 250,000 people, frequent players reported far fewer signs of low mood - depression-indicator scores were around 60% lower than the wider group.
Apple Heart & Movement StudyA Sharper Mind
The quick reactions and shot-by-shot strategy give your brain a workout too - racket sports are associated with better cognition and memory as we age.
Harvard HealthBalance & Healthy Ageing
Its gentle, low-impact movement helps improve balance and coordination - which can lower the risk of falls - while suiting almost any age or fitness level.
Harvard HealthConnection & Wellbeing
Because it's such a social game, regular players report higher life satisfaction and a stronger sense of community - an effect that's especially strong in older adults.
Systematic review, 2025Most people get all of this at our socials. Relaxed, friendly sessions where everyone gets a game - the easiest way to play regularly.
See social playSources: the Apple Heart & Movement Study (Apple, Harvard Medical School & Brigham & Women's Hospital), Harvard Health Publishing, and a 2025 peer-reviewed systematic review. General wellbeing information, not medical advice.
How Pickleball Is Played
You'll pick up the flow within a game or two. Here are the essentials to get you started.
- It's played on a court the size of a badminton court - 20 feet wide and 44 feet long.
- There's a seven-foot "non-volley zone" either side of the net - the kitchen - where you can't volley the ball.
- Only the serving side can score points.
- Serves are hit underarm, and you can't serve-and-volley like in tennis.
Keep Exploring
Where to Start
New to it all? Our beginner's guide points you to the right first session.
Get startedBeginners Course
Learn the game properly over three weeks, with all the kit provided.
Book a courseTaster Session
Just want to try it? A one-off, low-pressure way to see if you love it.
Book a tasterWhich Paddle?
Ready to buy your own? Our guide helps you choose the right one.
Read the guide