Do you love to play Pickleball but can’t find a court nearby? Pickleball is growing in popularity, but it’s difficult to find courts. So, many people are building their outdoor pickleball courts for friends and family members. In this article, we will outline the steps! Read on if you want to know more about how to build an outdoor pickleball court.
Step 1: Measure your space area
Measure the size of your space and mark with a string. If possible, try to use a weatherproof string that you can leave out in the sun and rain for a few days without it deteriorating too much. Also, make sure any ideas you have about how to layout your court will fit within this area! Let’s take a look at ways you can play pickleball on a tennis court.
Step 2: Remove grass/weeds/plants/rocks
Rake off any vegetation or rocks within the marked area. Make sure there are no surprises when you dig! If you can do this step in the fall, it will be easier, and you’ll have more time to work on your project.
Step 3: Mark positions for poles and corner strings
Using a string (again, it should be out and exposed to sun/rain), outline where you think your pickleball pole positions should go, as well as where your corner strings should go. This is not an exact science, and there are no rules about how your court should look, so this is where you can get creative! You may want to use nails or stakes to hold the string in place if it’s windy outside.
Step 4: Set up your poles and corner strings
Put in your poles and attach your pickleball net to each one. Now is a good time to try your court out and see what works and what doesn’t work. You may need to adjust your layout, or you may find that you don’t like the position of some of the poles.
Step 5: Dig!
Now it’s time to start digging! Dig out at least 12 inches of soil so you have a decent base for your court. Some people recommend digging deeper, but unless you live in an area with soft soil, this is unnecessary. It will also depend on the size of your court how deep you need to go – if it’s small, then 6-12 inches should be sufficient, whereas other courts may require 24 or more inches of soil.
Step 6: Compact the base
Take a piece of ground cover fabric and place it at least a foot larger than your court on all sides, then lay down six layers to line the bottom of your court. This will help with drainage and make sure you have a smooth surface where you play. Rent or buy a rotary compacter to compact the soil down (there are lots of good videos on YouTube that will show you how).
Step 7: Add sand and fine gravel mix
The easiest way to do this is with a drop spreader attached to a truck, but if you’re renting a truck and want to take it on yourself (and save some money), then you can just drop the sand/gravel mix by hand. Make sure everything is covered evenly, and you’re ready to play!
Step 8: Put down mulch
You now have a beautiful new pickleball court! But if your kids or animals are around, it’s best to make sure the court is safe for them as well. So put down some rubber mulch (not oil-based, such as wood chips), and you’re done!
Outdoor Pickleball is gaining popularity across U.S. and is a great way to get exercise. Have fun with friends or family playing pickleball. If you want to try Pickleball for the first time, contact a pickleball court contractor now!