Pickleball Facts

• Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington

• The sport is named after a family dog called Pickles 

• Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States 

• The court is about one-third the size of a tennis court

• A pickleball has 26-40 holes, depending on the manufacturer 

• Only the serving team can score points in pickleball

• The game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis

• A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long

• The non-volley zone, known as "the kitchen," extends 7 feet from the net on each side

• Pickleball paddles are solid and don't have strings like tennis rackets

• The sport was invented by three dads to entertain their bored children

• Pickleball tournaments often have age categories spanning from under 19 to 80+

• Pickleball is now a professional sport

• The game is played to 11 points, but you must win by 2

• Pickleball was recognized as an official sport by the Amateur Athletic Union in 2015 (fact check)

• The first permanent pickleball court was built in 1972