DIY Pickleball Court – From Scratch or Modification By Cari | Published on April 7, 2023 Pickleball is a fun and fast-growing sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. If you’re a fan of the game and have some extra outdoor space at your home, why not consider building your own pickleball court? While it may sound like a daunting task, creating a DIY pickleball court is easier than you might think. Not only will you have a dedicated place to play, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you built it yourself. Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court, indoors or outdoors. It’s easy to learn with a low cost – all you need is paddles, balls, and a court. In fact, you can easily play pickleball on tennis courts with very few modifications. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of building your own pickleball court or modifying an existing tennis court, step by step. DIY Pickleball Court: Choosing a Location To get started on your DIY pickleball court, the first thing to do is choose a good location. Of course, if you already have a tennis court that you’d like to modify or a space for an inside court, then you’ve already completed step one! Otherwise, here are some factors to consider when it comes to the placement of your outside court. Space: A pickleball court is a rectangular playing area that measures 20 feet wide by 44 feet long (6.1 meters by 13.4 meters). The court is divided in half by a 34 inch (0.86 meter) high net. Additionally, you’ll want extra space around the court to allow for run-offs and possibly fencing. Sun: Run your court north to south that way no players are ever stuck staring directly into the sun. Also, consider the overall amount of sun; if there is no shade, it could get to hot to play. On the other hand, if there is too much shade, players won’t be able to see the ball. Finding a good balance is important. Surface: When choosing a good spot, check how level the ground is in the area you want to use. While pickleball courts can be built on many different types of surfaces, you will want an area that is stable and safe. Neighbors: Choose a spot that is not too close to your neighbors so that you don’t have to worry about getting noise complaints while playing. Accessibility: While avoiding being too close to neighbors, you also want to ensure your court is easy enough for your players to get to. Regulations: Lastly, some places require permits for building athletic courts, so be sure to check your local regulations. Necessary DIY Equipment Building a pickleball court requires certain equipment and materials, including fencing, netting, and paint. By surrounding the court with fencing, it is easier to contain the ball within the playing area. To surround a pickleball court, you need a minimum of 120 feet of fencing. Netting is used to divide the court in half and should be at least 22 feet long and 36 inches high at the ends. The court surface is typically painted with lines to indicate the various playing areas. For a temporary court, sidewalk chalk works to draw the lines. Another temporary option is painter’s tape. Other necessary materials may include posts for the net, stakes for the fencing, and materials for preparing the ground and building the court base. Of course, different materials are required or not depending on the type and permanence of the court you want. Preparing the Space As with many other aspects of your DIY court, preparing the space for your court depends on a lot of factors, such as: Inside vs. Outside Court Modifying an Existing Tennis or Other Athletic Court How Level / Safe is the Space If you are building a permanent court outside from scratch, it might take a little more effort than using a level space that already exists. First, try to choose a space that is at least 30 feet by 60 feet. Then, pick a hard surface (concrete) to play on. If you already have that (even a large driveway works), then great, but if you don’t, you will want to level off the area and install a sturdy foundation. Once you have the foundation set, you may add court tiles for a more finished look or just add the lines to your concrete base. Also, if you plan to install fencing, lights, sideline seats, etc., now is the time to add those components to your court space. Painting the Lines on Your DIY Pickleball Court Now is the time for one of the most important parts of your court — the lines! The court is divided into several areas: baselines, which run parallel to the net at the end of the court; sidelines, which run the length of the court; the non-volley zone (NVZ), which is bounded by a line 7 feet from the net and two sidelines on either side of the court; the centerline, which extends down the center of the court from the baselines to the NVZ; and the service area, which includes the centerline, sideline, and baseline beyond the NVZ on either side of the centerline. There are many options when it comes to “painting” the lines. First, it depends on if you want a permanent or temporary court, and whether the court is in or outside. For a permanent option, you may paint the lines yourself or hire professionals to ensure the court looks great from the start. However, there are many temporary to semi-permanent options, such as: Lines on Outside Courts: Sidewalk Chalk Painter’s Tape Blue #1 Chalk Dust Orange Masking Tape Vinyl Lines on Inside Courts: Frog Green Tape Painter’s Tape Vinyl Black Electric Tape Stain (on wooden floors) *We recommend testing a patch before laying down tape on your indoor court to make sure it won’t remove the varnish from your flooring. Modifying an Existing Court When modifying an existing athletic court for pickleball, there are several considerations to take into account. These include the size of the court, the condition of the surface, the availability of net posts and fencing, and any regulations or permits that may be required. Additionally, it may be necessary to adjust the playing lines and markings to meet pickleball specifications. And, if the existing court is used for other sports, such as basketball or tennis, it may be necessary to install removable pickleball nets and adjust the court lines accordingly. At the sidelines, measure to ensure the net height is 36 inches. Jugs Bulk Box of Bulldog Baseballs or Softballs (Baseballs - 100 Count, Softballs - 84 Count) $200.00 – $250.00 View Details Jugs Bulldog Poly Baseballs (One Dozen) $30.00 View Details Pickleball Net Set – Portable (22'L x 34"H) $189.00 View Details Portable Pickleball Net System (22’ L x 36” H) $2,581.00 View Details Stellar Recreational Net System – Adjustable for Pickleball / Volleyball / Tennis $1,757.00 – $3,173.00 View Details How to Maintain Your DIY Pickleball Court To maintain your pickleball court, regularly sweep or blow debris off the surface, and power wash or mop the court to remove any stains or dirt buildup. Repair any cracks or damage to the surface promptly to prevent further deterioration. Check the net, fencing, and stakes regularly for any signs of wear and tear, and replace or repair them as needed. Also, we recommend reapplying court paint or coatings periodically to maintain good ball bounce and court line visibility. By following these simple maintenance steps, your pickleball court remains in good condition to provide many years of enjoyment. If you’re ready to play, but need help getting started, Contact Us to get answers and a quote today!
