Can I hire pickleball equipment?

Yes, pickleball paddles and balls are available for hire. To collect your equipment, please visit reception before your booking. You’ll need to present a valid photo ID, which will be securely held at reception while you play.

What are the basic rules of pickleball?

Serve Each point starts with an under-hand serve, from behind the back line which must be hit diagonally to the opposite square. The serve must clear the non-volley zone (including the non-volley line). A server gets 1 service attempt. If the server wins the point, they continue to serve and alternate sides. In doubles, both players get to serve regardless of whether they win their first point on serve. When the service is lost, then both players in the opposing pair get to be the server. Play ‘Double Bounce Rule’ - Each team must play their first return shot off the bounce. It is only after the third short that the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce. Volleys - Players are only allowed to volley when their feet are behind the non-volley zone line. The point is lost if the volleyer’s momentum carries the player into the non-volley zone after volleying. Scoring Pickleball is scored as a first to 11 points, with two clear points needed to win. A point can only be won by the serving team.

Are pickleballs the same as tennis balls?

No. A pickleball is a round plastic ball which weighs roughly half the weight of a tennis ball and has between 26 and 40 holes across its surface. Pickleballs are available to hire or purchase at our Chiswick venue.

What should I wear to play pickleball?

Like tennis or padel, for pickleball you can play in whatever you feel most happy in – think t-shirts, shorts, tracksuit bottoms, sweatshirts and a comfortable pair of trainers.

Getting Started in

Pickleball

Why You Should Start Playing Pickleball

In 2023, Pickleball emerged as the fastest growing sport in America, boasting a participation of over 48 million adults. It's a social sport, that is great for all ages and based more on control and reactions rather than just speed and power!

Played in both 'singles' or 'doubles', Pickleball is very easy to pick up and uses a court similar in layout to a tennis court but, about a quarter of the size.

An Introduction To Pickleball

We've put together a guide on how to play, the history of the game, our top Pickleball activities and a list of FAQ's with help from our friends at Pickleball England.

Park Sports Chiswick has 4 brand new floodlit outdoor dedicated 'pay & play' pickleball courts (May 2025). On arrival pickleball paddles and balls are available for hire from the Café.

Park Sports Chiswick Pickleball Game Play

Invented in Washington in 1965, Pickleball mixes elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis.

Download the Rules

Pickleball How to Play

Pickleball - Frequently Asked Questions

Browse all FAQs

Can I hire pickleball equipment?
What are the basic rules of pickleball?
Serve
- Each point starts with an under-hand serve, from behind the back line which must be hit diagonally to the opposite square.
- The serve must clear the non-volley zone (including the non-volley line).
- A server gets 1 service attempt.
- If the server wins the point, they continue to serve and alternate sides.
- In doubles, both players get to serve regardless of whether they win their first point on serve.
- When the service is lost, then both players in the opposing pair get to be the server.
Play
- ‘Double Bounce Rule’ - Each team must play their first return shot off the bounce. It is only after the third short that the ball can either be volleyed or played off the bounce.
- Volleys - Players are only allowed to volley when their feet are behind the non-volley zone line. The point is lost if the volleyer’s momentum carries the player into the non-volley zone after volleying.
Scoring
- Pickleball is scored as a first to 11 points, with two clear points needed to win.
- A point can only be won by the serving team.
Are pickleballs the same as tennis balls?
What should I wear to play pickleball?

Book a Pickleball Court

Playing together is a brilliant way for the whole family to keep active and playing with your kids will help them progress their game.

To book a Pickleball court online you will first need to set up an account. We strongly recommend booking online. On arrival pickleball paddles and balls are available for hire from the Café.

Everyone can book up to 7 days in advance, with new court availability released at 7.00am each morning.

Book a Court

Join a Weekly Social

Weekly Pickleball Socials are ideal for trying out pickleball for the first time and a great way to steadily introduce players with different focuses on specific elements of the game.

These 2-hour weekly sessions are a great way to improve your game with 1 hour coach-led social play followed by mix-in & play.

Make new friends and socialise with fellow new comers. Available to book up to 7 days in advance.

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Park Sports Chiswick Pickleball Weekly Socials

Join a Beginner Course

This summer, join our 6-week Adult Pickleball Courses—the perfect opportunity to learn more about America's fastest-growing sport!

We offer Beginner Courses designed for new pickleball players just starting, or those who may struggle with the fundamentals, such as forehand & backhand technique and consistency.

Each session combines coaching, drills, and fun games to help you learn the basics of stroke play, in game tactics, and how to keep score.

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