You’ve heard about the beautiful golf courses at Hilton Head, you may have even heard about the 240 miles of biking trails around the island, but, have you heard about pickleball at Palmetto Dunes? If you’ve done the rest, pickleball is something you need to try!
What is Pickleball?
One of the fastest growing sports in the country, pickleball is a combination of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. The court and net are bigger than a ping pong table, but smaller than a tennis court. Singles or doubles, the game is played until the first player/team reaches 11.
The game of pickleball itself is played like tennis or ping-pong. The main points that make it a little different are the double bounce rule and the no volley zone. In pickleball, the ball must bounce twice before it can be hit—once in the court before the server serves, and then once diagonally in the opposite court’s zone. The no volley zone is a seven foot area on either side of the net (which is slightly smaller than a tennis net) in which the ball may not bounce. It may sound complicated, but there are instructional sessions that will have you playing pickleball like a seasoned veteran in no time!
When Can I Play Pickleball?
If you are staying at Palmetto Dunes, join a daily clinic or a round robin tournament any day throughout the year between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on one of their eight new oceanfront courts. If you don’t need a refresher or a partner, sign up for a reservation. The lighted courts are available for nighttime play as well.
If you are planning to be active on your visit to Hilton Head, you may want to make sure to set aside some time to perfect your pickleball game. If you know your rules for tennis or ping-pong, you’re well on your way. Play ball!