SPOT.ph Roundup: Where to Play Pickleball in Metro Manila

(SPOT.ph) Pickleball has seen a rise in popularity over the past few years in different parts of the world, especially in the West. Slowly but surely, we've been catching up with the trendy tennis cum badminton sport. It has come to the point that more venues are offering clinics or workshops to teach pickleball across the Metro, and even starting tournaments among those who want to compete.

For those curious about this trending sport, let us explain to you the rules of the game and where to play pickleball in Metro Manila.

Also read: Learn How to Play Padel at BGC's Sprawling Outdoor Gym

Here's everything you need to know about pickleball:

Pickleball is a dynamic and fast-paced sport that combines elements of three other racket sports: tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Played on a smaller court than tennis, the game is typically doubled, with each side featuring two players. The court is divided into sections, including a net in the center. Players use pickleball-specific equipment, which is a solid paddle that's aimed to hit a wiffle ball back and forth from one side of the court to another.

Similar to any other racket sport, the objective of pickleball is to score points by making shots that the opposing team cannot return within the boundaries of the court. One has to be strategic in outmaneuvering the opponent.

What is the difference between pickleball and other racket sports, like tennis and badminton?

Pickleball can easily be confused with other racket sports, such as tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It's also often compared to padel, which is another trending sport. The main differences that set pickleball apart from the mentioned all boil down to the court size, net height, equipment, and rules.

Court Size: Pickleball is played on a smaller court than tennis, roughly one-fourth the size. The dimensions are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for doubles.

Net: The net in pickleball is lower than in tennis but higher than in badminton. It is set at 34 inches at the center.

Equipment: Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials, and the ball is a perforated plastic wiffle ball.

Rules: Pickleball emphasizes short rallies, and the serving team scores points. The serve must be underhand, and players must let the ball bounce once on each side before volleying.

Where to play pickleball in Metro Manila:

Zone Sports Center

7224 Malugay Street, corner Bel-Air, Makati City
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Rates start at P250 per hour

The Zone Sports Center is a sports center in Makati City with an entrance fee of P75 per head and a P250 per-hour rate. This sports venue has six covered badminton courts for those who want to play pickleball and has a modified net that's used for the pickleball racket sport.

Conquest Sports

187 F. Roxas Street, Grace Park, Caloocan City
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 12 m.n.
Rates start at P250 per hour

Caloocan-based sports venue Conquest Sports has one badminton court that can also be used for pickleball. For those in the North, the court can be rented at a fixed rate of P250 per hour,  with no need for an entrance fee. Do take note: It is important that interested pickleball players make a reservation via Conquest Sports' Facebook before going to the sports venue.

Market! Market! Pickleball Club

McKinley Parkway, Taguig City
Open daily, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Exclusive to Market! Market! Pickleball Club members

The first-ever pickleball court in a mall? This one can be found at Ayala Malls Market! Market!, specifically at the mall's Playzone or the open playground. It has an azure floor coating that's hard to miss.

This pickleball court is exclusive to Market! Market! Pickleball Club members only. Active club members are to join a group chat to check the court schedule's availability, and once the time slot is decided upon, payment can be made via GCash. For those interested in becoming a club member, you need to fill out the club registration form. Don't worry, membership is free.

The Tent at Acacia Estates

Acacia Avenue, Taguig
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Rates start at P200 per hour

CMDI Homes venue is used for multiple purposes such as bazaar, community gatherings, social events, and, yes, even sports activities. What's particularly great about this court is not just the competitive P200 per-hour rate, but the venue's office also lets interested players rent pickleball equipment.

Emerald Avenue, Pasig City

Emerald Avenue, San Antonio, Pasig
Open Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
No rental fee

The Philippine Pickleball Federation holds a street pickleball game every Saturday along Emerald Avenue in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. This is open to all interested pickleball players and is free. 

On previous Street Pickleball nights, the pickleball equipment is already provided. Parking along Emerald Avenue is free. More updates are posted via the STREET PICKLEBALL: Ortigas Center, Pasig City Facebook group.

How to set up your own pickleball court:

Pickleball can be played pretty much anywhere—the most common venues use sports court surfaces such as those used for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and tennis. Some even play pickleball along the streets with a portable net that has poles.

If you can't go to any of the mentioned pickleball courts, there is a way to work around such obstacles. So as long as there's a flat surface, net, paddle, and wiffle balls (best described as ping pong balls with perforated holes), then anywhere can be your pickleball court. 

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