About/faqs'

Pickleball is a sport played with a paddle that combines elements from badminton, tennis, and ping pong.

The game is played on a court with the same measurements as badminton doubles.

The net is similar to a tennis net, but a little lower.

The game is played with a hard “paddle” and a hard, hollow plastic ball with holes in it.

Even though pickleball is like tennis, there are important differences that make pickleball especially more accessible for children and seniors.

The most important difference is the speed of the ball. A pickleball ball travels at about a third of the average speed of a tennis ball. The pickleball court is roughly a third of the size of a tennis court.

The smaller surface area combined with the slower ball speed, and an underhand serve makes pickleball easier to play than tennis.

The game is the fastest growing game in the USA with more than 4.2 million players. The tipping point was around 5 years ago. Now Pickleball Courts are popping up all over the country including in retirement communities. The game started to take off in the UK around 2011 and now has over 120 Places to play and over 4,000 estimated players.

The basic rules for singles and doubles have been established by the World Pickleball Federation.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I join SHARP Pickleball Club?

You can join by visiting our members' page. Membership is open to all levels and includes access to coaching, social play, equipment, and club events.

Due to high demand, we currently have a waiting list. If you have an interest in joining, please join as normal by joining here: https://web2.teamo.chat/club/register/sharppickleball, and then you will be put on the waiting list and accepted when a place becomes available.

2. I’ve never played Pickleball before — can I still join?

Absolutely! We welcome beginners. We have beginner-friendly sessions, and we provide all the equipment and guidance to help you get started.

3. Do I need to bring my own paddle or equipment?

Yes — limited equipment is provided at our sessions. However, if you’d prefer to use your own paddle, you’re encouraged to bring it along.

4. Where do you play?

We currently hold sessions at venues in St Albans and Harpenden. Visit our Locations page for full details and directions.

5. How do I book a session?

Session bookings are managed through our club platform Teamo. Once you become a member, you’ll receive instructions on how to book and manage your sessions.

6. What’s included in the membership?

Membership gives you access to regular play, coaching opportunities, social events, inter-club matches, and club-owned equipment. Full details can be found on our Membership page.

7. Do you run tournaments or competitions?

Yes — we run club tournaments, league matches, and friendly inter-club fixtures throughout the year. Keep an eye on our Events page and social media for updates.

8. How can I get involved as a volunteer?

We're always looking for volunteers to help grow the club! Whether it’s helping with events, social media, or admin, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our Club news page to learn more.

9. Are children or families allowed to join?

At the moment, our sessions are aimed at adults (18+). However, we are exploring options for junior and family sessions in the future.

10. Are we on DURP?

Yes-- DUPR (dynamic universal pickleball rating) is the premier rating algorithm in pickleball. What sets DUPR apart is its complicated algorithm, which factors in a number of different aspects towards your rating. The rating scale is from 2.0 – 8.0 and your rating goes up and down depending on your results. Your opponent's rating, as well as the manner of your result, affects your rating too. To find out more, you can check out the DUPR website here.