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  • Writer's pictureMidwest Fence & Gate

Pickleball Courts: Fencing, Dimensions, Materials & More


Close-up of a pickleball court with a fence in the middle.

Pickleball is a straightforward and easy-to-understand game, making it an ideal sport for beginners. When players gain more expertise, the game may also be highly difficult, competitive, and fast-paced. It also has something to offer everyone, whether you are a novice looking to learn a new sport for pleasure or an experienced player craving the excitement of more competitive play.


Pickleball is a convenient alternative for recreational facilities because it can be played indoors and outdoors. For outdoor activities, it is easy to install an outdoor pickleball pole. Additionally, it is useful to be aware that tri-sport recreational poles make it simple to switch between mini-volleyball, badminton, and pickleball conveniently.


What Are the Space Dimensions for a Pickleball Court?

It's crucial to adhere to the standard pickleball court size. Although the courts can be adjusted and personalized according to players' needs, a certain set of dimensions remains standard across the board.

  • The court dimension spans 20 x 44 feet.

  • The net height stands at 36 inches on the sidelines and 34 inches for the middle part.

  • The playing area can be a standard 30 x 60 feet for tennis court conversion, whereas 30 x 64 feet is a more suitable choice for tournaments and standalone courts.


As is clear from the 44 feet length (inclusive of lines) and 20 feet width (inclusive of lines), it is apparent that a standard pickleball court falls about around the same size as a doubles badminton court. The net heights draw further similarities to their tennis counterparts.


Another interesting fact is that right and left service courts are marked on a pickleball court, and there is also a kitchen-style 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net.


What You Need to Know About Your Pickleball Fence


Close-up of a pickleball fence.

Where Does Fencing Come into the Picture?

In multi-court pickleball environments, fencing is a crucial component. Its main function is to keep the ball in the playing area and to provide extra protection for the participants and spectators. Although there are many possibilities, wire fencing is the most popular. Comparatively speaking, wire fences provide better lighting than other options.


Bear in mind that an ideal fencing solution and installation are guaranteed when you hire a competent contractor. With padded fence tops, a fence height of four feet is permitted instead of the standard pickleball court fencing height of ten feet. To protect players and guests, all fencing must be rust-resistant.


Fencing Options for a Pickleball Court

One of the major uses of fencing is to keep the ball within the boundaries of the court and prevent it from bouncing out of bounds after every rally. The ideal fencing system should be rust and corrosion-proof and free from any unwanted protrusions that might hurt or injure players while running side-to-side movements.


The most visible and light-permeable choice is chain link fencing, which is also the most affordable. Other possibilities include orange construction fencing or plastic garden fencing.


Playing the Numbers

Since the ball used for pickleball games is 65 mm long, it is to be taken into consideration that none of the openings in the fences exceed that dimension. Usually, the 45mm or 55mm links are recommended choices for fences.


The backstops can be set at 10 feet in height, but that can be tweaked to increase or decrease, with the end goal of keeping the ball from leaving the confines. As far as sidesteps are concerned, 3 feet is the minimum height pegged for ideal play.


Gates can be installed at opposite ends of the court for seamless foot traffic. These gates can be wide enough for maintenance equipment to pass or wheelchairs to roll through.


Windscreens

Also known as windbreaks, windscreens are a recommended commodity that deflects unwanted wind from interfering with the trajectory of balls in mid-air. The windscreen acts as a wind barrier, and the addition of fence screens significantly impacts the rhythm of a pickleball game. They considerably encourage an even air flow and minimize the effects of crosswinds in open court settings.


They also offer a solid background against which the ball can be seen, increasing visibility during the game. Windscreens are a terrific addition to completing a tennis or pickleball court since they provide several advantages, such as seclusion, a solid background, wind reduction, and a generally more appealing aesthetic.


In contrast to bare chain link fences that are monotonous and boring, windscreens offer a low-cost solution to significantly improve the facility's overall aesthetic appeal without incurring substantial costs. Moreover, windscreens add a professional touch, eliminating off-court distractions, unwanted sunlight, and glare and creating some much-needed seclusion. These improve the game experience by improving reaction time and overall player focus.


Different Fencing Considerations for a Pickleball Court

Tennis court chain link fences are normally 10 feet high, unlike other sports facilities' fencing. The most typical windscreen order for a tennis court is a 9-foot-high screen, which is erected at the top of the fence while leaving a foot of fence at the bottom.


This makes it possible to mow and pull weeds regularly without worrying about harming the fence screens. It is also observed that some facilities opt to acquire windscreens that are 6 feet tall and center the panels on a 10-foot fence. Since Sports Screens are manufactured to order according to your personalized demands, there is no right or wrong height.


To prevent billowing, the screen can be fastened to the fence's middle using the center reinforcement. To reduce wind stress on your screens and fences, if your courts are in a strong wind region, you might also want to think about adding air vents to your panels.



The popularity of pickleball has grown over the past few years, and it is no surprise that it has become one of the sports expanding the quickest in the United States of America. If you're looking to fence pickleball courts within your private premises or commercial establishments, Midwest Fence & Gate Company has your back.


Using the safest and most trusted materials, we ensure elite-quality fencing and access control for playgrounds, sports complexes, recreational facilities, parks, etc. Our top-notch artistry and complete project management ensure a link to lasting security and an aesthetic touch.


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