Dallas is pickleball central. The local billionaire Tom Dundon has a lot to do with the sport’s spread, particularly among the professional players and their fans. (The USA Pickleball National Championships will come to Brookhaven Country Club from November 5-12.) You can read all about that here.
But cities are getting in on the trend, too. Municipalities are opening new courts, converting tennis courts, and morphing basketball courts into something that can accommodate the game. Gyms are getting in on the craze. YMCAs are opening up locations. Country clubs, you name it—there are plenty of places for amateurs to swing.
We’ve gathered the best places to play in Dallas-Fort Worth. Get to dinking.
Best Walk-Ons
Campbell Green Park
4 dedicated outdoor courts
These lighted pickleball courts beside a sprayground in Far North Dallas became the city’s first new-construction courts in 2022; they’re still in pristine shape. 16600 Hillcrest Rd.
Churchill Park
4 dedicated outdoor courts
Competition is fierce at these courts that back up to backyards in the leafy Hillcrest Forest neighborhood. Keep the taunting sotto voce during Tuesday and Thursday open-play nights. 7025 Churchill Way.
Cole Park
6 dedicated outdoor courts
If you like a little jam with your pickle, this is the place. The scene—like its Uptown location—is young, fun, and flirty. 4000 Cole Ave.
Kiest Park
4 outdoor + 3 indoor courts
In addition to four new outdoor courts, lines have been drawn for three indoor courts in the rec center. (Note: don’t get this confused with Kiest Tennis Center across the boulevard.) 3081 S. Hampton Rd.
Best for Bad Weather
Huffhines Recreation Center
3 indoor courts
A modest annual membership or nominal daily fee entitles you to take a beginners class ($15); reserve a court and play Monday–Thursday, 6–10 am; or join open play Friday, 11 am–3 pm. (Note: the Heights Recreation Center, just across U.S. 75, also offers indoor play on its three courts Monday and Wednesday afternoons.) 200 N. Plano Rd., Richardson. 972-744-5881.
Plano YMCA
4 indoor courts
A robust schedule of indoor play entices local members (as well as the occasional out-of-town business traveler) looking to get their fix. There’s open play Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 8:30–11 am; Thursday, 12:45–2 pm; Friday, 9:30–11 am. (The White Rock, Lake Highlands, Park Cities, and Town North YMCAs also have indoor courts available for members.) 3300 McDermott Rd., Plano. 214-705-9459.
Best Public With Benefits
The Courts at McKinney
4 dedicated outdoor courts
The recent $11 million facility expansion not only includes six indoor tennis courts but also four dedicated outdoor pickleball courts with shaded stadium seating. There are drills for all levels, leagues for all persuasions, Saturday and Sunday open play from 6 to 9 pm, and a four-week beginner course to get you up to speed ($99). Looking to convert? Sign up for their crash course for tennis players ($30). 3253 Alma Rd., McKinney. 972-547-2012.
High Point Park Tennis Center
8 dedicated outdoor courts
Yes, their pro shop is the best stocked in town. Yes, the wraparound second-floor viewing deck is pretty sweet. Yes, they offer every type of drill, league, and lesson imaginable. And, yes, they’ve even got Pickle Fit ($20) for those wanting to burn some extra calories and walk-on Paddle Battles ($12) for those yearning to reign longer than QEII as the monarch of the court. 421 W. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano. 972-941-7170.
Samuell Grand Tennis Center
12 outdoor courts
The four dedicated courts outside the clubhouse entrance have a shaded seating area for socializing and strategizing; they are available for open play pretty much all day, every day. Intro lessons are offered on Sunday ($30), drills run Monday to Wednesday ($10–$30), and ladder leagues are available on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings. 6220 E. Grand Ave. 469-250-7887.
Southlake’s Bicentennial Park
9 dedicated outdoor courts
Southlake’s new $4.5 million facility has already been hyperbolically dubbed “the Taj Mahal pickleball complex” by Mayor John Huffman. At the time of publication, the grand opening was planned for October. 450 W. Southlake Blvd., Southlake.
Most Perks With Membership
Brookhaven Country Club
26 dedicated outdoor courts
After more than $5 million in infrastructure improvements made to host the USA Pickleball National Championships next month, the country club will be left with more than two dozen permanent courts and an improved clubhouse. Nonmembers can enroll in lessons and drills (as space allows) for an additional fee. 3333 Golfing Green Dr., Farmers Branch. 972-241-5961.
Life Time Frisco
12 dedicated outdoor courts
When it opened last year, it was billed as a “first-of-its-kind athletic resort” set on 16 acres with a 30,000-square-foot beach club. More important: there’s open play just about every day for three hours, morning and night, on up to six of the 12 courts. The Colleyville, McKinney, and Fort Worth outposts—with 11, 12, and 16 dedicated courts, respectively—aren’t too shabby either. 4900 Throne Hall Way, Frisco. 469-476-3900.
Oasis Pickleball Club
42 outdoor courts, 8 covered
As the biggest venue around (at least until Brookhaven stepped into the kitchen), Oasis has historically been the preferred site for pro and amateur pickleball competitions. A comparatively modest monthly fee ($65/individual, $125/family) entitles you to all-day free play plus discounts on lessons, leagues, and drills. Nonmembers can pay a $10 drop-in fee to join the fun. Upcoming tournaments include the APP Dallas Open (Oct. 4–8), The Rumble (Oct. 27–29), and the All Texas Amateur Open (Nov. 18–19). 5757 State Hwy. 205, Rockwall. 972-772-7768.
Most Accessible With Beer
Chicken N Pickle
Grand Prairie: 5 outdoor + 6 indoor courts
Grapevine: 4 outdoor + 8 indoor courts
The beer is cold, and the fried chicken is crispy at both locations of this Missouri-based chain. And thanks to a collaboration with PPA sponsor Carvana, both have several PER4MAX wheelchairs available for customer use. Check the website for accessible exhibitions and clinics offered throughout the year, in addition to private ($50+/hour) and group ($25+/person) lessons, beginner clinics ($10), Newbie Nights ($5), and daily open play ($5). The best kept secret in town: you can rent an air-conditioned court for $30/hour; come July, that’s priceless. A third location will open in Allen next year. Grand Prairie: 2965 State Hwy. 161. 469-943-1410. Grapevine: 4600 Merlot Ave. 817-766-6320.
Highest
Tower Club
1 indoor court
Not to be overshadowed by Brookhaven, the Tower Club (also part of the Invited club portfolio) has laid claim to the highest pickleball court in the country by installing one in a 48th-floor ballroom. The rate for members is $45 per person, per hour. Get in line. (Or take a seat at the bar—those views are sweet.) 1601 Elm St., 48th Fl. 214-220-0403.
Author
