Pickleball on a Budget: How to Get Started Without Breaking the Bank

Pickleball is a fun and easy-to-learn sport. One of the good things about pickleball is that it’s very inclusive. There’s pickleball for kids, pickleball for seniors, and even adaptive pickleball for the disabled. If you’re thinking of joining the fun, this is your sign.

As a beginner, you probably have no equipment yet and it’s got you thinking if this will cost you some $$$ to get started. Lucky for you, it doesn’t have to. There are ways for you to start loving the sport without breaking the bank. So, welcome, new pickler, and let’s check how you can start pickleball on a budget.

Read on about our budget-friendly tips.

• Affordable Pickleball Gear
• Affordable Pickleball Gear Brands
• 101 Pickleball Zen Control
• JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle
• GoSports GS21 Pickleball Paddle
• OneShot Pickleball Juniorshot Series
• Secondhand Equipment
• Online Stores
• Sale
• Borrow or Rent
• Budget-friendly Pickleball Tips
• Find Free Courts
• Public Parks
• Community Centers
• YMCA or YWCA
• Join Beginner Leagues
• Online Resources
• Practice at Home
• Take Care of Your Pickleball Equipment
• Clean Regularly
• Store Them Properly

Affordable Pickleball Gear

Affordable Pickleball Gear Brands

101 Pickleball Zen Control

The 101 Pickleball Zen Control paddle is an affordable pickleball gear that will give you a quality experience. This pickleball paddle is the best pickleball paddle for control and precision. This is also suitable for all skill levels.

For a budget-friendly but quality paddle to help you get started, buy 101 Pickleball Zen Control now!

JOOLA Essentials Pickleball Paddle

The JOOLA Essentials paddle is an affordable pickleball gear. This is great for beginners and recreational players who don’t want to spend much.

GoSports GS21 Pickleball Paddle

The GoSports GS21 paddle is also an affordable pickleball gear. This is specially made for beginners and intermediate players who are looking to improve their skills.

OneShot Pickleball Juniorshot Series

The OneShot Juniorshot Series is an affordable pickleball gear for kids. If your kids are interested in playing pickleball with you, this is a good paddle to go with.

Secondhand Equipment

You can check your local thrift stores or online markets for pre-loved pickleball paddles and balls. If you're still starting and aren't sure if you'll love the sport, it's ok to not invest that much money on equipment. Secondhand ones are ok, as long as they're still functioning right and won't disrupt your playing and learning, so be sure to check them before purchasing. 

Online Stores 

You can also check online stores like Amazon or Target for affordable pickleball ball gear. They usually have cheaper brands. Just make sure to check the review section before checking out. 

Sale

Check for sales, promotions, and discounts. Sometimes, online stores have sales or promotions like buy more for a discount. This could be useful if you want a spare or if you have friends who are looking to purchase too. There are also times when stores give discounts on holidays or seasonal discounts, so make sure to check too. 

Borrow or Rent

If money is tight right now, this is one of the pickleball budget tips you can do. Check if you have friends or family members who have a spare paddle and balls you can borrow from. This would be really helpful and won't break your bank. Just make sure to take good care of them and not break them, especially if they also use them.

You can also check your local pickleball community. Some have equipment that you can borrow when you use their facilities. Some also rent out their equipment. 

Budget-friendly Pickleball Tips

Find Free Courts

Some courts require a membership fee or fee for every time you play. It's understandable to not want to go to these courts. You can instead try to look for places that have free or low-cost pickleball courts. 

Public Parks

Since the rapid growth of pickleball, many public parks now have pickleball courts. You can check your local government or recreation website to see if any are available in your area. 

Community Centers

Some community centers offer free or low-cost courts. Check out if there are any in your area. 

YMCA or YWCA

There are many YMCAs and YWCAs located around the USA and usually, they have pickleball courts and offer minimal or discounted membership fees. It's worth checking if you have them in your area. 

Join Beginner Leagues

Try joining local beginner leagues to learn the sport and meet other players. Some even have clinics where pickleball players share their experiences and best practices. This way, you can learn from them, share your own experiences and best practices, and make new pickleball buddies. 

Online Resources

There are many video or article tutorials online that you can check out. These usually offer lessons and tips for beginners. You can check the Pickleball Channel or Sarah Ansboury on YouTube for useful tips. 

Practice at Home

If you can't afford to go to your local courts and prefer to learn at home, you can do that too. You can set up a DIY court in your home if you have an extra space like in your backyard or garage. This way, you can practice basic strokes at home. 

Take Care of Your Pickleball Equipment

Taking care of your pickleball equipment like your paddle, ball, and even a net, if you have one) helps a lot if you want to play pickleball on a budget. If you maintain your pickleball equipment properly, this will prevent them from getting damaged easily and having to replace them.

Clean Regularly

After using, always clean your pickleball paddle and balls to remove dirt, sweat, and grime. Clean your paddles with a damp cloth and dry them with a dry cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals as they can damage your paddles. For your pickleballs, wash them with soap and water and dry them with a dry cloth afterward.

Store Them Properly

When you’re not using them, store them in a cool, dry place and avoid putting them under direct sunlight or heat.

Starting a sport means getting the equipment needed. It can be expensive to buy these things sometimes, especially if you want high-quality brand new ones. It’s ok to go for the cheaper ones for now. What’s important is that you learn the skills needed and you enjoy the sport.