Pickleball is Growing in Myrtle Beach

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Pickleball is making waves across the US, and that includes Myrtle Beach. According to court data provider Pickleheads, there are 9 pickleball courts in Myrtle Beach, making it the 4th most popular city in South Carolina to play pickleball. Across the whole slate, there are nearly 200 pickleball court locations, with new ones being added every year. 

If you’re not in the loop, you may be wondering: What is pickleball? 

Pickleball is a paddle sport often described as a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It’s played on a badminton-sized court with a perforated plastic ball and paddles roughly twice the size of table tennis paddles. 

Pickleball’s meteoric rise in popularity is due to a couple of factors. The first is its accessibility. Pickleball is easy to learn, and it’s appropriate for any age and level of athleticism. 

While it’s easy to get started, there’s also enough depth to the game that it becomes fast-paced and strategic as players gain experience. 

The pickleball community is another important part of the game’s rise. Pickleball’s culture is all about sportsmanship and friendliness. 

According to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, there are over 4.8 million pickleball players in the country. The New York Times noted that pickleball grew by nearly 40 percent between 2019 and 2021. 

The USA Pickleball Association cites the average year-to-year growth rate of the sport at around 11.5%, making it the fastest-growing sport in the United States. 

The Growth of Pickleball in Myrtle Beach

With our gorgeous coastline, stunning accommodations, and vibrant lifestyle, Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. The rise in popularity in Pickleball has given visiting tourists yet another way to have some fun in the South Carolina sunshine.

Myrtle Beach pickleball players find the game to be an excellent way to get some exercise, and it’s relatively low-impact, which makes it a great option for people with joint or muscle issues. 

Pickleball’s warm and inviting community has made it easier for residents to meet new people and get plugged into a positive and active social scene. 

Myrtle Beach is home to some vibrant, active pickleball clubs. No matter your age, fitness level, and location in town, there’s a group of picklers waiting to show you the ropes. If you’ve been thinking about taking up a new hobby or trying to get more exercise, look into connecting with a pickleball club in town. You’ll find that the pickleball scene is quite friendly and that players are excited about sharing the sport with newcomers.

What’s more, the rise of pickleball has breathed new life into public sports facilities. Area pickleball clubs have helped raise money to renovate or upgrade parks across the city—particularly those at Midway Memorial Park and J. Bryan Floyd Community Center.

Places to Play Pickleball in Myrtle Beach

Here are some of the best pickleball courts in Myrtle Beach. Many of these locations are being upgraded as pickleball grows in popularity throughout the city, so don’t miss out. 

Midway Memorial Park

Midway Memorial Park began renovations in 2022 to help support the growing pickleball community. In fact, local pickleball players donated three shaded picnic areas to the project. 

Improvements to the park include new sidewalks, beautified landscaping, LED lighting, and new fences. In 2022, on top of raising the number of pickleball courts to ten, the city also installed new nets, and resurfaced and relined each court.

J. Bryan Floyd Community Center

Over one hundred people hit the pickleball courts at the J. Bryan Floyd Center each day, making it an epicenter of pickleball competition in Myrtle Beach. The community center offers both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, and it’s a wonderful place to meet other pickleball players. 

Not only does the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center have pickleball courts, but it also features facilities for soccer, baseball, softball, roller hockey, basketball, and more. The 20-acre park offers a quarter mile of paved trails, a press box, and a dozen picnic tables. 

78 Fitness at Kingston Resorts

Guests at Kingston Resorts have access to four beautiful pickleball courts, perfect for people visiting Myrtle Beach on vacation. Courts are available from 6:00AM to 8:00PM. 

Kingston Resorts can also provide pickleball paddles and balls. If you’re vacationing in Myrtle Beach and looking to try out pickleball for the first time, Kingston Resorts provides a great opportunity to give it a try. 

Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA

The Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA has three indoor pickleball courts, and for non-members the fee for court access is only $2.00. 

The YMCA is more than just a facility—it offers an inclusive community where you can meet new people and learn new skills, including pickleball. That’s right: Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA offers pickleball classes for new players to learn the ins and outs of the sport in a friendly, low-pressure environment. 

New Planned Pickleball Court Openings

J. Bryan Floyd Community Center 

The aforementioned J. Bryan Floyd Community Center is in the process of becoming an even better pickleball location. The North Myrtle Beach Pickleball Association—with assistance from the City of Myrtle Beach—plans to raise money for a new $600,000 pickleball complex, according to WMBF News

The new project is planned to have 8 individually-fenced pickleball courts, complete with lights and windscreens. 

The “JBF,” as locals sometimes call it, is already a central hub for pickleball players. The complex’s new pickleball facilities will ensure that even more players can hit the court and discover the game than ever before.

Join the Picklers of Myrtle Beach! 

People flock to Myrtle Beach from all over the world to relax, have fun, and take a load off. Pickleball is a great match for the city’s upbeat, laid-back lifestyle. There’s something electric about being a part of something that’s rapidly growing and evolving, and now’s the time to grab a paddle and see what the fuss is about. 

We’ll see you out on the court! 

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