Written by John Molori
The golf and pickleball areas share putts and paddles
They are two accessible and fun games that are closely related. Golf and pickleball have their differences, but lately, we’ve been seeing a few places throughout the northeast that combine these two different sports in one place, and why not?
Both games attract a wide audience of players, from children to adults. In addition, while both golf and pickleball are not easy activities. Skill level can be improved with both practice and passion.
Among the many premier golf and pickleball spots is Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, NH. The facility has thirteen pickleball courts that are open to the public from May through October. In fact, Tennis Resorts Online rated Owl’s Nest as the #2 Pickleball Resort in the world. Owl’s Nest also offers courses, clinics, and round robin.
Similarly, Black Rock Country Club in Hingham, MA has also jumped on the pickleball bandwagon. Golfers in New England and beyond all know that Black Rock is one of the most family-friendly golf courses in the region.
The facility has also become a tennis center with five lighted and ventilated courts. Now, you can add pickleball to this varied menu. Black Rock has three lighted pickleball courts perfect for winter fun. Members can also participate in Ladder Play, League Play, and Black Rock Paddle Championships.
Like the Owl’s Nest, it’s all about providing a comfortable and welcoming environment for pickleball enthusiasts. Located in Thornton, NH, the Owl’s Nest offers pickleball clinics, group outings, and tournaments. They even have a Pickleball Tournament Package where participants can stay and play in the White Mountains.
One of the best things about Black Rock is how they have combined the new popularity of pickleball with the traditional style of golf. Players are required to wear tennis shoes, and white or 90% clothing. Appropriate clothing for men includes collared or short-sleeved shirts without cutoffs, short shorts, tank tops or bathing suits. I love this building. Black Rock also offers a warm-up house where leagues and teams can gather between pickleball games.
In Groton, MA, the Groton Country Club is another place where golf and pickleball fans can quench their thirst. Groton has pickleball courts available, but plan ahead because the courts must be reserved at least one hour before your preferred time to play. There is a link to the Court Reserve Profile on the country club website.
Like Black Rock, Pickleball players can play in the fall season in Groton with court times available until the closing date of November 4, 2024. There are weekday and weekend times from morning to evening.
Another premier golf club now deeply committed to pickleball is Pine Brook Country Club in Weston, MA. This area near Boston has challenged and delighted golfers for 100 years with a challenging course in a scenic setting.
With indoor and outdoor courts available, the game of Pine Brook pickleball is establishing its own tradition. Pickleball programs offer a variety of instructional and playing opportunities for adults and children of all ages and abilities. As at Black Rock, appropriate clothing and footwear are required.
Several of these pickleball paradises not only offer courts, play times, and beautiful locations, but also grow the game of pickleball with courses to improve play and create new opponents in the game.
At Groton CC, coach Sue Adams is certified by the Professional Pickleball Registry and the Professional Tennis Registry, and has been coaching since 2017. He is an Ambassador for the USA and the Royal Pickleball Club.
In Hudson, MA golf and pickleball can be found at one of the most popular facilities in New England, Charter Oak Country Club. Four outdoor pickleball courts are available and clinics run in the spring, summer, and fall.
So, why have so many traditional golf and country clubs embraced pickleball as an offering to customers? It comes down to numbers. In January of 2024, USA Pickleball released some amazing statistics on the game’s growth.
There are now nearly 12,000 places to play the game in the country, increasing by 1,000 by 2023. There are also over 50,000 courts with nearly 80,000 players. USA Pickleball has sanctioned 195 tournaments in 2023 including the National Championships and the National Indoor Championships.
In the past year, more than 1000 new paddles and nearly 100 new pickleballs have been approved, and more than $300 million has been invested in new facilities. The regional institutions mentioned above have noticed and are now riding this wave of popularity
Charter Oak promotes pickleball as a great way to get low-impact exercise while playing for fun with friends and family. And of course, they offer a pickleball version of the 19th hole, an outdoor post-game bar.
As in Groton, pickleball clinics and lessons are offered to players who want to continue learning or improve their games. Private and youth lessons are also available throughout the year for those new to the sport or more experienced players looking to improve their technique.
In keeping with decorum, men and boys should wear tennis shorts or polo pants, crew-neck tennis shirts, or tennis/pickleball-themed t-shirts. Women and girls should wear tennis shorts, skirts, or dresses with tank tops, polos, tennis shirts with crew necks, or tennis/pickleball themed t-shirts.
Throughout the northeast and eastern seaboard, traditional golf courses, clubs, and country clubs see a similar demographic of golfers and pickleball players. This fact changes the often rigid and stubborn concepts of many traditional golf courses.
What it comes down to is diversity and customer satisfaction. If a facility can get their current golfers interested in pickleball, that leads to more time and money spent at the club, but let’s not reduce this to just economics. The combination of golf and pickleball is really about staying active, interacting with fellow enthusiasts, and combining the time-tested and current passions of two awesome sports.
John Molori is a writer and author of many books. Like him on Facebook at John Molori, Twitter @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@gmail.com.
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