Play Pickleball! What is it and where can you play? Answers here!

Looking for a place to play pickleball in Greenville, SC, Spartanburg, and the rest of the Upstate? Or maybe you’re just interested in learning about this widely loved sport. Regardless, we’ve got basic information for you on how to play the game as well as a list of places where you can play the game. And luckily, there are plenty of places to play pickleball in the Upstate.

What is Pickleball?

If you’ve ever wondered what the heck pickleball is, you’re not alone. The name alone tends to conjure up giggles. But it’s one of the fastest growing sports in America, and it’s not hard to see why. Once you learn how to play (it’s easy!), it’s hard to stop.

The sport has been around for a while. Three dads in Washington invented the game in 1965  when their kids were complaining about boredom during the summer (we’ve all been there… I can just imagine these dads sitting around and coming up with ideas for a creative and fun game for their kids so they’d stop constantly repeating “I’m bored”).

I wonder if those three dads knew their game would become so popular? But regardless, their main goal in creating this game was to provide something fun for their whole family to do together.

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. The rules are simple, and it’s an easy game for beginners to learn. It can become quite competitive and fast-paced for more experienced players.

You can play pickleball indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court (20×44 feet) with a slightly modified tennis net that’s 34 inches high in the center. The court itself is striped similar to a tennis court. Players use a smooth paddle and a plastic ball with holes (the balls look almost exactly like wiffle balls, but pickleballs are slightly larger). You can play the game as doubles or singles, and truly any age group can play.

For official rules and to learn more about playing pickleball, visit the USA Pickleball website.

Note: We advise contacting each facility to confirm current pricing and scheduling.

Where to Play Pickleball near Greenville, SC

Greenville County has officially opened 12 new pickleball-only courts at Southside Park in Greenville. But there are lots of places in the Upstate where you can play the game, including tennis courts with extra lines painted for pickleball.

Butler Springs Park
301 Butler Springs Road, Greenville

• Number of pickleball courts: 2 of the 4 tennis courts are lined for pickleball
• Schedule: First come, first served
• Fee: Free

PKL Greenville
78 Mayberry Street, Greenville

• Number of pickleball courts: 8 Outdoor
• Schedule: Sunday – Thursday 8am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 8am-11pm
• Fee: $40 or be a member

Caine Halter Family YMCA
721 Cleveland Street, Greenville

• Number of pickleball courts: 2 indoor
• Schedule: Contact the facility, 864-679-9622 (branch open 5am–9pm)
• Fee: Must be YMCA member

Eastside Family YMCA
1250 Taylors Road, Taylors

• Number of pickleball courts: 2 indoor
• Schedule: Contact the facility, 864-292-2790 (branch open 5am–9pm)
• Fee: Must be YMCA member

Gower Park
24 Evelyn Avenue, Greenville

• Number of pickleball courts: 5 outdoor
• Schedule: Contact the facility

Pavilion Recreation Complex
400 Scottswood Road, Taylors

• Number of pickleball courts: 3 indoors
• Schedule: Call in advance to reserve a court
• Fee: $7.50 per court per hour

Phillis Wheatley Community Center
335 Greenacre Road, Greenville

• Number of pickleball courts: 3 indoor
• Schedule: indoor pickleball runs 10am–12pm on the center’s activity calendar. Call 864-240-4242.

Ray W. Hopkins Mauldin Senior Center
203 Corn Road, Greenville (a City of Mauldin facility)

• *Free to join for ages 55+ and independent
• Number of pickleball courts: 3 indoors
• Schedule: open Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm. Call 864-234-3488.

Simpsonville Activity & Senior Center
310 W Curtis Street, Simpsonville

• *For senior adults
• Number of pickleball courts: 4 indoor
• Schedule: Contact the facility, 864-967-9533
• Fee: no membership or registration fee; some activities carry a nominal charge

Sterling Community Center
113 Minus Street, Greenville

• Number of pickleball courts: 3 indoor
• Schedule: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am–12pm; pickleball days are not available during the summer. Call 864-235-4026.

Southside Park
417 Baldwin Road, Simpsonville

• Number of pickleball courts: 12 outdoor
• Schedule: Contact the facility
• Open to public

Taylors Recreation Center
200 W Main Street, Taylors

• Call 864-244-3535 for more information

Timmons Park
121 Oxford Street, Greenville

• Number of pickleball courts: 8 dedicated, lighted outdoor courts
• Schedule: 6am–9pm, except for permitted reservations
• Fee: Free

Tryon Park
226 Oakland Avenue, Greer

• Number of pickleball courts: 10 outdoors
• Schedule: Contact Greer Parks, Recreation & Tourism, 864-848-2190

Where to Play Pickleball in Spartanburg

Duncan Park
81 West Park Drive, Spartanburg

• Number of pickleball courts: 4 outdoor tennis courts, also lined for pickleball
• Schedule: Courts open 7am–9pm
• Fee: Free

Middle Tyger YMCA Family Center
720 Shoals Road, Duncan

• Number of pickleball courts: 2 indoor
• Schedule: open play Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9am–1pm
• Fee: Must be YMCA member (ages 18+)

Spartanburg Athletic Club
2420 Andrews Road, Spartanburg

• Number of pickleball courts: 4
• Schedule & Fees: Contact the facility 864.582.5050

Thomas Hannah YMCA
151 Ribault Street, Spartanburg

• Number of pickleball courts: 2 indoor
• Schedule: open play Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am–11:30am (intermediate and up) and Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am–11:30am (beginner and up). Call 864-585-0306.
• Fee: Must be YMCA member (ages 18+)

Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park
591 McMillin Boulevard, Boiling Springs

• Number of pickleball courts: 12 outdoor
• Schedule: 7am–7pm November 1–February 28 and 7am–9pm March 1–October 31; court lights may stay on until midnight. Call 864-595-5356.

Where to Play Pickleball in Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Piedmont, and Seneca

Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center
3027 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Anderson

• Number of pickleball courts: 8
• Schedule: Contact the facility, 864-260-4800
• Fee: Free

Central-Clemson Recreation Center
130 Commons Way #4107, Central

• Number of pickleball courts: the center converts its indoor basketball courts to pickleball (3 pickleball courts per basketball court)
• Schedule: pickleball Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9am–12pm. Call 864-624-1138.
• Fee: free for members; non-members pay a day pass, $10 (ages 6–64) or $8 (65+)

Hurricane Springs Park
395 Roper Road, Piedmont

• Number of pickleball courts: 8 outdoor
• Schedule: Contact the facility

Nettles Park
102 Nettles Park Road, Clemson

• Number of pickleball courts: 8 lighted outdoor
• Schedule: 6am–11pm daily
• Fee: Free

Pope Field Park
310 Pope Field Road, Easley

• Number of pickleball courts: 8 outdoor
• Schedule: First come, first served; park open 8:30am–9pm daily

Rock Springs Impact Center
207 Rock Springs Road, Easley

• Number of pickleball courts: 2 indoor
• Fee: A current walking, gym or fitness membership is required, $2 per person to play for one hour or $20 per person per month for unlimited play
• Schedule: Call 864-442-2225 to reserve a court

South Cove Park
1099 S Cove Road, Seneca

• Number of pickleball courts: 8 outdoor
• Currently Under Renovation
• Fee: $5 parking fee
• Schedule: Weather permitting; park gate closed 10pm–5am

Where’s your favorite place to play pickleball in the Upstate?