Beginners Pickleball Clinic complete! Now What’s Next?

You’ve just completed a beginners pickleball clinic, and now you’re even more convinced pickleball is the greatest sport ever invented. You learned the difference between a drop shot and a dink and how to keep score (OK, you might not have mastered that one yet, but don’t feel bad; we still get confused too), but now what?

How do you get better without practicing? And how do you practice when you’re still a beginner? Easy. You practice with other beginners.

Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities for beginners to play in the area — once you know where to look.

(While we do our best to keep dates, times and events as up-to-date as possible, we always recommend verifying the information on the location’s website or by calling the location!)

1. The Yards offers a variety of options for beginners including an “improver” clinic (Mondays, 9 - 10 a.m. & Saturdays, 10 - 11 a.m.) and Pickleball 101 clinic (Tuesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. & Saturdays, 9:30 - 11:30 p.m.). Beginner open play is available twice a week (Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8 p.m., and Fridays 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.) with instructors on site to answer questions and offer advice. For more information including fees and how to register, visit playtheyards.com.

2. Pine Castle School offers open play for skill levels 2.5-4.0 on Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 am - 1 p.m. To register, visit Playtime Scheduler (it’s free to join). The cost is $10 and payable in cash at the gym.

3. Argyle Forest Park hosts open play for beginners. Visit Argyle Pickleball - for more information.

4. Jarboe Park holds open play for all skill levels every Monday through Saturday from 8 - 11 a.m. For more information, visit pickleballbythesea.com.

5. Blue Cypress Park offers open play. Visit Blue Cypress Pickleball for specific details.

6. Ortega Sports at Ortega United Methodist Church has seven recreational play sessions throughout the week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., and Tuesdays, 10 - 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit Ortega Sports.

7. Toon Town Pickleball has several options for beginner friendly play on Tuesday at 5:30 pm, Thursday at 10 am and Saturday at 9 am. For more information, visit Toon Town Pickleball.

Andy Zarka, owner of Jax Pickleball Store, also has some advice on how to get out there and get playing when you’re just getting started. “Look for sessions for players ranked 2.0-3.0. They are typically beginner-friendly and are open to beginners,” he said. “But the best way is to meet other beginners and exchange numbers, then make plans to play.

“It might feel awkward at first,” he added, “but you’ve got to put yourself out there.”

The good news is you won’t meet a friendlier bunch of people than pickleballers.