The Best Places to Play Pickleball in Chicago
Pickleball is simple and appropriate for both young and old players. It is a game that resembles tennis, where players use solid-faced paddles to hit a hollow polymer ball. Its rules are simple, making it great for an introductory sport.
If this is a new sport, you may not know where to find pickleball courts. But with this guide, finding the best place to play pickleball should be as easy as winking.
Pickleball Courts in Chicago to Play and Have a Blast
Below is a list of the best places to play pickleball in Chicago, including their physical addresses and operation times.
1. Deer creek racquet club
- 701 Deer Creek Pkwy, Highland Park, IL 60035
Deer Creek racquet club is not only a pickleball court but also a sports shop. Here you can buy pickleball essentials and get one-on-one training. You can also have group training if you learn well in a group setting.
The court is open at 6:30 am and closes at 10:00 pm daily.
2. Willow recreation center
- 3600 Lexington Dr, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
For pickleball players, the center is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. The center is closed on some holidays like New year’s eve, New year’s day, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, Thanksgiving day, July 4th, e.t.c.
Remember to come with your paddle and balls. You will also need to pay $3 for the two hours you will be there.
3. Ellis park
- 3520 S. Cottage Grove, 35th & Cottage Grove Chicago, IL 60653
Here you can have all the pickleball fun you need, but you will need to carry your ball and paddle. There are three courts for you as a player. You can also get beginner training at the park.
4. Rosemont health and fitness
- 10225 West Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL 60018
The pickleball court in Rosemont is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the players occupy the court, the other parties are required to leave the court for safety reasons.
You don’t need to make reservations to play in Rosemont. As of the time of writing this, the payments on Rosemont for pickleball are waived.
The facility has a childcare section, which means you can go with kids, drop them at childcare, play, and pick them up while leaving. If you are visiting Chicago for a short time, the airport is near, and the Rosemont facility has accommodations for visitors.
5. Lakeshore sport and fitness Illinois center
- 211 N Stetson, Chicago, IL 60601
Do you want a pickleball court that offers training to newbie players? Then, this is the right place for you. Lakeshore sport and fitness Illinois center have a pickleball court that helps newbie players with basic lessons on playing pickleball.
The facility is open only to members. So if you want to play, you must register as a member. The membership plans include standard, executive, couples, single parent, and family memberships.
Once you sign up, you will have a 14- day money-back guarantee. The club is open from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays, and 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends.
6. Skyfitness fall
- 1501 Busch Parkway Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
For this facility, you may need to pay for the pickleball ball membership, where you can access the pickleball court, weights, pickleball classes, bath towels, and showers. If you are interested in accessing full amenities, you need to pay for full membership.
If you have never played pickleball, at Skyfitness fall, you will get beginner lessons. The beginner classes focus mainly on the basics of pickleball.
The club is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm on weekdays, and 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekends.
7. Glenbrook paddle club
- 1835 Raymond Dr, Northbrook, IL 60062
This is your place if you are looking for a pickleball court that offers league competitions. The facility is also available for all level players.
It has seven dedicated pickleball courts with full LED lighting. It also features in-house leagues for players of all ages. In addition, the club had membership plans affordable for anyone.
The club is open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily.
8. Lifetime
- 601 Burr Ridge Pkwy, Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Here you can subscribe to a one-day membership or a monthly membership. With any membership plan, you will access the pickleball court with friends. In addition, the facility offers beginner classes, including why you need to stay in the kitchen.
You only need your workout attire: the paddle and the balls are provided. In addition, you can have group lessons and semi-private lessons in this facility.
Want to try out your skills with other players?
The facility offers a chance to compete in tournaments and leagues. Lifetime is open from 4:00 am to 12:00 am from Monday to Saturday, while on Sunday, the club is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
What do I need to start playing pickleball?
Pickleball is a simple game that doesn’t require a lot of equipment. All you need is a court, a paddle, a net, and a ball.
Appropriate pickleball courts are 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, which means four courts can fit in the same space.
Here are the items you need before you step onto the court to play.
A Pickleball Net
A pickleball net or a modified tennis ball net stands 34 inches in the middle to separate the two halves of the court. The paddle is similar to a tennis racquet and a ping-pong paddle; however, the pickleball paddle is smaller than a tennis racquet but bigger than a ping-pong paddle.
Paddle
The pickleball’s paddle’s length is 8 to 15 inches long. In the past, most paddles were made of wood which was kind of heavy. The newer paddles are now made of light composite handles like graphite and aluminum.
Pickleball Ball
The ball’s size is similar to that of a baseball. They look like whiffle balls, and they also have holes throughout. The pickleball balls are, however, more durable than a Whiffle ball and are mostly made of plastic.
An interesting fact is that the ball may differ depending on whether it is for outdoor or indoor use. Outdoor pickleball balls mostly have smaller holes. Originally, pickleball was yellow or white.
You can buy this equipment from the numerous sports stores across the city.
Bottom Line
Pickleball is quickly becoming a popular sport, and there’s a reason why – -it’s easy to understand and play. So, if it’s your first time playing this game, you don’t have to worry about learning the basics. The best way to start playing is to choose a good club, train with a team, and you can even play some small tournaments. That’s after paying for memberships and getting the necessary equipment. Now that you know the places to play pickleball in Chicago, there’s no turning back!
