Pickleball is quickly becoming a phenomenon in the United States and many other parts of the world. With the explosive growth, the number of players is increasing, and playgrounds are popping up everywhere, from public courts to residential areas. However, along with this popularity, a big problem has emerged: noise.
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Pickleball is quickly becoming a phenomenon in the US and many places around the world. With explosive growth, the number of players is increasing, and playgrounds are springing up everywhere, from public courts to residential areas. However, along with that popularity, a big problem has emerged: noise.
The sounds of hitting the ball, the laughter of players, and even arguments on the court are making many communities upset, leading to complaints and even lawsuits. So why has noise from pickleball become such a big problem?
The Distinctive Noise of Pickleball
Unlike the deeper sound of tennis, pickleball produces a very distinctive sound, the sharp “pop-pop” sound emitted when the hard ball collides with a wooden or composite racket. This sound has a high frequency, easily penetrates space and reaches the listener’s ears at a distance, especially in quiet areas such as suburbs or residential areas. A study cited in a New York Times report found that the noise level from pickleball can reach 70 decibels at a distance of 30 meters – equivalent to the noise of traffic or a vacuum cleaner. For those sensitive to sound, this is nothing short of torture.
In the US, a series of complaints have been sent to local authorities. Some places such as Wellesley, Massachusetts, have witnessed heated arguments between pickleball players and residents living near the courts. Some communities have even had to temporarily close playgrounds or issue bans because they cannot control the noise.
The problem isn’t just noise, it’s the frequency of play. Pickleball attracts all ages, from children to seniors, resulting in courts that are almost constantly in operation. This is in contrast to traditional tennis, which is usually only crowded on weekends or during peak hours. The proliferation of makeshift courts in residential areas – sometimes just a spare backyard – has exacerbated the problem.
Some cities have spent tens of thousands of dollars installing soundproofing panels around courts, but the effect has not always been as expected. In Sydney, Australia, a group of residents successfully petitioned the government to limit pickleball hours after noise levels were found to exceed legal limits.
In response, both players and governments are trying to find solutions. Some places have tried using rackets with noise-reducing materials or softer balls, but the effect has been limited because the changes affect the playing experience. Urban architects suggest building pickleball courts away from residential areas or using more modern soundproofing technology. Of course, this idea is not easy to implement because it is not cheap.
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