ENID, OK - Pickleball has truly taken off here in the Wheat Capital, and it's growing in popularity by the day. It’s no wonder why, as pickleball is easy to learn, highly social and, most of all, an absolute blast to play.
"We have seen great growth in the older population as well, not just the young adults," said Brandi Weimer, sports director at the Enid YMCA, commenting on the sport’s great accessibility.
Citizens of Enid are coming out in droves to play, so today we want to share where you can find a game locally. But first, what actually is pickleball, and where has it suddenly emerged from?
What Is Pickleball?
The game is having a huge surge in popularity now, with thousands of people learning how to play pickleball every day. Major League Pickleball is airing on the Tennis Channel, with big name investors like LeBron James and Mark Cuban getting in on the action and buying teams.
Last year, over 36.5 million Americans played pickleball, and this popularity shows no sign of waning. Here in Enid, we’re doing our bit to boost those numbers.
Pickleball has gotten absolutely massive in the last five years or so, but the sport has been around since the mid-1960s when it was invented by two creative dads in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Faced with a bunch of bored kids, a badminton court, and various assorted equipment, the two men set their minds to inventing a new sport.
They chose a wiffle ball and ping-pong paddles, lowered the net, and the rest, as they say, is history. The game soon took off in the neighborhood, and within a couple of years, locals were building their own pickleball courts in their backyards.
Over time, the rules and equipment improved, and these days pickleball is best described as a blend of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. The ball is light and the court is small, so there isn’t much running around compared to other racket sports.
Despite its reputation as an older person's sport, pickleball has proven to be popular across all ages and fitness levels. It's also a great way to socialize, especially since pickleball is nearly always played in doubles.
Where to Play Pickleball in Enid
Here in Enid, we have a wealth of places to play pickleball. If you’re looking to find pickleball courts near you, look no further than this list!
1. Government Springs Park South
The Southern end of the Government Springs Park offers eight outdoor pickleball courts. These are dedicated courts for pickleball, with permanent lines and nets. What's more, they're open for free to the public from dawn to dusk every day.
The park offers a great picnic area with restrooms and various children’s play areas, as well as an opportunity to feed the ducks! There’s also a ton of free parking near the pickleball courts.
The Emmanuel Baptist Church on W Owen K Garriott Rd offers three indoor pickleball courts for those chillier months. These are fully serviced with restrooms, lighting, and even free parking.
The courts are free to play, and there’s even wifi to catch up on your socials between games.
The Oakwood Country Club is a private members club that offers golf, tennis, swimming, and pickleball. Membership of the club is by invitation only, from an existing member.
Once you’re done on the courts, why not drop into the clubhouse for a meal or refreshment? In the summer, you can take advantage of the outdoor pool with poolside dining.
The Oakwood Activity Center boasts 47,000 square feet of space, including an indoor gym and running track, and you guessed it, pickleball courts! There are three hardwood courts available, and balls available at the front desk.
The center holds sessions for adult beginners on Tuesday evenings from 6–8.30pm. These are free for members, with a fee of $3 for non-members. The center also hosts regular pickleball tournaments throughout the year.
The center offers a snack bar, a dining room, and restrooms, as well as heating and AC. It’s open Monday to Friday, 7am–9pm, and new members are always welcome.
The Denny Price YMCA is a major hub for pickleball in Enid. It offers four indoor courts, fully serviced by lights, heating, AC, and restrooms.
New players are encouraged to pick up a pickleball information and rule sheet at the front desk. For existing players, there is a pickleball league and regular tournaments throughout the year.
Weekly open play sessions are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6–7.30am and 9am–noon, as well as Monday evenings from 6–9pm, which is when the Enid Pickleball Club has their weekly meetup.
Brandi Weimer recommends either the 9am or 6pm groups for beginners. "Both groups are excellent at teaching new players," she said.
Members go free, and non-members can buy a day pass to try it out before they sign up.
Pickleball is a great way for the whole family to keep fit and healthy, and you’ll be having so much fun you won’t even notice the workout! As you can see, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get involved in pickleball here in Enid.
Get down to one of our facilities and see for yourself why pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America for three years running!
