Where to Play, Why We Love It, and How to Join the Fun!
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If you haven’t heard of pickleball yet, where have you been?! Grand Rapids is totally hooked on this fast-growing, fun-for-all-ages sport—and honestly, we’re here for it. Whether you’re new to the game or already a paddle-swinging pro, this is your ultimate guide to all things pickleball in Grand Rapids, including where to play, why it’s so addicting, and how to get started.
🏓 What Even Is Pickleball?
Pickleball is like the best parts of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton all rolled into one. It’s typically played on a smaller court with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes—yes, kind of like a Wiffle ball—and it’s incredibly easy to learn.
The beauty of pickleball? It’s social, it’s active, and it’s fun for everyone. Whether you’re 8 or 80, you can play (and love!) pickleball.
🎯 Why Grand Rapids is Totally Into Pickleball
Grand Rapids is riding the pickleball wave hard—and we’re not mad about it. Local parks are adding courts, community centers are organizing leagues, and even breweries and entertainment venues are adding pickleball to their lineups. It’s a whole vibe.
As someone who loves a good competitive moment (even if I swing and miss once in a while 😅), I’ve fallen in love with pickleball. It’s the perfect mix of social and sporty, and every new court I visit feels like a new mini adventure. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people and enjoy the outdoors—win-win!
📍 Best Places to Play Pickleball in Grand Rapids
🏠 Indoor Pickleball in Grand Rapids (Year-Round Fun!)
Pickleball doesn’t stop when the snow flies—Grand Rapids has a ton of indoor spots to keep your paddle game strong all year long. Here’s where to play inside:
Ace Pickleball Club
- Location: Ace Pickleball Club
- Offers unlimited open play for members of all skill levels, paddle demos, tournaments, and social events.
All In Pickleball Gym
- Location: Byron Center
- Five premium courts + two training courts, open 4am–midnight daily. Nets are 16 feet high so you won’t lose your ball!
- More info here
Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits
- Location: Kentwood
- Michigan’s first indoor pickleball + restaurant concept! Two indoor courts, free membership, $30/hr rental, $3 paddle rental.
- Reserve your court
Grand Rapids Racquet & Fitness Club
- Location: 4940 Plainfield Ave NE
- Four permanent courts + eight temp courts. Hosts major tournaments and is a backup venue for the Beer City Open!
- Call 616-363-7769 to reserve.
Impact Dynamic Training
- Location: Hudsonville
- Offers open play, court rentals, and training classes—non-members welcome!
- Learn more
Pickle & Pin
- Indoor courts and a bar? Yes, please. Play year-round and grab a drink after!
- Check them out
Kentwood Activities Center
- Drop-in pickleball Monday–Wednesday and Sundays. They also host lessons, leagues, and tournaments.
- Visit their site
MSA Fieldhouse + MSA Woodland
- Non-members welcome for drop-in weekday morning play. Two convenient locations!
- More info
MVP Athletic Clubs
- Six indoor courts available 7 days a week. Non-members can pay a guest fee.
- Explore MVP options
🌞 Outdoor Pickleball in Grand Rapids (Spring–Fall)
Let’s soak up the sunshine and serve it up outside. These local parks and courts are open seasonally and free to use unless otherwise noted:
- Ada Township Park – 6 courts
- Allendale Community Park – 8 courts
- Bicentennial Park (Byron Center) – 12 courts
- Cannon Township Campus – 8 courts
- Cherry Street Park – 1 court
- Community Green (Caledonia) – 4 courts
- Courtland Township Park (Rockford) – 8 courts
- Old Farm Park (Kentwood) – 4 courts
- Grand River Riverfront Park (Lowell) – 8 courts
- Cascade Township Park – 6 courts
- Wedgwood Park (Grandville) – 2 courts
- Yankee Springs Township Park (Wayland) – 2 courts
- MVP Athletic Club (outdoor) – 6 courts
- Amway Grand Plaza Hotel (Downtown GR) – 6 rooftop courts, open to the public!
- Call 616-776-3279 or reserve online
😍 Why Pickleball is So Fun
Quick learning curve: You can learn in 15 minutes and start having fun right away.
Perfect social sport: You’re close to your opponent (literally and figuratively), so it’s easy to chat and laugh mid-game.
Low impact, high energy: Great workout without being too hard on the body.
Flexible format: Play singles, doubles, or mix it up!
All skill levels welcome: Whether you’re a beginner or a beast, there’s a place for you.
🤓 Pickleball 101: Rules & How to Play
Basic Setup:
- Played on a badminton-sized court with a net
- You’ll need a paddle and a pickleball (they’re easy to find locally or online)
The Rules (simplified):
- Serve underhand diagonally to the opponent’s service court.
- Only the serving team can score. Games usually go to 11 points, win by 2.
- Double bounce rule: The ball must bounce once on each side before volleys.
- No-volley zone (aka “the kitchen”): Don’t volley (hit out of the air) while standing in it.
- Keep the rally going and have fun!
👉 Check out this full Pickleball Rule Guide from USA Pickleball if you’re curious about the finer details.
🥒 Fun Pickleball Facts!
- Pickleball was invented in 1965—by bored dads!
- It’s the fastest growing sport in the U.S. (seriously, check the stats).
- It was named after a dog named Pickles! (Or maybe not—there’s a fun debate on that one.)
- There are more than 8,000 places to play in the U.S. and counting.
✨ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re brand new or a pickleball regular, Grand Rapids has so many amazing places to play. It’s more than a trend—it’s a community builder, a workout, and a way to make memories with friends and family.
So grab a paddle, hit a local court, and see what all the hype is about. You just might become obsessed like the rest of us. 😉