Sound Effects
Breaking down the acoustics of pickleball and USA Pickleball ’ s launch of a Quiet Category for pickleball equipment . by CARL SCHMITS
USA PICKLEBALL
BOB UNETICH
PICKLEBALL SOUND MITIGATION
The rapid growth of pickleball in recent years has led to the construction and expansion of many pickleball facilities , including public and private parks , to provide the playing areas that are needed . This expansion includes the conversion of neighborhood tennis courts . It seems likely that this trend will continue , as towns across America seek locations for additional pickleball courts to meet the demand of residents interested in the sport .
The court conversion is often done with little thought given to the impact of the sound of the sport , and that can lead to complaints from neighbors . The complaints will usually be a surprise to those constructing courts , but as the issue becomes more well-known , taking sound into account should become regular practice .
Other sports have their own unique sounds as well . We know what a bouncing basketball sounds like . Most of us can easily recognize what sport is being played nearby just by the sound of the ping or pop or thump . Pickleball has recently received media attention about its characteristic sound . Why is it a different issue than most other sports ? The answer stems from the loudness , the tone or pitch , and how often the sound is heard .
The small court size in pickleball leads to frequent striking of the ball , plus it enables the placement of multiple courts in a relatively small area . Most tennis courts can hold four pickleball courts , which helps towns meet the community demand by converting tennis and
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NOVEMBER 2023 | MAGAZINE 15