Pickleball Noise Getting to You? Paddle, Ball & Court Solutions for Peaceful Play
By Helena Svedin with co-author Cathy Blood
Founder, Adventure to Peace
& Tournament Tough Pickleball
Greenwich, CT
© April 13, 2022
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The Challenge of Pickleball Noise
With a much smaller court and a short, underhand swing, Pickleball is easier on the body than tennis. The popular doubles format and quick games sets the stage for a fun, active and social experience.
People of all ages and abilities love to play the game. So, what’s not to like?
A growing consensus seems to be THE NOISE.
One person filed a lawsuit claiming that the sounds of people playing Pickleball close to her home caused severe mental suffering, frustration and anxiety.
Another couple claimed that late night Pickleball play was an unreasonable interference with the enjoyment of their property.
This, unfortunately, is the current state of affairs with Pickleball, America’s new favorite sport.
In a Peaceful World there is conversation, understanding and value. In a Noisy World there is misunderstanding, invalidation, exclusion, humiliation and physical injury.
Yes, Pickleball is noisier than tennis, there’s no doubt about it. But let’s talk about how we can improve the sport for all participants - players and neighborhood listeners alike.
First, let’s get some definitions in place.
What is Noise?
Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing.
There is no difference in how wanted sound (concerts) and unwanted sound are measured. Both are measured and expressed in decibels (dB) with 0 dB corresponding roughly to the threshold of hearing.
While noise is perceived differently in the early morning and late evening, ambient noise in an active community stands at about 40-50 decibels. Rural communities will fall on the lower end, suburban on the higher end.
Here’s a great example of a Pickleball Noise Study
In 2017, a Pickleball sound study was commissioned by Oakmont Village, a private community in Santa Rosa, CA.
They hoped to convert tennis courts to Pickleball and needed to assess decibel levels with and without Pickleball play on 6 courts to see if the noise fell within town code.
With 24 active Pickleball players wacking away, decibel levels were 43 to 49 dB. Without noise from Pickleball play, ambient levels were measured at 40-48 dB. These sound measurements were taken from the neighbors’ decks and patios.
In this case, the decibel levels of Pickleball play didn’t violate town or community standards, and weren’t that much higher than ambient noise, but neighbors still perceived Pickleball noise as intrusive.
Because of this perception, the community was planning to add some sound dampening features even though the courts were within city noise ordinances.
Oakmont Village planned carefully and showed respect for all members of their community.
Where does Pickleball Noise Come From?
In addition to the occasional hollers and laughter from the Picklers themselves - the Pickleball paddle & ball are the main noise culprits.
You can often find the Pickleball courts in a neighborhood by honing in on that joyful ‘pop’ sound of the ball hitting the paddle. Unfortunately, neighbors don’t always find the ‘Pickleball Pop’ that joyful, especially early in the morning or late in the evening.
What makes the Pickleball sound annoying to the human ear isn’t so much decibel levels as it is the high pitch.
The decibels of Pickleball are about 20-25 decibels louder than tennis because of the materials that are used to make the paddles and the ball. Even a shot without much force behind it can sound loud.
You can find a great article on Pickleball Noise Pitch here.
Pickleball Noise Complaints will Determine the Future of Pickleball
The conversation about noise is something that Pickleball equipment manufacturers have taken notice of and are taking seriously.
The future growth of the sport depends on player access to courts in smaller communities - and that means creating quieter equipment.
It also means that town governments must work hard to find solutions that respect the rights of all ‘players’ - Picklers and neighbors alike.
Solutions to Pickleball noise include:
Paddle Options
Ball Selection
Court Placement Planning
Sound Barriers & Fencing Mitigation
Muzzles for Players (Just Kidding)
Pickleball Paddle Noise
As technology evolves, communities around the world are hoping that paddles with lower pitch sounds will become available.
Many manufacturers are now marketing paddles as quiet or “Green Zone” approved by Sun City Grand, a resort style community in Arizona.
In 2012, in an effort to reduce the recreational noise caused by the game of Pickleball, the Sun City Grand Board of Directors hired a acoustic engineering company to determine which paddles were creating sound that Sun City residents found unacceptable.
Sun City Grand then created what is now known as ‘the Green Zone Pickleball Paddle list’, now widely adopted. This list places paddles into three categories - green, yellow or red. Take a look at the latest Sun City Grand Green Zone Pickleball paddle list, updated as of March, 9, 2022.
Sun City Grand continues to update the list and provide it, free of charge, as a courtesy to other communities. They only measure paddles that are approved for tournament play by the USA Pickleball Association.
If you’re interested in acoustical science and how to measure Pickleball Paddle noise, check out the first Sun City Grand Pickleball Paddle Noise Study 2012, conducted by Acoustics Group Inc. in 2012.
The Pickleball community has benefited from Sun City Grand’s foresight in addressing paddle noise scientifically, nearly 10 years ago. Their approach is one that is being emulated around the USA - respect for all members of their community.
What Approach is the USA Pickleball Association taking to Pickleball Paddle Noise?
The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) produces a paddle list, but it is only to determine if a paddle is approved for either recreation or for tournament play.
The USAPA does not currently have a list of approved ‘Quiet Paddles’ but they must be working on something - right? Maybe a scientific wind tunnel study, with a specific ball at a specific speed?
Hmmmm.
Paddle noise doesn’t seem to be something that the USAPA wants to flex on, or even talk about. This could be related to the fact that they are an industry group and manufacturers are their biggest sponsors.
But Pickleball noise is something the USAPA will need to address publicly soon - especially if they hope that Pickleball continues to be the ‘fastest growing sport in America’.
Other Quiet Pickleball Paddle Options
An example of a paddle that isn’t on either the USAPA approved list or the Sun City Grand Green Zone list is The Quiet One (Q1) from Master Athletics.
Founder David Kjeldsen says, “Our current market is mostly country clubs with platform tennis that are trying to install Pickleball courts. Their members, golfers, tennis players, and pool guests complain of the noise.”
The Q1 was designed to reduce echo and lower pitch. While those that use it love the extra spin, opponents complain of unfair advantage.
Kjeldsen says “We knew the paddle would not be approved by the USAPA because the materials used significantly improve performance, but we are trying to make our customers happy by significantly reducing the noise.”
Note that peace & quiet doesn’t come cheap. The Quiet One retails for $189.00 on the Master Athletics site.
Pickleball Ball Noise
Do you have the Balls to be Different?
To be honest, the poor paddle is not entirely to blame. The ball is also part of the problem. Over time, the noise issue may motivate manufacturers to adjust the ‘bouncing’ participant in Pickleball.
There are two different types of pickleballs - indoor and outdoor balls.
Indoor balls like shelter. Rain, snow and wind are not popular among these bouncers. They are also smaller, softer, lighter and have only 26 holes. On top of that they are quieter and easier to control, which often leads to longer rallies. And FYI, it hurts less when you get hit by one!
Outdoor balls are larger, harder, heavier and have 40 holes. They travel well in windy conditions. They are also louder and harder to control with a shorter lifespan. They crack easier, especially in cold weather.
Why Follow the Rules When you can Lead the Evolution?
One example of an evolved ball is the Gamma Foam Quiet Pickleblall.
Instead of plastic, these balls are made of foam. They play differently than rule abiding balls and aren’t approved for tournament play.
Swapping out the ball is a simple solution to noise complaints, but serious players and tournament players would object.
What’s the Quietest Tournament Approved Pickleball Ball?
It’s not ONIX’s Dura Fast 40, the hard, heavy, prone to cracking ball that is the official ball at most major tournaments, and therefore preferred by high level players. (ONIX acquired Pickle-Ball Inc. in 2019 and continues the Dura brand.)
The Franklin X-40 recently became the “Official Ball” for USA Pickleball Association in 2021 through a sponsorship partnership. This is also a hard, heavy, prone to cracking ball.
Softer generally means quieter for outdoor Pickleball balls, but ‘soft’ isn’t the norm for high end outdoor balls.
Players can strike a balance. If noise reduction is a priority, but you also want a tournament approved ball, there are options.
The softest, and most popular, outdoor ball currently available that is USAPA approved for tournament play is the ONIX Fuse G2, a relatively new outdoor ball. (Sorry ONIX Pure 2 fans, that ball is not approved for tournaments - the thing bounces like a jack rabbit.)
The good thing about the Fuse G2 ball is that it has a low bounce (like the Dura Fast 40) straight out of the package, without conditioning. According to Onix, “the all-new ONIX Fuse G2 Pickleball creates a consistency between the indoor and outdoor game.”
Reducing Pickleball Noise Using Sound Barriers and Space Planning
Enough space helps with noise. For community planners, placing new courts at an appropriate distance away from residential areas, is a great solution.
Court orientation matters. More noise comes off the end of the Pickleball court than the sides, due to the way sound travels.
The solutions above require planning ahead and knowing what affects noise.
For existing courts with close neighbors other solutions are required.
In existing situations building acoustic fabric walls or fencing is an option. Landscaping with trees and berms helps too.
For example, a sound study of an AcoustiFence (by Acoustibloc) installation showed a reduction in pickleball noise by about 10 decibels.
Some of these solutions can be expensive and allocating funds takes time, but reducing Pickleball noise through these means is absolutely possible.
Once again planning is essential.
For an example of a community that thoroughly understands ‘noise’ from all sources, and how it can affect neighbors, take a look at Salinas, CA and their detailed noise report for a proposed rebuild of a local high school.
This is the kind of planning that parks and recreation departments must undertake in order to understand Pickleball noise, and take the necessary steps to mitigate that noise before (and after) building.
Reducing Pickleball Player Noise
What about the Picklers? How do we put noise restrictions on people?
Pickleball is a social game, which is part of its popularity.
Players come in masses - driving, biking and walking. They sometimes bring chairs, food and drinks. They stay for hours chattering about anything, nothing and everything. Sometimes they even play music.
Let’s face it, Pickleball is popular and the courts are small. In the space of what was two tennis courts with 8 players could now be four Pickleball courts with 16 players.
A lot of happy and active people in a small place will most likely cause some noise. Careful court placement and acoustic fencing are probably the best way to mitigate the sound of happy people.
The Pickleball Noise Trade-off
For many, the social aspect of the game has been life changing. The low threshold of learning the game makes it inclusive and has helped many people with isolation and loneliness.
As an outdoor activity it became a safe, life-improving play date for many, especially during challenging times such as COVID.
Living with loneliness increases our odds of dying early by 45%. In comparison - living with obesity increases our odds of dying early with 20% and excessive drinking with 30%.
If the noise from happy Picklers is worth this quality of life trade-off, a better question might be - how do we open up the Pickleball Party to more?
While we can apply noise mitigation techniques to courts, can we also work to include non-players in a respectful, fun and valuable way?
Who’s in Charge of Pickleball Noise?
The organization with the most sway is the USA Pickleball Association because they determine which paddles and balls are sanctioned for tournament play. And equipment is the primary source of Pickleball noise.
In the USAPA official official equipment guidelines you can find definitions of what a Pickleball ball and a Pickleball paddle should look like and whether it is USAPA approved for tournament play.
So far the USAPA does not test for paddle or ball noise. In this leadership vacuum, communities like Sun City Grand have stepped up with their ‘green-zone’ list.
Will equipment manufacturers step up to proactively design and produce USAPA sanctioned equipment that is also quieter?
For now, it looks like reducing Pickleball noise will continue to be a grassroots effort, driven by local towns and communities that are trying to respect and balance the needs of their residents.
As Pickleball growth slows as a result of noise complaints and lawsuits, the USAPA may decide that it is within their mission, and in the best interest of the sport to get involved.
Solutions are more likely to come from equipment manufacturers who have a unique market opportunity to address noise.
Until then, we’re on our own!
Professional Pickleball Play VS. Peaceful Play
Maybe the Pickleball family will split in two. In some ways it already has.
One branch that values the silence that quieter paddles and balls create, and one branch where tournament play is more important.
The origins of Pickleball were low key and simple.
When Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum first came up with the game back in 1965 - the original purpose was to create a social activity that the whole family could play together.
The sport was thrown together on an existing badminton court, with ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. The dads modified the game and the rules as the weekend progressed. The first permanent Pickleball court was constructed in neighbor Bob O’Brian’s backyard in 1967. The rest is history.
The fact that there is now money and fame in Pickleball is great, the sport has evolved. We love to watch the pros!
But let’s not lose sight of what makes Pickleball universally appealing and fuels its growth as a community sport for non-professionals.
Pickleball is for everyone.
What do Pickleball Players Really Want from Pickleball?
As human beings we want to be seen, heard and valued. We are designed to be connected, to become the one on whom others can depend.
Whether we know it or not, our brain and biology have been shaped to favor this outcome.
Maybe this is why we like team sports so much. Working together, each member having a different yet important role to play for the positive outcome for the team. Is the goal to win? Not always.
Over time, each sport has developed its own flavor, representing a lifestyle and outlook on life.
Pickleball is a fairly young sport. It’s still observing, practicing and learning. Choices are made, some more helpful than others.
The ‘Noise’ that Pickleball is causing in our communities right now is interesting. All the ‘players’ in the game - associations, manufacturers, communities and individuals - should listen to that noise, observe it, and learn from it.
What does a truly successful day on the Pickleball court look and feel like to you?
Is it a win? Maybe it’s the thrill of playing a tournament. Is it hanging with people in a park, learning a new skill, enjoying better health?
Or maybe it’s all of the above, connecting to others in a respectful way. I see you. I hear you. I value your contributions.
What does the Future of Pickleball look like?
Maybe we’ll find a way for different Pickleball paddles and balls, approved or unapproved, to respectfully co-exist.
Where different types of Pickleball players can enjoy time together, on and off the court.
Where neighbors and their concerns are respectfully accommodated.
Where different sports can amicably share facilities.
With patience, we can listen to and learn from the noise. Together we can create more peace in Pickleball, both outside on the court, in the neighborhood and within the player.
Pickleball has the power to change people… if we can just find our way around the noise.
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Co-author Helena Svedin is the founder of Tournament Tough Pickleball where she brings her unique teaching approach of “Patience, Power and Peace” to developing players. She is certified by the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA).
Helena is based in Greenwich, CT and is available for coaching & clinics. Visit www.adventuretopeace.com.
