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Padel vs Pickleball

Both are fast, social and beginner-friendly, and the Park is the only place in Hamilton that runs both under one roof. Here's the honest comparison.

Padel

Tactical. Long rallies. Glass walls.

  • 20m × 10m glass court
  • Doubles (mostly)
  • About 10 minutes to your first rally

It suits you if

  • You've played tennis or squash and want something familiar but new.
  • You like longer rallies and working out angles off the glass.
  • You're happy playing doubles.
  • You want a real workout that's still kind to your knees.

More about padel

Pickleball

Quick. Social. Easy to start.

  • 13.4m × 6.1m open court
  • Singles or doubles
  • About 5 minutes to your first rally

It suits you if

  • You want to be rallying in your first five minutes.
  • You'd like lower impact on knees and ankles.
  • You like quick games, often 15 to 20 minutes each.
  • You want to play with friends or family across the ages.

More about pickleball

Pickleball uses a smaller open court and a perforated plastic ball, so you’ll be rallying in about five minutes. Padel uses a bigger glass-enclosed court and a low-pressure tennis ball, with the walls in play, so it takes about ten minutes to get going and rewards tactics.

Same coaches, same booking app and the same club for both, and your first session in each is free. Most people end up playing both, depending on the night, the partners and how much running they feel like.

The honest side-by-side

PadelPickleball
Court20m × 10m, enclosed in glass13.4m × 6.1m, open
WallsIn play after the bounceNone
BallLow-pressure tennis ballPerforated plastic
Racket or paddleSolid, drilled face, no stringsSolid, rectangular, lighter
ServeUnderhand, below the waistUnderhand, below the waist
FormatDoubles (mostly)Singles or doubles
Scoring15-30-40-game, like tennisGames to 11, win by 2
Special ruleThe walls are part of the playThe kitchen: no volleying in the 7-foot zone by the net
Time to first rallyAbout 10 minutesAbout 5 minutes
On the bodyModerate: quick sideways sprintsLow: small court, less running
FeelSocial, fast, tacticalSocial, simple, addictive

Or just try both.

Three indoor courts for each sport, one app, one club, and your first session in each is free.

Free padel introNext: Friday, 23 October, 7:30pmFree pickleball introNext: Friday, 23 October, 6pm

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