Pickleball a big deal in Burnet County

Pickleball fans will be pleased to know that, in the Highland Lakes of Burnet County, players have their pick of pickleball courts, and many are public.

Pickleball burst onto the scene in Burnet County in recent years and has pickled many a player in the process. The paddle-based sport—described as a combination of tennis and badminton—is played on a hard-surfaced court using perforated plastic balls much like Wiffle balls.

Easy to learn, pickleball is a beginner-friendly social sport for players of any age. Experience is not necessary when picking up a paddle for the first time, but it helps to have someone handy who is knowledgeable on the rules of play. Matches can be played by singles or doubles. Learn more about the sport from a pro in this 101HighlandLakes.com story.

A regulation-size pickleball court measures 44 feet by 20 feet with a 36-inch-high net at mid-court in a section called the “kitchen.”

Regulation-size courts available for play in Burnet County include both free and fee:

Fresh Air Park, 4350 Cottonwood Drive in Cottonwood Shores; call 512-518-4158 or reserve online
Frontyard Brewing, 4514 Bob Wire Road in Spicewood; call 512-614-4380 or reserve online
Hidden Falls Golf Club, 220 Meadowlakes Drive in Meadowlakes; reserve at globalpickleball.net
Quarry Park, 2221 N. Phillips Ranch Road in Granite Shoals
Templeton’s Tavern, 570 CR 133 in Burnet; call 512-755-5576
YMCA of the Highland Lakes, 1601 U.S. 281 South in Burnet; call 512-756-6180
5 Soul Wine Co., 4514 Bob Wire Road in Spicewood; call 512-809-1672 or reserve online

If you’ve been bitten by the pickleball bug and want to enhance your skills, clinics and lessons are occasionally offered at the Hidden Falls facility in Meadowlakes. Learn more on the Hidden Falls Pickleball Facebook group page or by emailing hiddenfallspickleball@gmail.com. Happy pickling!