August 29, 2026
Headlines

pickleball club

The Pickle Lodge Ensures Member Satisfaction with Court Time Availability

Amy Busse16 mins

With over 1,700 paying members and thousands of drop-in members, The Pickle Lodge in Cincinnati, Ohio, has found a successful formula for keeping its 17 indoor courts full and their membership steady. 

Player Experience Coordinator Ethan Shutte says keeping members happy is key to their success. 

“We make sure the members have what they need and put them first by catering to them as much as possible,” he says. 

Since its soft opening in June of 2023, The Pickle Lodge has used the Court Reserve booking system that allows all players to select their own court time. Ethan says the system is easy to use and every player is encouraged to download the app in order to book through their phone. Players who don’t want to use the app can also book online through the website. The app allows players to book open play, round-robins, clinics, leagues and lessons. Ethan says he hasn’t heard any complaints from members about the app that proves it’s working as it should.

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The Jan/Feb 2025 Issue Is Here!

Riley Watkins03 mins

At Preston Playhouse, their approach to hosting has set a new standard, drawing players, sponsors, and excitement that keeps their club busy. Meanwhile, Epic Pickleball shares their secrets to hiring great employees, outlining five key attributes that ensure a team is not just skilled but also aligned with a club’s culture and long-term vision.

Branding plays a critical role in a club’s identity, and The Pickleball Factory is a prime example of how strong brand presence fosters loyalty and engagement within a community. Similarly, The Pickle Bar is stepping into their players’ needs by taking an opportunistic approach to retail. 

Beyond business strategies, we’re also looking at how location and facility size impact player experience. Santa Lucia Preserve, with its breathtaking natural setting, is drawing players who crave both competition and connection with the outdoors. Back towards the middle of the country, The Grove is proving that even a two-court facility can become a thriving hub for pickleball by focusing on community-first initiatives.

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Custom Mobile App Enhances Austin Pickle Ranch Membership Experience

Emma Jane08 mins

Dedicated to “Keeping Pickleball Weird” in the city of Austin, Texas, Austin Pickle Ranch provides members a unique and elevated pickleball experience beginning with member’s interaction with their custom app even before stepping into their facility. Austin Pickle Ranch is a pickleball entertainment venue located in the heart of Austin and serving up pickleball fun to members and guests. The purpose of the Austin Pickle Ranch app is to “optimize communication, streamline court booking, and foster a stronger sense of community among [their] members,” according to Tim Klitch, Austin Pickle Ranch’s Chief Fun Officer and Co-Founder.

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How Bobby Riggs Club Hosts Profitable Private Events

Emma Jane010 mins

As a pickleball club looking to diversify your streams of income, opening yourself up to hosting private events at your club can be a beneficial strategy to bringing new people through your doors and increasing your bottom line. The possibilities are truly endless in terms of what kind of events you can host within your facility, especially considering the growing popularity of the sport among all generations. 

A premier pickleball facility located in Encinitas, California, Bobby Riggs Racquet and Paddle Club seeks to provide top-notch pickleball programming for players of all skill levels. As a public club, they are intent on creating an approachable environment for anyone looking for a pickleball home and enjoy introducing people to the sport through various private events hosted at the facility. They have chosen to host private events as a way to “offer a unique and exclusive experience for individuals, groups, and organizations” in the community, says Callan Dawson, owner of Bobby Riggs Racquet and Paddle Club.

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Pickleland Learns How to Keep Courts Full and Members Happy

Amy Busse07 mins

A keen focus on what keeps their members happy – and returning – has led to great success for Pickleland in Austin Texas.  

With nearly 400 members and nine state-of-the-art pickleball courts, Pickleland is making its mark in the Austin area pickleball community since opening in September. 

Pickleland CEO Alejandro Rioja put the work in up front in order to start strong by researching a wide variety of clubs from around the country. Taking a user design approach allowed Alejandro and his business partners to see what was important to them, what they liked in other facilities and determine the best business plan for them.

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The Pickle Bar and Pickleball Charleston Form Exclusive Partnership to Grow and Elevate Pickleball Tournaments Across South Carolina

The Pickle Bar04 mins

The Pickle Bar, Charleston and Summerville’s premier pickleball entertainment venue, is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Pickleball Charleston, the Lowcountry’s leading pickleball tournament operator. This collaboration cements Pickleball Charleston as the exclusive tournament operator at The Pickle Bar. In turn, The Pickle Bar will be the exclusive food provider and preferred host venue for Pickleball Charleston events.

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