We see pickleball courts popping up all over the country – but we are minting new pickleball players even faster! One solution for those who have the space and can afford it is to build a backyard pickleball court.
Brent Poss, President of Cour Tex Construction in Spring Branch, TX, has been building pickleball courts for many years, in addition to running his vibrant Facebook group.
Your Pickleball Guide recently spent some time with Brent — you’ll enjoy hearing his thoughts!
YPG: What drives decisions to build a backyard pickleball court?
BP: Backyard courts have been around longer than pickleball. A backyard court gives control over when and where you get to play. But mostly, I see the pride of ownership as a great benefit to building a court. You can see that on our Facebook group – people love sharing photos and experiences once they have completed their courts.
YPG: Is there a “checklist” of considerations before building a backyard court?
BP: Yes. Each region will have its requirements for permitting and approvals. Some are highly regulated, others not at all. Find a qualified and experienced court builder (not a contractor) to help guide you on permitting.
YPG: Are there trends you are noticing? We hear about new floating pickleball courts and decisions around transparent walls or fencing.
BP: The major issue is sound. If you live far from other folks, in an area with no regulation, sound is not as big an issue. But in some states, sound mitigation is getting a lot of attention.
A lot of work is being done on slowing the transfer of sound, or buffering it, and even redirecting it. Just adding simple greenery around a court can make a big difference.
YPG: Is there a common misconception about building a backyard court?
BP: A backyard court is not cheap if done right. It is not just pouring a slab. It’s either done properly, or improperly. An improperly built court will become a more expensive proposition down the road.
YPG: You are a 4.0 player, in addition to being an experienced court builder. Does being a player help you plan the construction?
BP: Absolutely. I understand the spacing so your paddle doesn’t hit the fence! You’d be surprised how many contractors have planned courts with no room around them for players to hit shots.
YPG: So part of the fun of building a court has to be picking the colors. I see some beautiful images your Facebook community page. Any insights on that?
BP: There are two schools of thought. The serious players want to be sure nobody loses sight of the ball. For others, it’s a personal choice that expresses their personality. Either way, done right, a backyard pickleball owner can experience a great sense of satisfaction.
