Pickleball’s Big Moment Has Arrived

What started as a quirky game with homemade rules is now rewriting the playbook for facility and club offerings. Pickleball participation has surged nearly 160% over the past three years, with nearly 20 million players taking to the court in 2024 alone. The sport’s momentum isn’t slowing down, and golf clubs are taking notice. As pickleball continues to gain traction across age groups and membership types, it’s becoming a key part of the modern club experience.

Pickleball’s explosive growth is hard to ignore. Clubs are repurposing courts, building new spaces and exploring how the sport can serve as both a member magnet and a retention tool. Recent research shows just how impactful pickleball has become:

• Participation is Booming: Pickleball saw a 45.8% increase in participation from 2023 to 2024, with 19.8 million total players in the U.S. Source: SFIA 2024 State of Pickleball: Participation & Infrastructure Report
• Crossover Play is Rising: 39% of pickleball players also play tennis, and 43% plan to branch out into other racquet sports. Source: LT 2024 RacqueTrends Report
• Tech is Taking the Court: Players are increasingly drawn to tools like social apps, match schedulers and racquet sport communities — with one in three seeking a digital connection to the game. Source: LT 2024 RacqueTrends Report

These trends are creating new opportunities for golf clubs to expand their appeal, build community and bring more activity to their grounds outside of tee times.

The 2026 PGA Show is set to pave the way for the future of club management and operations with a Racquet Sports area twice the size of its 2025 footprint, accommodating the rapidly growing demand for pickleball, tennis, and other racquet sports. This enhanced space will feature leading brands showcasing the latest innovations in equipment, apparel, gear, accessories, and more. Attendees can also anticipate a robust lineup of educational sessions, live demonstrations hosted on Pickleball and Padel courts, competitive tournaments, and networking opportunities--all designed with club and facility owners,

operators, industry professionals, and retailers in mind. Details on ways to participate and fully immerse yourself in racquet sports at the PGA Show will be available soon.

For more information, please contact Nick Mastro, Event Manager.

With the pickleball equipment market projected to hit $736 million by 2034, the business case is strong. But the real value lies in what it brings to members — more ways to play, connect and stay active. For clubs looking to offer year-round engagement and create a lifestyle experience beyond the course, pickleball is quickly becoming a cornerstone.