Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport, and it’s no wonder why. The paddle game is easy to learn, a thrill to play, and incredibly difficult to master. It’s a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Think of it as a fun way to exercise and meet new people without going broke.

Metro Detroit has an abundance of indoor and outdoor courts. Don’t have anyone to play with? No problem. Just show up with a paddle, and you’ll most likely find plenty of people eager to play with you.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but we tried our best. Dink away.

Bash Pickleball Club 6881 Chicago Rd., Warren; 586-500-5136; bashpickleballclub.com Believed to be the first pickleball-only facility in the Detroit area, Bash Pickleball Club offers 10 professional-grade courts with open-play, tournaments, coaching for all levels, court reservations, mixers, and more. Credit: Steve Neavling
Coleman Young Community Center 2751 Robert Bradby, Detroit; 313-628-0997; detroit.mi.gov Located near downtown Detroit, the Coleman Young Community Center has several outdoor courts that are in top condition. Credit: Steve Neavling
Court4 4300 Marseilles, Detroit; 313-683-0331; court4.club The gem of indoor pickleball courts in Detroit, Court4 offers leagues, court reservations, mixers, tournaments, drills, and “crash courses” for beginners on a tennis-grade surface. The facility, which features numerous high-quality courts with bright lighting, is inside a big white dome near the border of Grosse Pointe Park. Credit: Steve Neavling
Kemeny Recreation Center 2260 S. Fort St., Detroit; 313-628-2819; detroit.mi.gov Renovated and enlarged in 2010, Kemeny Recreation Center offers drop-in pickleball on Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 4-6 p.m. There are three courts inside the gymnasium. The schedule often changes, so call to confirm. Credit: Steve Neavling
Patton Recreation Center 2301 Woodmere, Detroit; 313-628-2000; detroit.mi.gov Another recreation center in southwest Detroit, Patton Recreation Center converts its gym into pickleball courts from 1:30-3 p.m. on Thursdays and 12-2 p.m. on Saturdays. Beginning on Feb. 14, pickleball also will be available from 5-7 p.m. Credit: Steve Neavling
Adams Butzel Complex 10500 Lyndon, Detroit; 313-628-0990; detroit.mi.gov Pickleball is very popular at this Detroit recreation center, attracting a variety of players from all skill levels. The gym is converted into pickleball courts every weekday from 8:30-11 a.m. and on Friday from 6-8 p.m. Credit: Steve Neavling
Clemente Recreation Center 2631 Bagley, Detroit; 313-224-0228; detroit.mi.gov This Detroit recreation center offers both afternoon and evening hours. Located in the gym, the courts are open from 2-3 p.m on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Credit: Facebook, Clemente Recreation Center
Boll Family YMCA 1401 Broadway, Detroit; 313-309-9622; ymcadetroit.org/boll Located in downtown Detroit, the YMCA has two pickleball courts that are open from 6:30-8:30 p.m. It’s not the best setup, but it can still quench your pickleball thirst. Credit: Facebook, John and Marlene Boll Family YMCA
Palmer Park 910 Merrill Plaisance, Detroit; 313-224-1100; detroit.mi.gov One of the city of Detroit’s regional parks, the scenic Palmer Park has one of the most popular outdoor spots to play pickleball. Six courts are dedicated for pickleball. Credit: Steve Neavling
Clark Park 1130 Clark, Detroit; 313-841-8534; clarkparkdetroit.com Recently renovated, Clark Park offers some of the best pickleball courts in Detroit. Credit: Instagram, @clarkparkcoalition
Bicentennial Park 36000 W. Seven Mile Rd., Livonia; 734-466-2900; livonia.gov Operated by the city of Livonia, this park offers six outdoor courts. Credit: Google Maps
Whittier Park Farnum & Alexander, Royal Oak; 248-246-3000; romi.gov One of the most popular outdoor pickleball spots in metro Detroit is Whittier Park, which has eight open courts from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. when the weather is warm. Credit: Google Maps
Vreeland Park 17504 Parkway St., Riverview; cityofriverview.com; 734-281-4219 Operated by the city of Riverview, this park has three pickleball courts with lighting. Credit: Google Maps
Jack & Patti Salter Community Center 1545 E. Lincoln, Royal Oak; 248-246-3180; romi.gov Located in the center’s gymnasium, the pickleball courts are open from 11-3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday. Credit: Facebook, Jack & Patti Salter Community Center
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center 15801 Michigan, Dearborn; 313-943-23500; dearbornfordcenter.com This recreation center has both indoor and outdoor courts. When it’s cold outside, head indoors from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on weekdays. The outdoor courts are available in the warm months. Credit: Google Maps
Upton Park Nakota & Mandalay, Royal Oak; 248-246-3000; romi.gov This 3.9-acre park in Royal Oak has seven pickleball courts from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. when the weather is warm. Credit: Facebook, Upton Park
UWM Sports Complex 867 South Blvd., Pontiac; reimaginerec.com; 248-515-7362 This enormous sports complex features more than a dozen pickleball courts in a pristine environment with excellent lighting and nets. Open play is available every weekday from 9 a.m.-noon. Courts can be reserved after noon through the evenings on weekdays and evenings. Credit: Steve Neavling
Wolverine Pickleball 235 Metty Dr., Ann Arbor; 734-489-1723; wolverinepickleball.com With beer on tap, 12 indoor courts, and large ceilings with bright lighting, Wolverine Pickleball is truly an experience. It’s housed in a converted, 39,000-square-foot warehouse with a strong ventilation system. The state-of-the-art facility offers playtimes, classes, court rentals, and special events. Credit: Facebook, Wolverine Pickleball
Borden Park 1400 E. Hamlin Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-656-4600 This 143-acre park and sports complex has eight outdoor pickleball courts. Snuggled in a picturesque park, the courts are open from 8 a.m.-dusk when the weather is warm. Credit: Google Maps
Clintonwood Park 6000 Clarkston Rd., Clarkston; indtwp.com; 248-625-5111 With 120 acres of trees and grass, the Clintonwood Park is a scenic, tranquil spot to play pickleball when the weather is warm. There are four courts. Credit: Google Maps
Deer Lake Athletic Club 6167 White Lake Rd., Clarkston; deerlakeathleticlub.com; 248-625-8686 One of the top spots for pickleball in Oakland County, the Deer Lake Athletic Club offers court reservations for $20-$28 an hour. The club also offers six-week sessions for beginners and advanced beginners. Credit: Instagram, @therealdlac
Shelby Township Activities Center & River Bends Park 14974 21 Mile Rd., Shelby Township; shelbytwp.org; 586-731-0300 One of Macomb County’s most popular spots for indoor pickleball is the Shelby Township Activities Center, which offers both evening and daytime drop-ins. The hours vary weekly, and registration is required, so call ahead for more information. Outdoor courts are also available at the center and River Bends Park at 5700 22 Mile Rd. Credit: Facebook, Shelby Township Activities Center
Livonia Athletic District 14255 Stark Rd., Livonia; todd@livoniaathleticdistrict.com; facebook.com This large facility in Livonia offers pickleball court rentals for $25 an hour. Email Todd for reservations. Credit: Facebook, Livonia Athletic District
Seymour Lake Township 2797 Seymour Lake Rd., Oxford; oxparkrec.org; 248-628-1720 Operated by the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Commission, this 132-acre park has four lighted pickleball courts during the warm-weather season. Credit: Google Maps
The Hawk 29995 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; fhgov.com; 248-699-6700 With 10 outdoor courts, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot in Oakland County for pickleball. The Farmington Hills Community Center also offers indoor pickleball from 9 to noon on weekdays. Credit: Facebook, Shelley StAmand
Life Time Fitness Various locations; lifetime.life This fitness gym franchise offers indoor pickleball at many of its locations, including in Bloomfield Hills, Shelby Township, Rochester Hills, Troy, Novi, Commerce Township, and Canton. Memberships are required. Credit: Facebook, Lifetime.Life
Drake Sports Park 6801 Drake Rd., West Bloomfield; 248-451-1900; wbparks.org Operated by West Bloomfield Parks, this spot has three outdoor pickleball courts. Open play and reservations are available. Credit: Facebook, Drake Sports Park
Brandenburg Park 50050 Jefferson Ave., Chesterfield; 586-949-0400; parks.chesterfieldtwp.org Overlooking picturesque Lake St. Clair, this 17-acre park in Grosse Pointe boasts beautiful outdoor pickleball courts. Credit: Facebook, Brandenburg Park
Hampton Park 4600 Franklin Park, Sterling Heights; sterlingheights.gov; 586-446-3489 Several outdoor pickleball courts are available when the weather is warm at this park. Credit: Google Maps

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Steve Neavling is an award-winning investigative journalist who operated Motor City Muckraker, an online news site devoted to exposing abuses of power and holding public officials accountable. Neavling...