Pickleball Near Folly Beach: A Brief History, A Few Laughs, and Where to Play
Pickleball Near Folly Beach: A Brief History, A Few Laughs, and Where to Play
Pickleball. The sport that looks like tennis, sounds like ping pong, and somehow turns perfectly reasonable adults into hyper-competitive paddle warriors arguing about kitchen violations before 9 a.m.
If you’re visiting Folly Beach — or you live here and finally gave in to the peer pressure — here’s everything you need to know about the history of pickleball, where to play near Folly, and why everyone suddenly owns court shoes.
A Quick (and Slightly Absurd) History of Pickleball
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — who were trying to entertain their bored kids. They grabbed a badminton court, ping pong paddles, a perforated plastic ball, and basically said, “Good enough.”
Legend has it the name either came from the Pritchard family dog, Pickles (who chased the ball), or from the “pickle boat” in crew — a mix of leftover players. Either way, branding: accidental but brilliant.
Fast forward 60 years, and pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America. It’s low-impact, social, easy to learn, and deceptively intense. You show up thinking it’s casual. You leave wondering why your calves hurt.
Where to Play Pickleball Near Folly Beach
5th Block East Tennis Courts (Folly Beach)
If you’re staying on Folly, the public tennis courts on 5th Block East are the go-to local option. These courts often double as pickleball courts with temporary lines and portable nets. It’s laid-back, community-driven, and very “Folly” — meaning someone will probably invite you into a game within 10 minutes.
Pro tip: bring your own paddles and balls. And maybe humility.
Dill Dinkers – Charleston (Opening Spring)
A new indoor pickleball facility, Dill Dinkers, is opening this spring in Charleston at Signal Point Road. This will offer dedicated indoor courts, leagues, clinics, and structured play — ideal for those who prefer air conditioning over humidity and want a more organized playing environment.
Indoor play means:
- No wind
- No sunburn
- No “that gust totally moved the ball” excuses
If you’re serious about improving your game (or just want consistent court time), this will be a great addition to the Charleston-area pickleball scene.
Minor Rules (Explained Slightly Tongue-in-Cheek)
Pickleball rules are simple… until they aren’t. Here are a few basics:
1. The Kitchen Rule
The “kitchen” is the non-volley zone near the net. You cannot step into it and smash a volley.
Translation: You must resist the primal urge to dominate at the net.
Example:
You lean in. You crush the ball. You celebrate.
Your opponent calmly says, “Kitchen.”
You retreat in shame.
2. Double Bounce Rule
After the serve, the ball must bounce once on each side before anyone can volley.
This prevents immediate chaos. Think of it as the sport politely asking everyone to calm down for two seconds.
3. Serving Is Underhand
Yes. Underhand. On purpose.
You serve diagonally and must hit below your waist.
And yet somehow… someone will still miss it.
4. Scoring Only Happens on the Serve
Only the serving team can score points. Games are typically played to 11, win by 2.
Which means:
If you’re losing badly, you can blame “side out strategy.”
If you’re winning, you are obviously a natural athlete.
Why Pickleball and Folly Beach Go Together
Pickleball fits the Folly vibe perfectly:
- Social
- Slightly competitive
- Accessible
- Played in flip-flops five minutes after saying, “I’m not really that competitive.”
You can paddle the Folly River in the morning, grab tacos on Center Street, and squeeze in a few games before sunset. It’s active, but not exhausting. Competitive, but communal.
And the best part? It bridges generations. College kids, retirees, beach locals, weekend visitors — everyone ends up on the same court arguing about whether that ball was out.
Final Thoughts
Pickleball may have started as a backyard experiment, but it’s now a full-blown cultural moment. And whether you’re playing casually at the 5th Block East courts or gearing up for indoor league play at Dill Dinkers this spring, there’s no shortage of opportunities near Folly Beach.
Just remember:
Stretch your calves.
Respect the kitchen.
And never underestimate someone holding a neon paddle.
Pickleball with Captain Richard