Pickleball has been rising in popularity across the United States with participation increasing by 158.6% over the past three years, and South Carolina is no exception. This surge of excitement for the sport has made pickleball the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Here is a breakdown on the best places to play pickleball in South Carolina, based on TeachMe.To's data.
1. Columbia
Columbia holds the number one ranking for pickleball in South Carolina. According to TeachMe.To data, 25% of the pickleball coaches in the state teach in Columbia. Additionally, 33.33% of booked coaching lessons in the state take place there as well. Columbia also boasts 10 outdoor and 9 indoor courts available for use. Pickleball coach Nathan Dimitri is the top coach in Columbia. As far as what to expect during your first lesson, Dimitri says,"I can teach the rules to beginners, run drills for specific skills, or just be a hitting partner if you need to practice.'
In addition, The Columbia American Pickleball Tournament is returning to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in 2024 with a new partner, Habitat for Humanity. This event is an incredible event for beginners, all the way to seasoned pickleball players; individuals ages 14 and older are welcome to
participate.
2. Indian Land
Indian Land holds the second spot in the ranking. The city has 25% of coaches available for pickleball training. Coaching lessons booked in Indian Land account for 19.05% of the total in South Carolina, which reflects a steady demand for professional instruction. Indian Land features 6 dedicated pickleball courts.
3. Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is ranked third among the top pickleball cities in South Carolina. This city represents 25% of coaches available in the state. The percentage of coaching lessons booked in Mount Pleasant is also 19.05%. The city offers 10 pickleball courts, but that number is on the rise as a new indoor courts are being opened in Mount Pleasant that is a 40,000-sqft space that features eight pickleball courts.
4. Tega Cay
Tega Cay comes in at fourth place according to our data. Our data shows that 25% of the pickleball coaches available work out of this city. The percentage of coaching lessons booked in Tega Cay is 28.57%, which indicates a very strong interest in developing pickleball skills. Tega Cay provides 8 pickleball courts, offering a variety of settings for players to enjoy the sport and receive coaching.
Ranking | City | Coaching available | Coaching lessons booked |
1 | Columbia | 25.00% | 33.33% |
4 | Tega Cay | 25.00% | 28.57% |
2 | Indian Land | 25.00% | 19.05% |
3 | Mount Pleasant | 25.00% | 19.05% |
Pickleball in South Carolina
Despite pickleball being close to 60 years old and originating from the west coast, the sport is really taking off in South Carolina. Whether you're in Columbia, Indian Land, Mount Pleasant, or Tega Cay, you'll find excellent players, coaches, and facilities. The sport is resonating well with all age groups and continues to make its mark in South Carolina.