Noise - the disadvantage of pickleball

Many people love pickleball for its visuals, while many hate it for its audio.

Pickleball makes noise even when you play in silence - Photo: QT

Why do pickleballs make noise?

There are many reasons why pickleball is frowned upon by non -players , with noise being the main factor. In many countries, lawsuits have been filed over this seemingly insignificant issue.

Pickleball uses a solid composite racket face and a hollow plastic ball, creating a sharper and more resonant “knock knock” sound than tennis.

According to a 2023 survey by the community advocacy organization Noise Free America, the average sound measured at a pickleball court fence is between 70 and 85 decibels, equivalent to the sound of a truck traveling at close range.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends 55 decibels as the threshold at which people can live regularly without long-term health effects. This makes many households living next to playgrounds feel annoyed, even worried.

The Los Angeles Times quoted clinical audiologist Jillian Coleman as saying that "the constant, high-pitched sound of a ball hitting a ball can cause auditory stress and contribute to headaches, sleep disturbances, and psychological distress."

This expert confirmed that the sound of a pickleball has a high frequency characteristic, which easily irritates the sensitivity of the human ear, especially in the elderly.

A 2022 survey by the city of Newport Beach, California, found that more than 60% of noise complaints in park areas were related to pickleball.

In many places, people have filed petitions to relocate playgrounds. The city of Arlington, Virginia, received dozens of complaints each week when it converted tennis courts to pickleball.

After independent measurements, the government had to temporarily close some yards and install soundproof walls. For the same reason, residential areas in New York and Arizona recorded protracted litigation, forcing the courts to intervene.

In a ruling in August 2024, the Scottsdale County Court (Arizona) required limits on playing hours and suggested building courses far from residential areas to avoid legal consequences.

Risk of being "erased" from the city

Sports officials are beginning to worry about the sustainability of the movement. The United States Pickleball Federation has acknowledged noise as a “growth issue” and warned that localities need to plan ahead.

A sound engineer named Robert Unrath told NPR that the hole-shaped ball structure makes the sound “sharp like a metal knock,” and when many people play at the same time, the resonance can easily exceed the allowable limit.

He recommends using rubber fences, soundproof panels, or placing the yard at least 100 meters away from residential areas.

It's hard to play pickleball in silence - Photo: PN

On the other hand, the gaming community believes the complaints are overblown. Some clubs claim that playing time is mainly in the morning and late afternoon, with little impact on sleep.

Still, the pressure is mounting, especially as the number of public pickleball courts in the US has increased more than 150% in three years, according to USA Pickleball.

Notably, manufacturers have introduced “damping” rackets and “sound-deadening” balls, which an independent 2023 test by the Acoustical Society of America found could reduce the noise by an average of 5–10 decibels.

But that hasn’t been enough to reassure noise-sensitive residents. Some cities are experimenting with “golden quiet hours,” limiting games to 8 p.m. and banning the use of stadium-side speakers.

Many urban planners see this as a prime example of the conflict between public space and quality of life. As living standards rise, people demand quieter environments, while community sports are also thriving.

The Washington Post quoted planning expert Mark Sasaki as saying that future cities must reserve separate active sports areas, instead of "cramming" them near residential areas.

As pickleball continues to grow, the noise controversy shows no signs of abating. Without proper planning, the sport risks backfiring.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tieng-on-khuyet-diem-cua-pickleball-2025102919563978.htm