Pickleball: Where to play around the Coachella Valley this fall

As the fall season approaches, and we move to play outdoors, there are some important pickleball developments in the Coachella Valley.

Freedom Park: With the flooding a few weeks ago, Freedom Park is unplayable.  This takes away eight public outdoor courts.  Palm Desert Recreation is not sure when and if it will be playable soon.

Fritz Burns Park in the La Quinta cove:  Fritz now has 16 courts, and it has been busy during the summer.  Be prepared for the arrival of the snowbirds, and more players wanting to get games at this venue, especially with Freedom Park closed.

Bagdouma Park in Coachella: Two outdoor pickleball courts.

Civic Center Park in Palm Desert: Exciting news as Civic Center Park is building 12 permanent courts outdoors.  They are not completed yet but hope to be up and running when the season commences.  This is where I will be offering my drill classes on M, W, F.  New class!  Advanced drills and round robin play on Tuesdays at 8 a.m.

Rancho Mirage: More exciting news as the Rancho Mirage Community Park is hoping to open eight more permanent courts in addition to the two current permanent courts.  They hope to have a grand opening in November.

Demuth Park in Palm Springs:  12 additional courts have been approved, which will add up to 24 courts when they are completed.  Not sure yet when they will be completed, but they are on the way.  Hoping for 2025.

Temporary alternative: With Freedom down and Civic Center not ready, Cahuilla Hills is another alternative.  There are eight sets of lines painted . . . you need to bring your own net.  I have six nets, and I will check them out to my students if requested.

Indoor options

Civic Center Park in Palm Desert will be renovating their gym starting in the fall, through the summer.  This venue will not be available.

Other options:

Demuth Community Center:  2 indoor, air-conditioned courts.  Check the Palm Springs website for play times.

James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center – North Palm Springs:  2 indoor, air-conditioned courts.  Check the Palm Springs website for play times.

Salvation Army in Cathedral City:  3 air-conditioned courts.  Check their website for play times.

Indio:  3 indoor courts:  check Palm Desert Recreation District for play times.

Private clubs

Pickleball Bar:  On Dinah Shore near Costco.  Check their website for cost and times.

Other private clubs:

Westin Mission Hills

Palm Desert Resort

Desert Princess

Woodhaven

Rancho Las Palmas

Many HOA communities also offer pickleball, but they may or may not accept outside guests.  You will have to check with each site.

If you have courts where you live, and they allow outside guests, you will be very popular when the season begins.

How to avoid crowds and wait time

** Go on off hours

** Go early

** Go late or in the evening

** Get your own net so you can set up on temporary courts at Cahuilla Hills

** Join a drill class, so you have reserved court time, and you can play afterwards.

My first outdoor round-robin of the season was scheduled for Oct. 22 at Freedom Park.  I am hoping to move it to Civic Center Park if the courts are completed.  I will keep you posted.

Outdoor classes at Demuth start on Thursdays in October.  Check the website for skill levels and times.

Outdoor drill classes with Palm Desert Recreation District are planned. We hope to offer these starting in October.  If the courts are not completed, we may offer classes indoors.

Outdoor classes at Rancho Mirage Community Park:  These will start in October/November on Saturdays.  Check the website.

If I have left out any venues, please email me at mgbarsaleau@gmail.com and I will include it in next week’s article.  Paddle up and see you on the courts.

Coach Mary's Tip of the Week

Why not try the two-handed backhand?

Many of my students do not love their backhands.  They run around them, or push them, or avoid them when possible. Alert, this tells your opponent to hit to your backhand!

When I had an elbow and shoulder chronic overuse injury, I started to embrace the two-hander to save my body.  It works.

Be sure to watch the videos on how to execute a proper two-handed backhand, and what to focus on.

A few key points:

** You need to be closer to the ball to hit a two-hander, so you need better footwork.  You might consider keeping your one hander for when you cannot get there.

** The power with a two-hander comes from your back arm – for a right hander, this is your left arm.  One way to practice is to hit with your off arm, like hitting a left-handed forehand, to strengthen that side.

** Low to high.  Follow-through out, then up, then over your shoulder.

** I find that when hitting a backhand lob, the two-hander is helpful.

** At the NVZ, the two-hander requires more hip turn and shoulder turn, since you cannot step in the kitchen.

Remember:  We are not as young or as mobile as Anna Leigh Waters, or any other professional.  Develop your game within your own personal physical abilities.  Stress balance, footwork, early preparation before the ball gets to you, and anticipation of your opponent’s return.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball: Where to play around the Coachella Valley this fall