If you’re a Pickleball fan and live in or travel to the Bay Area, The Hub in Campbell is a fantastic place to visit. The Hub is a well-maintained, gigantic, and awe-inspiring facility with 20 courts that cater to numerous patrons.

Pickleball, a game invented in 1965 in Seattle, Washington, at the home of Joel Prichard, a former congressman and lieutenant governor, has rapidly become the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. One reason for its popularity is the quick learning curve, especially for those who have played racquet sports like tennis, squash, or ping pong. Over the years, many cities have converted public tennis courts into pickleball courts, attracting fans of all ages.

The Pickleball paddle is sized between a ping pong paddle and a tennis racquet. Prices range from $45 for a decent paddle to over $200 for an advanced one. The high-end paddles, typically made with carbon graphite, offer increased power, spin, and control. Players who play five or more days a week may need to replace their paddles annually due to wear from constant use.

The ball is slightly larger than a tennis ball and, while similar to a wiffleball, is made from durable plastic designed to withstand intense hits.

Even those without a background in racquet sports can pick up the game fairly easily. Tennis greats like Andre Agassi and John McEnroe have become avid Pickleball players. However, John McEnroe warns new players that the sport’s perceived ease can lead to overexertion, particularly for those not in the best shape, which can result in injury.

At The Hub, you’ll find players of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Over the past few months, The Hub has become my bi-weekly haunt for intense Pickleball sessions. My tennis experience certainly helped me progress quickly, but I faced some challenges.

One distinct rule in Pickleball is that when serving, the ball must bounce once on the receiver’s side and once on the server’s side after the return. As a former tennis player, I had a tendency to charge the net after serving and often tried to volley the ball without letting it bounce, which is a foul in Pickleball and cost me many points. It took me about a week to unlearn this habit from tennis.

Another ingrained habit was hitting the ball as hard as possible, which isn’t always the best strategy since the lighter ball moves more slowly. The underarm serve in Pickleball is easy to pick up but hard to master, especially when incorporating spins.

Net play, or “dinking,” is another key feature of Pickleball, and it can be challenging for tennis players to master.

I love The Hub for many reasons. As mentioned earlier, it’s a clean and well-maintained facility. The restrooms are always spotless, and the staff is courteous and friendly. There are plenty of comfortable seating areas for players to rest and socialize between games.

The patrons are friendly and often invite me to join them while I’m waiting for my turn. Some players even seek out new opponents to enhance their experience.

While there is only one shower, I’ve never had to wait for my turn. One suggestion I have for The Hub is to install more water coolers.

While there are cheaper or free options to play Pickleball, The Hub is on the pricier side, both for drop-ins and monthly memberships. However, for those who can afford it, the experience is well worth the money.

If you play Pickleball or want to give it a try, I highly recommend visiting this venue.

Address: 600 E Hamilton Ave #150, Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (833) 484-3482
Website: https://thehubpickleball.com

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