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Tennis Meets Ping Pong in Pickleball, New Sport at Hilton Head Island’s Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

Thursday, July 23rd, 2015

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Named one of the world’s best getaways for families by Travel + Leisure in 2013, Palmetto Dunes has added even more family fun to its many offerings with the addition of pickleball at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. Described as tennis meets ping pong, the game is easy to pick up and popular with all ages.

Pickleballjoined the range of activities available at the oceanfront Hilton Head resort in June and has already been a hit with families and retired individuals visiting the resort. “If this turns out to be as popular as we think it will be, we’ll soon be hosting pickleball tournaments and offering memberships and lessons in addition to our usual tennis lineup,” says John Kerr, director of tennis for Palmetto Dunes.

Played with oversized ping pong paddles and a softball-sized plastic perforated ball, the goal is to volley the ball over a net that stands 34 inches. Points are scored only by the serving team and games are normally played to 11 points, winning by at least 2. Four games can be played simultaneously on one tennis court.

Guests staying with Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort receive two hours of free tennis court or pickleball time daily with their accommodations booking. Pickleball machines are also available for rent for practice or playing alone. For more information about playing pickleball at Palmetto Dunes, call the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center at 843-785-1152.

According to The USA Pickleball Association, or USAPA, there are currently 2000 locations to play pickleball around the U.S. and 400,000 players.

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