We built one of North America’s first indoor pickleball-only clubs, then sold it. Here’s everything we learned, in four free playbooks. Nothing held back.
“The dream part doesn’t work unless the doing part does.”
We were normal people who got there early, listened hard and kept getting back up. Sixteen-hour days behind the counter. Courts cleaned at 3 a.m. A point-of-sale system borrowed from a tanning salon. There was no playbook, so we wrote the one we wish we’d had.
And the personalities we met on our courts? They became something new.Short exercises, not essays. Every page ends with one thing you can do this week. Print them or write right on the PDF.
For clubs that are open and want more regulars. Know your players, nail the first visit and show every player their next step.
For owners thinking about a sale, next year or never. See your club the way a buyer would, back up your story and plan the handoff.
For anyone opening, franchising, buying or investing in a club. The questions worth asking while you can still walk away.
For owners who need more new players. Find the stories inside your walls, share them everywhere and keep the promise.
Short answers are enough. Start with your two lowest scores and one change at a time.
Independents, franchisees, investors and the people who run the club day to day.
What worked, what didn’t and what we’d do differently. Take what helps. Leave the rest.
To David Johnson and the IAPPF, the International Association of Pickleball and Padel Facilities: thank you for the clarity, the encouragement and the push to share what we learned with today's club owners.