Looking to play pickleball in Macon Georgia? Here’s how to join and where to play
Macon’s pickleball facilities have grown rapidly over the last five years, with the addition of 32 climate-controlled indoor courts in the old Macon mall, and the earlier transformation of Tattnall Square Park.
With the facilities, the popularity of the sport has increased among Maconites, but if you’re behind on the trend or nervous to join here’s how you can get involved.
Where are Macon’s pickleball courts?
TATTNALL SQUARE PICKLEBALL CENTER
Tattnall Square Park’s 10 tennis courts were transformed into pickleball courts by the Macon-Bibb government in 2020. The courts sit on the edge of the park near College Street, among open green space and sidewalk paths. They are the personal favorite courts of Macon Pickleball Association founder and President Paul Midkiff.
- Number of Courts: 26 outdoor courts
- Entrance Fee: $2 before 5:00 p.m., $3 after 5:00 p.m.
- Address: 1155 College St, Macon
RHYTHM AND RALLY
Rhythm and Rally is the world’s largest indoor pickleball venue, and Midkiff called it the nicest in the world. Its courts are located off Eisenhower Parkway in the old Macon Mall.
- Number of Courts: 32 indoor courts
- Entrance Fee: $5 for 5 hours of play
- Address: 3661 Eisenhower Pkwy, Macon, GA
JOHN DREW SMITH TENNIS CENTER
John Drew Smith Tennis Center has many tennis courts and a few outdoor pickleball courts. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with varying hours on the weekend.
- Number of Courts: 6 outdoor courts
- Entrance Fee: $2 per person before 5:00 p.m., $3 per person after 5:00 p.m.
- Address: 3280 N Ingle Pl, Macon
SANDY BEACH PARK, LAKE TOBESOFKEE
If you’re heading out for a beach day at Lake Tobesofkee, you can bring tennis shoes and play some pickleball while you’re there. Sandy Beach Park’s pickleball courts are located next to the parking lot and away from the beach.
- Number of Courts: 4 outdoor courts
- Entrance Fee: $5 per person to get into the park, courts are free to use.
- Address: 6880 Moseley Dixon Road, Macon, GA
RANDY STEPHENS TENNIS CENTER
Randy Stephens Tennis Center is in South Macon, about 20 minutes from downtown. The Center has a playground along with tennis courts.
- Number of Courts: 8 outdoor tennis courts with pickleball lines
- Entrance Fee: $2 before 5:00 p.m., $3 after 5:00 p.m.
- Address: 7035 Houston Road, Macon
Where can you take classes?
Macon Pickleball
Macon Pickleball offers Pickleball 101 classes with 6-8 participants in each class, as well as skills and drills classes and individual lessons.
Email pickleball.macon@gmail.com to get involved, or check out their Facebook page.
Rhythm and Rally
Rhythm and Rally offers various levels of classes and clinics, including beginner classes, skills and drills, and pro pickleball camps. A full schedule of their classes and camps can be found on their event calendar. Participants can sign up for classes online or give them a call at (478) 200-0178.
Do you need equipment?
Midkiff said beginners don’t need to worry about getting their own equipment, as most facilities have paddles and balls. But if you’re set on getting your own equipment, Midkiff recommends players go to Pickleball Sports on Forsyth Road.
“It is the only pickleball store in the middle Georgia area and it has all the leading pickleball brands for players to try,” said Midkiff in an email.
How to play competitively
Georgia has several pickleball tournaments throughout the year. Those tournaments can be found through Southern Pickleball and at pickleballtournaments.com.
Macon has an upcoming tournament, “Beat the Heat,” from August 9 through 11 at Rhythm and Rally. The registration fee is $70.
Additionally, Macon Pickleball runs ladder leagues and team leagues.
Ladder leagues allow players to play without a partner. Participants opt-in week by week and play 3 to 4 games with different people as their partners. Players move up and down the ladder based on how well they do.
Team leagues are made up of at least two men and two women. Teams compete against a new team each week.
There will be information in coming Macon Pickleball newsletters on how to sign up, said Midkiff. You can sign up for the newsletter by scrolling to the bottom of their website and submitting your email address.
