Are Texans Becoming More Obsessed With Pickleball Than Cornhole?
In a pickle? Take it to the court! The pickleball court, that is. Corny joke aside, pickleball is being played by millions of people all around the world. A paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball is played on a smaller court with a modified tennis net, using solid paddles and a plastic ball with holes. The game can be played in singles or doubles, and the objective is to hit the ball over the net and land it within the boundaries of the opponent's court, aiming to score points.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 by three friends: Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. They created the game as a form of entertainment for their families during the summer. The game's origins can be traced back to Bainbridge Island, Washington, where the friends improvised a game using ping-pong paddles, a whiffle ball, and a lowered badminton net. The name "pickleball" supposedly comes from Pritchard's family dog, Pickles, who would chase after the balls and hide them in the bushes, leading to the name "pickleball".
Since its invention, pickleball has grown in popularity and is now played by millions of people of all ages. It has organized leagues, tournaments, and dedicated facilities, and its rules have been standardized to ensure fair play and consistency. The sport continues to evolve and attract new players due to its accessibility and the enjoyable nature of the game.
Texas was recently ranked #7 as the most obsessed pickleball state in America, outranked by #1-Massachusetts, #2-Hawaii, #3-Florida, #4-Virginia, #5-Colorado, and #6 New York. As far as the most popular pickleball cities in Texas, Austin ranks first, Dallas second, then Laredo, Houston, and Garland. Source: Solitairebliss.com
Cornhole tournaments are still taking place throughout Texas, though interest is declining (according to the latest findings). So if you're looking for something fun, you might want to purchase yourself a couple of pickleball paddles. For all the pickleball specs, check out the U.S.A. Pickleball Association. And if you're still mini-golfing (shout-out to the '80s!), look below for some of the most favored mini-golf courses across the nation.