Question 1

What is pickleball?

Accepted Answer

Pickleball is a racquet sport played on a badminton-sized court with a lowered net, solid paddles and a perforated plastic ball. It borrows from tennis, table tennis and badminton, and is played as singles or doubles.

Question 2

Do I need any experience to play?

Accepted Answer

No. Most people are rallying within their first ten minutes. Our Learn to Play and New to Pickle sessions are built specifically for first-timers, and no equipment or partner is required.

Question 3

What equipment do I need?

Accepted Answer

A paddle, balls and flat non-marking court shoes. Paddles and balls are available to hire at both clubs, and members hire them free — so you can turn up with nothing but shoes.

Question 4

What's the crowd like?

Accepted Answer

A young club, and everyone plays at it. Modern room, big events calendar, young crowd. It's also got a masters program, open play from beginner through 4.5, and a first-timer's night, often all in the same week. All ages, all grades, all abilities. On a doubles court that mix isn't a compromise, it's the appeal.

Question 5

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

A standard game to 11 points takes 15 to 20 minutes. Most players book a court for an hour and play several games, rotating partners.

Question 6

How do I book a court?

Accepted Answer

Book through your club's booking platform — hq.thejar.club for The Jar Maidstone, and southmelbourne.thejar.club for The Jar South Melbourne. Courts can be booked up to six weeks ahead by members.

Question 7

Do I have to be a member to play?

Accepted Answer

No. Anyone can hire a court or join a program at the casual rate. Membership simply makes it cheaper and gives you priority on the calendar.

Question 8

What do I get with a membership?

Accepted Answer

Every membership includes 20% off casual court hire, 20% off all programs, priority booking up to six weeks ahead, free paddle and ball hire, and 10% off the pro shop.

Question 9

Which membership should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Club Membership from $30 a month if you play mostly at one club. Jars Dual Club from $35 a month if you play at both South Melbourne and Maidstone. There's also a South Melbourne and Real Dill Multi Club option from $35 a month.

Question 10

Can I cancel a booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes — cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before your reservation starts. Inside 24 hours, fees paid are forfeited. See our refund policy for the full detail.

Question 11

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

Athletic clothing and clean, non-marking court shoes. Running shoes are fine to start with; dedicated court shoes give you better lateral support.

Question 12

How many people can play on one court?

Accepted Answer

Two for singles, four for doubles. Your court booking covers the court, so bring whoever you're playing with.

Question 13

What are the basic on-court manners?

Accepted Answer

Call your own lines honestly, call the score before serving, wait for a break in play before walking behind a court, and finish on time so the next group can start.

Question 14

What programs do you run?

Accepted Answer

New to Pickle for beginners, Open Play for social rotation, group coaching, social events, and DUPR-rated competitive nights. Full timetables sit on each venue's booking platform.

Question 15

How much is a private lesson?

Accepted Answer

Members pay $120 for one lesson or $330 for a three-pack. Non-members pay $130 or $360. Sessions run 60 minutes and include court hire.

Question 16

What is DUPR and do I need it?

Accepted Answer

DUPR is the global pickleball rating system. You don't need one to play socially, but every rated match at The Jar feeds your rating — and members get a discounted DUPR subscription through the NPL × DUPR partnership.

Question 17

Can you run a session for my workplace or group?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We run corporate days, client events, birthdays and tournaments at both clubs. Send the details through our events page and our team will come back with options.

Question 18

What is padel?

Accepted Answer

Padel is a doubles racquet sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, with solid stringless racquets and glass walls you can play the ball off. Serving is underarm and rallies are long, which makes it quick to pick up and hard to put down.

Question 19

Do I need a partner to play padel?

Accepted Answer

Padel is played as doubles, so a full court needs four players. If you don't have a group, join an open play or social session and we'll put you with others at a similar level.

Question 20

Can I hire a racquet?

Accepted Answer

Yes — racquets and balls will be available to hire at Maidstone, the same way paddles and balls are for pickleball. Turn up in court shoes and we'll cover the rest.

Question 21

I've played pickleball — will padel feel familiar?

Accepted Answer

Some of it. The underarm serve, the doubles format and the soft hands at the net all carry over. What's new is the court size, the glass walls and the amount of running — padel rewards movement and reading the rebound.

Question 22

How much is a padel court?

Accepted Answer

Padel court hire rates are being confirmed ahead of opening. Join the list on our padel page and we'll send pricing and booking times before the courts open.

Question 23

When do the padel courts open?

Accepted Answer

Six glass-walled indoor padel courts at The Jar Maidstone: opening October 2026. They sit alongside the nine pickleball courts already running there.

Question 24

Where can I buy paddles and gear?

Accepted Answer

Both clubs run a pro shop stocking paddles, balls, bags and apparel, and members get 10% off. A wider range is available through the online store.

Question 25

What is your returns policy?

Accepted Answer

Unused items in original condition can be returned or exchanged in line with Australian Consumer Law. Program bookings cancelled inside the notice period are issued as club credit rather than a refund — the refund policy sets out the detail.

The good questions.