TOP 10 PICKLEBALL COURTS IN PENANG (ISLAND)

The first venue that comes to mind when friends ask for recommendations in Penang is always GOAT. With a mainland branch in Seberang Perai recently opened and a third one in the pipeline at Sg Lokan, Butterworth, GOAT is cementing its position as the No. 1 venue choice in Penang. It gets the thumbs up for its open-air, well-ventilated 12 courts with excellent bounce and a comfortable lounge area. The only downsides are its dimmer evening lighting and potential issues with rain and glare due to its open layout; and parking can be a poser during peak hours. Good courts attract good players so go play at GOAT if you are up for a challenge!

Venue for the recent Alliance Bank Penang Open and influencer Perry Kuan's Play Pickleball epic music video location, Pickle Land is one of the most sought after spots in Penang island. Its highly-rated, premium indoor pickleball facility offers a professional and comfortable playing experience with excellent amenities. The 9 PPA Pro Court Standard, inspired by Palm Springs is a great spot for both experienced players and beginners who are looking for a high-quality play in a positive community setting.

Home to Penang's Joola, Pickle Lab is often called one of the best indoor pickleball courts on the island, offering amenities like a Pro shop, comfy lounge area, showers and a great balcony overlooking the neighbourhood. Located in the heart of residential hub Greenlane, it has 6 indoor air-conditioned courts and is a great place for both casual and competitive play. However, the spacing behind the courts' baseline is inadequate for one side, often you need to stop playing or serving when someone passes by. The purple hues of the court is refreshing and vibrant. Love the quality of the surface and nets, and the location is quite convenient with adequate parking.

Located only a 15-minute drive from the Penang International airport, Pickle Gen has 7 air-conditioned courts inside the Giant hypermarket. Venue for the CM Cup Penang 2025, it has a well-stocked Pro shop, generous lounge area, premium court surface and plenty of free parking. However, the physical layout of the facility is not the most ideal. The lone VIP court is tournament standard but the rest are a bit tight around the sides and baseline area.

Spin & Smash began operating with 10 outdoor courts but has since converted half of them into covered so they can operate under all-weather conditions. It is the largest pickleball hub of its kind island side, and regardless if you are a seasoned competitor or a novice, this USAPA tournament standard venue offers the perfect setting for both recreational play and high-level tournaments. Its location in the intersection of a residential and commercial hub makes it a great space for after work social meetups, weekend training and competitions. Amenities are basic but it does have that community vibe where players unwind with beers under the stars after games.

I was first introduced to pickleball at this venue. A new mall in central Penang experimented the rise of the sports' appeal with 9 indoor air-conditioned courts. It is a great place for all skill levels, and offers a break from the weather. It has a modern, vibrant Instragrammable setup and will soon open its doors in Kuantan, apart from the ones in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Some recent upgrades include the installation of match recorders to track and analyze games. My only peeves are the courts' laminated surfaces, which can be uneven at some spots, and lobs will be a bit hard to execute due to the lower ceilings.

Located in the Tanjung Tokong enclave, right between the tourist belt of Gurney Drive and Straits Quay, this pickleball hideaway is worth the shot if you want a different experience. It has 4 regular and 1 premium outdoor court with very basic facilities. I like how private this place is - at the end of a cul de sac with an upscale restaurant as neighbour and drive through Starbucks nearby. The courts surfaces are playable but it does have some complaints of unevenness. There are more private groups so if you are looking for open plays, you may be disappointed. This is a perfect spot for night coaching due to its limited number of courts and exclusive setup.

You can easily miss the narrow turning into the small lane off Tanjong Tokong Road heading to Gurney Drive if your destination is the Wirasports Hideout. Run by a friendly couple, Stanly and Cindy, this boutique pickleball haven is just 5-minutes walk from popular Gurney Mall and has a fun and inclusive atmosphere. It is a great place for players of all levels to improve and it has this urban island escape vibe. They play nice music and you will love the lounge chairs and beach umbrella. It also feels like a 'speakeasy' for pickleball with its rustic façade.

Pickle Island has 4 concrete outdoor pickleball courts located in the heart of Georgetown. The oddity of the venue is its location that is annexed to an old folks home. I guess unlike Singapore, there are people who welcome the sound intrusions to break their monotonous daily life. I find this social experiment fascinating! Despite its prime location, parking was relatively easy and its free. There is an on-site vending machine for snacks and drinks and toilet – that's all, nothing fancy. The fencing are adequate and high, and so are the spaces between courts. It's a no frills, affordable joint to whack some balls with picklers from the hood.

Pickle Park is surrounded by some of the best 'char koay teow' establishments in Penang, and is just walking distance to the famed New Lane night hawker street. Its location is 5-star, and is one of the most under-rated courts in town. Located at the rooftop of an old commercial building, it is an open air venue overlooking the breathtaking Georgetown skyline. There is one VIP court and 3 standard courts, and is a great place for both experienced players and beginners. The only downsides are the barrier between courts which is inadequately separated, and the potential out-of-bounds ball hits over the 4-storey building.