Let’s Play Pickleball!

Paying annual (calendar year) dues, and not the daily fee, are required to become a Pickleball member. Paid members will receive a silicone wristband which should be with you and visible each time you play to show you have paid.

Price: $5/Daily Visitor fee or $50/Calendar Year Membership 
Pay Here or at the Island Rec Front Desk. If you pay online, please pick up your wristband at the Island Rec Center Front Desk.

Buy Hilton Head Island Pickleball Merchandise Here!

Click Here for Announcements Jan ‘24

Click for St Patrick’s Day Tournament Results


Open Play

Island Rec Center Courts (20 Wilborn Road) | 5 Courts
For Players 3.5 and Under
Open play is 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday-Saturday, for members and visitors.

Courts are most crowded from 9 to 11. Beginners will find more room starting around noon. 

Old Schoolhouse Park (Adrianna) - 152 William Hilton Parkway: 6 Courts
For Players 3.5 and Above
Open every day.
Dawn until 9 a.m.: Members only. Members can play in private foursomes until open play begins at 9. 
9 a.m.-1 p.m: Open play, members and visitors at intermediate skill level and above.   
1 p.m. until dusk: Members only.


Pickleball Programming

Starting February 26 | Old Schoolhouse Park | $35/day
1-2pm: “GoBeginners Mondays only 5 sessions
2-3pm: Level 3.0-4 “Grow10 Academy Monday/Wednesday sessions
3-4:15pm: 'High Level' 3.5+  “Know10 Sessions Competitive Drills & Match play Monday/Wednesday
Need help with your rating? View Skill Ratings Here

Comprehensive Program Outline Here

Led and developed by Sarah Mitten. For additional info, please contact Sarah: Sarah.mitten@islandreccenter.org or 843-895-4320

BEGINNERS this is a five-part introduction to the game of Pickleball where you will learn, make new friends and feel comfortable joining open play in the future.

INTERMEDIATE 3.0-4.0 MITTEN ACADEMY this is a ten-session progressive Pickleball Academy Program where you can sign up for as many clinics as you want or complete the full Academy. If a player completes all of the sessions, they will receive a T-shirt and certificate of achievement. It is recommended to commit to the full 10-session course however you can sign up for an individual session. (10% discount on prepaid 10 sessions).

COMPETITIVE DRILLS AND MATCHPLAY 3.5+ Drills and point play focusing on strategy, technique, psychology, fitness, learning your Pickleball ID, shot selection, building a partnership.


Court Reserve

Court Reserve is now available to Hilton Head Island Rec Pickleball Members 

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, we are transitioning from our current TeamReach Adrianna Private Play reservation app to the Court Reserve reservation app.

You must be a paid member for 2024 to access the app

Court Reserve will be used to reserve courts at Adrianna, the Rec Center, and Chaplin Park. Reservations will be able to be made 7 days in advance. Pickleball members can reserve 1 court per day (up to 2 hours) and a max of 2 courts per calendar week.

If you are new to the Court Reserve app, please click here to download and sign up.

If you already have the Court Reserve app for another club, you just need to add our us. Click on MY ORGANIZATIONS, then ADD ORGANIZATION. Type 'Hilton Head' and our group "Hilton Head Island Rec Center" will come up for you to select.


Questions? Contact Sarah

If you have any questions about pickleball, contact sarah.mitten@islandreccenter.org.


A note from Sarah Mitten, the new Head of Pickleball Coordination and Programming

My accomplishments are not only as a professional player and coach but also in sports management. One of my top skills is developing programming.

The following will give you a better understanding of who I am and what I bring to the City Pickleball program.

I came to the USA in 1987 on a full Tennis scholarship to Division I, top 25 ranked, MSU. While at MSU, I was an SEC Scholar Athlete, and a Wimbledon Qualifier. I graduated with a BS in Fitness Management and did some further Master Courses in Sports Psychology.

After college, I accepted an offer to coach and consult at some very exclusive resort properties. Dorado Beach, Carramar, in PR, The Homestead Resort, VA, and the Olympic Tennis Center, Stone Mountain, GA.  

The Olympic site was very interesting as I was hired to revitalize this massive 15-court site with lighted stadium courts. Of all of the Olympic sites ever built, the Australian facility was the only one that remained in use. I brought this empty facility back to life with over 32 tennis teams, full coaching, and pro shop staff. During this time, the Girl Scouts of America awarded me the highest level of community service Trefoil Award.  

While in Atlanta, I created my own Tennis Academy for all levels and age players in Atlanta. This was both rewarding and successful.

I have been on Hilton Head Island for over twelve years. I helped coach in the early development of the Palmetto Dunes pickleball program over six years ago and ran the higher-level coaching.

 I am a Certified Pickleball Coach, and a ranked Pickleball Professional; I won Gold and Silver medals at the US Open.   

Over these years I have built a substantial profile in the national pickleball community/industry and have a stellar reputation and following. I have played and am personally acquainted with the top-ranked players in the world.

On my personal background, I was raised in a professional sports family with my grandfather, Charlie Mitten, playing football for Manchester United. My grandfather was a world-renowned footballer. He had a book published about his career. My father, John Mitten, also played for English Premier Football Clubs.

I see the Hilton Head Island Pickleball program as a transformative opportunity for us all to work together. Not only to create more dedicated courts for our members, to have the best coaching and programming on the Hilton Head Island. Most importantly show by example what it is like to belong to a Pickleball community that leads with the pledge:

To be kind to ourselves as we grow and learn. To lift others around us up and try to be my best self today.

Anyone who goes to our Rec courts in one of our locations will know that whatever kind of day they are having they can go there and be welcomed, met with warmth, acceptance, and kindness. We, our members will make each other better people through Pickleball, as Pickleball is not what defines us.


Want to know your skill level? Read about skill levels here. Questions and concerns can be directed to Sarah: Sarah.mitten@islandreccenter.org or 843-895-4320. All members and visitors are to abide by the Code of Conduct (outlined below) and the rules posted at the facilities.



 
 

Code of Conduct

  1. I will act in a sportsman-like manner and encourage others to do likewise.

  2. I will treat others with respect, fairness, and honesty.

  3. I will act with care so as to not endanger the health, safety or well-being of others.

  4. I will avoid profanity and derogatory or insulting comments.

  5. I will respect the playing capabilities of others, not be critical or judgmental, and offer coaching advice only when asked.