If you have been anywhere near a park, a gym, or a retirement community in the last three years, you have heard the sound — the sharp pop of a polymer ball off a composite paddle, followed by laughter, trash talk, and someone yelling “nice shot” from the sideline.
Pickleball is no longer a curiosity. It is the fastest-growing sport in America. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, 24.3 million Americans played pickleball in 2025 that’s a 172% increase in just three years. The sport has added millions of new players annually, and participation is expected to surpass 25 million by the end of 2026.
On Sanibel Island, the timing could not be better. And The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club is where the game is growing.
Why Pickleball Fits Sanibel Perfectly
Sanibel Island has always attracted people who are active, social, and looking for things to do beyond the beach. The island’s permanent residents skew older — the median age is 68 — but they are far from sedentary. These are golfers, tennis players, swimmers, and cyclists with the time and the means to stay active.
Pickleball slots into that lifestyle seamlessly. It is easier on the body than tennis, faster to learn than golf, and more social than almost any other sport. A typical game lasts 15 to 20 minutes, you can play doubles with friends of mixed ability, and the learning curve is gentle enough that a first-timer can be competitive within a few sessions.
For the seasonal visitors and snowbirds who swell the island’s population to 30,000 during peak months, pickleball solves a common problem: what do we do after the beach? It is an activity the whole group can do together, it does not require a full day commitment, and it pairs perfectly with lunch at the clubhouse or cocktails on the patio afterward.
Four Dedicated Courts at The Dunes
The Dunes has four dedicated pickleball courts — purpose-built, not converted tennis courts with taped lines. This matters more than most people realize. Dedicated courts have the correct dimensions, proper net height, and appropriate surface for the game. You are not sharing space or compromising on the playing experience.
The courts are available for reservation, and the club runs a full schedule of programming for every level.
Daily clinics cover fundamentals for beginners and tactical play for intermediates. Drop-in sessions let you show up, get matched with other players, and get into a game without booking in advance. The Tennis Concierge — yes, the service extends to pickleball — which will pair you with a partner or group at your skill level if you are visiting alone or want to find a competitive match.
For players who want structured instruction, the pros on staff offer private and semi-private lessons covering everything from third-shot drops to dinking strategy to power play at the net.
The Social Side
Here is what pickleball players will tell you that non-players do not fully appreciate: the game is a social connector in a way that few other sports can match. The court is small enough that you are in constant conversation with your opponents. The pace is fast enough to keep everyone engaged. And the culture of the sport — welcoming, low-ego, intergenerational — makes it easy to walk onto a court as a stranger and leave with plans for dinner.
At The Dunes, the social side extends beyond the courts. Mixers bring together players of all levels for organized play followed by food and drinks at the clubhouse. These events have become some of the most popular gatherings on the club’s calendar — and they attract a noticeably different crowd than the golf tournaments. Younger players, couples, families, and visitors who might never book a tee time are showing up for pickleball and discovering everything else The Dunes has to offer.
That crossover is exactly the point. Someone comes for pickleball, stays for happy hour on the patio, tries Edgar’s Steakhouse for dinner, and starts asking about membership.
Who Is Playing
The demographics of pickleball nationally have shifted dramatically. While the sport found its initial foothold in retirement communities — and Sanibel’s 65-plus population remains a core audience — the average age of a pickleball player in the U.S. has dropped to around 35. The 25-to-34 age group is now the fastest-growing segment of the sport.
At The Dunes, this shows up in the mix of people on the courts. You will see retirees who have been playing for years alongside vacationing families, couples in their 30s and 40s looking for an active date activity, and kids who pick up the game faster than anyone expected.
For a club that is focused on growing membership across demographics, pickleball is the single most effective tool for reaching people who would not otherwise walk through the door.
What It Costs
Court fees at The Dunes are straightforward. Tennis, pickleball, and golf club members play for free. Sports members pay $15 per session. Non-members pay $24 per person for a 90-minute session, or $12 per person after 1pm.
For visitors on the island for a week or longer, the 30-day membership gives you access to courts at member rates along with all the other benefits — dining discounts, pool access, advance booking, and reduced greens fees. If you plan to play three or more times during your stay, the math starts to favor the short-term membership.
Full annual memberships include complimentary court time as part of the package. For anyone who plays regularly, the membership effectively pays for itself through court fees alone — before you factor in the golf, dining, pool, and social benefits.
Getting Started
You do not need experience. You do not need your own paddle — rentals are available. You do not need to be a member. You just need to show up.
Here is how to get on the courts:
Call the tennis pro shop at (239) 472-3355, option 2, to reserve a court or ask about clinic schedules. If you are not sure where to start, the staff will point you in the right direction based on your experience level.
If you have played before and want a competitive match, ask the Tennis Concierge to set you up with a partner or group. If you have never picked up a paddle, start with a beginner clinic — they run daily and will have you playing confidently by the end of the session.
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club 949 Sand Castle Rd, Sanibel, FL 33957 (239) 472-3355, option 2 Courts available daily | Clinics, drop-in, and private instruction
Learn about membership | View tennis and pickleball programs