A player rating is a numerical measure of a player’s skill level and performance on the court. Ratings ensure fair, competitive, and enjoyable matchups by grouping players based on ability — regardless of age, gender, or playing background. While many of our Open Play sessions require a rating, we also offer opportunities such as clinics, private lessons, and select Open Play sessions that are open to all skill levels. There are 2 ways to qualify for a certain level of play at our club, 1) By obtaining an in-house player rating by being evaluated in a rating session by one of our staff members, or 2) By having a DUPR Rating with at least 40% accuracy.
If you don’t yet have a DUPR or Playground rating, our staff can provide one through a Player Ratings Session. Here’s how it works:
Review our Rating Descriptions (below).
Register for a 30-minute Player Rating Session here
Check in at the front desk when you arrive, and you’ll be directed to your court for evaluation.
This process gives you a clear starting point and helps you register for events and programs at the appropriate level. Once you have a Playground rating, you may request additional Player Rating reviews in the future to update your rating and receive feedback from our instructors. We also encourage all players to create a DUPR account for the most accurate rating.
The most widely used system in pickleball is DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating). DUPR provides accurate, real-time ratings by using algorithms that update continuously based on match results. It evaluates players on a 2.000 – 8.000 scale, ensuring consistency across age groups, genders, and locations.
You can easily download the DUPR app and establish your rating after entering just a few scores.
At The Pickleball Playground, we will accept DUPR ratings with at least 40% accuracy, which typically requires around 15 recorded matches (through tournaments or DUPR match play).
Creating a DUPR account is free — just start entering your scores and watch your accuracy improve with each match.
Playing casually with friends? Enter your results directly into the DUPR app.
Playing at The Pickleball Playground? Since we’re a DUPR Club, we can record your scores for you. Simply pick up a scorecard at the front desk, fill it out, and return it after your session.
Playing in one of our sanctioned tournaments? Your scores will automatically upload to DUPR.
You can also link your DUPR account to your Pickleball Playground profile for seamless tracking. Just open your profile in the Playground app, click “Link DUPR Account”, and follow the prompts. Your DUPR rating will always be displayed in your Playground account.
BIG NEWS at the Playground! 🎉 Bogartz In The Kitchen starts THIS WEEKEND!
We have teamed up with Knoxville renowned chef Bruce Bogartz. Introducing “Bogartz In The Kitchen”! We are so excited to start serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the club. Our goal eventually is a full-time restaurant/bar to serve you all, but for the time being, Chef Bogartz will have delicious food for purchase on select busier days and times.
The first opportunity to enjoy Bogartz’s cooking will be this weekend! 👀 Join us Saturday-Sunday from 9am-3pm in the lounge to enjoy something delicious and ring in this new era at the playground!
Our First Annual Drop, Dink, Donate Life Tournament is in just a few weeks! 🏓 Join us Jan 31st-Feb 1st to help us raise awareness for the Meredith Haga Foundation in their efforts to provide financial assistance to Living Organ Donors.
Registration ends January 25th, sign up before it’s too late!
👉 Sign up through the link in our bio and on our app!
Rain got you down? Come join us for our Friday Night Mixer 7:30-9:30pm tonight! All levels welcome! 🎉
Stay out of the rain and enjoy college football and drink specials in the lounge!
Our Beginners Pickleball Clinic Series starts NEXT Monday! ✨ Join us every Monday night from 5:30-7pm for a six-week course in pickleball fundamentals.
This clinic is specifically for those taking their first steps in pickleball. We begin January 12th, be sure to register before the slots fill! Register through the link in our story or through our app! 🤩
Ready to level up your game? Join us for a five week clinic that will help you master the kitchen! 🏓
Dink, Drop, Develop starts January 9th! Slots fill up quickly, register through the link in our stories! 🤩
The New Year is here! Let’s take a look at what’s coming up this month at the Playground...
From open plays to clinics to tournaments— January is packed! Join us this month to sharpen your skills, meet new people, and participate in friendly competition! Be sure to swing by this month to enjoy all the New Year has to offer! ⭐️
