Is Pickleball the New Golf? Why Professionals Are Making the Switch

Performance Pickleball
May 17
3 min read

For decades, golf has been the go‑to “executive game” for networking, unwinding, and staying active. But a faster, more social—and way more accessible—sport is stealing the spotlight: pickleball. From CEOs and celebrities to former athletes, everyone’s trading their golf clubs for paddles. Here’s why.

1. Accessibility: Easy to Learn, Quick to Play

One of pickleball’s biggest draws is how easy it is to get started. The rules are simple, the court is small, and the learning curve is gentle—even for those who haven’t picked up a paddle sport before. Unlike golf, which often requires lessons and years to master, most people can pick up the basics of pickleball in a single session.

This low barrier to entry makes the sport highly approachable, allowing professionals to focus more on fun and connection, and less on technique and frustration.

A group of people at Performance Pickleball — PHOTO: PERFORMANCE PICKLEBALL

At Performance Pickleball, our flagship Pickleball 101 class is specially designed in a structured format to teach you how to play a full game all by yourself – in just 3 hours! Fully booked every weekend, our beginner’s crash course is guaranteed to be the top in Singapore for helping you get started on your pickling journey.

2. Time-Efficient: Full Games in Under 30 Minutes

Time is the ultimate luxury for busy professionals, and pickleball delivers. While a round of golf can take four to five hours, a typical pickleball match lasts just 15 to 30 minutes. This makes it easy to fit into a lunch break, between meetings, or even before work.

For those who love the competitive spirit of sport but don’t have half a day to spare, pickleball offers the perfect high-energy alternative.

3. Built for Networking and Social Play

Golf may have set the standard for professional networking, but pickleball is redefining it. With its smaller courts, doubles format, and fast rotation of players, pickleball is inherently social. It’s common for games to include friendly banter, laughter, and casual conversation.

Many clubs, such as Performance Pickleball, are now hosting corporate pickleball events, team-building tournaments, and mixers, offering the same networking potential as golf, but with more interaction and less downtime.

a group of entrepreneurs at Singapore's 40-under-40 pickleball event in Performance Pickleball with Koocester — PHOTO: PERFORMANCE PICKLEBALL/KOOCESTER GROUP

In collaboration with Koocester Group, we most recently held Singapore’s 40-Under-40 in March – which saw an influx of young like-minded entrepreneurs gathered for a day of networking and a mix of business and play!

4. Fitness Benefits Without the Time Commitment

Pickleball offers a full-body cardiovascular workout that’s easier on the joints than many high-impact sports. It blends agility, coordination, and movement into a routine that feels more like fun than fitness.

For busy professionals, it’s a game-changing way to stay active without committing to long hours at the gym. Just a few short matches a week can help boost cardiovascular health, improve mental clarity, and reduce stress—no treadmill required.

5. Lower Barrier to Entry (And Less Expensive Gear)

Let’s face it—golf can get pricey. Between club memberships, green fees, and equipment, costs add up fast. Pickleball, on the other hand, is refreshingly affordable. All you need is a paddle, a few balls, and a court.

At Performance Pickleball, we offer paddle and ball rentals with every court booking, so even if you show up empty-handed, you're good to go. This low-cost, low-commitment setup makes it easy for anyone to give pickleball a try—no big investment required. It’s one more reason why the sport is exploding in popularity.