Tips for Beginners: Hawaii Pickleball Lessons, Fees & Coaching
As a beginner pickleball player, you might wonder how you can play with your friends, have a great time, and not feel clueless in the shortest possible time. Fortunately, this blog post will help you make informed decisions to achieve your goals as quickly as possible.
As with any sport, the key is to understand the game itself first. In Hawaii, we have many outstanding players who rank among the best in the world, but to reach that level, they also had to learn how to play pickleball and utilize their skill sets effectively.
As a new player, rule number one is not to compare yourself to others. Only you know your experience, which dictates how quickly you can improve. Have you played tennis or another racquet sport? Are you a natural athlete or an analytical person who needs to understand why you should hit one way rather than another?
In the end, the journey is the same for a beginner as it is for someone who’s played before but wants to improve. The common ground is a love for the game, which makes learning so much easier for everyone.
Level Up: How to Graduate from Beginner in Hawaii Pickleball
When you choose to be a mediocre pickleball player, you have several options. It all depends on what kind of timeline you’re looking for, as well as how much you’re willing to invest in yourself.
Level Up Your Game for Free in Hawaii
If you have friends who already play, you can ask them to help you with the basics, or you can watch videos and read other blog posts about the game.
Cost: FREE
- Learn from Friends: Beginners often grasp the basics most quickly when guided by experienced players.
- Watch Videos: An excellent way to observe proper mechanics and shot execution in real-time.
- Read Blog Posts: A deeper, text-based method for understanding technique and strategy.
- Open Play: Find Local Drop-In Games
I wouldn’t recommend relying solely on those methods—not because I teach pickleball and want new clients, but because a solid foundation is essential.
My kids are learning golf, and I stopped giving them advice myself once I realized I’m not an expert in the field. Trying to interpret videos and guess what you should be doing is almost useless. That said, take any advice with a grain of salt—some people learn well on their own. I know I’d rather my kids be taught by someone who specializes in the sport than by me when I’m not an expert.
Learn pickleball on a budget with these affordable options in Hawaii.
There are several affordable ways to learn pickleball without spending a fortune. Group lessons and clinics can be very instructive—but keep in mind they’re not all created equal. Some local associations even offer low-cost classes. Please conduct your research and ask former students about their experience with the sessions, including how much they enjoyed them and how much they improved.
What to Look for in Group Lessons and Clinics
When choosing the right group lessons and clinics, always ask the instructor about their background and experience coaching multiple players at once. Teaching one person is much easier than managing 2 to 8 players simultaneously. As a student, you’ll want to hit as many balls as possible—nobody wants to stand on the sideline for several minutes waiting their turn. Unfortunately, some coaches focus on hitting with one player while the others watch and wait for prolonged periods.
Group and clinic lessons should be dynamic and collaborative, reflecting the number and variety of players. Sometimes, the skill levels in a group class aren’t the same, and you may find yourself stuck doing exercises you’re not ready for—or held back by others who aren’t keeping up. A good coach will adjust each drill so that every participant benefits, regardless of experience level.
Pickleball Group Lesson & Clinic Pricing in Hawaii
- Group Lessons (2–4 people): $60–$160 per hour
- Clinics (4–8 people per coach): $60–$240 for 2–3 hours
Benefits of Pickleball Group Lessons
- Same skill level players
- Easier to customize your pickleball practice
- Flexible scheduling to fit your needs
- Focused Team Strategy Drills
The Downside of Pickleball Group Lessons
- Reduced Personal Attention
- Limited Repetitions
- Group Distractions
- More Waiting, Less Playing
Benefits of Pickleball Clinics
- Meeting new people
- Longer time on the court (2-3+ hours)
- Lower cost
- Peer Observation
The Downside of Pickleball Clinics
- Limited Individual Attention
- Less Flexible Curriculum
- Variable Coaching Quality
- Skill-Level Mismatch
The Premium Way to Learn Pickleball in Hawaii
The most expensive way to learn pickleball is through private lessons, which may not be suitable for everyone. However, if you value your time and want top‐quality instruction, this option is often worth the investment.
When choosing a private instructor, check their reviews or ask your pickleball peers for recommendations. If a coach’s rates in Hawaii are higher than other options, you should expect that the value you receive—personalized feedback, tailored drills, and accelerated progress—justifies the cost.
A private instructor should help you become the best version of yourself, not train you like every other student. Each player has a unique skill set; you might generate power or control differently, even if the result looks similar.
If your coach tells you that a particular shot isn’t right for you, ask why. Explain that you’d like to try it anyway—good coaches will break down the mechanics so you can execute it properly. The ultimate goal of a private lesson is for you, as the player, to understand your strengths and limitations. By experimenting with different shots, you’ll discover which ones suit your style and which ones don’t.
Hawaii Private Pickleball Lesson Rates
- $60-$120
Benefits of Private Lessons
- Individual attention
- Tailored instruction
- Fastest way to improve
- Maximum shot repetitions per hour
The Downside of Private Lessons
- Most expensive
- No Peer Interaction
- Pressure and Intimidation
- No Live Doubles Play
How to Choose the Right Pickleball Coach in Hawaii
When choosing a pickleball coach for private, group, or clinic lessons, always look at how much their students have improved. If the coach has a track record of helping new, intermediate, and advanced players enhance their game, you’ll be in good hands.
Should Your Coach Be Certified?
From personal experience, I’ve found that certification isn’t essential. I know many certified pickleball coaches who are still learning the game themselves. A coach’s experience as a player and instructor is more valuable than a piece of paper. If a pickleball coach has taught people for a long time and can help you understand the mechanics of your shots, you’ll be in much better hands than someone who earned a certification but has never taught anyone before.
What to Expect from a Pickleball Lesson in Hawaii
When you select the right pickleball coach, you can look forward to a fun and productive experience—especially if you’ve researched to find the best fit. Every coach has their approach; here’s what you can expect from my lessons (though other instructors may vary):
- I’ll send a reminder the day before to confirm the lesson.
- Initially, I’ll ask which specific shots or skills you’d like to focus on.
- I’ll create drills tailored to your goals and work on those particular shots.
- Ultimately, we’ll review the techniques and drills we have covered.
The most crucial part of improving at pickleball is having fun. If you’re not enjoying yourself, why play the game?
Conclusion
Starting your pickleball journey in Hawaii is as much about finding the right learning path as it is about enjoying the game. Whether you opt for free resources—such as playing with friends, watching videos, or joining open-play games—or choose budget-friendly group lessons and clinics, building a solid foundation is crucial. These affordable options allow you to practice with peers, receive guided instruction, and determine if you want to take your game further without a significant upfront investment.
If you’re ready to accelerate your improvement, private lessons offer the most personalized feedback, tailored drills, and rapid progress—although they come at a higher cost. Remember to research potential coaches: look at student outcomes, read reviews, and ask fellow players for recommendations. A good coach will adapt to your unique strengths and limitations, helping you understand which shots fit your style and which to avoid.
Finally, no matter which lesson format you choose, never lose sight of why you started—because pickleball should be fun. When you enjoy practice, you’ll stay motivated, embrace each drill, and quickly see the results of your hard work. Now that you know what to expect, pick the option that best fits your goals, budget, and personality, and get ready to elevate your game in Hawaii’s vibrant pickleball community.
