Finding a New Pickleball Home When Everything Changes

There’s a rhythm to a good pickleball group — the morning texts, the shared snacks, the inside jokes that bounce around as easily as the ball. Over time, it becomes more than just a game. It feels like your people. Your place.

But sometimes, that rhythm changes. Maybe someone moves away. Maybe the group splits — some go to a different park, some shift to playing evenings, others stop playing altogether. And suddenly, the place that once felt like home just… doesn’t.

You still show up, but it’s different. The usual voices aren’t there. The familiar rally patterns are gone. You rotate in with new faces, and while they’re kind, you feel like a guest in your own sport. And maybe it’s just in your head — or maybe it’s real — but your game? It’s off. That killer third shot drop isn’t landing. Your timing’s off. You’re not moving like you used to. You wonder if it’s the court surface or the ball or just you. But deep down, you know it’s more than that.

It’s the chemistry that’s missing. The comfort. The “I got you” and “nice hustle” and the silent way someone would move to cover your side because they knew you’d be slow on the backhand. And you start to wonder… do I even belong here anymore?

So you bounce around. You try new courts. You try not to compare — but you do. Some groups feel too competitive. Others aren’t competitive enough. You try to smile, stay open, keep swinging, but the truth is: this is the awkward middle. You’re floating between what was and what’s next.

And then, slowly, something starts to shift. Maybe it’s one person you click with. Maybe it’s a group that invites you to grab coffee afterward. Maybe you hit a clean serve that makes you feel like yourself again. And just like that, hope sneaks back in.

While no group will ever be exactly like the one you lost, you start to realize — there are more good games ahead. More friendships to build. More points to win. You’re not just finding a new court. You’re finding your way back to joy.

So if you’re in that weird space right now — the one where nothing quite fits and your game feels shaky and your heart feels a little out of place — hang in there. Keep showing up. Keep swinging. You still belong on the court. You just haven’t found your next pickleball home… yet.